Los Angeles Air Force Base Installs Princeton Power Systems Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Chargers

PRINCETON, NJ--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2014) - Princeton Power Systems, Inc., a leader in global design and manufacturing of technology products and embedded software for energy management, micro-grid operations, and electric vehicle charging, has been chosen by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) to design the first fleet of bidirectional electric vehicle charging stations at the Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB). CTC is responsible for overall execution of the LAAFB effort through a direct contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO). Princeton Power Systems developed thirteen CHAdeMO-based charging stations using Princeton Power Systems' UL-Certified bi-directional multi-port inverter; the GTIB-30. Working directly with electric vehicle OEMs and third-party fleet-management software aggregators, Princeton Power played a vital role in developing the ground-breaking solution in order to compete in the electrical utility ancillary service markets and provide other energy-related services to Department of Defense (DOD) facilities. It is intended that ancillary service driven cost reduction and revenue will partially offset EV fleet lease expense with the potential to improving energy security on base. 

Princeton Power Systems was called upon to be a key contributor to the LAAFB due to its proven track record of providing reliable and efficient microgrid systems based on its UL-listed product family. "Their experience with microgrid systems and bi-directional inverters is key for the long term success of this project," said Clark Boriack at Concurrent Technologies Corp. "LAAFB will be DoD's first deployment of bidirectional inverters used for electric vehicle fast charging on such a scale; as well as, a major milestone for the company's push into the Electric Vehicle Bidirectional DC Fast-Charging station application space."

During typical usage, the charging stations will charge the electric vehicles directly from the local utility grid enabling LAAFB personnel to utilize the electric vehicles as transportation within the base. When called-upon, and when connected to the electric vehicle, the bi-directional charging station will switch power flow directions quickly in order to support vehicle-to-grid energy request by discharging the electric vehicle's on-board battery. In addition to supporting the reliable operation of the transmission and distribution system by providing frequency regulation, discharging the battery can also support, demand response and VAR support, among other operating modes. 

"Princeton Power Systems is proud to continue to support key government initiatives such as the electric vehicle charging stations in a cost effective, reliable and fast way," says Darren Hammell, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder, Princeton Power Systems. "This is just the first step towards deploying our Electric Vehicle DC-fast chargers across the nation. We will be helping push the electric vehicle frontier by making it feasible for drivers who work or visit to charge their cars without taking large amounts of time out of their day."

About Princeton Power System
Based in New Jersey, Princeton Power Systems is a leading global designer and manufacturer of technology products and embedded software for energy management, micro-grid operations, and electric vehicle charging. Princeton Power Systems manufactures UL and CE certified power electronics for advanced battery operation and alternative energy, with built-in smart functions for grid services. Princeton Power Systems also integrates full systems including multiple generation sources, batteries, and other technologies, and designs, commissions, and operates micro-grids. Princeton Power Systems is proud to manufacture products in the USA that are in use across North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean with current projects soon expanding our presence to Africa. More information about Princeton Power is available at www.princetonpower.com.

Princeton Power Systems is a trademark in the U.S. and other countries. © 2014 Princeton Power Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.