Dec. 27, 2011: Army Fuel Cell System Begins DOE and DOD Collaboration
WASHINGTON — The Army has installed a fuel cell system at its Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland to supply the facility with emergency backup power. The four-stack system is one of the first of 18 fuel cells to be installed and operated at military bases across the country under an interagency partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Under the partnership, the departments will test how the fuel cells perform in real-world operations, identify technical improvements manufacturers can make to enhance performance, and highlight the benefits of fuel cells for emergency backup power applications.
Compared with batteries, said DOE, fuel cells are a reliable source of backup power because they offer long continuous run times and greater durability in harsh outdoor environments, which makes them ideal power sources for military applications. Unlike traditional electricity generators used for backup power, fuel cells use no petroleum and are quieter. And, they reduce emissions compared to traditional generators. Fuel cells also typically require less maintenance than either batteries or traditional generators do, and they can easily be monitored remotely to reduce maintenance time.