KEYMILE is using a direct methanol fuel cell in its XMC20 hybrid multi-service access and transmission platform.

As a result, mission-critical communications networks have an uninterrupted power supply for long periods of time, boosting reliability and availability significantly.

Effective immediately, KEYMILE is offering a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) power generator. The DMFC generator increases the reliability of the company’s XMC20 product family for mission-critical communications networks, which belong to local authorities, railway companies, energy utilities, and oil and gas suppliers.

KEYMILE signed a reseller agreement with the Danish fuel cell manufacturer IRD to use its model 800 DMFC generator. In the event of a power failure, continued operation is ensured. This aspect is vital in SOS communications and other mission-critical networks, such as air traffic, border control, or pipeline monitoring systems.

The DMFC generator is an efficient means of generating energy during a power failure. It stands apart for its long, independent period of operation.

The methanol fuel cell runs very efficiently and requires no movable parts. It is exceptionally reliable and requires no maintenance, as long it is fed with methanol and oxygen from the ambient air.

In contrast to a diesel generator, it is quiet in operation and produces no harmful emissions. Handling of methanol is quite simple. The power density is superior, even compared to highly compressed hydrogen, and 15 times higher than lithium-ion batteries.

The DMFC generator is placed in a 19in rack and integrated in the standard KEYMILE UNEM network management system. It is ideal for data centres and in remote sites without local maintenance personnel.

It has been designed for significant fluctuations in temperature and can be operated at altitudes of up to 3,000m above sea level.