EXTON, PA – The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) has unveiled a backup powering system for cable that uses environmentally friendly technologies to maintain power during an interruption or blackout.
The prototype, which is installed at SCTE headquarters, integrates solar and fuel-cell technology to provide an average of five to seven days – or more given hydrogen replenishment – of power for critical systems. Designed to enable SCTE to maintain constituent services during adverse circumstances, the system also will help to build cable’s overall knowledge base around backup powering, something that the organization calls key to business services success.
Aligned with SCTE’s Smart Energy Management Initiative (SEMI) objectives, the 19.7 kilowatts (kW) hybrid power system combines a newly installed 8-kW hydrogen fuel cell solution from CommScope with a 2.8-kW grid interactive solar array and 20-hour runtime storage batteries installed by Alpha. Intelligent controls optimize the generation and storage capabilities of all sources when public utility power is unavailable.
“The success of cable’s business services initiatives is dependent in large measure on the industry’s ability to provide voice, video and – most importantly – data services without interruption,” said SCTE president and CEO Mark Dzuban, in the announcement. “The field research we are conducting with CommScope and Alpha will help the industry create the solutions, standards, skills and certifications needed to chart a course toward such key objectives as optimized power efficiency and ZERO power unavailability.”
