125-V module OK for vehicles in Europe

Maxwell’s 125V Heavy Transportation series of ultracapacitor modules is a high performance energy storage and power-delivery product line for hybrid buses and trucks.

Maxwell Technologies says the North American office of United Kingdom’s Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) has granted European Economic Community (EEC)-Type Approval and Conformity of Production (CoP) clearance to Maxwell’s 125-volt Heavy Transportation Module (HTM125). The 125V heavy transportation series of ultracapacitor modules is a high performance energy storage and power-delivery product line for hybrid buses and trucks, trolleys, and other vehicles. All HTM products have balancing, monitoring, and thermal management capabilities to ensure industry-leading charge/discharge performance, high reliability and long operational life.

The EEC approval certifies that Maxwell’s HTM125 complies with the EEC vehicle electromagnetic compatibility requirements of Council Directive 72/245/EEC as last amended by Commission Directive 2009/19/EC and ECE Regulation 10.03. The HTM125 transport module was tested to ensure immunity to radiated and conducted disturbances for functions related to direct control of vehicles, and compliance with requirements regarding control of unwanted radiated and conducted emissions to the intended use of electrical or electronic equipment in the installed or adjacent vehicles.

The associated Conformity of Production clearance certifies that Maxwell’s internal production and documentation control systems, procedures and practices comply with EEC requirements to ensure consistent manufacturability of the HTM125. 

“Several European heavy vehicle and equipment manufacturers and hybrid and electric drive integrators are designing the HTM125 into brake-energy recuperation and torque-assist systems for more energy-efficient products,” says Maxwell CEO David Schramm. ”The EEC-Type Approval and CoP clearance demonstrate that Maxwell’s procurement, production, and documentation control processes meet the rigorous industry standards that our clients demand.”

The HTM125 meets or exceeds transportation industry requirements for environmental susceptibility. The low equivalent series resistance provides the highest power capability required for heavy machinery. Used as the sole energy storage or in conjunction with batteries, the ultracapacitor modules provide the high efficiency recharge and high power required for acceleration. More information on the 125V HTM: http://www.maxwell.com/products/ultracapacitors/product.aspx?PID=125V-TRAN-MODULES

Maxwell Technologies Inc.
http://www.maxwell.com/

Ultracapacitors backup more wind turbines

An estimated 60% of new wind turbines now employ electrical blade pitch systems that incorporate ultracapacitors or batteries for pitch control and backup power. Ultracapacitors offer burst power for control systems that enhance the consistency of wind turbines’ electrical energy output. The constant adjustment of the turbine blades compensates for changes in wind velocity and ensures that rotor speed remains within a safe operating range . Also, in the event of a main system power failure, ultracapacitors offer an independent source of backup power for orderly shutdown and smooth the flow of wind farms’ output to the electric utility grid.

Ultracapacitors have been incorporated into an increasing share of the electric pitch system market because of their longer operating lifetime, low maintenance requirements, and cold weather performance compared with batteries. Furthermore, manufacturer Maxwell Technologies states that the company’s Boostcap ultracapacitor products are functional at temperatures ranging from -40 to 65 C.