NEW CASTLE, Pa., Nov. 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axion Power International, Inc. (OTCQB:AXPW) today announced that two remote solar powered off-grid applications are graduating from bench top testing to deployment in the field with Mountain View Solar (mtvSolar) in Berkeley Spring, W.Va. and RAR Engineering in New Castle, Pa. Total worldwide revenue from off-grid remote power systems is expected to reach $1.5 billion annually by 2020 according to Navigant Research 1 .
The application with Mountain View Solar is an FAA mandated tower lighting system. Low voltage power is required to light the beacon at the top of a structure, and utility power is not readily available. Installing an off-grid solar powered battery system offers a solution. The application is particularly demanding on the battery system during the winter months due to sub-zero temperatures, low light and the requirement of the light to remain lit, at the expense of the batteries.
"In preparation for field deployment in an off-grid FAA lighting system for a major utility, mtvSolar conducted demanding bench tests of the Axion carbon batteries over a period of three months. Testing included a discharge to levels that would have destroyed normal AGM or GEL batteries. We've witnessed string self-balancing and full recovery from excessive discharge. That said, we feel confident in deploying this technology,” said Cevyn L. Miles-Monaghan, Solar Energy System Specialist, mtvSolar.
The application with RAR Engineering is an off-grid ground water remediation system. Axion designed and built the energy storage system that is implemented within a portable treatment system. The system harnesses solar energy and stores it in Axion’s PbC batteries for use when the solar resource is not capable of supporting the load. RAR Engineering designed and built the pumping, filtration and skid mount that is currently being field tested. To date, the system has treated 17,000 gallons of ground water contaminated with MTBE.
“The ability to operate a cost effective off grid remediation system was the goal of this project. With the help of the professionals at Axion, the system went from a concept to a functioning system within a few months,” said Kyle S. Griffith, Professional Geologist, RAR Engineering. “Now that the system is operational, our efforts will concentrate on producing innovative treatment additions with the goal of increasing efficiency and, in turn, decreasing the time spent with active remediation.”
The mtvSolar and RAR off grid power systems share design attributes similar to the solar light kit that was released by Axion in May of this year. All three of the applications draw on the unique features and benefits of the PbC battery technology. Additional applications, such as weather stations, gas well and pipeline telemetry, security cameras or other monitoring equipment in remote locations can benefit from PbC battery technology.
“Both applications can operate over the entire voltage range of the PbC Battery, and the batteries freeze tolerance when discharged is a distinct advantage over traditional lead acid battery,” said Jack Shindle, Vice President of Engineering, Axion Power. “These features combined with the PbC battery’s high cycle life, rapid recharge, partial state of charge performance and stability in series strings make it an ideal energy storage solution for these applications.”
About Axion Power International, Inc. Axion Power is a technology leader in lead-carbon energy storage. Axion's patented lead carbon battery is the only advanced battery technology with an all carbon negative electrode. Axion's negative electrodes are designed to be directly substituted for lead acid negative electrodes, producing the unique benefits of the Axion carbon technology. Axion Power's primary goal is to become the leading supplier of carbon electrode assemblies for lead-acid battery companies around the world. For more information, visit: www.axionpower.com
About Mountain View Solar, LLC mtvSolar located in Berkeley Springs, West Virgina has become one of the region’s largest solar installation companies, and by far West Virginia’s largest PV integrator. Our installations run the full spectrum, with residential, commercial, and municipal work forming the majority of our installations. Along with West Virginia, we are licensed in MD, VA, and PA, with installations reaching from Chambersburg, Pa, to Williamson WV on the Kentucky border. For more information, visit: www.mtvsolar.com
About RAR Engineering Group, Inc. RAR Engineering Inc. (RAR) is an Environmental and Civil Engineering consulting firm that along with its sister company Environmental Laboratory Services (ELS) are located in New Castle Pennsylvania. Utilizing a staff of Professional Geologists, Professional Engineers, a CAD design team, Registered Land Surveyors and Environmental Field Professionals, RAR in conjunction with the ELS Laboratory has provided over 35 years of service for private business, Economic Development and Municipal Authorities. For more information, visit: www.rarengineering.com and www.elslaboratories.com
Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this Press Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the risk for the Company to complete its development work, as well as the risks inherent in commercializing a new product (including technology risks, market risks, financial risks and implementation risks, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company), as well as other risks that have been included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available at www.sec.gov . We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, financial estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
1 “Off-Grid Power for Remote Sensing Application – Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources for Remote Sensing, Monitoring, LIDAR, and SCADA Installations,” Feb. 5, 2013, https://www.navigantresearch.com/newsroom/off...ly-by-2020
Contacts: Jack Shindle, Vice President of Engineering Axion Power International, Inc. jshindle@axionpower.com Colin Williams, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mountain View Solar, LLC info@mtvsolar.com Kyle S. Griffith, Principal Geologist RAR Engineering Group, Inc. kgriffith@rarengineering.com
