• Booming renewable energy systems market needs clean, reliable energy storage
• Smart VHT Module offers plug-and-play installation and maintenance-free operation in applications including signage, remote monitoring and navigation.
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Paris, May 28, 2009 – Saft, the world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech industrial batteries, now offers a range of Nickel–Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable battery modules specifically designed to meet the needs of off-grid photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems. The Smart VHT Module range offers better performance, lower total cost of ownership (TCO), improved integration and better environmental profile than traditional batteries.
Stand-alone renewable energy sources are increasingly popular in applications ranging from street lighting and signage, water supply and irrigation, weather stations and environmental sensors, wireless local area networks and navigation aids. These applications benefit from reliable, maintenance-free and long-life energy storage. However, renewable energy storage in highly distributed, often remote locations in uncontrolled environments is characterized by a high number of shallow cycles, with erratic charge current and time, often under extremes of temperature. Today’s lead-acid storage batteries do not cope well in these conditions, and suffer from limited life, poor reliability and even sudden death – leading to high maintenance and replacement costs.
Despite its higher initial cost, the Ni-MH chemistry of the Smart VHT Module range has been shown to reduce total cost of ownership by 45 per cent, or more, when operating over a 15- year period in such applications. This is thanks to its longer life (typically 3–5 times), better failure resistance and wider temperature tolerance than lead-acid technology.
The design and production of the VHT range have been optimized to minimize water and energy consumption, reduce the production of greenhouse gases and toxic waste, diminish negative effects on global warming and the ozone layer, and curb the unnecessary depletion of natural resources. The Smart VHT Module enables direct integration of smart electronics – such as seamless charge/discharge management, battery condition logging and accurate state of health indicator – removing the need for separate PV controllers.
“All these features add up to a breakthrough technology for off-grid energy storage,” says Blake Frye, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Saft Specialty Battery Group. “This cutting-edge Ni-MH technology offers an ideal solution for reliable, long-life and highperformance energy storage for small off-grid PV systems.”
Smart VHT Modules are available in 12V, 24V and 36V versions in 10Ah capacity increments (up to 80Ah). These modules can also be housed in a ruggedized aluminium casing providing added protection from the elements. They are directly interchangeable with traditional Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) battery modules.
About Saft
Saft batteries are used in high-performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defence and space industries. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. Saft is listed in the SBF 120 index on the Paris Stock Market.
For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com
Press contacts:
Blake Frye, Saft Specialty Battery Group, Director of Marketing & Business Development
Tel: 33.1.49.93.17.14 or mobile: +33.6.30.92.35.86 e-mail: blake.frye@saftbatteries.com
Jill Ledger, Saft Communications Director
Tel: + 33 1 49 93 17 77; e-mail: jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com
