CALGARY, ALBERTA--In stand-alone tests conducted by Sandia National Laboratories [www.Sandia.gov], Sustainable Energy`s 5 kW power inverter demonstrated better than 93% power conversion efficiencies across a full power range, ranking it among the most efficient inverters at this power rating in the industry.
Higher power conversion efficiencies mean lower energy losses when the direct current [``DC``] output from an alternative energy source such as a
fuel cell or solar panel is converted to alternating current [``AC``] required by the user. Higher efficiencies translate directly into lower energy costs, not only because there is less energy consumed, but because a smaller power supply is needed to supply a given amount of energy.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandia is one of a number of US Department of Energy Laboratories and is recognized as a world leader in solar photovoltaics.
``Perhaps the most significant result of this testing is the demonstration of our inverter`s ability to maintain a high conversion efficiency across the full power range.`` says Brent Harris, Director of Technology for the Company.
``Although competitive inverters often have high peak efficiencies, the efficiency drops off rapidly as the load increases beyond about 20% of
full load. Full load efficiency is very important since the bulk of an inverter`s energy transfer occurs at higher power levels.``
Mr. Harris continues, ``This test also demonstrated universality of our inverter. Sandia was able to run their test at 50V and again at 70V with similar results. The value of this feature is that a single power inverter platform has the ability to convert the DC power output of a variety of different technologies without the need for other power conversion devices that increase cost and reduce total system efficiency and reliability. No other inverter has demonstrated this capability. We believe that our
inverter meets most of the criteria identified by Sandia Labs as critical for `The Inverter for the 21st Century`.``
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Sustainable Energy is a developer of advanced power electronics products for emerging distributed generation and alternative energy markets. The Company has developed and patented a unique
power inverter platform that is software configurable to maximize the energy capture from a variety of alternative energy technologies and applications.
Sustainable Energy is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STG.
Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered as forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated or implied results.
Source: CCNMatthews, 13 June 2002
