How hydrogen is firming up critical communications

In regional Victoria, there are five Telstra mobile phone towers that are particularly vulnerable to electricity grid storm damage. At the same time, these assets are critical in supporting local communities during extreme weather events.

Telstra needed a way to provide a consistent electricity supply to the phone towers — at Neerim North, Chum Creek, Christmas Hills, Coldstream and Kinglake — in the event of natural disasters and other unplanned electricity grid outages. To address the problem, the telco has worked with Energys to officially commission a hydrogen-powered back-up generator at each of the five sites.

Energys specialises in designing and delivering advanced hydrogen generators and modular fuel cell engines. The company uses its expertise in feasibility studies, engineering and global consulting services to help industries adopt zero-emissions energy solutions.

The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generators, manufactured by Energys at its Mulgrave facility, will provide long-duration zero-emissions power when it is needed.

Now, the final site — at Neerim North in East Gippsland — has come online and was inspected by Victorian Minister for Energy & Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.

“I’m thrilled to be here ... standing next to the future,” said Energys Managing Director Roger Knight at the launch of the new generator. “When it comes to the transition away from diesel power, Telstra is showing their leadership by trialling hydrogen.

“We’re thankful for Telstra’s trust in Energys to deliver critical back-up power systems that will service these five sites during natural disasters and extended grid outages. It’s a huge endorsement of the reliability and readiness of our Hydrogen Generators,” Knight said.

Designed to international and Australian standards, the Energys hydrogen generator range features commercially ready power products that handle the most common applications currently serviced by diesel generators. These include 12, 40, 125 and 250 kW systems available to customers ‘off the shelf’. Energys said these turnkey power products are drop-in zero-emissions replacements for traditional diesel electric generators, which will inevitably be phased out as businesses focus more on emissions and rising diesel prices.

Energy Safe Victoria has signed off on Type B regulatory compliance for the five Telstra sites and the Energys Hydrogen Generator, which has been operating at Toyota in Altona since 2019. Further systems in Queensland and Western Australia are also in advanced stages of regulatory approval.

Energys acknowledged the support of the Victorian Government through the Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund.

Image credit: iStock.com/Mercedes Rancaño Otero