Photon Energy N.V.: Communication infrastructure leading the charge for renewable energy in Australia

Photon Energy launches ground-breaking solar storage project

The solar storage project in Australia (Photon Energy)

Amsterdam / Sydney (pta011/11.11.2014/10:00 UTC+1) In a ground breaking move, a large broadcast tower in New South Wales, Australia, will turn its back on traditional energy, going off-grid to run entirely on solar power thanks to the introduction of advanced battery storage technology.

Photon Energy has designed and delivered the project in association with the German Energy Agency, Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena), and the Australian communications infrastructure company BAI using predominantly German technology.

Set to become a benchmark for providing a complete power supply for remote locations, the pilot project ensures solar power is captured via 216 kWh of battery storage during daylight hours, enabling a constant 24 hour power supply to the commercial site.

BAI Group CEO, Jim Hassell, believes the project is a big step forward for the sector. "Primarily used for local radio broadcast, the Muswellbrook tower is also relied upon by local emergency services for communications during bushfires and floods. The high quality of the German-engineered technology provides the reliability required in remote areas. BAI is excited to be at the forefront of integrating this advanced technology into the communications sector" said Hassell.

Ultimately the test site demonstrates renewable energy can provide genuine savings for corporations running remote sites in Australia. BAI is considering a network-wide roll out of the technology across Australia.

Photon Energy Australia Managing Director Michael Gartner added, "Our vision is to take infrastructure off-grid with highly reliable solar power and battery storage. Not only does the storage technology provide off-grid power or remove grid reliance in the areas where the grid costs the most, but it does this cost-effectively and without fossil fuel emissions. The system has been designed to be rugged and reliable with the choice of the highest quality Australian outback tested Q CELLS solar panels, SMA inverters and BAE batteries to provide maximum power and longevity in the toughest Australian conditions."

KEY INFORMATION:
- The photovoltaic array produces enough solar energy to power 7.3 average Australian households for a year.
- The 216 kWh of batteries can store enough energy to run the Muswellbrook antenna for up to 43 hours or enough energy for an electric passenger car to drive from Sydney to Melbourne and back.
- If all chargers run at 100%, the batteries will fully charge in five hours and 32 minutes.

ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project is part of the worldwide dena Renewable Energy Solutions Program coordinated by Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) - the German Energy Agency - and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) within the initiative "renewables - Made in Germany".
The telecom tower will be powered by mostly 'Made in Germany' components; a 39 kWp solar power installation using 216 kWh of batteries and a 8 kVA diesel back-up system for emergencies. The technology - 156 Q CELLS Q-PRO G3 255Wp solar panels, 72 BAE Secura PVV 2V 1500 Ah batteries (supplied by R+J batteries), 3 SMA 8.0H Sunny Island inverters and Photon Energy 24/7 monitoring system.

(end)

Emitter:	Photon Energy N.V. Barbara Strozzilaan 00201 1083 HN Amsterdam Netherlands
Contact Person:	Jan Krcmar
Phone:	+420 277 002 910
E-Mail:	jan.krcmar@photonenergy.com
Website:	www.photonenergy.com
ISIN(s):	NL0010391108 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Free Market in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover; Vienna Stock Exchange (Corporates Prime)
Other Stock Exchanges:	Warsaw NewConnect