Wataniya Tests Fuel Cells As Power Supply for Base Stations

Kuwait based IT systems integration firm, Masiya says that it has completed a successful trial of a fuel-cell technology at mobile operator, Wataniya. The fuel cell systems were provided by a 3rd party, P-21, and the trial was carried out in one of the base stations of the Wataniya Telecom tower at Al Funtas.

Lasting in excess of a month and involving periods of both supervised and unsupervised testing, the trial also encompassed the new air-conditioning system, which was able to maintain below-critical shelter temperature during the simulated power outages.

The Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system managed to provide more than 10 hours of back-up time using 6 hydrogen cylinders, and was monitored remotely through a GPRS modem. It sent the appropriate SMS warning messages and reports to the technical team.

"What makes this event quite remarkable is the apparent compatibility between the offered technology on the one hand, and Wataniya's system requirements on the other," explains Mr. Meshal Al-Ibrahim, Masiya's Chief Operating Officer. "The tested system is in fact a state-of-the-art technology that is used in space missions. Being robust and reliable, it was then successfully applied and utilized by the telecom industry."

The primary advantages of the fuel cell are that it is small, light and pollutant-free, since power-generation using hydrogen guarantees a 100% environmentally friendly operation. It is also highly efficient, reliable and operates at low noise levels. The cell also has a potential operating time of up to 2,000 hours; making it reliable against power disruption for up to 10 years.

Following this initial trial, Masiya says that it seeks to introduce the technology to other mission-critical industries - in both Kuwait and the Gulf - such as Banking and Oil & Gas, where any vulnerability to power interruption cannot be afforded.

Posted to the site on 7th July 2008