In recent months, a familiar risk has returned to everyday life: large-scale power outages disrupting entire regions. At the end of April 2025, a major blackout affected the Iberian Peninsula—Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France were without electricity for several hours. Rail transport, telecommunications, and emergency services were impacted, with tragic consequences for those affected.

Germany experienced a similar event in early January 2026, when a serious power outage in southwest Berlin—caused by arson attacks on critical power lines—left around 45,000 households and numerous businesses temporarily without electricity.

These incidents make one thing clear: energy security is no longer an abstract concern—it is part of today’s reality. Wherever electricity is mission-critical—whether for critical infrastructure or the protection of human life—reliable solutions are required that operate independently of the public power grid.

Fuel Cells as a Resilient Power Source

In the video, Florian Taschke, CTO of SFC Energy AG, explains how off-grid fuel cells work and where their key strengths lie. These systems generate electricity using methanol or hydrogen, delivering continuous power without relying on the grid. Especially in scenarios where blackouts could have severe consequences—such as industrial facilities, surveillance systems, or security applications—fuel cells ensure stable energy supply even when the grid fails.

From Manufacturing to Deployment: A Look Behind the Scenes

One focus of the video is production. While individual cell modules were once tested manually, today fully automated testing and inspection stations set new standards for quality and reliability. At state-of-the-art facilities in the United Kingdom, SFC Energy manufactures the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)—the heart of every fuel cell—on highly automated lines, covering everything from coating and lamination to the finished component.

Industry, Security, Defense: Applications Across Sectors

The range of applications for this technology is broad. Traditionally, fuel cells are used to recharge batteries in industrial systems or mobile surveillance towers. However, one area gaining particular importance amid geopolitical tensions and rising security demands is the defense sector.

For military use, SFC Energy offers specially developed tactical fuel cell solutions that are manufactured and tested according to military standards (MIL-STD). These systems integrate seamlessly into existing military energy management environments and provide power for communications, sensor, and surveillance equipment—quietly, without detectable signatures, and with minimal maintenance requirements.

Greater Efficiency, Fewer Emissions, High Resilience

Another key advantage of fuel cell systems is their environmental performance. They often replace diesel generators, significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions while conserving resources through high efficiency and recyclability at the end of their service life. This makes them attractive not only for industrial users but also for national security and defense authorities seeking reliable, low-emission energy solutions for critical missions.