Modular Energy Devices:: Pioneering the future of battery power

Applications

ModEnergy® products are targeted at markets currently served by Lead-acid batteries, and new applications which require large high-energy rechargeable batteries. Specifically, ModEnergy® Li-ion batteries are aimed at industrial, defense and space applications requiring five hundred to several thousand Watt-hours of stored energy.

:: Near term industrial applications include:

Backup energy for telecommunication
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles

:: Defense and aerospace applications identified include:

Auxiliary power
Electric and hybrid electric vehicles
Robotics
Submarines
Unmanned aerial vehicles

:: Backup energy for telecommunications

The convergence of voice and data communications over both wireline and wireless mediums is leading to unprecedented requirements for power use and power backup. Third generation (3G) telecommunications (telecom) networks are expected to carry voice and data 40 times faster than the current networks. For cable and telecom services every time an operator adds a new service offering high-speed data or telephony or adds subscribers to those services, there is an impact on network power. Also, there is an increasing recognition of the relationship between the power component of a given system and overall network reliability. These are expected to demand new rechargeable batteries with enhanced performance capabilities of higher energy density and longer backup service.

Traditional telecom architectures use 48 V direct current (DC) systems to provide resilient power for voice transmission. Normally power is accessed from electric utilities via AC-DC converters. For power backup during electricity outages 48 V batteries are used. Telecom hotels employ both flooded and sealed VRLA Lead-acid batteries; for the outdoor cabinets backup is provided almost exclusively by the VRLA battery. Typically, batteries in these outdoor cabinets are required to provide up to 8 hours of backup power. In wireline, for example, 48V 30-125 Ah batteries are frequently used in the DSL cabinets in the field. While maintenance issues necessitated the exclusive fielding of sealed VRLA batteries in outdoor cabinets, the fluctuating temperature environments of the cabinets have created serious concerns of battery life, and safety issues. The performance of VRLA batteries deteriorates drastically as the environmental temperature increases beyond 30 oC. Unfortunately in some outdoor cabinets temperature can increase to as high as 50-55 oC which seriously decreases the life of the VRLA battery. Higher temperature can also lead to gas pressure buildup in the battery causing explosion and fire. Another issue with Lead-acid batteries is its large volume. Space is premium in outdoor cabinets. Telecom operators would rather use the space to house revenue-producing telephone equipments than batteries. These factors coupled with increasing power requirements for enhanced services are requiring telecom providers to come up with advanced battery solutions having significantly more energy content per unit volume and longer service time.

Modular Energy Devices offers a series of superior batteries for these backup energy applications. ModEnergy® Lithium-ion batteries occupy 1/3rd to 1/4th as much space as the Lead acid batteries, are less sensitive to temperature excursions with an ability to perform at temperatures as high as 50-60 oC and are available at a price that is competitive with Lead-acid when prorated for useful battery life. They are highly reliable and safe.

:: Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

Utility companies use VRLA batteries as UPS systems to provide back-up power for switchgear equipment and other critical loads. Switchgear enables utilities to bypass localized outages ( e.g. failed transformer or downed cable) and to provide power to the other parts of the grid. Critical loads include computer centers, banks and other financial institutions, air traffic control centers, various government agencies and stock exchanges. UPS applications utilize 120-240 V VRLA batteries with capacities ranging from 200-1000 Ah

Modenergy® Li-ion batteries are clear choices for the UPS applications because of their significantly higher energy density, reliability, temperature compliance and safety.

:: Electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles

A continuing global concern into the twenty-first century is the reduction of airborne pollutants, especially in large urban centers. The combustion engine vehicle has been identified as a major contributor to air pollution and global warming effects. Pressure to develop a zero-emission replacement for the internal combustion engine has been fueled by California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) legislation. The legislation has two phases. In phase one; beginning in 2003, ZEVs must comprise approximately 2% of automakers’ total vehicle sales. In Phase II, beginning in 2010, this target level is increased to approximately 10%. Failure to meet these target levels will result in stiff financial penalties. Adding to the pressure on automakers to meet this deadline are copycat bills in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont that will require automakers to sell ZEVs in those states if California goes ahead with its initiative. Many other countries have been already providing incentives to those who use clean energy. For example in Great Britain there are tax incentives and special privileges for owners of zero-emission vehicles. Currently, the only zero-emission vehicle alternatives are the battery electric and fuel-cell electric vehicle.

A hybrid-electric vehicle, which combines a small combustion engine for cruising power and a battery to aid in acceleration, is an efficient, intermediate solution until a true zero-emission vehicle can be introduced. All of the major carmakers (GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda…) are producing, or have announced plans to produce hybrid electric vehicles. Many fuel-cell vehicle developers have now adapted the use of a battery and fuel-cell combination to reduce the peak power requirements on the fuel-cell converter. Fuel cell vehicles also have future potential as a zero-emission vehicle, and all the latest models have evolved to operate in Hybrid-Electric mode, where the fuel-cell system provides cruising power while acceleration is aided by a battery pack. Batteries are also critical for providing the significant starting and heating power for the fuel-cell plant.