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Vehicle Integrated Power Unit Regulator (VIPUR) Employs Large-Format Rechargeable Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries to Reduce Fuel Consumption and “Liquid Logistics” for Troops
Twentynine Palms, Calif. – August 11, 2011 – International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com), a U.S. manufacturer and developer of large-format Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, today announced that it will join NEST Energy Systems in the demonstration of NEST’s VIPUR system during the Experimental Forward Operating Base 2011 event held at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., August 15 – 19, 2011. The Experimental Forward Operating Base (ExFOB) is the Marine Corps’ innovative process to identify and evaluate energy efficient technologies.
During ExFOB, NEST Energy Systems and International Battery will demonstrate NEST’s VIPUR system in real-world, high-heat desert conditions. VIPUR provides up to 75 percent fuel consumption reduction for HMMWV (military Humvees), Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) trucks and other tactical vehicles that use excessive idling as a means of generating electrical energy. MTVRs are frequently used to provide peak (2.5 kilowatts) power for ground-based systems, such as radios, laptops, blue-force trackers, etc. For the demonstration, the VIPUR unit will be paired with a 430-watt portable solar panel to charge the unit.
To improve fuel and energy efficiencies, save costs and logistics, NEST’s VIPUR – which can be installed in less than 30 minutes – operates automatically (no operator intervention needed) and independently of a vehicle’s battery system, utilizing an auxiliary alternator and up to four 1.5kWh or 4.1kWh batteries from International Battery featuring UN certified large-format Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) rechargeable cells. VIPUR components are housed in a reinforced, heavy-duty aluminum container that is secured to a frame and mounted on the tactical vehicle. All components, including the VIPUR’s wiring harness and integrated batteries are weather, heat and shock resistant and are designed for vehicular use. International Battery’s LFP batteries have undergone extensive testing in harsh environments including live round ammunition tests at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NWSC) Crane and Carderock divisions, and currently are undergoing continued TR level 5 and 6 testing at KEMA.
Tom Lederle, NEST Energy’s Vice President of Product Development and VIPUR’s primary architect, is enthusiastic about the USMC’s commitment to the ExFOB program. “Over the years a lot of lip service has been given to incorporating sustainable, hybridized systems as a means of reducing fuel consumption in theater, but the Marine Corps has actually done much of the heavy lifting. NEST Energy and its partners are exceptionally proud to be a part of a team and a program that’s finding practical solutions – like VIPUR – that will help save lives and create green jobs in these very troubled times.”
“We’re pleased to join NEST Energy Services to demonstrate this innovative solution in providing a more efficient method of generating electrical power in the field,” said International Battery’s Vice President of Government Relations, Rex Luzader. “By reducing fuel consumption, threats posed by vulnerable supply lines are reduced and sustainability measures are greatly increased in the field. International Battery modules feature quick charge times, small footprint and light weight, making our LFP systems the best solution for harsh environments.”
Pennsylvania-based International Battery is a leading manufacturer of large-format prismatic cells and energy storage systems that incorporates the company’s Battery Management System (BMS) that performs monitoring and balancing at the individual cell level. International Battery’s energy storage systems offer superior high temperature performance, over 90 percent efficiency and more than 4000 cycles at 100 percent depth of discharge. This less complex system with an efficient electrical bus and low thermal management requirement allows for compact packaging and good system energy density. International Battery is involved with various fuel saving programs including the U.S. Marine’s Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy Network System (GREENS) as well as the Hybrid Advanced Microgrid Power System (HAMPS) which several branches of the military are adopting.
Created in 2009, ExFOB brings together stakeholders and industry vendors from across the Marine Corps’ requirements, acquisitions and technology development communities in a dynamic process to quickly deploy technologies to reduce the need for “liquid logistics” today and to establish requirements for tomorrow.
For more information on International Battery’s advanced technology batteries, please visit: www.internationalbattery.com or call (610) 973-3730. For more information on the VIPUR system, please contact NEST Energy Systems (www.nestenergysystems.com) at (877) 640-4701.
About NEST Energy Systems
Since 2010, NEST Energy Systems (www.nestnergysystems.com) has won over $1.4M in energy innovation grants from the Department of Energy and the State of Arizona. Customers include the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army REF, Arizona Air National Guard and a host of government agencies.
About International Battery
Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com)is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format prismatic lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.