Utilizing new technology to solve a problem in the telecommunications market

Abstract

Two years ago, a request for proposal was initiated by a large European telecommunications company, that asked suppliers to provide a power system for telecom sites throughout the United Kingdom. What motivated this request was the fact that the current diesel genset units were causing a serious environmental problem relating to spillage of fuel at the sites, as well as during the periodic maintenance visits to them. Another important aspect that had to be taken into consideration for the proposal was that the noise level had to be below 60 db(A) at twenty feet. The key to solving this problem would be to design a well enclosed remote power system that would eliminate the diesel engine as a power source, as well as extending the service interval for as long as possible to reduce the number of maintenance visits required. This system had to have proven reliability equal to or better than the diesel gensets that were being used. Additional criteria for the system was that on-site maintenance had to be done under all weather conditions, and that the level of technical expertise required at the site to address technical problems had to be kept to a minimum. Marathon Engine's response to this request was the design of a power system based on propane to eliminate the spillage issue, and to utilize the Marathon 5Ktrade Engine that is a proven long life power source to address the maintenance interval. The remaining technical aspects of the request were also met: the electrical requirement (50 Hz and 230 volts output), mechanical needs (extended service interval) and noise level (a newly designed insulated enclosure). The size of the unit (2 m wide times 2 m high and times 1 m deep) afforded a technician the ability to service the engine and electronics inside the unit. Also, field service is enhanced by the fact that the entire control system is on one panel. Should a problem be found, removal of four bolts are all that are required to swap out the old controller. A monitor is installed in the controller that has eight analog and twenty-four digital channels for data input and/or monitoring. If necessary, a backup controller can be carried by maintenance personnel and merely snapped into place should the need arise. This remote power source design has proven so successful that it has been expanded beyond the telecommunications field into other areas of remote power needs: off-grid homes and industrial applications such as railroads and oilfields. Because of it's modular design, the unit can easily be adapted for needs inherent to those applications - battery banks for backup, redundant inverters, use of the controller for wind and solar inputs, and even redundant engines. The engines used in the Powerhouse are liquid cooled, which offer the ability to utilize the heat from the system as another key advantage. This cogen feature can support external heat sinks for many applications as well as heat to the enclosure itself in severe winter climates. Also, the ability to add a second engine to support air conditioning in hot climes would not be a problem. The Powerhouse 3trade system is a new approach to the burgeoning market of remote and backup power. It utilizes proven technology and clean burning propane for these special power applications. Because of the input/output flexibility built into the design, the unit is application friendly and has the ability to function in remote areas for extended periods of time, with minimal environmental impact (noise and air) and fits into a market segment below the diesel gensets that are typically speced into such applications.