PowerTech delivers its battery solutions for the DSNA

The DSNA (Direction des services de la Navigation aérienne) antennas cover the French territory for communications and air tracking (notably ADS-B). Given the criticality of these installations, these antennas have power generators to ensure the continuity of operations.

The DSNA’s intention is to replace these diesel generators with a clean back-up system consisting of solar panels, a hydrogen fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery.
In September 2021, the new energy back-up system was inaugurated at the SARLAT antenna in Dordogne. PowerTech Systems provided the PowerRack battery system for this prototype.

In the longer term, this eco-responsible backup system is destined to be deployed on all the antennas of the territory.

The “Fludis” boat equipped with PowerRack batteries

Inaugurated in September 2019, the Fludis boat is equipped with PowerTech’s PowerRack Lithium battery system, allowing it to sail 100% electrically in the centre of Paris.

This sustainable urban logistics project is a solution to the difficulties encountered by urban freight transport operators, by offering a warehouse boat capable of handling the stages of route preparation, hosting logistics teams, as well as transporting the bicycle-cargoes used for the last kilometer.


Thanks to the rational use of this “warehouse vessel”, and its independence from loading / unloading infrastructures on the quayside, and the dimensions compatible with the canals, the system can be adapted to each agglomeration crossed by a navigable waterway.

The Fludis boat has been designed to have the lowest possible environmental impact: 100% electric propulsion with batteries. The boat also has a generator onboard to extand the range and to remain autonomous where grid is not available. At the port of Gennevilliers, it can be connected to electricity at the quayside. Consumption is estimated at 70 litres of off-road diesel per day for the trip between Gennevilliers and Paris.

The firm IKEA will benefit from this new type of boat. The Swedish company had opened a depot in February in the port of Gennevilliers to get closer to the capital. Cargo bicycles, which can carry up to 250 kg, will deliver to customers in the central districts (from the 1st to the 7th arrondissements). “30% of orders can be processed,” Ikea explains.

New high-performance lithium LiFePO4 cells

Lithium Iron Phosphate - LFP - LiFePO4-cell

After more than a year of intensive testing, we are now using a new high-performance lithium LiFePO4 cells to replace the cells used in our products.

This new generation of cell retains all the safety and robustness of those used in our products to date and adds two major improvements:

  • Specific Energy improved by 25% : It is possible to accommodate 1/4 more energy in the same volume.
  • Improved operation life by 50% : Cycling tests performed show a performance of 3000 cycles of full charge-discharge cycles (100% depth of discharge) at 1C. This represents a 50% increase in the number of cycles compared to the previous generation.
    At a DoD of 80% at 1C, the number of cycles performed rises to 4500.

Below chart shows the estimated number of cycles for our new generation of Lithium LiFePO4 cells, according to the discharge power and DOD figures. The test conditions are those of a laboratory (constant temperature of 25°C, constant charge and discharge power).

Lithium Iron Phosphate Life Cycle
Life Cycle chart of new LiFePO4 cell generation

We can read from the chart the below figures :

  • 3 000 cycles at 100% DoD @ 1C
  • 4 500 cycles at 80% DoD @ 1C
  • 10 000 cycles at 60% DoD @ 1C
  • etc.

It should be noted that following the number of completed cycles, the cell still have a nominal capacity > 80% of the original capacity.

Our main product ranges: PowerBrick, PowerRack and PowerModule, will benefit in the coming months from this new generation of cells with an increase in capacity, a reduction in weight but also a significantly improved lifespan.

Stay tuned for more information

PowerRack and PowerBrick batteries now compatible with STUDER INNOTEC inverters

The PowerRack® and PowerBrick® battery ranges are now compatible with STUDER INNOTEC inverters..

The famous Swiss manufacturer of inverters for self-consumption and off-grid applications has confirmed the full compatibility between their inverters in the following range :

The PowerRack® range ensures compatibility with direct communication via the Xcom-CAN system for full battery control by the inverter.

The PowerBrick® range is compatible without the need for communication with the inverter. PowerBrick are then installed in the same way as AGM lead-acid batteries or other batteries. This installation method is faster and does not require additional cables or systems to operate.

We are delighted to work with Studer Innotec, a company that has been producing high quality energy converters for many years. Unlike other manufacturers, Studer Innotec controls the entire design of its products, which is a guarantee of reliability and an assurance of product durability.

Real time monitoring and telemetry service launched for PowerRack® and PowerModule® battery system

Monitoring & Telemetry Interface for PowerRack
Monitoring & Telemetry Interface for PowerRack® and PowerModule®

The Monitoring and Telemetry service is now available for our PowerRack® and PowerModule® battery system.

This service allows all battery operating parameters to be monitored in real time.

All information is collected by WIFI, 3G/4G, or TCP-IP ethernet networks.

The service is based on a secure API-REST interface based in a secure cloud.

The main features of the service are as follows:

Remote configuration

  • Parameter setting of all battery functions and operating thresholds (temperature range, voltage range, current range, power range, warning thresholds, maximum discharge depth, etc.)
  • More than 70 accessible parameters
  • Remote firmware update

Remote monitoring

  • Viewing all battery operating data
  • Early phase incident detection
  • Consultation of parameters in the form of graphs and tables
  • Fleet management and preventive maintenance

Data history

  • The data is compressed into 5 levels according to their age
  • The average, minimum and maximum values of each parameter are kept indefinitely
  • Data consultation by a “Time-Shift” function

Consultation 24-7 via WEB Interface

  • The data is accessible on any Internet browser (PC or smartphone) with secure access to the platform
  • The data is accessible from a database cluster and saved on a daily basis
  • Management of user profiles and access rights for data consultation.
  • all stored data is encrypted with strong algorithm for privacy

SMS or Email alert management

  • An SMS or email alert can be configured to be triggered according to the parameters defined by the user.
  • Alerts can automatically open an assistance or maintenance ticket on the ticketing tools available at the customer’s premises

The service requires a subscription that supports the provision of the “Gateway” module for the PowerRack or PowerModule, the communication package, the rental of a dedicated or shared server.

The system is now operational for the PowerRack® range.

EDIT November 2019 : It is also now operational for PowerModule® product range.