IdaTech (News - Alert), a global manufacturer of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell products for telecom and other critical backup power applications, announced that telecom major T-Mobile (News - Alert), in the state of California, installed the ElectraGen ME Fuel Cell System on its network and using Bio-HydroPlus fuel to power the system.

This is the first use of Bio-HydroPlus, a liquid fuel mixture of bio-methanol and de-ionized water for powering IdaTech's backup power fuel cell systems.

Leveraging IdaTech's ElectraGen fuel cell systems, operators can benefit from critical backup power when loss of grid occurs, according to a press statement.

By using fuel cell systems, customers can qualify to receive additional government incentives associated with the renewable Bio-HydroPlus. The federal government offers 30 percent rebate on the system cost plus an additional 30-50 percent rebate in several states.

Telecom network operators are looking for fuel cell systems instead of diesel generators for backup power, and fuel cell systems with renewable fuel provide operators with clean, quiet power from a sustainable source. The savings make fuel cell systems a more affordable backup power solution for telecom operators.

Officials from T-Mobile and IdaTech witnessed the first use of Bio-HydroPlus in the state of California and saw the backup power fuel cell delivering 5,000 watts of clean power while operating on renewable fuel.

Recently, IdaTech announced that it acquired the assets of Plug Power's GenSys liquid petroleum gas off grid and GenCore backup power stationary fuel cell product lines. Plug Power (News - Alert) provides cost-effective power solutions that increase productivity, lower operating costs and reduce carbon footprints.