Helac and SkyFuel Join Forces to Introduce a Utility-Grade Tracking and Control System for Solar Power.

Helac Corporation and SkyFuel, Inc. are pleased to announce the introduction of SkyDrive, an integrated drive and control system, designed to accurately position a parabolic trough solar collector assembly to track the sun and collect solar thermal energy. SkyDrive is comprised of two major subsystems, a helical, hydraulic rotary actuator manufactured by Helac Corporation and a sun-tracking control system by SkyTrakker. Together, these unique technologies will result in higher reliability and performance, reduced operating costs and increased ease of installation of concentrated solar power plants..

Randy Gee, Chief Technology Officer of SkyFuel says by "combining Helac’s high-torque hydraulic actuator with the SkyTrakker controller provides a more rugged and reliable sun tracking solution, at lower cost, and with much reduced power consumption."

SkyDrive offers significant advantages over alternative drive and control systems used for concentrated solar power. By using a helical actuator with an exclusive sliding spline gear design, SkyDrive provides the highest possible output torque and radial, moment and thrust load capacities needed for today’s large aperture collectors. All external loads are supported by the actuator, eliminating the need for extra mechanical locking devices found in industry alternatives. The actuator is coupled with the SkyTrakker™ smart controller with advanced health monitoring reducing parasitic electrical losses by 50 percent, thereby contributing to greener power generation and lower operating cost. The integrated SkyDrive™ sun tracking system is delivered as a compact, pre-fabricated package that allows for rapid field installation and system start-up.

The “brain” of the SkyDrive™ is the SkyTrakker™ sun tracking control system, which provides the local electronics to control the actuator and thus the movement of the solar collector. SkyTrakker™ represents a step-change in features, reliability and life-cycle costs of control units for parabolic trough power plants. Key innovative SkyTrakker™ features and benefits are:

• Variable Electrical Power Inputs - Accepts a range of electric input voltages from 110 VAC single-phase to 480 VAC three-phase to accommodate a variety of installation needs.
• Variable Frequency Drive Motor Control - Results in low startup currents and reduces parasitic power consumption by 50 percent.
• Simple Communication Interface - Offers mechanical, electrical and communication interfaces for rapid field installation.
• Flexible Communications - Offers wireless and/or wired communications for flexibility, redundancy and cost reduction.
• Advanced System Health Monitoring - Monitors and diagnoses the solar collector performance and drive system operation for optimum operation, performance measurements and preventive maintenance.
• High Reliability and System Life - Designed for 100,000 cycles (100 years x 1000 cycles per year).
• Maintenance Free - Sealed, self-contained hydraulic system for virtually maintenance-free operation.

The “muscle” of the SkyDrive™ is Helac’s robust and proven L30 helical geared, hydraulic rotary actuator, modified for use in the CSP market for moving large aperture solar collectors through precise arcs. The L30 and its predecessors have been in volume production for 25 years with well over 100,000 units delivered to military, mining and heavy equipment customers for use in extreme operating environments. The L30 series is best known for its tremendous torque output, compact dimensions, exceptional load bearing capability, and reliable performance. The SkyDrive™ design solution offers excellent corrosion resistance that is ideal for severe climates and unforgiving desert environments where many years of low-maintenance service is required. Notable innovative actuator features and benefits include:

• Precise Control - Accurate to within 0.06 degrees with virtually no backlash.
• Maximum Rotation - 240 degrees of travel for maximum solar energy capture.
• Strong and Robust - 380,000 in-lb of torque output in any position and high holding torque (for high wind load conditions) in excess of 1.8 million in-lbs to easily position today’s large aperture collectors.
• Internal, Hydraulically Self - Locking - The actuator’s high radial and torque capacity eliminates the need for an extra mechanical locking device.
• Proven Reliability - Over 25 years of proven reliability ideally suited for severe climates and unforgiving desert environments.

"By joining forces with SkyFuel, we will be able to use our helical actuator technology for the first time in the solar power industry to remove obstacles that the industry is currently facing. Our customized solution offers a combination of increased reliability, accurate tracking and holding, and easier installation resulting in greater power production and lower operating costs," states Bill Power, Chief Operating Officer for Helac Corporation.

Under a licensing agreement from SkyFuel, Helac will assemble and acceptance-test the entire hydraulic drive system coupled with the SkyTrakker™ controls to be delivered in one “pylon-ready” package. Installation of the SkyDrive™ system in the solar field is simple and fast.

The SkyDrive™ system is available for immediate delivery.

SkyFuel, Inc. is a solar thermal power technology and service provider founded in 2007. SkyFuel solar collectors harness solar radiation to produce steam for electricity generation and industrial applications. The Company is emerging as a leading supplier of utility-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) systems.

Helac Corporation, a leader in the fluid power industry for over 40 years, Helac Corporation manufactures a comprehensive line of helical, hydraulic rotary actuators used to move, support and position rotary loads. Helac rotary actuators are best known for their high load bearing capacity and torque output, shock resistance with zero leakage and compact configurations. Helac PowerTilt and PowerGrip, two specialty products, improve the productivity of backhoes and excavators. Over 1,000 worldwide customers use Helac actuators for their mining, marine, military, material handling and construction applications to streamline their designs and lower production and assembly costs.

For more information regarding this press release, contact Chris Huntington, VP Business Development, at (917) 715-2253 or email Chris.Huntington@SkyFuel.com.

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