Saft to show battery technologies at OSP Expo 2009

Saft has announced that it will to demonstrate its battery capabilities for multiple telecommunications applications at OSP Expo 2009.

The company, which will be found on Stand 1,035, will show nickel and lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technologies developed to meet the specific performance needs of the different power back-up schemes required by modern telecommunications networks.

According to Saft, it is helping a growing number of network operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to implement energy storage solutions to meet their needs for maximum reliability, quality of service and optimised total cost of ownership (TCO).

It offers a specialised range of batteries for fixed, wireless, cable or cellular networks.

Key technologies on display will include Tel.X and Sunica.Plus nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, which are suitable for demanding outdoor and hybrid applications, and the Intensium 1 Power Plus range of Li-ion battery systems, which are intended to meet the needs of new-generation high-technology applications for which Li-ion's combination of high power and energy density in a compact package is said to be a practical and cost-effective solution.

Saft developed Tel.X to offer a number of advantages for demanding outdoor telecommunications applications in remote areas that require long periods of autonomy (from one to 10 hours).

It is said to be maintenance free, compact, light and easy to install, thanks to its simple modular design; less than 20 minutes is needed to install a typical 48V battery.

Tel.X also offers a high-volume energy density of up to 95Wh/L, while weighing around 30 per cent less than a conventional battery.

It is designed for use in standard 19in (48cm) and 23in racks and cabinets, where its compact size makes it easy to fit and install.

Tel.X offers the same benefits as Saft's Ni-Cd battery ranges, including predictable performance over a wide temperature range.

This is claimed to be particularly important as the majority of cabinet installations do not offer a temperature-controlled environment.

The robust construction and engineered electrolyte used in Ni-Cd batteries mean that they do not suffer from 'sudden death', according to the company.

Tel.X is suitable for back-up power applications in outdoor installations, such as cabinets and end terminals in fibre-optic 'triple-play' networks as well as base transceiver station (BTS) and base station controller (BSC) installations in wireless networks.

Saft Sunica.Plus Ni-Cd batteries are adapted for hybrid applications that combine various methods of generation, such as photovoltaic (PV), wind-power and diesel generators.

They are claimed to feature excellent chargeability, enabling highly efficient operation under fluctuating charging conditions.

They also offer a good cycling capability to withstand daily and seasonal cycling at variable depths of discharge and state of charge.

An additional benefit of the Sunica.Plus design is that it provides absolute reliability and the capability to function in extreme temperatures (from -50C to +70C) while ensuring continuous operation at any state of charge.

It has a low-maintenance design that helps keep its TCO to a minimum.

It incorporates an optimised electrode design, combined with an internal gas recombination process that works well under unstable charging conditions and that extends the interval for topping up with water.

According to the company, this is particularly important in remote installations.

Saft developed its Intensium 1 Power Plus telecommunications range to provide a combination of power and energy density for new-generation applications such as micro and macro BTS installations as well as power support for fuel cells to enable system starting.

It provides good energy density - in both weight and volume - in a compact, reliable, zero-maintenance, rack-mounted modular ETSI format system that is supplied 'ready to run'.

Intensium 1 Power Plus batteries are suitable for installations in hot countries where internal cabinet temperatures can reach +60C - conditions where conventional batteries age rapidly, resulting in low reliability and premature failure.

They offer a service life of 10 years even at +40C and 20 years at +20C, meaning that there is no need for active cooling systems.

The compact design also frees up more cabinet space for value-generating equipment and there is less weight for rooftop- or pole-mounted sites.

At the event, the company will also present a seminar paper entitled 'The contribution of battery technology and thermal management to energy-efficient broadband telecom networks'.

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