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—Utility substation backup power
Power outages cost the U.S. $150 billion each year, and the intensity and cost of outages are increasing due to climate crisis. Traditional backup solutions are often unreliable and unsustainable. GenCell REX™ offers an emission-free hydrogen-powered solution for substation backup. As a Tier 1 source of backup power or as a supplement to battery systems, the REX powers circuit breaker auto-reclosers until the grid recovers, keeping utility customers connected and giving maintenance teams peace of mind.
emission-free hydrogen-powered solution
Extended Runtime: Provides long-lasting backup power for substations during outages, ensuring continuous operation of critical equipment.
Cost Efficiency: Eliminates the need for multiple battery rooms, reducing infrastructure and maintenance costs. Avoids pollution and expenses associated with diesel generators.
Resistant Design: Features a shelter resistant to high-voltage interference and earthquakes, ensuring durability in challenging conditions.
Versatile Configurations: Offers multiple power output options to support various substation loads and communications systems.
Enhanced Integration and Monitoring: Seamless integration with utility SCADA systems, with advanced remote monitoring and control software for operational intelligence.
GenCell REX is an enhanced version of the GenCell BOX tailored to provide flexible, resilient, zero-emission power to utility substations. Delivering long-duration backup power that maintains substation auto-reclosures active throughout power outages of any duration, the GenCell REx is key to rapidly restoring power for utility companies’ millions of customers. It can be positioned as a Tier 1 solution to replace battery backup or as Tier 2 to supplement battery backup. The REX can be installed with an optional heavy-duty outdoor enclosure that is seismic and EMS compliant to withstand earthquakes and EMPs. The system complies with strict power utility quality and cybersecurity standards and certifications.
IEC/EN 62282-3-100, IEC 60950-1, IEC 60204-1, IEC 60335-1, EN 61000-6-2, EN 55011 IEEE693-2005 (Seismic, High Performance Level), OSHA1910.103, IEEE Std C37.90.1-2012 Sections 4.1, 4.2 EMC: EN55011/EN61000-6-2 ISO9001:2015 IEEE 693 (seismic design)
The GenCell REX utilizes fuel cells powered by hydrogen to deliver a direct DC feed of efficient, extended runtime auxiliary backup power for substations during outages, ensuring continuous operation of critical equipment. Operating as a direct source of backup power or supplementing legacy backup battery systems that can provide only 6-8 hours of electricity, the GenCell REX solution offers an immediate injection of power that keeps circuit breaker “auto reclosers” operational until the grid recovers.
The GenCell REX provides enhanced durability and reliability, highest resilience and resistance to extreme weather and substantially longer duration backup power than traditional battery systems. The REX eliminates the need for costly multiple battery rooms with their large size and space footprint and temperature requirements of 15ᵒc – 25ᵒc for maintaining battery efficiency.
Yes, the GenCell REX is available in different configurations to support a variety of substation loads and communications systems. Offering optimal flexibility to meet diverse power requirements, the REX offers dual usage of 130 & 48VDC from the same product, supporting in parallel critical substation loads as well as internal communications and SCADA systems that monitor the utilities’ operations.
The GenCell REX offers advanced integration capabilities (DNP3, IT OT) with enhanced interface with leading utility SCADA systems, allowing seamless integration into existing infrastructure for efficient management and monitoring. Furthermore, GenCell has enhanced and improved the functionality of the GEMS™ INTELLIGENT EDGE IOT SOLUTION to make IoT connectivity and security easy. GenCell’s embedded software affords utilities expanded remote control of the REX as well as maximal visibility of the equipment via additional data points that can be accessed by the utilities’ monitoring systems. The system is multi-protocol, offering north and southbound modularity, Edge IoT functionality such as logic framework, automated reporting and optimized cyber-security. REX is cloud-agnostic and incorporates a built-in web server and is smart-grid ready.
The GenCell REX is rugged and sturdy, with no vibration and few moving parts. Designed for low routine maintenance, the REX has minimal upkeep requirements, no cleaning requirements and no membranes to treat and needs infrequent parts, fuel and consumable replacements, typically involving no more than annual servicing. Minimal site visits and maintenance costs translate to reduced system OPEX.