Viridity Energy Announces Selection of Saft and Envitech to support SEPTA Recycled Energy and Optimization Project
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – June 9, 2011 - Viridity Energy, a smart grid company leading the next generation of distributed energy resource management, today announced that it has selected Saft and Envitech Energy Inc. in support of its recycled energy and optimization project with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the nation’s sixth largest public transit organization.
The SEPTA project includes the installation of an advanced battery storage system by Viridity Energy that will capture and deploy power from the trains’ regenerative braking. Viridity Energy will optimize SEPTA’s energy storage system at one of SEPTA’s substations to use the excess stored energy as a resource that provides energy service and reliability benefits to the power grid via participation in PJM’s wholesale energy market.
“We are pleased to be working with Viridity, Saft and other partners on this exciting energy storage project,” said Andrew Gillespie, SEPTA's chief engineering officer for power. “We can't wait to see the how Saft's experience with onboard train applications and trackside power management will benefit the project.”
Saft, the world’s leading designer, developer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industrial and defense applications, will perform the design, manufacturing and commissioning of its Intensium Max20 System, a battery energy storage system (ESS). The system will provide regenerative braking charge acceptance for SEPTA trains and power discharge back to the station to support rail traffic while simultaneously participating in the PJM energy markets. As a fully integrated, containerized Li-ion solution, the Saft system will provide efficiency of greater than 95% and maximize system availability, as well as help to manage power flows.
“Saft is excited to be a part of SEPTA’s recycled energy project, and for its potential to be deployed on a larger scale following a successful demonstration period,” said Blake Frye, vice president of sales, Energy Storage for Saft North America. “Through this project, Saft is supplying the first trackside energy storage system in North America from our dedicated Jacksonville, Fla. facility.”
Envitech Energy, a leader in providing the transit industry with new alternative energy storage traction solutions, has been selected as the system integrator and will deploy its ENVISTORE System. The ENVISTORE System is comprised of a DC-to-DC converter and power control system. It controls the energy exchange between the network and the Energy Storage System (ESS), recuperating the braking energy from the trains, storing it in the ESS and releasing it to the network upon command The system will also assure line receptivity during braking and voltage regulation to improve the performance of the system.
Audrey Zibelman, president and CEO of Viridity Energy, commented that, “We have assembled global industry leaders with proven ability to deploy large scale systems for the SEPTA project. By combining Saft’s battery system and Envitech’s system integration with our proprietary VPower™, we are able to optimize SEPTA’s power and voltage quality, reduce energy costs and generate a revenue stream for SEPTA by selling the excess stored energy on the wholesale power market.”
Viridity Energy will deploy its VPower™ software optimization system to allow SEPTA to recycle the energy created from the regenerative braking ability of trains and trolleys at a high-use propulsion substation in Philadelphia, which will in turn improve power quality, produce energy savings and generate revenues.
Last year, the State of Pennsylvania awarded Viridity Energy funding through the 2010 Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) grant program for the “SEPTA Recycled Energy and Optimization Project.” The project pairs the latest 21st century technologies and energy optimization practices with one of the country’s oldest transportation systems, dating back to the deployment of electric trolleys in 1892, to capture and recycle energy created from the regenerative braking ability of trains and trolleys. The captured recycled energy improves power quality, produces energy savings and generates revenues.
The pilot project is targeted for commissioning by the end of 2011. Successful completion of the SEPTA project will demonstrate that energy storage can satisfy multiple value streams by accepting regenerative energy from train braking and while simultaneously providing a revenue source by participating in the PJM frequency regulation and economic energy market.
###
Contact: Karen Hutchens
619-985-7800
Karen@HutchensPR.com
About Viridity Energy
Viridity Energy is making the next generation of the smart grid a reality by providing large energy consumers with powerful tools to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy costs. The company’s unique and flexible VPower™ platform solution enables customers to dynamically shift and balance energy load, integrate advanced energy technologies and convert existing energy investments into lucrative new revenue streams. Viridity Energy helps organizations achieve sustainability goals and contribute to the greater good by stabilizing energy price fluctuations. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Viridity Energy was founded in 2008 by former executives of PJM Interconnection. For more information, visit www.viridityenergy.com.
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications, such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defense. Saft is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defense and space industries and world leader in lithium-ion satellite batteries. Saft is also delivering its lithium-ion technology to new applications in clean vehicles and energy storage systems. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 19 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. Saft is listed in the SBF 120 index on the Paris Stock Market. For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com.
About Envitech Energy
Envitech Energy is a worldwide leader in environmentally friendly energy solutions for the public transportation industry. Providing a complete line of traction power substations (from high voltage switches to feeders), including a selection of electronic power control devices (traction rectifiers, wayside energy storage, automatic grounding switches (AGS), and automatic assured receptivity units (AARU)), Envitech Energy offers a wide range of railroad electrification solutions. As specialists in electrical power conversion and automation, Envitech Energy also provides renewable energy power converters and control systems for many applications, including power converters and controls for hydro and wind turbines, solar panels and diesel-powered generators. Envitech Energy is headquartered in Pointe-Claire, Quebec Canada. Additional information is available at http://www.envitech.com.
Tags:
