No Batteries Required: Acumentrics Introduces Composite Flywheel
The POWER-QUEUE series is designed to provide back-up power protection for complete sites. Weighing in at about 1/10 of conventional battery based UPS of similar VA ratings, these units require only 1/3 the foot print, said Gary A. Mook, Acumentrics president and CEO. They can be installed directly outdoors, have power factor correction, and are ideally suited for use with generators for virtually any length outage. The basic difference between a flywheel-based uninterruptible power supply and a battery based UPS is that energy storage occurs with the inertia of a high speed rotating fiber composite wheel instead of using lead-acid batteries.
"The world is being filled with lead-acid batteries and disposable UPS due to the resistance of the leading UPS manufacturers to innovate," Mook said. "Our goal over the next many years is to develop the most promising new technologies in energy storage and power generation into products that enable the world to change, not just cope."
When energy is required, the POWER-QUEUE integrated generator and power electronics convert the wheel's inertia into electricity. Recharge can take place in a matter of minutes depending on the site power capability. Carbon fiber, significantly stronger than steel, enables the POWER-QUEUE to provide an extremely large pulse of electrical power from a very small lightweight package.
In particular, Mook said, the POWER-QUEUE is ideally suited for sites with wide temperature requirements and frequent short power interruptions lasting two to 20 seconds. These applications tend to quickly reduce battery lifetimes. Available for shipment in the second quarter of 2000, the 250 kVA POWER- QUEUE has a list price of under $100,000, placing it in the mainstream of similar kVA rated UPS.
Unlike the traditional UPS, customers will not need to budget additional money for potentially semi-annual battery replacements, thus reducing total cost of ownership. DC versions using the POWER- Qdrive for direct connections to motor drives and similar devices for ride-through will be available in the first quarter of 2000 in power ranges from 25 kW to 250 kW. The POWER-Qdrive series of sensorless vector drives ranging in size from 25 kW through 375 kW specifically designed for OEM applications such as high speed rotating machinery, grid connect, and low inductance AC motors, are available immediately.
"Power Quality and the complex issues of utility deregulation are one of the largest challenges facing the power industry today," Mook said. "This new, low cost flywheel-based technology allows the power quality conscious electric utilities, generator distributors/manufacturers and power protection resellers to offer better solutions to their INTERNET-ISP and manufacturing customers than ever before."
Acumentrics Corporation manufactures power protection, energy storage, and rugged power supplies for industrial, commercial and military applications. Acumentrics offers a wide range of standard products as well as provides custom designed and manufactured product for a variety of OEM power needs in the utility, computer networking, medical and telecommunications markets. Acumentrics develops new technologies to improve power quality worldwide. For more information, contact Brian Stahl or Gary A. Mook (800) 332-0277.
Edited by April C. Murelio
editor@poweronline.com