Conference Opening
- Royal Ballroom
- 8:00am -8:30am
(Open to full-conference participants)
Presentations 1, 2 & 3
- Royal Ballroom
- 8:30pm -10:00am
1- More Than Just Convenience: A Life Study Case for Front Access VRLA Batteries
Brian Zimmerman, Manager-Technical Support Engineering, Reserve Power Division, East Penn Manufacturing
For practical reasons, many traditional 12V VRLA batteries look much like car batteries. 2V cells are arranged in series in a 1x6 configuration with the positive and negative terminals on opposite sides of the cover (top terminal). In recent years, the stand-by power industry has seen an influx of “front-access” 12V batteries, monoblocs with a 2x3 cell configuration, with the terminals located in close proximity on the narrow side of the battery. Safety, ease of maintenance, and convenient cabinet footprint are some of the primary reasons for the growing popularity of these designs. Recent data collection shows that not only are front access batteries safer, they also provide a longer service life. Field data will be presented from a sample size of over 100,000 12V batteries in UPS applications showing a clear difference in the longevity of front access batteries vs. their traditional top terminal counterparts. Arguments will be made, supported by lab data and flow simulation modeling, detailing why front access batteries are showing longer life, including geometry, internal design, and on-site conditions.
2- What is a Pure Lead Battery and Why Do I Need One?
Dharmesh Desai, C&D Technologies
Batteries marketed as Pure Lead are gaining popularity in the datacenter, telecom and utility segments. Pure Lead batteries come in different forms and different designs, but there is no standard to meet in order to call a battery "Pure Lead." This paper will answer the question "What is a Pure Lead Battery?" and explore the potential benefits to the end user while educating them on what questions to ask to ensure their battery has the features needed to support their application.
3- An Introduction to the Nickel-Zinc Battery Chemistry
Dan Lambert, Product Manager-Data Center Solutions, ZincFive, Inc.
Nickel-zinc is one of the oldest new battery technologies available today. The first patents issued around the chemistry date to the turn of the 20th century. Patents submitted by de Michalowski, Junger and Edison were all issued in the 1899 to 1901 timeframe. Further development has proceeded in several countries, and by many researchers and manufacturers. There are currently several manufacturers working with nickel-zinc batteries in different areas, and utilizing variations of the basic chemistry. Desirable because of the excellent high rate discharge capability, the chemistry was plagued by the inability for the available technology of the time to control the growth of zinc dendrites in the cells, which lead to internal shorting of the cells. Thanks to the advancement of cell design, new manufacturing technologies, and new battery component materials, nickel-zinc has now become a commercially viable battery chemistry. This paper will address nickel-zinc batteries from three perspectives: 1) An introduction to the chemistry and construction of nickel-zinc batteries; 2) Third party test data; 3) Current nickel-zinc battery uses and applications.
Break and Networking
- Palms Foyer
- 10:00am -10:30am
Presentations 4, 5 & 6
- Royal Ballroom
- 10:30am -11:50pm
(Open to full-conference participants)
4- Finding That Elusive Ground Fault
George Pedersen, Carrann Associates, LLC and J. Allen Byrne, Brass Tacks Power System Advisors
In PRC-005 the three parameters of a DC system that are required to be checked and verified most frequently are the system voltage, electrolyte level (for VLA and NiCad) and for unintentional grounds. Checking for that ground fault is relatively simple and many battery chargers incorporate a ground fault detection system which will generate an alarm if a ground fault is detected. The problems start when you try to find where the ground fault exists within the DC power system. This paper will provide a quick overview of the most typical methods by which ground faults are identified and the potential impact that the methodology used has on finding the actual location of the fault. This will be followed by a review of the most often suggested methods by which the location of the fault can be identified, and an explanation as to the potential risks associated with many of these methods. An explanation of how a low frequency AC signal can be used to locate the ground fault and the limitation that might have with the use of microprocessor-based controls rather than relays. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the challenges that occur in trying to find that elusive fault.
5- DC Plant Modification Mishaps (and how to avoid them)
Dan McMenamin, Dan McMenamin and Associates, Inc.
During last summer’s IEEE Energy Storage and Stationery Battery Committee meeting, there was considerable interest in a presentation by Telcordia’s Service Line Director, Richard Kluge. A large part of his discussion centered around several major incidents in the telecommunications industry. Due to time constraints, Mr. Kluge covered only high-level details about any of the events. The lessons to be learned from those and similar incidents bear sharing because many older plants are still in service. The purpose of this paper is to cover several such incidents in greater technical detail and show ‘take-away’ learning concepts to prevent such failures going forward. Incidents covered include: a large battery fire, vibrating bus bars in a dc plant, countercell modification error, and EPO error.
6- Thermal Runaway Prevention, Detection, and Recovery – VLA or VRLA Cells
Peter J. DeMar, Co-Founder, Battery Research and Testing, Inc.
This paper is being written specifically for those individuals that perform the actual hands-on maintenance on their battery systems. Since you are the first line of defense against Thermal Runaway and unexpected battery failures, you need to understand more about your batteries than anyone else in your company. Why? Because you are ones that are taking the actual measurements, and observing what is occurring with that battery at that date and time. By your understanding what is normal and what is not for that particular battery, you can alert your upper management to an issue in progress that needs to be addressed to protect your revenue producing equipment, the site, and even the personnel. If someone higher up the food chain decides to ignore your report, or to not take corrective action, for whatever reason, you will have at least documented your findings, and done your job. The pictures are from multiple sites and multiple manufacturers.
Lunch and Networking
- Cypress 1A
- 11:50am –1:10pm
Hall of Fame Award
- Royal Ballroom
- 1:10pm – 1:20pm
Panel - DC Systems Electrical Protection Considerations
- Royal Ballroom
- 1:20pm – 2:20pm
Growing emphasis on operating reliability and safety are leading battery end users and system operators to confront system protection issues such as proper fault protection for battery systems and DC energy sources. This panel will address DC system electrical protection considerations including over-current protection philosophies, code requirements and industry best practices for switchgear and control, telecom and UPS applications.
MODERATOR: Kurt Uhlir (Standby Power System Consultants, Inc.)
PANEL: Mike Morroni (Electric Equipment & Engineering), Haissam Nasrat (Primax Technologies, Inc.), Ed Rafter (George Butler Associates), Lesley Varga (Quality Standby Services, LLC)
Presentations 7 & 8
- Royal Ballroom
- 2:20pm – 3:20pm
7- Taking Advantage of Long Life Alloys
Drew Heimer and Chance Sterling, C&D Technologies.
Following up last year's paper "Impact of Alloy and Geometry on VLA Positive Grid Designs," this paper will look at how higher specific gravities will react in modern VLA cells. Historically a 1.215 specific gravity was required to achieve 20 years of life. Raising your specific gravity to increase energy density or freezing point would result in a reduction in anticipated battery life. This holds true, but the question is, with modern VLA batteries no longer failing due to grid corrosion, can you achieve 20 years of life at 1.250 specific gravity? How about 1.300? This paper will explore the impact of higher specific gravities on longevity and how they can be used to save footprint and string count without sacrificing longevity.
8- Battery Sizing – Moving It Forward
Sepehr Mogharei, Director, VOLTiFiC
Battery capacity determination has always been a source of fascination for scientists and engineers dating back to origins of the technology. The first sizing standard for lead acid batteries was published by IEEE in 1978. While sizing for NiCad battery was established using a similar technique shortly after, there has been limited advancement in these methods. The battery industry has yet to come to a consensus on a standard method of sizing for other technologies based on lithium, nickel, zinc, vanadium, and others. In order to create a more comprehensive and industry-wide approach to battery sizing, this paper dives deeper into existing standards by identifying gaps and limitations. Practical limitations are tested using a hardware setup dedicated to sizing, and incrementally adding load steps. A second test is presented by using a sample 24 hours time series load profile and simplifying it by reducing the number of steps that best describe it. The accuracy of simplification vs. time saving for calculations is evaluated. Missing sizing parameters explored include, incorporation of state of charge, cycling as a function of depth of discharge, and consideration for multiple random loads with various time periods.
Break and Networking
- Palms Foyer
- 3:20pm – 3:55pm