>From Technology NZ Invensys Wins Technology New Zealand Funding for Groundbreaking R&D ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---
Innovative Christchurch company Invensys Energy Systems has received well over half a million dollars funding from Technology New Zealand to develop a new product designed to provide high reliability AC electricity supply for telecommunications and data equipment. The research and development project is a response to strong demand from the company's existing customers in the telecommunications carrier industry for more reliable, lower cost, back-up solutions for AC powered computer and IT equipment. Invensys also anticipates new markets for the proposed modular inverter system, including using it to convert energy from fuel cells or solar panels into usable household voltages. This would provide a new source of energy for people working in agriculture, for rural housing and in the marine transport sector. The inverter system also has the potential to provide a reliable back-up power supply for cable TV transmission services and a range of industrial applications such as security systems, automated warehousing and EFTPOS/Cash register terminals. Technology New Zealand, a business unit within the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology that provides government-funded support for a wide range of R & D projects, is investing $606,000 over 12 months to develop the new product. The investment is in the form of a 'Technology for Business Growth' grant. The project was officially launched with a contract signing in Christchurch between the Manager of Technology New Zealand, Suki Siriwardena, and Invensys Managing Director, Tony Baird. "The new product will incorporate a number of technology advances that should make it a market leader globally," said Mr Baird. "We expect to come up with a product that is less expensive than anything currently available, more compact and more efficient, with lower running costs and less heat loss." "The level of reliability we are aiming to achieve will be far higher than the AC electricity supply from an electricity supply company. It also opens up a range of exciting new options for alternative energy supply." The new product is expected to be available late this year. Invensys Energy Systems employs about 300 staff in the design and manufacture of DC power supply systems for the telecommunications industry. Nearly a quarter of those staff work in the company's R & D unit. Ninety percent of the company's earnings come from exports. The new product under development performs the opposite process to the company's existing power supply products, which convert AC supply into DC electricity. The new inverter will be packaged with one of the company's existing DC power systems to provide a high reliability AC and DC power supply option. Technology New Zealand Investment Manager Sue Pauwels describes the project as 'exciting and technically challenging'. "This will enable Invensys to stretch their current technology platform and provide good new market opportunities." Further Information: Richard Humphrey-Taylor Marketing Services Manager Invensys Energy Systems Tel 03 343 7458 Fax 03 343 560 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sue Pauwels Investment Manager Technology New Zealand Tel 03 377 9340 Fax 03 377 9343 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] --> via Canterbury Software email forum: Success through Connections Email your messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Searchable list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Leave or rejoin the list: http://canterburysoftware.org.nz/forum.htm
