UK - A new hydrogen fuel-cell powered lighting package from industrial gases and engineering firm BOC provides a solution that is long on staying power and short on emissions, the company says.
Aimed at a range of applications, from lighting an outside maintenance area or a night-time sports practice court, to outdoor temporary events, the latest addition to the Hymera family of hydrogen fuel cell products from BOC, a member of The Linde Group, is an ideal option for locations that cannot connect to grid electricity, say BOC. The package uses high-efficiency, low-wattage lamps with an output equivalent to two 300W halogen lamps.
BOC say its system has significant advantages over both battery-powered or diesel/petrol generator alternatives. When compared with generator performance, the Hymera emits no carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) or particulates. In fact, it only produces water vapour as hydrogen and oxygen are combined in the process of releasing electrical energy. In addition, fossil-fuelled generators are notoriously inefficient at part-loads - which is frequently what is required with modern, energy-efficient appliances.
The drawback of battery power, a common alternative, is its limited run-time - whereas a single cylinder of hydrogen weighing just 10kg will keep these lights running for nearly 24 hours. And when the hydrogen finally runs down, the lightweight cylinder can be quickly and simply replaced with another.
The Hymera lighting package is easily transportable and can be set-up and operational within minutes, say BOC.
