February 15, 2006—Active Power, Inc. announced that it has received an order for its new CoolAir DC product from one of the leading producers of photovoltaic modules in Europe.
Due to the inherent intermittent nature of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar, companies that focus on such green technologies have long sought a viable solution for storing this clean energy, notes Active Power. Lead-acid batteries are typically used, but are toxic and cannot endure continuous cycling, which degrades the performance of the battery significantly over time.
CoolAir DC uses thermal energy and compressed air to provide power, can be cycled regularly without a loss in performance and is environmentally friendly, says the company. By using solar energy to heat the thermal storage unit (TSU) and compress air in the storage tanks, energy can be captured and used at a later time.
“This purchase of CoolAir DC further demonstrates the wide variety of applications supported by this innovative technology,” said Jim Clishem, President and COO for Active Power. “While our main focus remains on the backup power market, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to team with one of the leaders in solar power. The use of CoolAir DC as a storage medium for alternative technologies fits well within our vision of providing a green, minute-for-minute alternative to batteries.”
Active Power battery-free solutions deliver ultimate power protection for critical operations. For more information, visit the Active Power Web site.
