HÖRMANN Warnsysteme, a leading manufacturer of siren warning systems, and SFC Energy AG (‘SFC’, F3C:DE, ISIN: DE0007568578), a leading supplier of hydrogen and methanol fuel cells for stationary, portable and mobile hybrid power solutions, have launched a joint pilot project. Fuel cells will ensure the long-term emergency power supply of siren warning systems as part of a critical infrastructure.
As part of the critical infrastructure, siren warning systems must function reliably. Electronic sirens are therefore fitted with batteries as standard. These ensure that the sirens are reliably ready for use over a longer period of time, even without a power supply. Sometimes the sirens are equipped with an additional emergency power supply or an alternative power source, for example if there is no reliable power supply or if it is necessary to ensure that the batteries have full capacity at all times. Solar cells or wind rotors are used for this purpose, for example. In the pilot project, fuel cells are now being introduced as a further alternative to supplying power to the batteries.
The pilot project was implemented as a demonstration for customers of both companies at the headquarters of HÖRMANN Warnsysteme in Kirchseeon, Bavaria, Germany. A turnkey stationary outdoor energy solution EFOY ProCabinet 2020S unit is directly connected to an HÖRMANN siren mast on site. A permanently installed EFOY Pro 1800 direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is in the control cabinet. This takes over the power supply in the event of a power failure, ensuring that the siren warning system remains functional for the duration of the existing battery backup. One key feature that sets SFC's fuel cell-based energy solution apart from other backup systems is its independence from the weather (from solar radiation or wind conditions), since critical infrastructures, in particular, require maximum reliability.
Anna Hörmann, Managing Director of HÖRMANN Warnsysteme GmbH: "Our siren warning systems serve to alert and protect the population. Therefore, both we and our customers expect maximum availability and operational capability – regardless of whether mains power is available or not. Our electronic sirens have batteries and can therefore remain on standby for long periods without a power supply. Back-up systems also ensure that the battery capacity is maintained in the long term so that our sirens can warn the population in good time even in the event of a long-term power failure or unreliable power supply. With the pilot project and the use of SFC Energy's proven fuel cell technology as a backup power system, we offer our customers an additional and reliable alternative, for example, alongside photovoltaic or wind-based backup systems."
Electronic Siren warning systems are used worldwide under a wide range of conditions. They are generally operated by state organizations such as municipalities or authorities, but also by private companies. Pilot project partner HÖRMANN Warnsysteme provides solutions ranging from individual electronic sirens to nationwide siren warning systems. Examples include the siren network in Bulgaria, with 1,000 sirens or 300 installed units in the island state of Singapore. Overall, HÖRMANN Warnsysteme has extensive experience in the installation and maintenance of more than 60,000 sirens. This expertise highlights the great potential for the use of SFC's fuel cell solutions.
Dr Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy AG: "We appreciate the trust placed in us by the market leader for electronic sirens, HÖRMANN Warnsysteme, and we look forward to further expanding our collaboration in the future. With this pilot project, we are taking initial steps in an international use case that has not yet been explored by SFC, focusing on ensuring the functionality of critical infrastructure – the siren warning systems. SFC fuel cells have already proven to be a reliable and powerful source of clean energy in many other areas of critical infrastructure, such as information and communication technology, worldwide – regardless of local conditions."
Photo: Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO SFC Energy AG and Anna Hörmann, Managing Director HÖRMANN Warnsysteme GmbH
