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One way to understand what we do and how Cobasys can
provide the right solutions and products to solve your
needs is to learn what we have done for others.
> Chevron
Selects Cobasys NiGUARD NiMH Battery Backup Power Supply
System for Data Center in Bellaire, Texas
> Sacramento
Municipal Utility District Does Homework on Choosing
NiGUARD Backup System
> Automation
Alley Taps New Renewable Energy Technology
Chevron used an opportunity to explore alternate energy
solutions at their Data Center in Bellaire, Texas (near
Houston) because their lead-acid battery system was
nearing end-of-life. Reclaiming valuable floor space,
eliminating hazardous materials and increasing battery
reliability and performance were among the reasons Chevron
selected Cobasys' NiGUARD energy storage system. The
NiGUARD advanced nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery
system was installed to provide efficient 24/7 protection
for Chevron's uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in
support of IT equipment.
The decision to use Cobasys NiMH technology as a
solution offered Chevron:
- Advanced battery chemistry
- A compact battery system
- More than three times the power and energy of lead-acid
systems
The Cobasys NiGUARD system allowed Chevron to recover
valuable floor space which had been required for the
lead-acid system. The photos and layout of the Bellaire
battery room now using the NiGUARD system (below) resulted
in a substantial floor space savings of 65%.
Before
Lead Acid (Flooded)
Footprint 51' (L) X 2.5' (D)
Weight 40,000 lbs. |
After
NiGUARD
Footprint 15.3' (L) X 2.6' (D)
Weight 10,700 lbs. |
The Cobasys solution for the Bellaire UPS application
consists of three NiGUARD battery strings, one for each
UPS device. Each string is rated to support a 600kW
load for a 15-minute run time.
The NiGUARD battery system has advanced features which
promote higher reliability and minimal maintenance costs.
This system incorporates advanced battery monitoring
and control electronics in each NiGUARD unit to assure
maximum performance, life and protection. Each unit
provides a visual system status by way of front panel
indicators.
Minimal maintenance is a main feature and benefit of
the NiGUARD advanced energy storage system. Flooded
lead-acid batteries require routine maintenance not
required for NiGUARD systems. With their new NiGUARD
system Chevron no longer has to be concerned with:
- Tightening and torqueing of battery terminals
- Removal of sulfation around battery terminals
- Inspection of batteries for cracks and swelling
- Battery watering
- Battery equalizing
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Box Specifications
Voltage: 48 V
Capacity: 4 kWh
Watts: 10kW/15 min
Max discharge current: 300A
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The NiGUARD system integrated seamlessly with Chevron's
current UPS system. The UPS is supported by three strings
of NiGUARD units. Each string consists of 56 individual
NiGUARD boxes connected in series and parallel. This
type of configuration provides redundant backup in each
string, raising the level of reliability. The series/parallel
arrangement in one string can withstand the loss of
several individual NiGUARD boxes and still support the
load! Whereas, the loss of one battery module in the
conventional lead-acid battery string meant the loss
of an entire string.
The Cobasys NiGUARD system provides Chevron with an
advanced NiMH battery backup system using a superior
alternative to lead-acid batteries. Installing the NiGUARD
system has:
- Reduced the floor space for batteries by 65% saving
585 square feet of space for other purpose
- Provided Chevron with an environmentally friendly
advanced NiMH battery system that will provide many
years of safe, reliable, and efficient standby battery
protection, 24/7
- Greatly reduced the concern of spilling or leaking
hazardous materials.
Chevron now has a superior energy storage system based
on advanced NiMH technology which insures an improved
level of power protection and the capability to increase
revenue generation and business returns on their real
estate.
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The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and
its forward thinking managers are like most enterprises
today looking for new alternatives to correct old problems.
One issue and major concern was their existing Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS) backup system, which was needed to
protect their critical data and management systems in
case of a sudden power failure or rolling blackout.
The existing battery system required significant maintenance
and service. There was also concern about the status
of the system and its ability to discharge should a
lone battery fail and break the string.
Before- Original UPS Backup
System
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After- NiGUARD UPS System
Solution |
During their analysis, SMUD discovered Cobasys' patented
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) technology and the NiGUARD
product while at a trade conference. They decided that
the NiGUARD Energy Storage System would be the answer
to their concerns and chose a solution designed to provide
80kW of backup power for 15 minutes.
When asked about their decision on the rationale for
choosing Cobasys and the NIGUARD system, they stated
the following benefits helped make their final decision:
- Extremely reliable when compared to existing systems
- Clean, compact system with 66% savings in space
- A value-added fully-integrated system reducing SMUD's
worries about UPS application
- NiGUARD included a convenient built-in monitoring
and status control system
- NiGUARD system offered virtually no maintenance
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Longer life cycle
- Green, environmentally friendly system
The NiGUARD energy storage system is in place at SMUD
for their critical applications and is performing to
the District's satisfaction with reliability and minimal
maintenance.
The Cobasys NiGUARD system is the ideal choice for
applications that require high reliability in mission
critical situations or demanding environments. Providing
safe, environmentally responsible solutions, NiGUARD
is designed to supply seamless battery backup for usage
in facilities such as data centers, hospitals, airports
and office environments.
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Automation Alley, a regional technology promotion organization,
received a Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant to support
advanced energy efficient technologies. The goal was
to find and use new energy saving technologies to reduce
the national consumption of fossil fuel.
Cobasys
was selected to provide its NiGUARD energy storage system
solution. This solution provides Automation Alley with
up to eight (8) hours to back-up their data and emergency
lighting for their new headquarters facility in Troy,
MI. The system was coupled with solar panels to reduce
electrical demand.
The NiGUARD energy storage system offered many advantages
over conventional lead battery Uninterruptible Power
Supply systems (UPS), some of which are:
- Exceptional reliability, durability and performance
- Long cycle life
- High power density, compact, lightweight
- Fully managed and controlled system
- Low cost of ownership
- Environmentally friendly
The
Cobasys NiGUARD energy storage system provided Automation
Alley with the following benefits and advantages:
- Renewable energy enabling system technology
- Net metering capability
- Balanced power quality
- Cost savings and cost-effective system
- Backup power and emergency lighting
Another UPS stationary application solution and development
from Cobasys using NiGUARD Energy Storage Systems.
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U.S.
Steel Corporation - Great Lakes Works facility required
a solution for their 24/7/365 Uninterruptible Power
Supply (UPS) system that would provide more backup energy
and time to support their current Liebert 30kVA UPS
system. The Liebert system supported the Control Center
overseeing their blast furnace control systems and auxiliary
sensors.
While a UPS backup system can provide fifteen (15)
minutes of emergency power, this was not enough time
to ensure or eliminate more costly problems during the
furnace's sudden power outages.
The Cobasys NiGUARD system offered an integrated energy
storage system solution using Nickel Metal Hydride (NIMH)
technology allowing three (3) - hours of backup power
in the event of an unexpected power outage.
The NiGUARD system's additional power, 340V rated at
110kW, allows U.S. Steel ample time to complete a safe
shutdown sequence of the furnace. An additional benefit
of the NiGUARD system is that it also provides backup
for scheduled furnace maintenance shutdowns.
The NiGUARD energy storage system was tailored to meet
the needs of U.S. Steel because of the modular design,
flexibility, and advanced internal battery management
design and controls. The NiGUARD system allows a visual
system status using front panel indicators and also
allows remote monitoring via an Ethernet connection
to the Control Center.
The benefits Cobasys NiGUARD energy storage system
provided U. S. Steel:
- A 12-fold increase in back-up energy and protection
- Compact package
- High energy density
- Long cycle life
- Exceptional reliability, durability and performance
- Fully managed and controlled system
- Integrated with existing control systems
- Environmentally friendly
- Cost-effective system
- Minimal maintenance
- Maximum run-through time
Another UPS stationary application solution from Cobasys
using NiGUARD Energy Storage Systems.
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Considering a stationary project or need technical help
with your application? Please fill out the questionnaire
and we will reply as soon as possible.
> Questionnaire
Form
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