GenCell Energy has launched the GenCell A5 off-grid power solution, a cost effective power alternative to diesel generators – targeting telecom operators and telecom tower companies.

The innovative GenCell A5 fuel cell solution assists telecom operators to reduce Opex cost in powering rural telecoms.

GenCell A5 solution can reduce Opex costs of cellular tower companies such as American Tower (ATC), Helios Towers, Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel, and mobile network operators by up to $250 million across 1,000 towers as compared to using conventional diesel generator solutions over a 10-year period.

The GenCell A5 fuel cell solution creates hydrogen-on-demand from ammonia to overcome the limitations of the current hydrogen infrastructure. By creating hydrogen-on-demand from ammonia, the GenCell A5 provides clean fuel cell power at a lower cost than polluting diesel generators – at $0.50 per kWh, said Rami Reshef, GenCell CEO.

Rethink Technology Research surveyed 55 mobile operators and tower companies about their plans for powering base stations.

“We found that the most important drivers for investing in a new power technology are to reduce fuel costs and operating costs. These are the only two areas where current hydrogen fuel cell solutions do not meet operator objectives,” Caroline Gabriel, research director at Rethink Technology Research, said.

Ammonia fuel cell solutions, such as the GenCell A5, offer all the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells while reducing the fuel cell Opex costs by at least 25 percent.

“Our study shows that this can accelerate operator investment and significantly impact the operator business model for off-grid communications, while contributing to government programs for universal connectivity and Internet services,” Caroline Gabriel said.

Telecom engineers need to less money and time on maintaining the GenCell A5 off-grid power solution as compared with diesel generators.

“This innovative solution will support remote or rural areas where power issues may exist and is a significant development for mobile operators who will now have a reliable and efficient supply of green energy for off-grid power generation for base stations,” Henry Calvert, head of Future Networks, GSMA, said.