Pentadyne Power Corp. (Chatsworth, CA), a developer of flywheel power systems, unveiled its new VSS+, the next generation of its Voltage Support Solution (VSS) flywheel power system, which is designed to improve overall uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system reliability by completely replacing or greatly extending the life of lead-acid batteries. The VSS+ is suitable for industrial plants, healthcare buildings, broadcast facilities, and other commercial structures.
Providing the same physical footprint, dimensions, and weight characteristics as the first-generation VSS, the VSS+ offers a greater measure of application flexibility when used as a UPS battery system replacement or supplement. The VSS+ improves UPS reliability and reduces lifecycle cost in three critical scenarios: ride-through protection, ride-through to generator, and battery-life extension. The VSS+ integrates indifferently with medium- and large-power UPS systems. At 100 percent UPS output power, a single VSS+ unit provides up to 25 seconds in a 130 kVA UPS and 40 seconds in a 80 kVA UPS. For large-power UPS systems, as many VSS+ systems as desired can be paralleled together for higher power, longer run time, or redundancy without requiring any communication links.
Designed for a 20-year service life before major service is required, the self-contained VSS+ weighs around 1,300 lbs (590 kg) and is housed in a steel cabinet that can be rolled into place and that occupies less than 6 ft² of floor space. The VSS+ requires no air conditioning or safety systems. Availability will be in the first quarter of 2006, and delivery is 12 to 16 weeks ARO.