VRB Power just announced its third sale - this one to the U.S. military.
Like their first retail order to a housing developer in Australia and the second to one of Europe's largest suppliers of solar and alternative energy, this newest order to the U.S. military has huge potential for repeat business.
All these sales have been made in the past few weeks.
Additionally, continued progress has been made in VRB's execution of their agreement with NYSE-listed Magnetek for providing units for backup generation for telecom providers. First substantial orders are expected in Q1 2006.
And a major utility, PacifiCorp, has been using these "flow-through" batteries for power supply in Utah's remote Moab valley - and so far its performing to all promised specifications. Additional business is expected after this major utility monitor and test the facility over a one year period.
While larger, utility-sized facilities will probably be the sales that grab headlines for the company, it will most probably be the cell phone relay stations power supply, the current radar system backup, and other small applications that will provide the high volume sales of VRB units.
Again, this is a technology on the cusp of commercialization.
The Press Release follows:
PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - VRB Power Systems Inc. (TSX-V: VRB - News) is pleased to announce the sale of a 30kW x 2 hour VRB-ESS to the South Carolina Air National Guard.
The VRB-ESS will provide power quality enhancement and back-up energy supply for a tactical radar system in the event of grid disruption. The VRB- ESS system will improve energy efficiencies and economics by supplying back-up power for 2 hours versus 10 minutes currently provided by SCANG's UPS system. Additionally, the VRB system has an expected 10 year (or greater) system life and the flexibility to add hours of power supply by simply increasing the volume of electrolyte. Further benefits of the VRB-ESS include environmental characteristics such as an unlimited lifespan for the system's electrolyte and the elimination of the need for battery disposal. Design variations are also in development to facilitate "palletizing" the system for airlift capability.
"Most military communications equipment is state-of-the-art and technically sophisticated. The smallest of power variations could be fatal to the function resulting in failure of the combat critical mission. The VRB power system is intended to eliminate any power fluctuation and has the added bonus of back up power which will enable the mission to be completed and prevent damage to the equipment. Depending on the situation, having the choice of shutting down an electronic system or continuing while primary power is being restored can be critical to the military mission and survivability of the equipment. We will be evaluating the VRB-ESS for potential widespread use and deployment for military applications," states Lt. Col. Gene Brislin, 240 Combat Communications Squadron.
"Military applications present considerable potential for VRB Power Systems Inc. With its low heat signature, unique ability to respond rapidly and perform full or partial charge/discharge cycles, the VRB-ESS is well suited for use in stationary military applications," states Mark Kuntz, VP VRB Power Systems Inc. |
