Water / Methanol Fuel Cell Based Dimetra IP TETRA Sase Station Demonstrated At TETRA WORLD CONGRESS

HONG KONG – TETRA WORLD CONGRESS – 27 May, 2008 - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that it is showing a Dimetra IP TETRA base station with a fuel cell at the TETRA World Congress in Hong Kong. The fuel cell incorporates a reformer so that the base station can run using a water/methanol mix. This would overcome any supply issues associated with hydrogen and makes the fuel cell a viable solution in many more locations and in developing areas of the world. This solution was also shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in February 2008, through a fuel cell powered cellular phone.

In mission-critical or emergency operations, TETRA base stations must run continuously to provide secure communications even in times of power outages. Batteries or conventional generator solutions have to be provided as a backup for mains power at critical locations or if the mains power has regular outages. Generators have a number of disadvantages, including carbon emissions and noise. Fuel cell technology is advancing and now offers significant advantages that match the needs for TETRA base stations in challenging locations.

Motorola has investigated hydrogen powered fuel cell technology for TETRA, and in areas where hydrogen is readily available, it offers a viable alternative to diesel powered generators. Motorola is already actively planning the roll-out of hydrogen powered fuel cells in critical locations in a nationwide network in Northern Europe. Hydrogen fuel cells are now well proven in critical power back-up situations and can run for extended periods limited only by the capacity of the hydrogen, and the only emission is water.

Fuel cell technology is shrinking and Motorola is actively working with partners to investigate the feasibility of fuel cells in all types of mobile communications including mission critical radios. In many mission critical operations, there is a need for long periods of use without the ability to recharge the unit. Fuel cells offer the promise of extended periods of use without the need to return to base to recharge. Fuel cells can also be used to charge TETRA radios in remote locations, for example where TETRA is being used in an emergency and no power is available. Small fuel cells using liquid fuels are being evaluated as a means of charging several radios at one time in a compact desk-top unit. Further announcements will be made during 2008 on the application of this technology in mission critical applications.

As TETRA service extends to more and more areas, the need for cost effective, reliable, and environmental-friendly back-up power becomes more significant. Motorola has already recognised this trend in cellular communications and has a wind and solar power solution available. This builds on the successful trial in Namibia of a wind and solar powered GSM base station. The wind and solar power solution can be used with remote TETRA sites, recognising that there is a need to design the complete power system for continuous service during periods of unusual weather conditions. Fuel cell technology would complement wind and solar power to provide very high levels of availability in all seasons and extremes of climate.

“Motorola understands that public safety professionals require communications solutions that are easy-to-use, perform in ultra-rugged environments where power may be an issue, are ergonomically designed for public safety, and deliver real-time information seamlessly across multiple agencies,” said Phey Teck Moh, vice president, Motorola Government & Public Safety, Asia Pacific. “Motorola’s MOTOA4™ solutions are built around public safety requirements and a fundamental need for technology that is ‘second nature,’ enabling responders to focus on the mission and not the technology.”

For more information, visit the Motorola booth at TETRA World Congress (Booth W) where it will showcase Technology That’s Second Nature™ through its MOTOA4™ portfolio of mission critical solutions.

Tags: TETRA WORLD CONGRESS, Dimetra IP TETRA base station, fuel cell, Water / Methanol Fuel Cell

Beer goes green at Sierra Nevada

If you were a fan of that brown bottle with green and yellow labeled beer, you have another reason to be happy. Sierra Nevada beer company is putting up final touches to going 100% green. They are adding Solar panels to the fuel cells that provide most of the brewery's energy now. The brewery has four fuel cells operating 70 to 75 percent of the facility's power, Sustainability Coordinator Cheri Chastain said. This summer they have been in the process of adding solar panels. In a few short weeks the solar panels will be operational. With the added solar panels the brewery will be approaching 100 percent self-sufficiency. After the panels' installation the plan is to add additional solar panels in order to be completely self-sufficient when the sun is up, during peak hours, Chastain said.
The solar panels are located on the east side of the facility, covering three acres of the parking lot, providing energy to the facility along with covered parking for the employees, Chastain said. PG&E's Self-Generation Incentive Program is providing incentive costs to help fund the project. When the project is complete and successfully operational the brewery will receive a refund from PG&E. If you are interested, also check the California Energy Commissions offering.

Natural or bio-gas (Methane is a by product of beer production) is fed to the Fuel Cell , where hydrogen gas is extracted and combined with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat, and water. Heat is then recovered and used to heat water for brewing and the electricity is used throughout the brewery. Fuel Cells are efficient, quiet, and produce extremely low emissions.
In addition to Solar Panels and Fuel Cells, Sierra Nevada Beer company has been busy keeping the environment clean with recycling, heat recovery, CO2 recovery, and byproduct recycling.
I think I will order a Sierra Nevada next time I visit the neighborhood Pub.
I was lead to this news by Jennifer Barker at Paradise post.

Tags: recycling, heat recovery, CO2 recovery, byproduct recycling, fuel cell, solar power, beer, sierra nevada, California Energy Commissions, PG&E