British company Intelligent Energy has the technological know-how to power an iPhone for a week without recharging. Now, it is going to prove it can deliver a more reliable mobile signal to rural Indians.
Intelligent Energy will scrap the diesel backup generators that power mobile masts when India’s grid takes one of its frequent unscheduled breaks. The company, based in Loughborough, will replace up to 26,000 internal combustion engines with its own hydrogen fuel cells, propelling the sub-continent’s mobile infrastructure to the cutting edge of the energy industry.
Scientists have known for more than 175 years that the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce water can also create electricity. Intelligent Energy’s refined version of the chemistry uses layers of steel and a plastic. The sandwich can be small enough to fit inside a smartphone or large enough to drive a family car.
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