Saft batteries play vital supporting role
at the Sydney Opera House
Two banks of SBM
nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd)
batteries support
emergency power systems
Lightweight long-life
batteries and flexible
project team
Case study
Safts SBM Ni-Cd batteries have been
providing the energy storage for backup
power systems at Australias iconic Sydney
Opera House since 1992. Saft passed the
audition for this key supporting role at the
prestigious 6,000 capacity venue thanks to
the high quality of its batteries, an
experienced project team and a detailed
installation plan. Tucked away behind the
scenes, the opera house battery room is
located down three narrow flights of stairs
in a room where the maximum floor
loading of the floor limits the weight of the
batteries that can be installed.
Complication was added by the venues
crowded performance schedule, which
meant that all work had to be carried out
overnight.
The project was a complete turnkey
installation including:
Removal and recycling of the old
batteries and battery chargers
Manufacture and supply of two new
banks of 190 SBM Ni-Cd cells, two
chargers and a two-stage diode
regulator to maintain supply within
tight voltage limits.
An installation plan which avoided
interfering with the busy performance
schedule
Long-term product support and
maintenance.
Ideal for emergency
power
Saft battery systems
key features
Safts Ni-Cd batteries are specially
designed for backup power and bulk
energy storage. They are significantly
lighter than traditional lead-acid
batteries and have a longer life,
leading to a low Total Cost of Ownership.
The system was designed to provide
100 kW for two hours with 16-hour
recharge capability.
SBM cells can provide power for
emergency backup systems that
require continuity for anything
from 30 minutes to three hours
Ni-Cd cells are robust and
lightweight, suitable for spaces with
size and weight restrictions
Minimum life of 20 years
Complete turnkey installation
by a professional and flexible
installation team
Designed to suit backup power
applications
Ni-Cd cells offer high energy
density, long life, low life cycle
costs and high resistance to
electrical and mechanical abuse
Saft SBM batteries key benefits
Saft Ni-Cd block batteries are one of the worlds most reliable power backup systems
and the SBM range is typically used in backup applications to give:
Totally reliable and low maintenance power backup with no risk of thermal
run-away or sudden death
Sustained loads for 30 minutes to three hours
Mixed loads with a mixture of high and low discharge rates
Frequent or infrequent discharges
With only periodic checks, up to 20+ years of faithful service
Wide operating temperature range of 20C to + 50C and toleration of extremes
of 50C to + 70C for short periods
Saft
12, rue Sadi Carnot
93170 Bagnolet - France
Tel. : +33 1 49 93 19 18
Fax : +33 1 49 93 19 64
www.saftbatteries.com
Document N21032-2-0113
Edition: January 2013
Data in this document is subject to change without notice
and becomes contractual only after written confirmation.
Photo credits: Saft, Fotolia.
Attitudes design&communication C302/H
Saft Socit par Actions Simplifie au capital de 31 944 000
RCS Bobigny B 383 703 873
