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VYCON’s Bearing-less Flywheel Energy Storage System Spins-up Better Healthcare in Southern New Jersey.
Cerritos, California, USA – March 2006 – VYCON, Inc. has successfully
commissioned a beta unit in the United States. Virtua Health, located in New Jersey,
has partnered with VYCON to install a VDC140 Flywheel Energy Storage System at the
Virtua Health data center. This installation is one of high visibility for both companies as
it is in a critical application. Performance of the system is monitored remotely from
VYCON’s offices in California. The system was installed and has been in operation
since mid-December.
The modern power system at Virtua Health’s Gibbsboro facility utilizes Uninterruptible
Power Supplies (UPS) that protect their servers from utility power disturbances.
Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), that detect loss of utility power, command the
Generator sets on site to automatically start during power outages. The VDC140 is in
operation with a UPS to provide ride-through power while the generator starts during a
power loss or disturbance, keeping the servers on-line. The VDC140 at Virtua Health
operates in parallel with Lead Acid Batteries. In this application, the VDC140 is the first
line of defense, designed to be discharged before the batteries, therefore providing
power to the UPS during most power disturbances. The battery DC source is
discharged only if the generator does not start and in effect reduces the cycles the
batteries are subjected to, extending battery life. Initial tests and actual power outages
at the site have shown that during transfers to generator, the VDC140 has performed as
expected providing ride-through power.
“We are extremely pleased on having achieved this key milestone. Installation was
simple and performance flawless during commissioning, startup and several real power
outages. Furthermore, we are honored to work with Virtua Health on this highly critical
and visible project as they continue their commendable strategy of adopting new key
technology to improve reliability, performance and lower overall costs. We are confident that VYCON products will perform as expected and look forward to many future installations” says Tony Aoun, President, VYCON.
Initial feedback from Virtua Health is very positive, with quick installation, a successful
live demonstration, and excellent operating performance. The system has successfully
kept patient care uninterrupted through two separate power outages in less than a
month. It is exercised monthly as a part of generator cut-over tests.
“Virtua Health is spearheading the movement to a higher-level of healthcare in Southern New Jersey,” says John Bloomer, VP, CIO, Virtua Health. “To deliver the best care, our
physicians, clinicians and staff require constant, uninterrupted access to vital patient
information and medical technology resources. Power is as critical to us as the air we
breathe. VYCON’s new generation bearing-less flywheel technology is a breakthrough
tool for us. It reduces our operating costs and maintenance schedules, allowing us to
re-invest in other critical areas. We will be relying more on this technology as we
consolidate and build new battery-free data centers.”
“This technology will save Virtua money by providing clean reliable power for 15 to 20
years compared to battery technology life cycle of 5 to 7 years,” says Chas Thawley,
Network Services Manager, Virtua Health.
The VDC140 stores kinetic energy and is designed to support high power/short
discharge applications. VYCON’s patented high-speed motor/generator and contact-
free magnetic bearings levitate the rotor during operation. These breakthrough
technologies enable the VDC140 to charge and discharge at high rates for countless
cycles making conventional technologies obsolete. These components also provide a
20-year life with limited maintenance. The VDC140 is UL listed, designed for simple
installation, quick commissioning and easy start-up. A single VDC140 can support UPS
systems up to 150 kVA for fifteen seconds and can be paralleled for applications above
150 kVA or longer back-up/ride-through time.
About VYCON, Inc.
VYCON, Inc. is a manufacturer of flywheel based energy storage systems and was established in 2002 to address the needs and requirements of the power quality market. Specifically, VYCON serves both low cycle markets such as UPS industry for battery hardening, backup power/genset ridethrough, glitch protection and high cycle markets such as the rail and wind power industries for voltage sag, peak power shaving, and energy savings. VYCON’s products provide a cost effective, reliable solution for a variety of applications through energy storage flywheel systems. For more information about VYCON, please visit the company’s website at www.vyconenergy.com.
About Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product-safety testing and certification organization. Since the company’s founding in 1894, they have held the undisputed reputation as a leader in product-safety testing and certification within the United States. Building on their household name in the United States, UL is becoming one of the most recognized, reputable conformity assessment providers in the world. To learn more about the UL certification program, visit www.ul.com.
12880 Moore Street
Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: +1-562-293-1360
Fax: +1-562-293-1361
E-mail: worman@vyconenergy.com
Website: www.vyconenergy.com
Contact: Wendy Orman
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