A new hydrogen fuel-cell technology could revolutionise the African telecoms market, by bringing clean, low-cost power to remote cell towers, says Robert Carlton-Shields, Afrox business manager for special products and chemicals.
The local industrial gases company said yesterday it has partnered with UK-based Diverse Energy to conduct field trials of hydrogen-from-ammonia fuel technology in three regions across Africa.
The first test takes place in a remote area in Namibia, with trials to be run in Johannesburg in September, according to Carlton-Shields. “Plans are currently in a sensitive stage, but as soon as the units are placed we will have permission to release the information,” he notes.
According to Afrox, the technology uses ordinary ammonia to extract hydrogen as a fuel source to efficiently power cellphone towers that have no access to main grid electricity. “The science could revolutionise the alternative energy solutions market in the telecommunications industry worldwide,” says Afrox.
Afrox points to a recent report by Ernst & Young, indicating the telecoms market in Africa is forecast to grow faster than any other region, with increasing competition making operational efficiency a top priority.
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