TIA Releases Comprehensive Guide on Fuel Cells for Wireless Infrastructure

Developed by a TIA Focus Group that Includes Altergy, Microsoft, Dept. of Energy, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Assoc., and Others

Arlington, VA (April 28, 2017) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today announced the publication of a comprehensive reference guide for the planning, installation and use of stationary fuel cells for wireless communications. Produced by TIA’s Fuel Cell Focus Group, the new guide provides information on the regulations, codes, standards, permitting processes, fuel supply considerations and technologies related to fuel cell deployment.

TIA developed the reference guide in recognition of the increasingly important role of fuel cells, which provide reliable backup power that allows communications towers and other equipment to be widely deployed. While not meant to be a definitive source for all information on stationary fuel cells, the guide is a comprehensive and accurate reference tool that will complement other sources, including the codes and standards identified in the document.

“To produce this guide, members of TIA’s Fuel Cell Focus Group spent two years applying their expertise, work experience and industry networks,” said Stephanie Montgomery, TIA’s VP of Technology and Standards. “The result is a unique resource that addresses a full range of issues involved in fuel cell planning and deployment. Our fuel cell reference guide goes further than anything else available and can be extremely helpful to project managers, engineers, designers and others.”

In 2013, TIA created an exploratory Focus Group on Fuel Cell Standards for Wireless and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure. The primary goal was to bring together fuel cell companies, mobile network operators, cell site leasing companies, engineering firms, government entities, and others to develop the broad reference guide announced today.

The purpose of the guide is to support the deployment of fuel cells by identifying regulatory requirements and providing information on fuel supplies, permitting, and other procedures. It is the first of two publications – the second will be a users’ guide that will address stationary fuel cell operations. Further, with the rapid pace of change in ICT, the Focus Group will review and update the guide in the coming years.

The following companies and organizations participated in the development of the guide:

• Air Liquide
• Air Products & Chemicals
• Altergy
• Ballard Power Systems
• BNC Energy, LLC
• BTI/Fuel Cells 2000
• Burns & McDonnell
• ClearEdge Power
• CommScope
• Department of Energy
• Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association
• Hy9 Corpration
• IGX Group, Inc.
• Microsoft Corporation
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• ReliOn
• Serenergy
• Trulite, Inc.
• U.S. Department of Transportation