Aluminum-Air Reserve Power Unit for use in a 6 kW standby power system

The aluminum-air technology as a telecommunications reserve power source, has been qualified by British Telecom and France Telecom for use as a backup power source in the 1200 watt configuration. A number of telecommunication companies have been evaluating a 6 kW Aluminum-Air Reserve Power Unit (RPU) for use as a backup power source for their networks. Much of the testing has centered around the restart capabilities of the RPU, under various storage environments. In a primary mode, the RPU can meet all operational requirements. The main advantages of the 6 kW Aluminum-Air RPU over lead-acid batteries or combustion engine driven gensets are the exceptionally high energy-density characteristics of this electrochemistry, environmentally benign nature of the spent fuel, and that the RPU requires considerably less routine maintenance, remaining dormant for extended periods of time before being automatically activated. These features make the RPU an attractive alternative standby power source, especially at remote sites where maintenance provisions are minimal. Some of the telecommunications companies that are also actively implementing or in the process of evaluating the 6 kW RPU include AT&T, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and Bell Canada. The focus has been to characterize the restart characteristics of the RPU, in relation to the storage and operating environment requirements of the various telecommunications companies. This paper summarizes the test results and data gathered and outlines future test requirements.