6/12/2009
Clean Energy to Columbia Radio Network
Download press release as pdf.
Columbia, SC, USA, June 1, 2009 - Dantherm Power has successfully installed the first hydrogen fuel cell based backup power system for the City of Columbia as part of the 2009 Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge program. This environmentally friendly solution will ensure that the City’s radio network is always available to serve city employees even in the event of loss of electric utility power.
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| Here’s the old gasoline generator system. | Here is the new Fuel Cell based system, which is not only cleaner and quieter but also more reliable. |
The project addresses the “Deployment” aspect of the Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative’s mission; to demonstrate the commercial readiness of fuel cell applications and to connect the demonstrations with other related hydrogen technologies and capabilities in the region. The project brings several benefits to the Columbia region; it will fulfil the city’s need to upgrade their backup power gear with a reliable, environmentally friendly solution, it will provide a showcase site to demonstrate the value of hydrogen fuel cell technology and the job growth potential this industry could bring to South Carolina and it will provide a working, real world lab for local schools & universities to train tomorrow’s cleantech engineers and technicians.
Two additional communications sites will be upgraded to fuel cell systems later this year. Future phases of the project may integrate renewable energy technologies such as solar or wind power generation into the system. According to Dantherm Power’s Business Development Manager, Tom Ollila, “The resulting regenerative system would be an enabling energy storage method which could move us closer to the goal of making truly sustainable energy systems possible.”
Headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, Dantherm Power Inc. focuses on the commercial development of fuel cell technology for customers in the Telecom, Information Technology and Government Markets to meet their backup power needs. Ollila commends local efforts to promote fuel cell technology, “The many people from various City and State agencies that we worked with to sponsor and implement this program have been very helpful. Columbia and South Carolina have clearly created an environment conducive to the success of fuel cell manufacturers, suppliers and end users.”
Some of the other organizations involved in this program include:
City of Columbia – As the end user of the project’s hardware, employees of the City have been active participants in the project, and have been involved in; site selection, equipment performance specification, safety certification, related approval policies, operating and testing procedures, etc.
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) – SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in McLean, Virginia. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technologybased solutions with assured outcomes to industry and government, with the help of research universities in the US and around the world. SCRA serves as the program manager for the projects awarded under the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge, and has contributed funding toward this specific project.
EngenuitySC – EngenuitySC is a public-private partnership focused on nurturing the growth of a knowledge-based economy in the Columbia region. EngenuitySC believes that a focused, targeted and collaborative commitment to areas of competitive advantage like hydrogen and fuel cell technology accelerates economic progress. As a member of the USC Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative, EngenuitySC is working to make Columbia, SC a premier destination for hydrogen and fuel cell innovation.
University of South Carolina (USC) – USC has pioneered hydrogen and fuel cell technology research and application in the region. USC professors and students will contribute their ideas and their energy to this program in areas such as; site monitoring, performance analysis & evaluation, public education of fuel cell technology, etc. These working fuel cell sites will be great real world labs to complement their more advanced fuel cell technology research.
Midlands Technical College (MTC) – MTC established one of the first fuel cell technician training programs in the country to supply the skilled personnel needed to install, monitor, service and fuel hydrogen fuel cell sites. The project’s sites will be valuable real world training labs to educate future MTC students.
About Dantherm Power
Dantherm Power Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Dantherm Power A/S which is located in Hobro, Denmark. Since 1958, parent corporation Dantherm Air Handling A/S has built a solid reputation as a trusted supplier of custom electronic cooling products, services and support. Dantherm Power focuses on the commercialization of Backup Power products based on fuel cell technology; from development and production, to sale and support of complete solutions to customers in the Telecom, Information Technology and Government Markets.
For further information, please contact:
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North America: Tom Ollila, Business Development Manager |
Europe: Per Albæk, CEO |