01.12.09
Published by e-Drive Magazine - February 2009
Applied Power Systems, Inc. (APS) is a leading edge, high technology firm, driven by engineering requirements, with expertise in power systems design and manufacturing, we have demonstrated a proven ability to field reliable, innovative and cost effective power system products.
The entire electronics industry has historically been cyclical in nature and APS has experienced a number of these cycles, with the most recent past uptrend producing five consecutive years of record sales growth. During this period our continued investment towards increasing business operations has paid great dividends. APS recently expanded engineering and production capacities and has increased market share with successful introductions of a series of new products in the high power inverter and converter systems market.
APS inverters and high power rectifier bridges are employed in a wide range of products, including wind power generators in the alternative energy market. Our three phase IGBT inverters are employed as active rectifier converters and three phase output power inverters on wind turbines, while new solar and wind power products are presently in development. Our increased engineering and production capabilities have allowed us to shrink development cycles by 35%, saving up to three months on new product introductions to industry. Quick response to market demands and customer requirements have enabled us to produce design wins for extremely demanding applications.
Going forward, we expect a very challenging economic time worldwide. The DOE’s short-term energy outlook indicates the US will undergo a long and severe slowdown, leading to reductions of global energy demand and declines in oil and energy prices. Crude oil prices have fallen by more than half between July and November, reflecting the decline in worldwide demand. U.S. oil consumption is expected to level off with virtually zero growth between now and 2030 because of increases in energy efficiency, greater use of renewable fuels and an expected rebound in oil prices.
While the present slide in oil prices reflects a big drop in energy costs in recent months, expectations are that continued growth in alternative energy markets will be integral to the successful rebuilding of the economy. The latest Energy Information Administration report indicates overall energy use will continue to increase, but at a slower rate than predicted only a year ago. The agency projects 3% annual increase of renewable energy use, including solar, wind and biofuels. While total electricity usage will increase, more of it will be produced from natural gas and from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy.
Global wind power capacity rose by an estimated 27% in 2008 and growth in the wind power market is projected to exceed 20% in 2009. Government incentives and the high cost of fossil fuels have combined to make wind energy an attractive alternate to conventional energy sources. Likewise, an independent survey forecasts continued global growth rate of 26% in the solar energy market for 2009. While down from 48% growth rate in 2008, this still represents sizable growth under the present economic conditions and is forecast to regain 48% growth by 2010.
APS is ideally positioned for the challenging time ahead, with a broad product mix and expertise focused on power technology and the overall energy markets. We are a small and agile company, capable of reacting quickly to the changing demands of industry. APS recently completed expansion of production facilities, increasing assembly, test and engineering development capacities for power semiconductor based products, which include high power rectifier bridges, SCR phase controlled converters, IGBT inverter power stages, gate driver boards and motor drives marketed under APS brand and private brand product lines for major OEMs.
While alternative energy market segments are expected to outperform in this challenging time, there are still bright spots in conventional market segments. Mining is one of those segments where demand presently remains strong. Output at the nation's mines increased by 7.2% in October, followed by a 2.5% rise in November. Our inverter products include a line of high power 500kW IGBT inverter output modules employed in OEM three phase motor drives operating in rugged mining environments. Our liquid cooled 35kW DC Traction Motor Drive modules offer the highest power density available in the industry and operate successfully in remotely driven track-drive vehicles operating in extremely harsh underground mining environments.
Our expanded production and engineering facilities have enabled APS to accommodate higher production volumes of larger systems featuring higher power capacities. IGBT inverter power stages have been increased to 4MW capacity, composed of modular stackable 500kW modules presently employed in marine propulsion and oil field exploration applications. Liquid cooled versions of our inverter modules are integrated into leading edge power products, ranging from electron beam power sources to high current (2000A) electronic motor brakes to traction motor drives used in the successful application of an experimental maglev train.
Regardless how deep or sustained the current downturn proves to be, there will be continued demand for leading edge power products for alternative, as well as conventional energy markets. APS has a proven ability to provide new and innovative solutions to satisfy these demanding power technology requirements.
Ask the experts and talk to an APS engineer at: Ph: (516) 935-2230 Fax: (516) 935-2603 Or Email: info@appliedps.com
Please visit our wesite for more details at www.appliedps.com
Applied Power Systems, Inc.
Hicksville, NY 11801
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