uninterruptible power supply

Schneider Electric has added a range of 5-10kVA uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to its APC On-Line product line.

The French firm claims its 6-10kVA units are the first single-phase UPS to feature its unity power factor capability while the 5kVA UPS have a 0.9 power factor. The products use double conversion and a design in which the inverter provides regulated power output.

The so-called 'smart' UPS are aimed to ‘know’ when they should intervene, which leads to energy savings and longer service life. Most computer and networking equipment can ride through >20ms voltage breaks. The UPS is programmed to only intervene when it is necessary. “The unity power factor provides more real power for the active power factor typically found in most IT servers and network equipment”, said Bill Manning VP Business Power Solutions at Schneider.

The new UPS range claims to be easy installed in various environments because of its flexible design. Schneider’s UPS can also be operated in a so-called “green” mode, where the double conversion operations are bypassed to enable 97% efficiency to create fewer heat losses, which in the end lead to a longer life of key components. Manning added: “With rising cost of energy and concerns over efficiency, IT and facility professionals are keen to minimise waste by ensuring a better fit between infrastructure and load requirements.”

Energetix subsidiary Energetix Pnu Power has received a UK patent for an important method relating to the core technology within its compressed air uninterruptible power supply products.

The patent - titled 'Lubrication of Positive Displacement Expanders' - describes the method by which efficiency of the conversion of compressed air into electrical power can be optimised with minimal lubrication of mechanical components. Pnu Power produces back-up power solutions, using compressed air, for utility switching, telecommunications, data centres and other mission critical industrial operations.

Energetix says the grant of this patent provides additional protection to the company's core product platform and builds on the company's intellectual property portfolio relating to its Pnu Power technology.

The company has a core patent granted in 20 countries which protects its compressed air driven UPS system as well as two further patents providing additional protection. 

Quick Cable Corporation has launched a targeted DC power programme including an online catalogue of products for stationary battery dealers, installers and OEM suppliers.

This is in response to the growing market for backup power in fields such as telecom centres, financial institutions, manufacturers and distribution centres requiring DC power from battery systems.

The new catalogue expands Quick Cable’s product portfolio of battery connectors, cables and accessories for DC power requirements.

The power programme brings in UL listed cable options up to 777 MCM, battery containment systems and additional chemical and maintenance products specific to the stationary battery market.

The battery containment systems have been designed around a flexible, model to make it easy to design a system based on battery rack dimensions using the Quick Cable online configuration tool.

Chinese portable power company Powerocks has an ever growing range of mobile phone power boosting accessories. The high capacity portable batteries provide additional power for mobile and tablet devices that are compatible with USB ports.

The lithium-ion batteries can be charged form a mains power supply and then provide several re-charges for smart phones and tablet devices. The slim-line design of iPhones and the like mean the battery cannot be swapped with a spare, it must be recharged, resulting in companies coming up with novel ways to help users re-charge when travelling or away from mains charging.

The range includes the Stone series of portable batteries that offer between 5800mAh and 7800mAh capacity, which provide an additional three times power for devices; The Magicstick is the size of an AA cell and offers 2600mAH power on the go for phone devices. 

The ultimate in portable battery is built into the phone cover. The interestingly named Cheese Crystal is a protective case for the iPhone4 that has an 1800mAH lithium-ion battery incorporated in it to double potential battery life.

When charged, Powerocks range can power up to two devices, dependant on model, two or three times. The designs are complimentary to Apple style and show these chargers can be sleek and elegant but still pack a lot of power.

AFC Energy has delivered a fuel cell electricity generating system to Industrial Chemicals Limited (ICL), a leading UK commodity chemicals producer.

The shipment is in advance of a 1 MW commercial-scale project to install the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell energy generation system at ICL’s chlor-alkali plant in Essex, UK. The project is being supported with a European Union grant of €6.1m ($8m), from this April.

The first delivery was for a skid-mounted (mobile) Beta fuel cell system which is expected to be installed and to commence supplying small quantities of power to the chemicals works from April 2013. It will use waste hydrogen, produced as a by-product at the chemicals works, as fuel to generate clean energy. 

The system will test and qualify the hydrogen supply and site infrastructure ahead of the installation of the larger system in stages later this year.  By harnessing the waste hydrogen, AFC Energy’s fuel cell system will eventually provide up to 1 MW at point of consumption, reducing reliance on grid-supplied electricity by up to 20%. 

As part of the project AFC Energy is to provide electrical power to ICL under its first ESCO (Energy Supply Company) arrangement whereby ICL will provide its hydrogen and purchase power under long-term contracts. AFC Energy will own, operate and maintain the fuel cell systems.