Xantrex Launches Innovative Wireless Monitor for Solar Energy Systems
Xantrex Technology, Inc. has launched its Xantrex Gateway monitoring system, an innovative wireless monitoring solution for small scale solar power installations.

The Xantrex Gateway is the central communication component of a residential or small commercial solar energy system. It keeps the system owner informed about the system's operation and energy production from any location. The Gateway's wireless capability bridges the gap between Xantrex single phase grid tie (GT) inverters and the system owner's computer.

As solar panels collect raw direct current (DC) energy from the sun, Xantrex inverters convert that power into high quality alternating current (AC) electricity for household use. The Gateway can monitor a network consisting of up to 20 GT inverters. It logs the system's performance data directly from the inverters and transmits that information to Yahoo Widget based software for straightforward graphics and easy access from any computer. The Gateway includes built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, allowing access through the Internet or direct to a local computer. The Gateway also offers a web page with the ability to configure automated email reports and fault status to the user or installer.

New Eltek Valere High-Efficiency Telco Rectifier Cuts Power Losses in Half
Eltek Valere has released the Flatpack2 HE Rectifier Module 48/2000, an AC/DC power rectifier for telecommunications applications that offers 96 percent typical power conversion efficiency.  

The rectifier cuts in half the power loss from today’s state-of-the art power conversion technology, reducing the power consumed and lowering operating costs for telco services.  Telecommunications service providers used 1 percent of the total electricity consumed in 2007, with over 115 billion kW/h of electricity flowing through AC/DC power systems to power network equipment, according to industry estimates.  Approximately 10 percent of that power is wasted due to power conversion inefficiency.  

The Flatpack2 HE is the first in a line of high-efficiency rectifiers from Eltek Valere that will help carriers reduce their power consumption dramatically.  The Flatpack2 HE is a standalone 48-volt rectifier and battery charger that provides up to 2,000 watts of power for telecom applications.  

Flatpack2 HE rectifiers have a wide operating temperature range of -40°F to 85°F and a small size making them well suited for remote terminal locations applications.  Or, they can be integrated into systems with an output of up to 100 kW for use in central offices.

The Flatpack2 HE features a controller area network (CAN) bus interface to allow it to communicate with Eltek Valere’s Smartpack controller or to be integrated into customer cabinets.  

The rectifier has a voltage input range of 85 to 300 VAC and a maximum output current of 41.7 amps.  It features protection capabilities including over voltage shutdown, blocking diode, short circuit and high temperature protection. The module has a front-to-back airflow with chassis-integrated heat sinks.

High Volume, Low Speed Fan to Solve Large Facility Air Movement and Energy Efficiency Problems
AirMotion Sciences, Inc. has launched a new line of AltAir HVLS fans. These large, high volume, low speed (HVLS) industrial ceiling fans are 9 to 15 feet in diameter, have small, highly energy efficient motors, and are used for cooling, heat de-stratification, ventilation, and as alternatives to air conditioning in large facilities. AltAir HVLS fans reduce energy costs and environmental stress, while enhancing comfort and productivity.

The AltAir fan design and technology, namely the Variable Pitch Technology (VPT), Rotatair composite blades, and a carefully engineered application of VFD (variable frequency drive) capability, all significantly advance the functionality of HVLS fans. By adjusting the blade pitch 0 to 20 degrees up or down, coupled with varying fan speed, users have better control over the air they move, a
feature AirMotion calls, adjustable air movement. When three or more AltAir HVLS fans are arranged in an array, they allow for complete facility movement of air.

Tianjin Economic Development Area Becomes First LED City in China
Cree, Inc., a provider in LED solid-state lighting components, has released that the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA) in China joined the LED City program. The LED City program is an international initiative to promote and deploy energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. TEDA is the first city area in China to join a rapidly growing consortium of cities in evaluating and deploying LED lighting technology across their municipal infrastructures.

Over the past two years, TEDA partnered with Tianjin Polytechnic University in a large, student-produced LED street lighting project. Twenty graduate students designed, produced and installed approximately 1,500 LED streetlights. These innovative LED fixtures were installed more than a year ago to illuminate 15 kilometers along the university's streets.

"On behalf of TEDA, I am excited to announce our participation in helping to advance the adoption of energy efficient and environmentally sound LED lighting in China," noted Ai Yaming, TEDA vice chairman. "LED lighting not only reduces significantly the amount of energy we use for illumination, it also does not contain toxic materials such as mercury or lead. In addition to the energy and cost benefits, TEDA and the Tianjin Polytechnic University support the development and manufacturing of high-quality LED fixtures in our region for even greater economic benefit."

"Our students' work speaks for itself," said Pingjuan Niu, Ph.D., professor of the solid-state lighting R&D center at Tianjin Polytechnic University. "LED technology is the most important new development for energy and cost savings in the lighting industry. Our university, its students and TEDA are developing expertise in making the best quality LED lighting with the intent to help accelerate the adoption of LED lighting in China and to increase the economic opportunity for our region. We are especially proud of our initial successes and participation in the international LED City initiative with Cree."

UltraCell XX25 Achieves TRL 7 Status
UltraCell Corp., a producer of reformed methanol fuel cells (RMFCs) for mobile power applications, unveiled its UltraCell XX25 portable fuel cell has been successfully tested in US Army training missions at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), and has achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, demonstrating operation in relevant environments. Based in Ft. Polk, La., the JRTC is the US Army's premier training center for light infantry and special operation units, providing highly realistic arms training. The center's exercise scenarios replicate many of the unique situations and challenges a military unit encounters during deployment.

The US Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) coordinated with the JRTC to have Soldiers evaluate the UltraCell XX25 reformed methanol fuel cell. As part of the evaluation and feedback collection process, Soldiers were trained to operate the XX25 fuel cell, support equipment integration and use the fuel cells in various mission scenarios. The XX25 fuel cell significantly reduces the number of batteries a Soldier needs to power equipment on extended missions, as it uses readily available low-cost methanol fuel in a convenient, compact package.

The XX25 fuel cells were also used to power military radios and laptop computers over the course of six days of testing in various scenarios. Specifically, the fuel cells were used to power Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) Advanced System Improvement Program (ASIP) radios for 12-hour missions, as well as in observation and sniper posts and dismounted squads. In addition to the field missions, the fuel cells powered notebook computers in office environments where the fuel cells operated 24 hours a day with methanol fuel cartridges that were replaced at 12 to 15 hour intervals.

The fuel cells were tested using MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment)-compatible pouches and were also attached to backpacks worn by Soldiers during some of the radio applications field training. There were no recorded failures in any mission scenario and each XX25 fuel cell unit was returned in working order. Weather conditions during the testing ranged from 50°F to 91°F with light precipitation.

"This field demonstration is a critical step in our objective to provide a portable fuel cell power solution for the US Military," said Ian Kaye, UltraCell's director of Advanced Technology. "The positive testing results support what we knew to be true, indicating that our system has reached a high level of readiness for secure, dependable field operation and integration with current military equipment. We look forward to supplying the XX25 for both military and non-military applications."

Honeywell Power Solano County Detention Facility with Solar Panels
Honeywell has announced that Solano County in the San Francisco Bay Area has awarded the company a solar project that is expected to save the county more than $1 million in energy costs over the next 20 years. Under the agreement, Honeywell will install a 746-kilowatt solar array near the Claybank Adult Detention Facility and sell the electricity produced by the panels to the county for use in the detention facility.

“Solano County is committed to using renewable energy wherever we can to offset greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” said John Vasquez, Solano County supervisor. “It’s also a wise financial decision. The new solar array will help us lower and stabilize operating costs, allowing us to focus more resources on serving our residents.”

The solar array is expected to generate almost 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough energy to power more than 100 homes per year. It will supply more than  60 percent of the electricity necessary to run the detention facility, and it will significantly reduce energy costs during peak consumption when utilities typically charge a premium.

Honeywell will install the solar array on a former military site, which has been converted into a parking lot for local school buses, close to the detention facility. The company will build bus ports on the lot and place the solar panels on top of the structures, generating renewable energy and providing shade for the vehicles.

With this solar installation, the county will bring its power generation capacity to more than
1 megawatt through renewable energy technology. The county has two other solar electric facilities: a 230-kilowatt system on the roof of the Health and Social Services building and a 120-kilowatt array on the parking structure of the County Government Center.

Honeywell expects to install the solar panels and begin providing Solano County with electricity by September 2008. After the 20-year agreement expires, the county can continue purchasing electricity from Honeywell or acquire ownership of the panels.

Record Makes Thin-Film Solar Cell Competitive with Silicon Efficiency
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have moved closer to creating a thin-film solar cell that can compete with the efficiency of the more common silicon-based solar cell. The copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cell recently reached 19.9 percent efficiency, setting a new world record for this type of cell. Multicrystalline silicon-based solar cells have shown efficiencies as high as 20.3 percent. The energy conversion efficiency of a solar cell is the percentage of sunlight converted by the cell into electricity.

“This is an important milestone,” said NREL senior scientist Miguel Contreras. “The thin film people have always looked for matching silicon in performance, and we are reaching that goal.”

CIGS cells use extremely thin layers of semiconductor material applied to a low-cost backing such as glass, flexible metallic foils, high-temperature polymers or stainless steel sheets. Thin-film cells require less energy to make and can be fabricated by a variety of processes.  Because of this, they provide a promising path for providing more affordable solar cells for residential and other uses. The CIGS cells are of interest for space applications and the portable electronics market because of their light weight. They are also suitable in special architectural uses, such as photovoltaic roof shingles, windows, siding and others.
Researchers were able to set the world record because of improvements in the quality of the material applied during the manufacturing process, boosting the power output from the cell, Contreras said.

EPA Names Simon Property Group 2008 Energy Star Partner of the Year
The US Environmental Protection Agency has named Simon Property Group, Inc. as a 2008 Energy Star Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at its malls across the country.

Simon Property Group is the first real estate investment trust (REIT) to win the award in the last five years and is the only REIT to be recognized this year. The company owns and operates approximately 320 malls and shopping centers throughout the US. The company will be honored for smart energy management practices and investments throughout its operations that resulted in significant energy and financial savings. Largely due to its energy management efforts, the company has shown a consistent trend of reducing both electricity and natural gas use since 2003.

As a result, the absolute corporate energy use for operations under Simon's operational control has decreased by 9.7 perenct from 2003 to 2006. That decrease represents a reduction of 102 million kilowatt-hours in energy use and the reduction of annual carbon emissions by more than 67,932 tones. This is equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered annually by 15,439 acres of pine or fir forests and to approximately $11 million in avoided annual operating costs.

George Caraghiaur, vice president of energy services at Simon Property Group said, "Energy efficiency will only become more important in the future. The proven fiscal and environmental savings that result from superior energy management reinforces the benefits of our partnership with Energy Star."

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Symposium 2008
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Symposium 2008 is a conference highlighting the latest technologies and applications of green and energy efficient products and services. The presentations will be particularly orientated toward industrial, manufacturing and facilities operations. The symposium will be held November 5-6 in Atlanta, Ga. This first annual event will feature presentations on corporate sustainability, renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building materials and financing, as well as the latest market trends, best practices, case studies and opportunities for "greentech" implementations.

The conference is designed for sustainability managers, operators of renewable and alternative energy systems and programs, managers of energy efficiency and green programs for product development.

Call for Presentations
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Symposium 2008 will host tracks dedicated to corporate sustainability, renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building materials and financing. Deadline to submit an abstract is April 8th. Click here for details: http://www.greentechnewsmag.com/energy08_papers.php