- Jochen Hantschel, MD, PV 4 Life GmbH

PV 4 Life GmbH, a German company dedicated to the promotion of renewable energy, has now entered the Indian market. The company believes that photovoltaic is the most sustainable way to promote life on planet Earth. It has expertise in Product Management – PV inverter market knowledge and analysis, competitive products, trend scouting for new PV applications, business case identification, value analysis, QFD, target costing, marketing, etc., with domain knowledge of power electronics, mechanical engineering and software development & simulation. Mr Jochen Hantschel, MD, PV 4 Life GmbH, talks about the company’s products and services. Excerpts…

What is the MobilHybrid?

The MobilHybrid is mobile power storage with intelligent control. It enables a particularly economical and environmentally friendly, but continuous supply to the consumers – almost better than to be on the network.

Can you explain how it works?

A suitable MobilHybrid unit is selected for the current load status of multiple energy sources (hybrid) from the most favourable. This may be the built-in battery storage, a diesel generator, photovoltaic modules or a possibly existing network.

Can you explain the working principle of MobilHyrbid more elaborately?

MobilHybrid is an innovative storage system that is connected between power producers and electricity consumers. The MobilHybrid stores the electricity from the generator and passes it to the consumer, as required in just the right amount again to prevent wastage of electricity.

The MobilHybrid has been developed precisely for these applications. What makes this innovative technology is that the generator can be switched off when the load of electricity consumers is small, i.e., less than the rated power of the MobilHybrid unit used. As and when the energy demand increases more than the capacity of the MobilHybrid unit, the power generator is switched on automatically. In case where the capacity of the generator is insufficient for the load, the MobilHybrid also connects to the load and the two power sources are added together to provide the power boost function.

Throughout the world, diesel or gasoline generators are used when electricity is needed and no network connection is available. So outside of cities, on building sites, at events in the open or in the production of oil and gas, in all of these applications, very non-uniform electrical current is required, the load varies from a few percentage points to 100%, depending on the requirement during day/night or periods of rest. Unfortunately, diesel generators below 50% load range have a very poor efficiency. Less than 30% capacity, the service life of the generator is even significantly reduced because soot particles tend to settle in the oil and the cylinders, causing damage to the engine. To avoid this, power-hungry baseload resistors are often connected to the generator when it operates below 30% capacity to avoid damage, but this is pure waste.

How can the user save money here?

In many applications, the amount of energy required is not particularly high. With diesel generators there is often the problem of low load, i.e., few or weak consumers with high specific fuel consumption. Although very little power is used, the engine runs at a constant speed. Large amount of diesel is burned which is a waste. The MobilHybrid operates in this operating range of the battery and starts the diesel generator only when the battery needs to be recharged or heavy loads are to be operated. So fuel and maintenance costs for the diesel engine are significantly avoided and also the service life of the generator is prolonged. Refuelling is required less frequently. In cases of manageable power consumption, the MobilHybrid can be easily home loaded with cheap commercial AC power or on site with MobilPV solar charger is installed. In such cases, the running of the generator is reduced substantially, saving fuel and money.

What are the benefits for the environment?

The use of MobilHybrid has several advantages: it saves considerable amounts of CO2 and other harmful emissions; the service life and maintenance intervals of the diesel engine are extended; quiet operation of the power supply, since the diesel generator most of the time is switched off or is no longer used in some applications; less CO2 emissions and saves and money in addition to the hybrid system with photovoltaic modules; and the lead-acid batteries used are 99% recyclable.

What makes the hybrid mobile?

MobilHybrid is built on a very sturdy steel carrying frame in the size of a Euro pallet. Easy handling is possible with forklift and/or by lifting gear hooked to the eyelet in the top centre, even as a slide the device can be pulled above ground. The logistics is simplified for greater distances through the Euro-pallets measure. The very compact and vibration resistant housing with IP54 degree of protection is suitable for outdoor installation. The equipment according to the trade association rules provides for unrestricted use without grounding measures, with many consumers and without the need for a qualified electrician. The lead-acid batteries used are non-hazardous and fully ready for the road, and they also have aviation approval. There are no lithium-ion batteries.

How long do the batteries last? Take back the batteries?

The batteries are designed for a service life of 1800 cycles. In one cycle per day this corresponds to a service life of approximately 5 years. As the end of the service life the remaining capacity of 80% is defined. The battery pack can be inexpensively replaced in a short time. Of course, the company also takes back the old battery packs.

What about the warranty?

On the mobile hybrid device except the battery pack, the company gives 2 years warranty.

What are the applications of MobilHybrid?

MobilHybrid is best for varying loads with temporary power solutions such as construction, mining, telecom, renewable energy integration, events and defense, oil and gas exploration, etc.

What about the compatible products like MobilLED lighting system and MobilPV solar modules?

MobilLED is portable LED lighting system used for lighting in construction, mining, events and other industries. MobilPV solar modules are available in rating of 3120Wp in a robust protective case and provide flexible solar energy wherever energy is needed up to 20 kWh/day. The set up and dismantling time is just10 minutes and it saves up to 1,700 litres of diesel per annum. Twelve robust protected solar panels provide the required energy and the equipment is folded on dimensions of a Euro pallet for transport. It needs only 22 m² floor space for energy production when expanded. The MobilPV is suitable for operation with MobilHybrid without a diesel generator.

Contact MobilHybrid: Mobile – 098675-56726, 075069-51180. Email: info@mobilhybrid.co.in