Here is a link to the Congressman’s press release.

And some pictures:

Left to Right: Rush Holt, Marshall Cohen, Darren Hammell

Using a high-power (1.5MW) converter design and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor switches, enabled by PPS’ patented AC-link™ circuit topology, will allow for a much higher power-density and allow direct connection to 12 kV or higher power lines without a transformer. This will drastically reduce the space and logistics requirements for the power electronics in tidal, wave, and other hydropower systems, and increase the efficiency of transmitting power and interconnecting with the utility grid. Ultimately, this will reduce the cost of ocean and hydropower sources and make them more efficient and more compatible with the existing electric grid.

Darren Hammell, Executive Vice President of Business Development, stated, “We are excited to expand the use of our technologies to the rapidly growing sector of grid-connected hydropower applications. Our history of providing rugged components for Navy applications will ensure that our designs can endure the unique environmental requirements of these systems.”

Hydropower generators face unique problems transmitting power to shore and integrating with the electric grid, due to long transmission distances, high-voltage interconnections, and corrosive outdoor operating environments that lead to unique form-factor requirements. As grid-integration standards evolve, power electronics are often required, and can provide substantial improvements in efficiency, communications and monitoring capabilities, and grid-integration. There is currently an unmet market need for advanced high-power electronic converters that are small, water-cooled, and efficiently and cost-effectively tie in to high-voltage transmission lines for hydropower systems; this need will be addressed under this research program.

Wave, tidal, and other hydropower generation systems are a clean, non-polluting energy generation source, and have the potential to displace large amounts of polluting, non-renewable power plants.

About Princeton Power Systems
Princeton Power Systems, founded in 2001, is a manufacturer of advanced power conversion products and alternative energy systems, with patented electronics that provide a more reliable and cost-effective means for converting electric power cleanly and efficiently. The company has solutions for renewable energy, distributed power generation, and military applications. Princeton Power Systems products reduce energy consumption, lower peak electric usage, and provide clean, renewable energy sources with superior performance.

About the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science
The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, providing more than 40 percent of total funding for this vital area of national importance. It oversees – and is the principal federal funding agency of – the Nation’s research programs in high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and fusion energy sciences. Furthermore, the Office of Science manages fundamental research programs in basic energy sciences, biological and environmental sciences, and computational science. In addition, the Office of Science is the Federal Government’s largest single funder of materials and chemical sciences, and it supports unique and vital parts of U.S. research in climate change, geophysics, genomics, life sciences, and science education.

The $1.5M system will be installed at corporate headquarters at 201 Washington Road in Princeton, New Jersey, and connect to the PSE&G electric grid. In addition to a 200 kilowatt solar array, the installation will include an energy storage system consisting of large-format lithium-ion batteries manufactured by International Battery. The solar array and energy storage system will be controlled and connected to the electric grid using Princeton Power System’s Grid-tied Inverter (GTIB) product. The installation will demonstrate advanced smart grid functionality including microgrid operation, demand response, frequency regulation, and power dispatch.

“Integrating large amounts of alternative energy sources like solar and wind into the electric grid will require improved controls and electronics, and this in turn will make distributed generation much more valuable and effective,” stated Darren Hammell, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Co-Founder, “Our goal is to show that this is possible and cost-effective today, using available technologies, while creating jobs and doing our part to help the environment.”

When commissioned, the solar array will produce sellable Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) and offset a portion of the building’s energy usage. The project is financed in part by the State of New Jersey’s Clean Energy Manufacturers Fund, which is helping Princeton Power Systems to expand its state-of-the-art research and development and manufacturing facilities for next-generation power electronics.

About Princeton Power Systems
Princeton Power Systems, founded in 2001, is a manufacturer of advanced power conversion products and alternative energy systems, with patented electronics that provide a more reliable and cost-effective means for converting electric power cleanly and efficiently. The company has solutions for renewable energy, distributed power generation, and military applications. Princeton Power Systems products reduce energy consumption, lower peak electric usage, and provide clean, renewable energy sources with superior performance.

In the meantime, people do not stop using energy, oil does not stop spilling, and pollution does not stop spewing just because Congressional leaders do not feel “politically safe” making difficult choices. A comprehensive federal energy plan is needed to fix the regional system that is in place now. Many states have taken the lead in taking steps to solve energy problems, but states only have regional authority while the electric grid spans the entire nation.

We elected our federal officials to tackle tough problems, it’s disappointing that they continue to pass on this one. Although people familiar with the history of alternative energy in the US would agree that following federal leadership on energy issues is not always a wise strategy…

A photograph titled “Nanocrystalline Transformer Winding” was submitted on behalf of PPS to the 2010 Art of Science competition…and selected for the exhibit! The exhibit will take place Friday, May 7th, at 4pm in the Friend Center at Princeton University. I won’t spoil the unveiling by showing the image here now, but I’ll post it to the website afterward.

It will also be available in the online gallery (here) after the exhibit.

Congratulations to Greg Skofronik for taking this great photograph, I hope people will make it to the exhibit to see this and the other winners.

During the demonstration, PPS showcased a DRI prototype and key technology areas, including the Central Resonant Link, Multiport Control, and nanocrystalline transformer. The DRI will provide a cost effective interface for commercial and utility-scale solar arrays, energy storage, critical load control, and “smart grid” communications. It also enables microgrids for community-scale facilities using solar power, providing increased security and value for photovoltaic systems. In late 2010, PPS is scheduled to complete lab testing and run field demonstrations of several DRI units.

“Our team is excited about meeting this important milestone, and thrilled with the DOE’s support of our efforts,” said Darren Hammell, Executive Vice President at PPS, “the Demand Response Inverter is an enabling technology for our strategy to provide more valuable grid-connected solar systems by integrating and delivering communications, energy storage, and grid-support functions to our utility and facility customers.”

About Princeton Power Systems

Princeton Power Systems designs and manufactures advanced power conversion products and systems to provide customers with cost-effective, reliable, smart distributed generation. Our patented technologies, including AC-linkTM, produce clean electric power simply and efficiently, and our capable and flexible engineering team works closely with our customers to solve their problems. Customer solutions include grid-integrated distributed generation, renewable energy, energy storage, and military power supplies for Navy and Army applications.

About Sandia National Laboratories

Since 1949, Sandia National Laboratories has developed science-based technologies that support our national security. Today, 300+ million Americans depend on Sandia’s technology solutions to solve national and global threats to peace and freedom. The SEGIS project, part of the US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Program, emphasizes the development of advanced intelligent inverters, controllers, and other balance-of-system components for photovoltaic (PV) distributed power applications.

For additional information, please contact:
Marta Loc
Voice: 609.955.5390 x100
mloc@princetonpower.com

Energy Empowers | Dorm room idea now revolutionizing energy

The program concentrates on energy efficient Variable Speed Drives (VSD) for electric motors. VSD’s ground-breaking design is expected to triumph over traditional motor controllers by offering 30%-50% energy savings.

Earl’s new 10-horsepower VSD is implemented with Princeton Power Systems breakthrough proprietary AC-linkTM power conversion and control technology.

For a copy of Earl Industry’s press release please click here.

About Earl Industries

Earl Industries is a high technology, multidimensional company supplying world class, core competencies in complex ship repair and engineering, manufacturing, new technology coatings, and energy efficient electrical and control systems. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia, Earl Industries boasts a 25-year history of innovation, exceptional customer responsiveness, and on-the-deck-plate service to our Nation’s military community.

About Princeton Power Systems

Princeton Power Systems is a manufacturer of advanced power conversion products, including AC-linkTM, with patented control methods that provide a more reliable and cost-effective means for converting electric power cleanly and efficiently. We have solutions for motor control, renewable energy, distributed power generation, and military power supplies. Our products reduce energy consumption, lower peak electric usage, and provide clean, renewable energy sources with superior performance.

For additional information, please contact:
Marta Loc
(609) 955-5390
mloc@princetonpower.com