UNLOCK THE POWER OF FUEL CELLS
How do you guarantee to keep your mobile surveillance system, running completely off-grid, 365 days a year, and 24/7, when there is no power supply available to recharge the battery storage capability?
The Challenge
Operating any off-grid solar-powered technology in Michigan is challenging, particularly through the winter. November, December, and January are the most demanding months of all where there is not only less sun coverage but also fewer hours of daylight. Broadly a 50% reduction from 16 hours per day at summer peak to only 8 hours per day.
Stored Energy - Batteries
Relying solely on solar power often isn't enough to maintain effective surveillance while staying within the power budget. A typical IP camera uses 4–6W, and a mobile surveillance system usually requires at least three cameras. The solution is to use stored energy, typically through batteries. Adding more batteries seems straightforward, as there is usually at least one to store solar energy.
However, bridging the energy gap to operate year-round is difficult without a significant number of batteries. For instance, with a 25W power budget, a 34 kWh shortfall would occur over November, December, and January. A 200Ah battery stores around 2.5kWh, meaning 14 batteries would be required to last through winter. Some providers address this by swapping and recharging batteries, as most mobile surveillance systems can only hold 3-4 batteries. However, this means up to 14 batteries worth of stored energy to be swapped five or more times over three months, requiring spare batteries to be charged and ready. For a fleet of just 10 mobile surveillance systems, 30–40 batteries would be needed in total. The implications for both storing and batch charging can be both challenging and costly, therefore.
The Stored Energy Solution
MMST's mobile surveillance system is built to include a methanol fuel cell. These cells use methanol fuel to provide the stored energy and in instances where the solar yields haven’t been sufficient the cell will recharge the battery of the system. Unlike a generator, the cells will only operate intermittently and are almost silent running.
Stored Energy - Methanol Fuel
The standout advantage of methanol fuel is its high energy density, offering unmatched stored energy capacity. With just 1 liter of methanol providing 1kWh of energy, our systems come equipped with a 60-litre fuel cartridge as standard, delivering an impressive 60kWh of stored energy. This is equivalent to around 25x 200AH AGM batteries—an amount that would be impossible to physically store. Moreover, the system supports two 60-litre fuel cartridges, allowing you to boost the stored energy to an incredible 120kWh. With a typical power budget of 20W, a single 60-litre cartridge could power the mobile surveillance system for up to 3 years. This dramatically reduces maintenance costs and ensures that your surveillance tower remains online even in the most challenging conditions—crucial for minimizing downtime in any surveillance operation.
The Key Benefits
Our systems, when fitted with both solar panels and a methanol fuel cell give several practical and financial benefits. The reduction in several site visits required for battery swaps is a major saving on labor and logistics, which directly impacts the financial cost. In almost all cases the upfront cost of deploying this innovative technology far outweighs the ongoing service costs of multiple site visits.
Why use a Methanol Fuel Cell in a Solar Powered Mobile Surveillance System?
Incorporating methanol fuel cells into solar-powered mobile CCTV systems is a game-changer for CCTV installers. While solar power is sustainable, it often struggles to provide consistent energy, especially in challenging conditions or during the winter months. Methanol fuel cells bridge this gap by delivering reliable, long-lasting power, ensuring your mobile surveillance system remains operational year-round. This dependable energy source significantly reduces maintenance visits and downtime, saving both time and money. For CCTV installers, this means more efficient installations, happier clients, and a reputation for delivering uninterrupted, high-quality surveillance solutions.
CONCLUSION
Using a methanol fuel cell as a backup power source for battery-powered systems offers several key benefits:
1. Extended Runtime: Methanol fuel cells can provide continuous power for extended periods, far exceeding the typical battery life. This is particularly useful in remote or off-grid locations where regular battery charging isn't feasible.
2. Reliable Power Supply: Unlike batteries that gradually lose charge, methanol fuel cells generate consistent power output as long as they have fuel, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
3. Compact and Lightweight: Methanol fuel cells offer high energy density, meaning they can store more energy in a smaller, lighter package compared to traditional batteries, saving space and reducing system weight.
4. Reduced Maintenance: Fuel cells require less frequent maintenance than batteries, which need regular recharging or replacement. This lowers the frequency of site visits and reduces overall maintenance costs.
5. Environmentally Friendly: Methanol is a clean fuel, and when used in fuel cells, it produces minimal emissions, making it an environmentally friendly backup power option.
6. Scalability: Methanol fuel cells can be easily scaled to meet varying power needs, making them versatile for different applications and power demands.
7. Operational Efficiency: By providing a reliable backup power source, methanol fuel cells help ensure that critical systems remain operational during power outages or periods of low battery charge, enhancing overall system reliability.
8. Cost-Effective: Over time, the reduced need for maintenance and the ability to prevent system downtime can lead to significant cost savings, making methanol fuel cells a cost-effective backup power solution.
OUR THOUGHTS
While swapping batteries has gained popularity as a way to avoid investing in a methanol fuel cell, especially with the rise of new battery technologies like lithium, the true value becomes clear when you compare the actual storage capacity and frequent replacements to the consistent energy output of a methanol fuel barrel. Add the benefits of a remote monitoring portal, which tracks solar yield, fuel cell charge capacity, and fuel levels, and the case for methanol fuel cells becomes even stronger. For efficient management of a Mobile CCTV System, methanol fuel cells are the superior choice.