Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Working Principle and Advantages

Context: A hydrogen fuel cell-based backup power solution has been developed for Uninterrupted Power Supply to Telecom Towers.

Need for Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Telecom Towers

• India has over 1 million telecom towers, with tens of thousands in remote areas where grid access is limited.
• Traditional diesel generators are commonly used as backup power sources but have several drawbacks:
  • High operational costs
  • Significant carbon emissions
  • Maintenance issues
• Solution: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) offer a cleaner, cost-effective, and reliable

About Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)

• PEM Fuel Cells generate electricity using hydrogen, producing only water vapor as a by-product.
• It follows a plug-and-play model, making deployment easy and effective.

Working Principle

• Hydrogen gas (H₂) is fed into the anode and oxidized, releasing protons.
• Protons pass through a polymer membrane to reach the cathode.
• At the cathode, they react with oxygen (O₂) from the air to generate electricity and water (H₂O).

Key Advantages

• Zero emissions (water is the only by-product).
• High power density in a compact design.
• Fast start-up times and low operating temperatures.
• Low maintenance compared to diesel generators.

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