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Going green, retaining reliability: GlobalSolarHybridremote power system boasts the 'best of both worlds'

Posted on: Thursday, 5 November 2009, 15:00 CST

CALGARY, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ - The old adage says there is nothing new under the sun. But that didn't stop Global Thermoelectric from making the big breakthrough in remote solar power.

Calgary-based Global Thermoelectric, which continues to set the world standard in remote power, is proud to introduce the GlobalSolarHybrid system - which relies primarily on the sun's energy to generate power, but uses Global Thermoelectric's bedrock technology, a Thermoelectic Generator (TEG), in a backup capacity. The GlobalSolarHybrid system represents the seamless, harmonic marriage of two distinct technologies - and is just the solution that companies in the oil and gas, telecommunications, electric utilities, and security and surveillance industries have been seeking.

"This is not new technology, but very smart deployment of existing technology. We've had all sorts of customers in the past five years who are under pressure to use green technology, but are disappointed with the reliability of their solar systems," says Bruce Taylor, President of Global Thermoelectric. "We listened to our customers, and gave them the answer. The GlobalSolarHybrid solution uses solar power at the maximum amount available, with a TEG as a backup. We gave them what they're asking for. It's a green solution, and it's reliable - the best of both worlds."

While pure solar power is commonly seen as the ultimate green solution, many companies have found that photovoltaic systems are not always feasible for mission-critical equipment. Reliability is not guaranteed, especially during the winter months when shorter daylight hours, dense cloud, shadowed terrain, and snow cover interfere with a PV system's power generation process. The GlobalSolarHybrid system, on the other hand, ensures bulletproof, 24/7/365 operation for applications such as wellhead monitoring equipment, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), cathodic protection, and communications equipment.

The GlobalSolarHybrid system is backed up by a TEG that operates on natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It has significantly lower fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions than most other power generation technologies, and has a smaller environmental footprint than many pure solar systems, since it uses fewer PV panels and batteries, and extends the life of those batteries.

"Pure solar power has a mystique about it but can be unreliable," says Global Thermoelectric's Director of Product Line Management, Dennis Prediger. "By marrying these two technologies, we are able to draw on a guaranteed energy supply. And we've optimized and standardized the product to help make it affordable for our customers."

Global Thermoelectric has developed two standard model lines, which have been pre-engineered based on low seasonal solar radiation levels to ensure the lowest prices possible. The 2000 Series was developed for sites from the equator to 40 degrees north latitude, while the 3000 Series is optimized for locales further north. Global Thermoelectric can also provide custom GlobalSolarHybrid systems for customer applications.

GlobalSolarHybrid systems also use higher-quality components than an average solar system. Its batteries are less likely to corrode than comparables, and boast twice the deep-cycling capability of a standard AGM (absorbed glass mat) solar battery. Battery life in the GlobalSolarHybrid systems is also extended, because it uses shallower cycles than a pure PV system, with the TEG programmed to turn on and charge the battery from an optimized state-of-charge level.

"I think this is a very exciting development. The technology appears to be very sound, very novel, and something that's badly needed," says Dr. Viola Birss, a chemistry professor at the University of Calgary who specializes in clean energy development. "It's a really nice combination of Global Thermoelectric's existing strengths with clean and green technology. It's sensible and smart."

"Global Thermoelectric is emerging as a leader in clean, innovative energy solutions," says Fred Stewart, formerly Alberta Minister of Technology, Research and Telecommunications.

Global Thermoelectric has already sold about three dozen GlobalSolarHybrid systems to clients across North America, and their performance has earned rave reviews.

"We were looking for a relatively low-cost, efficient way to provide power with a small footprint," says Steve Anglea, project sales manager with Biomark, Inc. "(GlobalSolarHybrid systems are) extremely reliable. We know that they work."

"Ice fog, dense cloud and heavy snow are the enemy of high-elevation solar panels," adds Brock Lounsbury, general manger of JRTWave. "The addition of a dependable parallel power generation system was paramount."

Since 1975, more than 20,000 Global Thermoelectric remote power systems have been installed in 50 countries around the world. For more information on Global Thermoelectric, please visit www.neverfailsolar.com and www.globalte.com

SOURCE Global Thermoelectric

Source: PR Newswire

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