Plug Power to integrate Maxwell’s ultracapacitors into its fuel cell systems

Plug Power Inc. has selected Maxwell’s Boostcap ultracapacitors to enhance performance and energy management in its line of GenDrive power units.

The company, an integrator of fuel cell-based power solutions for zero-emission material handling vehicles, has finalised a purchase order for Maxwell’s Boostcap MC2600 2,600-farad ultracapacitor cells.

According to Maxwell, the combination of technologies is another example of the synergy between hydrogen fuel cells’ extended energy output and ultracapacitors’ short duration burst power capabilities.

Andy Marsh, president and chief executive officer, Plug Power Inc. said that GenDrive power units provide a high-efficiency, low-maintenance “drop-in” replacement for lead-acid battery packs in electric lift trucks. The GenDrive system delivers enhanced productivity by eliminating the downtime associated with the changing and charging of lead-acid batteries.

On decision to integrate Maxwell’s ultracapacitors into its fuel cell systems, Marsh said ultracapacitors’ burst power capabilities for lifting, as well as regenerative braking for energy recuperation and longer operating life make them an ideal complement to hydrogen fuel cells in this application.

PowerGenix signs deal with PowerEagle

PowerGenix has entered into a supply agreement with PowerEagle, a manufacturer of electric bicycles in China.

Under the agreement, PowerGenix will supply its nickel-zinc (NiZn) cells for pack fabrication into the entire product line offered by Veloteq, PowerEagle’s North American sales and distribution partner, beginning in 2009.

Veloteq acknowledged that PowerGenix’s NiZn batteries will enable the company “to achieve optimum performance while reducing power system size and weight.”

For its part, Veloteq investigated both nickel metal-hydride and lithium-ion technologies, but found that under deep discharge conditions only PowerGenix’s NiZn provided the high storage capacity that its power systems require while meeting Veloteq’s safety and reliability mandates.

As per the information available, PowerGenix’s power systems will be featured in both Veloteq’s “power-on-demand” models, powered exclusively by the electric motor, as well as “power-assist” models that require manual pedaling assisted by the electric motor.

PowerGenix batteries will also be incorporated in future product developments including an electric motorcycle that complies with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards.

PowerGenix’s batteries will allow Veloteq to increase the power output and range of their bikes while still achieving battery pack weight savings of 60 percent.

By providing more power and runtime in a smaller and lighter form factor, PowerGenix’s NiZn batteries allow ebike users to travel 40 miles on a single charge costing as little as three cents, five to six times less expensive compared with lead-acid batteries. In addition, charge time is cut down 75 percent to about 1 to 2 hours, providing enhanced mobility and longer travel ranges for ebike commuters, stated the company.

Europe’s largest PV energy storage development project initiated

A new Franco-German project, focusing on the development of a new concept in energy conversion and storage for grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, has been launched.

The project, titled SOLION, has been initiated by Saft, Conergy and Tenesol.

SOLION has been recognised by the Eureka/Eurogia and Tenerrdis programmes, and is supported by the French Ministry of Economy Finance and Employment (DGE) and the German Ministry of Environment (BMU). A German utility (E-ON), three German research institutes (ISEA, ISET & ZSW) and one French research institute (INES -CEA) are associated with this project.

The project will introduce large lithium-ion batteries into PV systems on the largest scale ever tested in Europe.

The objective is to develop an integrated energy kit able to be produced on an industrial scale for decentralised on-grid, residential PV systems.

The 75 systems will be deployed in Germany and France. These trials will validate the performance of the system, its economic viability, the added value of energy storage in an on-grid PV system and the benefits for stakeholders.

Storage will enable solar energy to be "time shifted" to periods of peak demand or when there is no sun in order to allow self consumption or grid support. As of now, grid-connected PV systems, without energy storage, are directly fed in.

Altair gears up for 1MW battery-based energy storage demonstrator

Altair Nanotechnologies has completed the 500th full depth cycle of a lithium titanate battery developed for the US Navy.

The company termed the development as a significant milestone, as it stated that by getting associated with a large-scale operation like a Navy destroyer, Altair’s battery technology is proving its worth. Plus, this collaboration also paves the way for a “safe, less costly, and environmentally sustainable substitute for turbines that use increasingly costly imported oil.”

The “Mark 0, Characterization Module” allows the Navy to test and better understand the unique properties of Altair batteries. For example, capacity tests show that the battery has lost only about one percent of total capacity. It is anticipated that early next year, Altair will deliver a 1MW battery-based energy storage demonstrator.

Referring to the launch of a new battery backup system, Terry M. Copeland, chief executive officer, Altair said: “Given the number of ships to which Altair’s technology could be applied, this electrical storage and rapid power delivery system could reduce the Navy’s consumption of fuel by tens of millions of gallons each year. Once proven, our technology could be used by, not only the US Navy, but commercial and foreign buyers.”

With an Altair battery installed as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a vessel could avoid the cost of keeping the backup generator online. If there is a problem with the primary generator, the battery would provide enough power to get a second unit up and online.

Altair’s $2.5 million contract is funded as part of a $3.5 million United States Navy programme that includes independent product testing by the Navy. Additional funding of $5 million has been approved by Congress for FY 2008.

Scottish hydro power untapped: study

A study has highlighted that there is enough untapped hydro potential to power nearly 600,000 homes in Scotland.

It shows there are still 657MW of financially viable hydro electricity schemes to exploit. That is about half the amount of hydro capacity already installed in Scotland. The study says there are 1019 financially viable schemes and a total of 128 new dams would be required.

The study, carried out on behalf of the Scottish Government to assist the Hydro Sub Group of the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FHSG), recommends that immediate attention should be paid to speeding up the application process for hydro-electric schemes. At present, applications for projects bigger than one megawatt are dealt with by ministers and smaller ones by local authorities.

“While we are unlikely to see much in the way of further large-scale developments, it is clear there is huge untapped potential – and a sustainable and profitable future in smaller and micro hydro schemes. Each scheme would have to be assessed on its own merits, but if we can turn the tap on to new hydro power we can tackle climate change and continue to stimulate economic growth,” said Energy Minister Jim Mather.

Sites with capacities of more than 1MW totalled 176, and the total capacity possible being almost 313MW. Six of the sites were in the 5MW-10MW range (total capacity 36.2MW) and 170 in the 1MW-5MW band (total capacity 276.6MW). The study identified 300 financially viable sites with capacities in the 500kW-1MW range (total capacity 193.2MW), and 543 sites with capacities below 500kW (total capacity 151MW).

Scotland has 1380MW of installed hydro capacity, excluding pumped storage, a further 104MW under construction, just over 5MW with consent to build and 16.1MW in planning. A further 27.2MW is in the scoping stage.

Handling communication strategy for DR programmes

Article: Interview with Jessica Stromback, director, VaasaETT Global Energy Think Tank

smartelectricnews.com Special

In this time of rising energy prices, initiatives are being taken to provide customers with additional information that could help them reduce electricity usage and potentially lower their bills.

Recently, a group of selected residential electricity consumers in the District of Columbia were chosen for a pilot programme, PowerCentsDC, described as the first in the electric utility industry to test the response of residential customers to three different innovative pricing options under one programme. Via this initiative, an advanced metering technology is being tested. Plus, the consumer are also checking out pricing options that could assist them in curbing their monthly bills by better controlling their power consumption.

Assessing such initiative, Jessica Stromback of VaasaETT Global Energy Think Tank told smartelectricnews.com, "I look at these developments as very positive. Most pilot studies only test one or at most two, options at a time rather than several. This creates a situation where, if you want to learn for example, which type of feedback system or pricing scheme works best, you are forced to compare studies carried out at different times, within different population groups and usually using different selection criteria and methodology. To say the least, this can make accurate, reliable conclusions difficult to come by."

Stromback, who is scheduled to speak during Intelligent Demand Response for Electricity Summit 2009, to be held in Amsterdam on 28-29 January this year, recommends three things when it comes to involving consumers for DR programmes right from the pilot/ test phase for any project.

1. Know what consumers care about or what their "need drives" are - is it the environment? Financial savings? Social responsibility? etc.
2. Use those need drives to grab their imaginations.
3. Make your campaign part of a larger media package. Use everything you have, your own marketing department but also the general media to give your efforts more weight through publicity.

With reference to PowerCentsDC pilot, organisations involved in the project hope to get an insight into how consumers react to pricing information. They also want to learn whether consumers alter their usage habits, potentially resulting in lower energy costs, achieving energy efficiency gains and a reduction in the amount of kilowatts needed to supply the District of Columbia's demand, thereby benefiting all consumers.

It is quite critical for any government/ state authority and other organisations to get an insight into how consumers react to pricing information or any initiative.

Commenting on the same, Stromback said: "The very best way of course is to try them - and like the Canadians try a variety of possibilities so that you can build on previous knowledge and create real comparisons. You not only learn about how your customers’ would react but also what such measures would really require in reality from your utilities, regulators, grid operators…"

"If you don't have the budget for a pilot study - ask them. However, remember that most consumers know almost nothing about the industry and they may not understand the ramifications of their answers. For example, most customers that are asked if they would like to have "accurate billing" rather than the widely used estimated bills, say yes – until they are informed that their winter electricity bills may double. Therefore, the questionnaires must be carefully designed."

A third method, which should not be forgotten and is always an important first step is to review the excellent pilot studies that have already been done.

When it comes to gaining full media and political support for DR programmes, Stromback, "Not to be too cynical here, but in my experience, gaining full media support helps to gain political support. If a utility already has the public and media behind it and their initiative is seen to save consumers money, save energy and help the environment, they will have an easier time with the politicians."

As to gaining media support, Stromback said it is imperative to have a genuinely well-designed DR programme and marketing package, explaining how this programme will help meet consumer concerns about the environment, rising energy prices etc.

The utility needs to be ready for tough questions about what they themselves are getting out of all of this. She recommends that a communicative executive should be present to answer any query.

"If they want to generate media attention – they should get visual and get dramatic. For example, a utility may want to cut peak load for grid and security of supply reasons but they may have a customer base which is concerned about the environment. They can work out how much unnecessary CO2 is released generating peak for their customers and then they can have a campaign…like I believe they did in Australia, where they released so many black balloons for every ton of CO2. Or they could visually show how much water the CO2 will poison, how many fish that would kill on average, how many birds… These are genuine reasons for cutting peak, they are visual, they are concrete, and they are easy for the public to understand. So utilities should use them," said Stromback.

Finally, Stromback says it is important to remember that any campaign must empower people to change – not leave them feeling overwhelmed.

"There is a lot we can do and it really does help when we do it. In order to motivate behavioural change, a happy ending must always be possible," was the parting message from Stromback.


Intelligent Demand Response for Electricity Summit 2009

Jessica Stromback of VaasaETT Global Energy Think Tank is scheduled to speak during Intelligent Demand Response for Electricity Summit 2009, to be held in Amsterdam on 28-29 January.

For more information, click here: www.smartelectricnews.com/demand08

Or

Contact:
Abbie Badcock ,
Smart Electric News,
abbie@smartelectricnews.com

Aeris strengthens its Utility presence

Wireless communications service provider Aeris Communications has announced the certification of Applied Mesh Technologies on the Aeris network.

Applied Mesh’s DCX (Direct Connect eXternal) is the latest in automation communications technology to be certified on the Aeris CDMA2000® 1XRTT/EV-DO wireless network.

Aeris provides integrated communications solutions for smart grid, smart metering, and demand response applications, while Applied Mesh develops communication solutions provide utility companies with the capability to remotely monitor their systems to save money and increase operational efficiency.

The Aeris network coupled with the DCX solution offers utility companies expanded capability to reliably and securely receive wireless data.

“Through customer application of the DCX solution utilising the Aeris network under difficult cellular coverage conditions and stringent security requirements, Aeris gives us total confidence the utility customer will receive data reliably and securely,” said Mark Leach, vice president of marketing and sales, Applied Mesh.

Stating that Aeris continues to invest in wireless infrastructure to increase reliability, security and ease of use of wireless data applications, its VP sales Mark Cratsenburg said the company’s infrastructure significantly reduced the number of devices that did not work at install due to poor cell coverage, saving Applied Mesh time and money.