The emergency power supply system is fully integrated into a Rittal Toptec CR climate controlled enclosure and may be supplied with hydrogen directly at the place of installation. The oxygen required by the system is obtained from filtered ambient air. The broader operational temperature range of the fuel cell stack, which varies between -33°C to +50°C, is far less sensitive compared to conventional battery-buffered back-up systems, thus offering a major advantage since batteries require a constant internal temperature.
Fuel cells use the electro-chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen and transform these into electrical energy, water and heat, offering a more environmentally friendly emergency back up than traditional methods, as the only by-products are water and heat. RiCell is suitable for use for a widespread range of functions within an extensive range of applications, particularly railway technology, transport, power engineering, IT and telecommunications. For example: the fuel cell can be utilised in tunnels as an emergency back-up generator to safeguard against power supply failures, RiCell can also be deployed as an alternative power source to safeguard critical processes within power plants or could be utilised as an emergency power backup for network technology or at mobile base stations.
The ready to connect fuel cell consumes 16% less hydrogen than previous models of the same output (from 75 to 63 standard litres per minute for the 5kW model). In standby mode the new RiCells require minimal power.