Sirius’ john Merlino, left, and VP Mark Goldstein are targeting security (Sandie Allen)
A new local player in the fuel cell market is looking to make a splash in the physical and homeland security markets, a growing area of interest among the emerging industry.
Sirius Integrator Inc. of Devens is not selling its own technology, however. Its success relies on the interest in systems developed specifically for security applications by German fuel cell maker SFC Fuel Cells AG. Sirius is SFC’s third distributor of commercial fuel cells in the United States and first on the East Coast.
The challenge for Sirius is to convince large security system integrators that fuel cell technology is a more reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries to power surveillance cameras and other security equipment.
John Merlino founded the company five months ago after working in the product management department at Tyco Fire and Security in Avon and as a product manager at Sun Microsystems Inc. He says most technology companies don’t think much about the power components of security systems, yet they are critical infrastructure for a system that must run constantly and reliably.
“Security companies buy what they’ve been using. They aren’t looking at batteries as a component that needs to be changed,” said Merlino, president of Sirius. “But these fuel cells allow you to go from weeks to months without recharging them.”
Always interested in the alternative energy business, Merlino started looking more closely at fuel cells after being laid off from Tyco. He says he met with several fuel cell executives to brush up on the business and determine which of the myriad technologies would be most applicable to security.
“We were looking for a technology with a long power range and very low voltage for remote and wireless systems. The Smart Fuel Cell out of Germany had a new product line that came out in August of 2008 that met those needs,” he said.
The company’s EFOY Pro fuel cell uses so-called direct methanol fuel cell technology, which places methanol and steam into a battery-type system. The chemical reaction generates electrical current and emits water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Merlino contends the fuel cells are much more environmentally friendly than lead acid batteries, which contain hazardous materials, and the replaceable methanol cartridges reduce waste.
As the prospects for success in the passenger transportation sector dim, more fuel cell companies are placing their bets on portable power and uninterruptable power system applications in the defense and homeland security markets. Protonex Technology Corp. of Southborough is developing methanol fuel cell technology for emergency response and physical security installations, as well as military portable power applications.
Westwood’s Acumetrics Corp. is also working to develop and commercialize such technology.
As for Merlino, he says his handful of salesmen have already made sales in the security and law enforcement market and are looking into bids for portable security system contracts procured by Massachusetts and other state governments. He and his business partners expect to self-fund the venture for the next 9 months to 12 months before looking for outside investment.
