Alternative power systems in development

A look at the future of alternative power systems was provided at the Marconi Power Technology Conference in Cleveland yesterday.

Capstone’s Microturbine was one of the few solutions discussed that is already commercially available. The turbine—which can be easily linked into units of 20 and can act as either a backup or a main power supply—can run on several different types of fuel. It comes in 30-kilowatt and 60-kilowatt modules, and provides 480 volts of AC power. The different versions both stand under seven feet tall.

In development by Active Power is a high-inertia turbine. Utilizing a flywheel spinning at 50,000 revolutions per minute, the turbine is intended to provide power for the few seconds between the time when utility power fails and an extended use backup power source kicks in.

Once the province of space exploration, fuel cells are also considered a future alternative energy source. Proton Energy Systems has developed a hydrogen-based fuel cell that uses electricity to break down and recombine hydrogen and oxygen into water. “You put oxygen and hydrogen in and you get water and energy out,” said David Sinclair, Marconi’s vice president of business development.

Lithium polymer batteries are also in development. The batteries use four ultra-thin metals that produce 3.2 volts of power by their contact alone. The batteries, which are smaller and lighter than lead-acid batteries, are expected to have a life of 10 years and, unlike most batteries, can thrive in high temperatures.