With increasing calls for the construction industry to take a more responsible approach and ‘green building’ being viewed as a popular way to improve environmental credentials, it’s no wonder that viable alternatives to diesel generators are now being considered, alternatives that offer both environmental and cost benefits, such as hydrogen fuel cells.
At the start of this year, the Government passed legislation introducing new emissions limits for mid-size generators[1]. Not only will this legislation deliver further substantial reductions in emissions, but it could also aim to minimise the impact on energy security and costs to businesses.
With some of the new regulations coming into place at the end of this year, fuel cell engineering company, Intelligent Energy, is urging businesses in the construction industry to make the switch to hydrogen fuel cells now.
Here, Jim Irvine, Product Manager at Intelligent Energy, shares his top three reasons why hydrogen fuel cell products are a viable alternative to diesel generators.
- A cost-effective solution
Hydrogen fuel cell systems offer significant through-life cost advantages over diesel alternatives. Thanks to a minimal servicing requirement, fuel cells will reduce your parts, maintenance and labour costs through life, and increase your application uptime.
- Minimal maintenance and servicing
The maintenance of a Fuel Cell Module is a simple, periodic, low-cost air filter inspection or replacement. There are no costly and time consuming services to carry out, and no dirty oil changes to make. A large proportion of the cost of ownership for a diesel generator is down to the parts and maintenance that are required to keep it running; with a Fuel Cell Module these costs are almost completely avoided.
- Near-silent operation
Near silent operation means fuel cell powered equipment can operate when diesel engines must switch off. This makes them an advantageous choice, meaning our customers can complete jobs quicker or win contracts they may not have been able to do so owing to the noise of diesel operated equipment.
Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell solution
For the construction industry to be seen as more environmentally conscientious, Intelligent Energy has incorporated its Air Cooled fuel cell stacks into innovative, modular and scalable Fuel Cell Modules (FCMs). Products available in the FCM 800 range include the FCM-801 1.2kW, FCM-802 2.4kW and FCM-804 4kW.
The FCM 800 range has been designed for portable and stationary power applications. The products are clean, quiet, efficient and require minimal maintenance, and are an ideal solution for businesses looking to improve their environmental footprint. In addition to the above benefits, they can also be operated in well ventilated enclosed areas and negate the problem of environmentally damaging and costly diesel spillages.
Intelligent Energy’s FCMs provide an opportunity to both reduce operating costs and increase environmental performance, compared with the use of traditional diesel generators.
For more information, visit: https://www.intelligent-energy.com/our-products/product-information/
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-emission-controls-will-help-improve-air-quality