Following the path taken by the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers in 2011, CableLabs has deployed a hydrogen fuel cell platform from CommScope that will provide the cable R&D cable organization with up to 16 hours of backup power.
CableLabs is using the system to provide backup power for its headend and cable modem termination system installed at its headquarters in Louisville, Colo. The SCTE deployed its fuel cell (pictured) above at its Exton, Pa., headquarters.
Billed as a platform that’s more environmentally-friendly than diesel generators, CommScope’s system, which is being pitched to cable operators and other service providers, uses hydrogen-powered fuel cells that are tailored to pump backup power to network sites and hubs.
"By incorporating fuel cell technology into our infrastructure, CommScope is helping CableLabs take a leadership role in demonstrating how cable operators can continue to provide business and enterprise class services in an environmentally friendly manner," Chris Lammers, executive vice president and chief operating officer at CableLabs, said in a statement.
"Operators want to reduce their carbon footprint without jeopardizing their service. CableLabs is demonstrating to the cable industry that cost effective, green energy can be a reliable solution for their backup power needs,” added Anil Trehan, vice president of energy solutions at CommScope.
The fuel cell system deployed in Exton was first called into action about two years ago when the SCTE facility lost power during Hurricane Irene, and again in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy.
