India’s telecom infrastructure is set for a revolutionary upgrade, as hydrogen fuel cell technology is introduced as a clean, sustainable power solution. Developed under the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (CFCT) at ARCI, this innovative backup power system promises to enhance India’s telecom sector while supporting renewable energy goals.
Currently, the telecom industry in India operates over a million towers, many in remote areas where grid power is either unavailable or unreliable. Traditionally, diesel generators have been used as backup, but these contribute significantly to carbon emissions and are costly to maintain. The Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, running on hydrogen, offers a more eco-friendly and efficient alternative, generating electricity with water vapour as the only by-product.
The PEM fuel cells are compact, quick to start, and require less maintenance than diesel generators. They generate electricity by passing hydrogen gas through a membrane, creating an electrochemical reaction with oxygen to produce power and water. These fuel cells are also transportable, and their plug-and-play model allows them to be shared among multiple telecom towers, enabling flexible backup power solutions in hard-to-reach locations.
This breakthrough technology has been demonstrated at a telecom tower in Pune in collaboration with Resicorre Technologies, Nashik. The demonstration, part of the Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Call – 2021 by the Department of Science and Technology, showcases the potential of PEM fuel cells for improving telecom operations and reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.
By integrating renewable energy into India’s digital infrastructure, the fuel cell-powered telecom towers represent a significant step towards a greener, more reliable telecommunications network in the country. This innovation supports the goals of the Department of Telecommunications and TRAI, who have set mandates for hybrid renewable energy use in rural and urban telecom towers.
