Alaskan Utility Initiates Study for Large Scale VRB Energy Storage System
Tuesday September 30, 9:30 am ET
RICHMOND, BC, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - VRB Power Systems Inc. (TSX-V: VRB - News) announces it is conducting an engineering design study for Kotzebue Electric Association ("KEA"), a member owned utility in Kotzebue located in northern Alaska for the potential sale of a large scale VRB Energy Storage Systems(TM) (VRB-ESS) sized at 300kW x 3 hours (with the option to be scaled to 600kW x 3 hours).
The study is expected to be completed in November 2008, with results forming the basis for the final sales confirmation, system designs, project structure and delivery schedule. The work is spearheaded by the VRB Project Management and Engineering team with deliverables including drawings, reports, structural layouts and controls descriptions. The fee received for performing the study was USD$95,000.
"The study will help us identify the appropriate size VRB-ESS for Kotzebue's wind/diesel hybrid generation system, that currently uses 17 wind turbines to augment its existing 11.5MW of diesel generators, says Brian Beck, VP of Business Development at VRB Power Systems. "The VRB will be used to improve system stability and efficiency of generators; as well as allow for the deployment of additional wind turbines and reduce fuel usage and related green house gas emissions."
About Kotzebue Electric Association
Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA) is a non-profit cooperative that provides power for Kotzebue Alaska. The city of Kotzebue is located 67 deg. North latitude, 162 deg. West longitude at the tip of the Baldwin Peninsula on Kotzebue Sound in North-western Alaska. Climatic conditions at Kotzebue are characterized by long cold winters and cool summers. Kotzebue is a community of over 3000 people and is the service hub for 11 communities in northwest Alaska. KEA has a peak electrical load of approximately 4 megawatts. In addition to operating the local utility, KEA manages the City of Buckland Utility.
VRB Power Systems Inc.
Headquartered in Richmond, Canada, VRB Power Systems Inc. is an energy storage technology developer which is marketing, selling and manufacturing products utilizing the patented VRB Energy Storage System ("VRB-ESS(TM)"). The VRB-ESS can economically store and supply large amounts of electricity on demand and is focused on stationary applications. It is a long life, cost effective, low maintenance, efficient technology that allows for the scalability of power and storage capacity independently. The VRB-ESS is particularly beneficial to renewable energy providers, utilities and end users through its ability to "inventory" electricity, allowing for the optimal match of supply and demand.
The VRB-ESS is well suited for a variety of applications. Enabling the provision of "firm" capacity from intermittent renewable generation such as wind and solar; more cost effective and efficient generation of electricity in remote areas; capital deferral for utilities; and load levelling (peak shaving) applications. The VRB-ESS is also capable of providing backup power solutions including applications for utility sub-stations and telecommunication sites. The VRB-ESS is characterized by having the lowest ecological impact of all energy storage technologies and is unlike most other conventional energy storage systems that rely on substances such as lead or cadmium.
