Application of Fuel Cell as an Emergency Power Source for Traffic Signal

Back up power generation system is desirable to secure the function of a traffic signal in an emergency like earth quake or black out. The existing backup generators are diesel engine type and therefore bring about environmental problems in the maintenance operation conducted monthly. Meanwhile, fuel cell technology is now in progress remarkably, which reaches the stage of practical use for emergency power generator for traffic signal, if LED (Light Emitting Diode) is applied to the signal. An emergency back-up power generator was developed and an experiment was conducted at a real intersection to test the function of the developed system for one year. By the experiment it was verified that the developed system works well as a back-up power generation system. But the cost is not yet competitive with the existing system with diesel engine.