VRB Power announces further sales / deliveries of its 10kWh systems and commencement of trial with leading North American Cellular Provider
Thursday September 14, 8:30 am ET
VANCOUVER, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - VRB Power Systems Inc. (TSX-V: VRB - News) announces that it has sold a 10kWh VRB-ESS(TM) to Eskom Holdings, one of the world's largest utilities based in South Africa. This system will be used and assessed by Eskom as a source of back-up power for one of its substations in South Africa.
"We are pleased that Eskom has decided to buy one of our units in order to assess our technology and to see how it can potentially improve its operations," said Vince Sorace. "The ability of our systems to provide back-up power in key areas of utilities' transmission and distribution networks and also to provide load levelling and peak shaving abilities provides the opportunity to strengthen those networks without the need to invest large amounts of additional capital. Eskom is a very well respected company and this will be a high level deployment within one of the world's largest utilities," concluded Sorace.
VRB Power also announces that it has delivered a 10kWh VRB-ESS which is currently being trialed by one of the largest cellular telecoms providers in North America. In addition, a further 10kWh VRB-ESS has been delivered to its distribution partner in Slovenia, Eurel Inzeniring Company ("Eurel'). This system will be trialed with renewable power systems in Slovenia and Eurel will also assess the technology for back-up telecoms applications across the Balkans.
"We believe that this focused approach to trialing our products with key major players in the telecoms industry will enable us to generate industry acceptance in a short time frame and will provide high level validation of the benefits of our systems," said John Davis, Director of Sales of VRB Power Systems. There are over 200,000 cellular phone towers in North America and over 150,000 in Europe, as well as other telecoms sites which require back-up power, and the annual global battery replacement market in this industry alone is estimated at well in excess of US$1 billion."
"With significantly longer life, lower maintenance and better efficiency then competing systems and independently scaleable power and storage elements, we believe that we have the best, most flexible solution for a large number of sites across the telecoms industry. Our focus will initially be on niche areas of the telecoms and backup power sector. Unlike the other technology suppliers targeting this mass market, VRB Power's uniqueness allows us to address longer run hours more economically than others and combined with our low maintenance requirements makes our technology particularly appealing for remote sites," concluded Davis.
These latest deliveries follow 10kWh VRB-ESS deliveries earlier in the year to National Research Council of Canada and University of Alaska, Fairbanks for high profile assessment with remote area power systems, including wind-diesel applications; as well as a delivery of a 10kWh VRB-ESS to SOLON AG for assessment in grid connected and off grid solar applications. These initial units, as well as the unit recently delivered to the leading North American Cellular provider, have all been commissioned and are performing according to specifications.
About Eskom
Eskom is a vertically integrated operation that generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Southern Africa. Eskom generates 95% of the electricity used in South Africa.
About VRB Power
Headquartered in Vancouver, 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.
Caution regarding forward-looking statements: VRB Power's press releases may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs which are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties (including, but not limited to, the risk factors described in VRB Power's Annual Information Form filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission and available at www.sedar.com) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Simon Clarke
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
For further information:
VRB Power Systems Inc. at (604) 697-8820
Investor Relations at (604) 697-8835
Or visit the company's web site at: vrbpower.com
Source: VRB Power Systems Inc. |
