March 28th, 2006 - Volume 1 Issue 2

When dealing with intermittent energy sources, such as wind, energy storage technology becomes critical. Pumped hydro, compressed air, electrochemical batteries, and fuel cells are common scenarios but all have drawbacks. Lately, there is renewed focus on a century-old technology: flow batteries, or a cross between lead acid batteries and fuel cells. In this report, Mechanical Engineering magazine explains how flow batteries work and where they fit in.

Explore solutions for a wide range of energy problems including: solar electricity, hydrogen generation and storage, batteries, fuel cells, and thermoelectrics. Industrial applications of nanotechnology to energy present unique requirements in cost, precision, and processes.

For more information or to register go to: http://asmeconferences.org/energynano06/.

Nexergy is a leader in the design and assembly of rechargeable battery packs for manufacturers of portable electronic equipment. Our expertise in a variety of chemistries gives our customers the ability to develop smaller, lighter, and longer running portable electronic products.

Reliability is the byword, according to Baldor, manufacturer of the TS400 Mobile Power Generator. Designed for industrial and municipal applications, the generator set shown here has a standby power rating of 400 kVA (320 kW). An electronic engine provides accurate frequency regulation demanded by some computer installations and by entertainment equipment at public events. Auto start is an additional feature.

The biggest gas turbine ever made at GE Energy's Belfort plant in France has started on its way to the Plana del Vent combined-cycle power plant in Vandellos, which is southwest of Barcelona, Spain. The Frame 9FB gas turbine, which weighs over 300 tons and is one of two being installed, will make its way by truck, barge, and ship to its final destination. The complete plant will supply 800 MW for the Spanish national grid. More details are given here.

Fuel cells using the proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology are currently being tested by French automotive manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën for use in the company’s electrically powered vehicles. The 10 kW fuel cells from Intelligent Energy make use of thin metallic bipolar plates to give a very compact fuel cell stack that is suitable for this application. Read more about the technology in this news article.

Is this the limit for compact fuel cells? A researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories has built a fuel cell measuring just 200 nm across, a size suitable for on-chip integration. A hydrogen reservoir could then keep the chip running for years. The technique involves using a copper/platinum alloy to produce a porous three-dimensional electrode.

This report from EETimes explains more about the research.

EnerGenius® ECU by Stored Energy Systems delivers high reliability, precise battery care, and low-ripple output for mission-critical DC applications. Sophisticated, automated charging algorithms reduce battery maintenance by up to 400%.

Key features of this battery include high and stable operating voltage, the flattest discharge voltage curve, the longest shelf life, the widest operating temperature range, and the lightest weight of any comparable 9 volt battery. It also lasts up to five times longer than ordinary alkaline 9 V batteries and 10 times longer than carbon-zinc batteries. Learn more.

The Welsh Assembly Government intends to provide funds to enable Marine Current Turbines to examine and identify sites along the Welsh coast where tidal power could be generated. The company has already received consent to install a 1 MW tidal stream device in Northern Ireland. This 18-month project will examine aspects such as local navigation, network connections, and engineering issues in supplying tidal energy to Wales. Find out more...

According to this report from the Global Wind Energy Council, the amount of installed wind power capacity increased globally by 25% in 2005 compared to 2004. With 2,431 MW, the U.S. installed the most new capacity last year, but still lags behind Germany and Spain in terms of total installed capacity. The report says that within Europe new markets are opening up, for example, in France and Portugal.

After one year of operation, the world's largest solar power system, the 10 MW Bavaria Solarpark, has exceeded all performance expectations. Powerlight Corporation provides the park’s patented solar-tracking technology, a tracking system that follows the sun across the sky to produce more electricity than fixed systems. Enlisting 57,600 photovoltaic panels, the park will serve as a model for other large-scale solar installations throughout Europe.

Texas company HelioVolt has developed a more efficient process to obtain copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) films. The process requires much less thermal energy and could produce robust materials for solar cells mounted on the outside of buildings. The direct band gap of these compound semiconductors means that they are more efficient at converting light into electric current than the more conventional silicon.

Find out more in this linked report.

Ni-Cad cells with pocket type plate electrodes have been successfully used for many decades. They have been proven and tested to meet operating requirements under the most extreme conditions.

More about Storage Battery Systems, Inc.

Varta Microbattery Inc. has been providing solutions for industrial and consumer battery needs, using products made with the finest German engineering, for almost 30 years.

Varta Microbattery Inc. manufactures custom rechargeable (secondary) batteries to match your specifications.

Oil rags and tools left in machines after maintenance or repair can have serious consequences. Taking the industry as a whole, 70% of property losses are due to human factors. The authors of this article consider the implications of human errors in the operation of rotating machines and highlight some points for inclusion in a comprehensive safety strategy.

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Due to fast expansion, DayStar Technologies, Halfmoon, NY, has numerous openings available at the engineering, operational, and administrative levels. Founded in 1997, the company specializes in the development and production of photovoltaic cells. If you are seeking a post in the solar cell field, have a look at this list of opportunities.

A new windmill design features a vertical axis that enables the unit to operate effectively in a wide range of wind speeds. Noise and vibration levels are low, and the products are compact, making them ideal for urban environments. A 6 kW model stands less than 20 ft (6 m) high and less than 10 ft (3 m) in diameter.

If you are worried about electrical power outages but are reluctant to invest in standby equipment, take a look at these instructions for converting a lawn mower into an emergency generator. You will need an automotive alternator and one or two other bits and pieces, but the directions are fairly straightforward. The article, however, avoids mention of the lawn — perhaps just concrete it over and paint it green?

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