An unnamed group of cable operators is looking at distributed energy generators developed by Deka Research, according to Light Reading.
Deka’s CEO Dean Kamen (the inventor of the Segway) is working with NRG Energy on a 10 kW energy device for the home that can convert natural gas, biogas and biomass into electricity, generate heat, and store solar-generated electricity in a battery, reports The Atlantic.
Although the president of NRG Energy talked with The Atlantic about using the device for homes, apparently now, some cable operators are testing the Stirling-engine-based generator, dubbed Beacon 10.
The device is capable of producing 15 kW and weighs about 1,500 pounds, says Light Reading, which speculates the cable industry may be looking at the device as a backup power solution.
A company that already caters to the telecommunications industry is Ballard Power Systems, which offers fuel cell systems for telecom backup power.