APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, has announced its next generation Fuel Cell Extended Run (FCXR) product that provides hydrogen-based, environmentally friendly backup power for the company's InfraStruXure® datacenter solution. APC, part of global energy management specialist Schneider Electric, is committed to providing its customers with highly efficient, green backup power solutions to meet the need for clean and reliable extended run options in network critical applications. InfraStruXure fully integrates power, cooling, environmental monitoring and management in a rack-optimized design. This on-demand architecture allows the selection of standardized components to create a solution through modular and mobile configurations.
APC's next generation Fuel Cell Extended Run product, which produces emission free electrical backup power using air and stored hydrogen, is available in 10 kW increments up to 30 kW contained in a single 19-inch rack. Developed in collaboration with Hydrogenics Corporation, the FCXR uses Hydrogenics' HyPM XR Fuel Cell Power Modules.
The FCXR supports APC's 3-Phase Symmetra PX product line for uninterruptible power and adds a new dimension for extended backup time to APC's InfraStruXure architecture. The FCXR offers a lower total cost of ownership for runtime requirements greater than two hours in this power range when compared to lead acid batteries. Additionally, this solution is ideal for customers with space constraints or for companies that can not operate a diesel generator due to noise or emissions concerns.
"APC's next generation fuel cell backup product represents one of the first commercial uses of fuel cell technology for datacenter environments, said John DiPippo, senior vice president, APC Datacenter Solutions, Software and Services. "The next generation FCXR incorporates key improvements based on the successful commercial trials of our earlier fuel cell solution deployed during the past two years. We believe APC's new fuel cell product provides the right combination of power capacity and innovative hydrogen-based technology to meet market demand.
The combined expertise of APC and Hydrogenics helped create an extended run solution that offers customers the following:
Zero Emissions: The only by-products during the electrical conversion of hydrogen and oxygen are heat and water.
Flexible Runtime Options: The available run time can easily be varied by changing the number of hydrogen bottles stored.
High Reliability: Installed close to the load, the FCXR is a pre-engineered, mechanically simple system with few moving parts consistent with the principles of the InfraStruXure architecture. Additionally, the FCXR connects directly to the DC input on the Symmetra PX eliminating the need of an auto-transfer switch.
Small Footprint: The indoor installation of this high power density solution fits in the footprint of a standard IT rack.
Scalability: Scale onsite from one to three 10 kW fuel cell power modules in a standard InfraStruXure rack.
Easy to Maintain: The FCXR has a very simple basic maintenance schedule.
The FCXR will be available in select regions in the fourth quarter of 2008.