Author: fecoa-admin

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., announces today that it has successfully conducted a demonstration experiment verifying the outdoor operation of a fuel cell that utilizes sewage digester gas during cold weather conditions. The experiment was carried out at the Yamagata Purification Center in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
1. Overview

The Yamagata Purification Center has already been operating two 100-kilowatt fuel cells made by Fuji Electric and installed by its affiliated company Metawater Co., Ltd. For the demonstration experiment the Fuji Electric FP-100i, a new 100-kilowatt fuel cell model, was installed outdoors and sewage digester gas was used for power generation. Startup and shutdown tests were conducted and operating patterns were examined during the winter months of this cold-weather region. The experiment was designed to test for problems in the unit’s operating performance during cold weather conditions.

2. Results

The demonstration experiment was carried out from January through March 2011, and verified that no problems occurred in the operating performance of the fuel cell over approximately 2,000 hours of operation. The new FP-100i model is fitted with all the peripheral equipment required for operating fuel cells as an all-in-one unit, and is capable of analyzing thermal-fluid for optimized equipment placement. As a result, it can be installed in environments with temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. The low-noise, low-vibration fuel cell power-generation equipment can be installed outdoors without the need of a housing structure, thus enabling substantial savings in installation and construction costs.

In addition, at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck the area on March 11, the fuel cell continued to generate power using sewage digester gas until commercially available electric power networks were brought back on line. When the networks were restored two days later, the unit immediately switched back to normal operations.

Looking forward, Fuji Electric intends to promote its fuel cells to institutions such as national and local government bodies as an alternate power supply system, which can be used in anticipation of electricity shortages due to scheduled blackouts and other factors.

Main specifications

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. announced today that Fuji Electric Corp. of America, a wholly-owned subsidiary, was selected to manufacture linear door and auxiliary power supply (APS) systems for the new WMATA 7000-series subway cars. This order is in connection with a project, which WMATA awarded Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., an American-based subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., to manufacture an initial order of 364 subway cars. The contract allows for a total of 748 subway cars when WMATA exercises options included in its agreement with Kawasaki Rail Car. Fuji Electric will start delivering the equipment in the summer of 2011, for an initial order of 364 cars.

   Overview of the Products

   (1) Linear Door System:Objective

Order for 2,184 door systems for 364 subway cars 
Linear door systems are used to open and close the sliding passenger doors of rail cars. Fuji Electric’s linear door systems are electronically controlled to achieve a high level of precise control over door movement. The system offers reduced maintenance, higher reliability, and improved safety compared to other conventional driving systems for sliding doors.

    (2) APS System:

Order for 364 units (82.4kVA; 750VDC/230VAC, 120VAC; and 37.5VDC) 
APS systems convert the electricity supplied by an overhead catenary or third rail*1 into appropriate voltages to feed power to the air conditioning, lighting and other systems in rail cars. Fuji Electric’s power electronics technologies draw on its many years of expertise in the field of power conversion related to inverters and battery chargers.

 Production of the Products:

Since the Buy America Act*2 applies to the production of the linear door and APS systems that have been ordered for this project, Fuji Electric Corp. of America will carry out production in cooperation with TOYO DENKI　USA, INC., a U.S.-based subsidiary of TOYO ELECTRIC MFG. CO. LTD., with which Fuji Electric has established a business partnership*3 in the field of electrical equipment for railway cars.

Along with this project and other contracts for orders already concluded in the North American market, Fuji Electric is accelerating its efforts to participate in new overseas projects by aggressively seeking orders in projects being planned around the world. The targets include the projects for upgrading urban transit systems and constructing new high-speed railway lines connecting major cities.

Notes:

*1 The third rail is a method of providing electric power to passenger trains through the installation of an additional rail running alongside the train.

*2 The Buy America Act is a provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act that requires preference to be given to American companies in mass-transit-related procurements.

*3 For more information, please see the following press release regarding collaboration with Toyo Electric Corporation in the overseas market (in Japanese): 

Support Our Customers' Organizations: 
We will strengthen support in the affected area by establishing an emergency task force in Northeast Japan. This task force will manage activities aimed at providing support to recover our customers' electric facilities, machinery, and equipment in the affected areas.

Provide Monetary Donations and Other Items: 
We will donate a total of approximately 200 million yen by donating 100 million yen and providing fuel cells, solar cells, and other products.

Fuji Electric Corp. of America would like to provide this status report to our customers about the latest details from our Japan based offices and factories. 

First, our factories and offices were not damaged in the earthquake and related events. In addition, our AC Drive employees and families have all claimed that they are unharmed. We are very happy to receive this news. Our production at Suzuka Factory is expected to have a normal production flow for the remainder of this month. However, we do have some concerns about some of our suppliers who may have been adversely impacted by the earthquake.

In a proactive effort, Fuji logistics and supply team experts have checked 77 out of 134 vendors to date. They are in the process of checking the remaining suppliers. Logistics for shipping is somewhat impacted as some ports in Japan have been closed due to Tsunami damage. Our WUXI factory in China, where 80% of our drives products are made is at full production.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you that have called or sent emails in condolence and support of what our Japanese colleagues have suffered in the recent days. I can tell you that the spirit of the people of Japan is strong and everyone is committed in rebuilding what was lost.

Fuji Electric Corp. of America is supporting the current relief efforts via donations to an authorized charity, such as Japan Society.

Sincerely yours,
Andrew M. Urda
General Manager, AC Drives
aurda@fecoa.fujielectric.com

At a meeting convened today, the Board of Directors of Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd. (the "Company") resolved to implement an absorption-type merger with Fuji Technosurvey Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

This merger is a simple absorption-type merger of a wholly owned subsidiary, and accordingly certain disclosure items and details have been omitted.

1. Objective of the merger

As previously announced, the Company is scheduled to merge with Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. effective April 1, 2011, as one step toward its goal of being a global company with operations centered on the field of “energy and the environment.”

Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Fuji Electric”) and GE today announced that they have established GE Fuji Meter Co., Ltd., a joint-venture company to design, manufacture and market electric meters for use by Japan’s electric utilities and other customers.

Fuji Electric and GE have been preparing to establish the joint venture to provide high quality and cost competitive meters in Japan based on the JV agreement signed on July 30, 2010. The newly formed joint venture, in which Fuji Electric holds an equity stake of 50.01% and GE holds an equity stake of 49.99%, started the business today and led by two representative directors from both Fuji Electric and GE.

GE Fuji Meter Co., Ltd. integrates the complementary expertise, experience and technologies of Fuji Electric and GE. GE’s proven experience and global business development resources combined with Fuji Electric’s manufacturing capability and sales network will create high quality, cost competitive meters for customers in Japan beginning today. Details are as follows.

1. Establishment Date of the Joint-Venture Company: 

February 1, 2011 (Tuesday)

2. Overview of the Joint-Venture Company: 

Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd., announces that its core operating company, Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd., will release the New High-Power 2-in-1 IGBT Module series of high-capacity, low-power-loss Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) modules designed for parallel connections. Sales will commence from January 2011.

In line with the spread of power generation from natural energy sources such as solar and wind, such power generation facilities are continuing to expand in scale. Accordingly, demand is growing for high-capacity power semiconductors used in these power conversion systems.

The models in the New High-Power 2-in-1 IGBT Module series are suitable for higher power capacity in comparison with conventional 2-in-1 IGBT modules, as they have been designed to realize low inductance and current balance of parallel-connected semiconductors to optimize parallel connections.

   1. Features

(1) Suitable for high power capacity through a design that realizes low inductance and optimal current balance of parallel-connected semiconductors

(2) Equipped with a sixth generation V-IGBT chip to achieve low power loss

(3) A high degree of reliability in the heat cycle is ensured through the application of powerful ultrasonic bonding technology

(4) Compatible with Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) standards

   2. Outline of specifications

 
   3. Primary applications

The series is designed for use at electrical power conversion facilities such as wind turbine and solar power systems, as well as in high-voltage inverters and high-capacity inverters.

 
   4. Sales release

        January 2011

Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Fuji Electric”) announced that today it reached an agreement with GE on the new formation date of the joint venture to design, manufacture, and market electric meters to electric utilities and other customers in Japan.

According to the original plans, Fuji Electric and GE had been preparing to establish the joint venture on October 1, 2010. Additional time was required for the filing of antitrust laws outside of Japan, as announced in the press release issued on September 29, 2010, “Postponement of Joint Venture Formation in the Meter Business.” The filing process has been completed, and therefore Fuji Electric and GE made an agreement on the new date. Details are as follows.

 1. Establishment Date of the Joint-Venture Company

     February 1, 2011

 2. Overview of the Joint-Venture Company

    Note: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd.

3. Outlook

The Company expects no major impact on its consolidated forecasts of financial results for the current fiscal year as a result of the establishment of the joint-venture company.

Fuji Electric’s Power Supply Department announces the FH3000U1; it’s the highest power front-end power supply in a 1U form factor. This design uses the latest DSP technology to offer greater efficiency, density, and control for systems that use distributive power in applications for data processing, storage networking and datacom equipment.
The FH3000U1 is a 48V power supply that provides 3000 watts from 180-264VAC. The power supply operates at an efficiency of 95% at a 50% load and carries an 80 Plus Platinum rating. This design offers a power density of 33 watts/cu/in at 3000 watts in a chassis size of 1.61” (41 mm) high by 4.00” (101.6 mm) wide by 14.00” (355 mm) deep. Standard design features include: AC input over-voltage and under voltage protection, variable fans, DC output over voltage, over-current and short-circuit protection, remote sense, remote ON/OFF and over temperature protection. A stand-by output circuit provides 25 watts at 12VDC.
This power supply employs active power factor correction to minimize input harmonic current distortion to ensure compliance with the international EN61000-3-2 standard. The FH3000U1 is designed with an I2C serial bus and industry standard PSMI compliant and has safety certifications from UL/cUL, CB and CE.
For additional details including product specifications, pricing, and sample availability please contact our sales representatives at 510-440-1060 or sales@fecoa.fujielectric.com.
About Fuji Electric

 
Fuji Electric Corporation of America, a business unit of the Fuji Electric Group of Japan, is a leading solution provider of the industrial automation market. Headquartered in Fremont, California, FECOA has been responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Fuji Electric products throughout America since 1970. Fuji Electric Group, founded in 1923, is currently leading worldwide operations with over 25,000 employees.
FECOA offers a wide range of products in the field of automation, including the “FRENIC” series AC Drives, HMI, distribution and control products. Perfected through extensive engineering research and development, FECOA products offer innovated and user-friendly solutions combined with proven quality and reliability. For more information about Fuji’s product and service, visit www.fujielectric.com/fecoa.

The AC Drive & Controls Division of Fuji Electric Corp. of America (FECOA) announces the release of the MEGA series AC drive (FRENIC-MEGA) for the American market. MEGA is the newest series of full performance sensor-less Vector control AC drives from Fuji Electric, providing solutions from ½ HP to 1000 HP. Packed with optimized features and a simple intuitive start up, MEGA is ideal for virtually all industrial and commercial AC drive applications.

All-purpose MEGA drives utilize Fuji’s own IGBT technology, proving a compact, but powerful multi-rated specification solution for virtually all AC drive requirements in both variable torque and constant torque applications. Simple and intuitive-free software allows for an easy start up and operations for all levels of users, while providing a top-notch performance up to a 200% peak torque capability, or 120% variable torque flexibility. Advanced features include, built-in customizable logic functions, an EN594 safety input, and corrosion protection for harsh environment usage.

Fuji’s AC drives offer the industry-leading MTBF in the market backed by a 3-year standard warranty, and they have the reputation as being the consumer preference – with over 10 million drives sold in the world.  

About Fuji Electric

Fuji Electric Corporation of America, a business unit of the Fuji Electric Group of Japan, is a leading solution provider of the industrial automation market. Headquartered in Fremont, California, FECOA has been responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Fuji Electric products throughout America since 1970. Fuji Electric Group, founded in 1923, is currently leading worldwide operations with over 25,000 employees.

FECOA offers a wide range of products in the field of automation, including the “FRENIC” series AC Drives, HMI, distribution and control products. Perfected through extensive engineering research and development, FECOA products offer innovated and user-friendly solutions combined with proven quality and reliability. For more information about Fuji’s product and service, visit www.fujielectric.com/fecoa.