BOS-Baden-Württemberg: 35 new fuel cell systems

Subproject: Demonstration of PEM fuel cell UPS for network protection of BOS digital radio base stations

In Baden-Württemberg, around 700 radio sites were set up for the introduction of digital radio in Germany for authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS). In terms of availability and reliability, these so-called critical infrastructures have to meet particularly high requirements. For this reason, the state of Baden-Württemberg has decided to set up a stationary emergency power supply by installing fuel cell systems at 35 important locations that are sometimes difficult to reach in winter.

The fuel cell type used is polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEM). The power requirement at the sites is in the range of 2.0 or 2.5 kW. Fuel is supplied by the use of compressed hydrogen in compressed gas cylinders. The radio sites can thus be supplied for up to 100 hours in the event of a power failure. The use of pressurized gas cylinders makes it comparatively uncomplicated to supply hydrogen quickly.

The project aims to advance the use and operation of fuel cell systems in the field of so-called critical infrastructures. At the same time, field tests are to be used to obtain valid and reliable data on the systems used in order to support system manufacturers in the further development of systems.

The project is funded by the National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP) with approx. 1.4 million € (approx. 48 % of the project budget) by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.