News Release Ohio Department of Administrative Services Bob Taft, Governor  C. Scott Johnson, Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 8, 2004 MARCS SYSTEM TO FEATURE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION WILL PROVIDE EMERGENCY POWER FOR RADIO NETWORK (Columbus) -- MARCS, Ohio's Multi-Agency Radio Communications System will soon protect its own state of the art technology with another tool from science's cutting-edge. Fuel cells, a pollution free source of energy, will be installed on MARCS towers to provide backup power for the statewide radio network during emergencies under an $87,252 contract signed with havePower, LLC based in Washington, D.C. "We're excited to announce this new application of fuel cell technology for the state of Ohio, " Gov. Bob Taft said. "Fuel cells hold unlimited promise for the future and they will perform no more important job than helping to protect Ohio's citizens by ensuring that MARCS will remain up and running when other power isn't available." A fuel cell operates like a battery, but unlike a battery, does not run down nor require recharging. It will produce energy in the form of electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. Because the electricity is produced through a chemical reaction and not by combustion of fossil fuels, the only emissions are water. Fuel cells are a critical component of Taft's Third Frontier Project to provide high-paying jobs for Ohio. Research headquartered at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland is working toward the commercial development of fuel cells under an $18 million grant announced by Taft last May. Through an Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative Grant from the Ohio Department of Development, havePower LLC will install a fuel cell on four towers serving MARCS. The project will allow MARCS to test emerging fuel cell technologies, reduce the overall maintenance costs at these sites and become more environmentally conscious by using fuel cells instead of diesel fuel for back-up power. Scheduled for completion late this year or in early 2005, MARCS will provide safety personnel with voice and data transmission of digital clarity, regardless of weather and terrain. Construction is complete on 107 of 200 towers. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services manages the project. The department provides centralized support to state agencies. Media contact: Ben Piscitelli, Ohio Department of Administrative Services at 614-752-9521. [ Administrative Support | Communications | Employee Services ] [ Finance | Legal Counsel | Legislative Affairs | MIS ] Site Map | Search | DAS Home Page | State Home Page | Contact DAS