There are many ways to create clean electric power, including solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric systems, or other means. But the biggest challenge is storing the power.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re running a couple of solar panels on your boathouse roof or a massive offshore wind generation station, the reality is that power generation and power consumption don’t always overlap,” says Francois Byrne, president of Hybrid Power Solutions. “You need power when you need it, not just when the sun is shining, or the wind is blowing. So, you have to somehow store that energy.”
That challenge proved irresistible to Francois. He began focusing on power storage while he was an engineering student and continued working in the field after graduation, eventually founding Hybrid Power Solutions.
“Some clients use our systems in off-grid situations; others use them as a silent and emissions-free power backup; and others use them to reduce the amount of energy they need to purchase,” he says. “It’s adaptable to a wide range of situations.”
The Hybrid Power Solutions packages are all designed around leading-edge lithium-ion batteries. The company offers two main configurations for homeowners – a portable battery pack and a larger system that’s wired directly into the home. All are designed with ease-of-use in mind.
“We’re engineers, but our customers don’t need to be,” says Francois. “The technology inside the box is sophisticated and patent-pending, but operating it takes little more than flipping a switch.”
If the battery pack is powered by solar panels or wind turbines, it can form part of a money-saving home generation system. “You can make your hydro meter roll backward, charging your battery so it’s there when you need it, and then selling the surplus power back to the energy grid,” Francois says.
Or the batteries can be simply plugged in to the wall, accepting a charge and then storing it until the power grid goes down. When a storm knocks the power out, the battery provides silent, fumes-free power to keep essential equipment operating.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the power grid or miles from the nearest hydro line,” says Francois. “It’s all about achieving energy independence, and enjoying clean, silent power. We offer solutions so that you’re in control of your energy needs: our batteries give you that freedom and peace of mind.”
TEXT A. WAGNER-CHAZALON