Energy innovation from New Zealand
Contents: 4. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 22. Introduction: A very Kiwi success story Learning from the best Finding a higher frequency Enatel Energy today Case study: Stadium power / US and Qatar Case study: Security power / Mexico Case study: Mobile network off-grid power / South Africa Case study: Rocket launches / US and New Zealand Case study: Rail power / Germany Let s talk
Introduction: A very Kiwi success story A shrewd operator once said it s better to iterate than innovate. Let the innovators take all the risk first so you don t have to. That guy wasn t from New Zealand. New Zealanders take the road less travelled, they sail against the big boys, they knock off the peaks. Easy isn t interesting when there s a whole lot of new ground waiting to be broken. And that s the Enatel Energy way. Enatel Energy can trace its history all the way back to one of New Zealand s great 20th Century technological innovators and entrepreneurs. It always looks forward, beyond the leading edge, but its approach to doing things better will always betray a grassroots independent streak in its DNA and a very New Zealand attitude to dealing with global success. Welcome to a very Kiwi success story. 4
Case Study Map pg20 pg12 pg14 pg16 pg18
Learning from the best The DC power conversion know-how that forms the bedrock of Enatel Energy s influence is provided by a core group of innovators who all honed their skills under Sir Angus Tait, founder of Tait Radio Communications. They brought their thirst for innovation to the company, playing pivotal roles in its growth towards becoming a true 21st Century New Zealand exporting icon. But what they left with was an enduring set of values given to them by Sir Angus, a man who lived to innovate. Chief among them was Dennis Chapman, who started as an apprentice under Sir Angus in 1972. He would go on to be named Ernst & Young s Master Entrepreneur of the Year (1999) and sit on the New Zealand government s ICT Task Force. Among other achievements, he also co-founded the Enatel group. Pictured right: The Tait Radio team pictured in 1983. Highlighted back row left to right: Enatel Co-founder Dennis Chapman Enatel Co-founder Andrew Davidson Third Row: Enatel Energy Chief Technical Officer Murray Wyma Front Row: Enatel CAD Engineer Joe Fone 6
Finding a higher frequency Dennis founded Eltec Electronics, one of the world s pioneering innovators in the field of high frequency switch mode power, from his garage in Christchurch in 1983. His breakthrough was a design that incorporated switching frequencies 10 times higher than anything else on the market. He and his team had on their hands the world s smallest and perhaps best power supply charger for sealed lead-acid batteries. Before long Eltec power supplies became the choice of New Zealand s national telco (Telecom NZ) and then Australia s (Telstra). Eltec Electronics became Swichtec Power Systems when it began exporting beyond Australia in 1993. Part of its growth success was down to two Tait alumni, Enatel Managing Director Gary Foot and Enatel Sales and Marketing Director Andrew Davidson. As Swichtec s Manufacturing Manager, Gary incorporated leading edge thinking into its operational expansion, allowing it to keep up with the unprecedented demand from Asia - where Andrew was quickly making Swichtec the supplier of choice for network and cellular system operators. Swichtec became the first foreign DC power conversion company to establish itself in China with its own subsidiary business. The company was sold in 1998. However, with success came changes to the ideasdriven culture of opportunity and innovation that was Sir Angus Tait s legacy at Swichtec. To Swichtec s original directors, this wasn t what success looked or felt like. So they started again. In 2002, Dennis, Gary, and Andrew co-founded Enatel, a group that today includes Enatel Energy as one of three divisions based around a lean manufacturing base in Christchurch that offers global customers market-leading New Zealandmade battery charging and DC power conversion technology. Pictured right: Enatel Co-founder Gary Foot on the factory floor in New Zealand 8
Enatel Energy Today Of the three divisions, Enatel Energy carries the flag closest to Dennis s original high frequency power supply breakthrough. It applies patented technology developed at its Christchurch R&D base to tailored power conversion solutions for a vastly diverse number of international clients with an even more diverse array of problems to solve. Whether it s meeting energy demands at an NFL or NHL stadium, or providing hybrid power for mission control during a remotely located rocket launch, Enatel Energy is there. The following case studies are a snapshot of the work Enatel Energy does. In an industry where technology is changing at exponential rates we not only need to develop solutions fit for purpose for today and tomorrow but for applications yet to be defined. At Enatel we call that innovation. Enatel Co-founder Gary Foot 10
Case study: Stadium power / US and Qatar Stadiums are the modern showcase for cutting edge in-building wireless (IBW) systems. Extreme space limitations and the pressure of game day mean only the most modular and reliable of DC power applications get called off the bench. That s why the developers of the world s foremost stadiums choose Enatel Energy to help power the DC backbone of their IBW systems. The San Francisco 49ers Levi Stadium and the Minnesota Wild s Xcel Energy Center both use Enatel Energy know-how. Products used: microcompact ultracompact 12
Case study: Security power / Mexico Compatibility is critical for projects like Ciudad Segura in Mexico City, where power solutions need to be tailored to huge, diverse networks of cutting edge technology. However, reliability is just as critical. Since installation, the 15,000 security systems of Ciudad Segura is reducing crime and police response times for citizens of Mexico s capital city. And that s all been achieved with the help of tailored innovation from New Zealand. Products used: microcompact 14
Case study: Mobile network off-grid power / South Africa Enatel Energy is one of the world s leading innovators in hybrid power management technology for off-grid networks. Mobile network operators from South Africa to Central America use SYNERGi to remotely automate power management so they can minimise operational costs and extend the life of their batteries. SYNERGi has also been tailored to manage power for civic facilities, including a school and radio station. Whether end users solely rely on diesel gensets or use a hybrid combination that incorporates solar or wind, SYNERGi s patented dynamic assessment technology is easily tailored to meet their requirements. Products used: SYNERGi 16
Case study: Rocket launches / US and New Zealand Commercial space flight is becoming a reality - and it s using Enatel Energy expertise to manage its power. Enatel Energy componentry has been used in national aerospace efforts in the past, but the development of private rocket programs has led to SYNERGi being deployed to fill the power management gap on launch day. As the heart of a micro-grid, SYNERGi can ensure peak power is available for longer with minimal management and minimised energy consumption. Which means engineers can count down to launch with greater peace of mind, while the entire operation benefits from lower operational costs. Products used: SYNERGi 18
Case study: Rail communications power / Germany Efficient scheduled public transport can only be achieved through reliable communication, which is why communication systems and their back-ups are of paramount importance to air, rail, and sea carriers. To secure cost-effective back-up power for radio, voice announcement, digital and nondigital PABX, and data transmission systems, Germany s public rail system uses a Converter designed and manufactured by Enatel Energy in Christchurch, New Zealand. Product used: CM1024-48 Converter 20
Let s Talk Hi, I m Rob Kurz, General Manager Sales Energy and Renewables for Enatel Energy. Over a career spanning more than 30 years I ve worked across the globe in industries from telecommunications to transport. A common theme has been reliance on innovative and efficient power technologies. It is apparent the once separate disciplines of energy storage, traditional grid power and renewable energy are converging. Innovation in power conversion technology is facilitating this convergence to provide more cost effective and sustainable energy solutions. Enatel, with broad knowledge within its DC Power, Battery Charging, and Solar divisions, is one of the few specialist companies with power conversion technology and experience across these disciplines. That s why I m excited to represent Enatel Energy. I m excited about the potential of today s tailored solutions and also the potential of what we re working on for tomorrow. It s a great journey to be on, and I hope you can join us. For more information email info@enatelenergy.com 22
66 Treffers Road Christchurch 8042 New Zealand Tel: +64 3 366 4550 Fax: +64 3 366 0884 Email: info@enatelenergy.com