By definition or by design, remoteness and reliability can support decentralized energy systems. Switzerland, for example, has mandated 100 percent reliability in the backup systems for its communication networks, creating a price insensitive niche market for off-grid supply. The US$12,000 per kW (in 2003$) of steam engines when first introduced are in the same ballpark as the current costs of fuel cells, which are often classified as prohibitively expensive.