Mobile SATCOM Communication Hub
To the reference report
144 kilometres of ski slopes, 31 lifts and peaks of three thousand-metres in elevation comprise the Sölden ski area on the Ötztal glacier in Austria. The number of skiers contribute a considerable proportion of the tourists in Ötztal. A radio station for the fail-proof-communication between the cable cars, ski rescue and snowcats is crucial for the cable car operators of Bergbahnen Sölden to ensure visitors have a safe day on the mountain and on the slopes.
The ideal location for a radio station is above the Kleble Alm on the Söldenkogel mountain. In winter, this can only be reached by helicopter and has a daily power requirement of about 4,000 Wh/day during continuous operation. The operators of Bergbahnen Sölden were looking for a fail-proof autonomous power supply with little maintenance required.
The EFOY Pro 12000 Duo is the ideal power supply solution for this application.
“Using EFOY made it possible to use this optimal radio location. ”
Low maintenance required, no oils, independent frost protection function, hardly any noise generation and no exhaust gases. The EFOY was developed specifically for our application area.
Ing. Manuel Köll, Bergbahnen Sölden
A 500 W fuel cell, EFOY Pro 12000 Duo, combined with solar panels (4 320 Wp) and 440 Ah battery capacity is used to operate the radio station. The power solution was installed in a control cabinet with four MT60 tank cartridges and integrated in a 20-foot container.
EFOY fuel cells are ideal for hybrid operation with solar-powered systems. The EFOY then only switches on as a back-up power supply if the solar module can no longer provide enough electricity due to poor weather. By using a hybrid power supply, the autonomy of the system is extended many times over without user intervention. The hybrid solution is ideal for applications requiring energy all year round regardless of the weather.
By using the off-grid power supply with an EFOY Pro fuel cell in hybrid operation with solar power, it was possible to utilise the optimal radio location on the Söldenkogel mountain. There is hardly any maintenance required for the cable car operators. Only the fuel tank cartridges need to be changed after a winter season. Unlike a diesel generator, the EFOY Pro 12000 Duo does not have any moving parts, no oils, and only emits water vapour with a low amount of CO2 when generating electricity. The integrated frost protection function is a key feature for use in colder regions and at higher elevations such as the Söldenkogel (2 975 m). The radio station is located at an elevation of 2 346 m. Energy is generated environmentally-friendly and with the added benefit of low noise during operation, no additional stress is placed on wildlife and the surrounding environment.
