Primus Wind Power has chosen Trojan’s OverDrive AGM 31T deep-cycle batteries for its line of AIR wind and hybrid wind/solar turbine equipment used in remote regions as back-up power for wind and solar turbines that power oil and gas wells, according to an early October announcement.

The decision vindicates the persistent interest in parts of the renewable industry in lead batteries because of their ability to withstand harsh temperature ranges and price advantage.

Primus Wind Power, based in Colorado, makes a variety of wind turbines that can be combined with solar systems. “The oil and gas sector has a focus on system up-time and down-time and costs associated are unacceptable and can be very expensive,” a Primus spokesperson told Batteries & Energy Storage Bulletin.

“Hybrid systems are what the oil and gas industry is moving towards for SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and off-grid power supplies.”

“Trojan was our first choice as the battery backup power source in Primus AIR wind turbines for our customers in the oil and gas industry,” said Ken Kotalik, director of global sales and operations at Primus Wind Power.

“We selected Trojan’s OverDrive AGM 31 deep-cycle battery based on its reputation as a dependable power source that can withstand the rigours and abuse of deep discharge applications and harsh environments where fluctuating or extreme temperatures are common.”

Trojan Battery, founded in 1925, specializes in batteries for applications that require deep-cycle battery performance, such as aerial work platforms, airport ground support equipment, utility vehicles and renewable energy. Its batteries use flooded, AGM and gel technologies, and its latest product, the AGM 31, is “maintenance free and perfect for demanding operating environments”, says the company.

“In an industry where unexpected downtime can be costly, a dependable power source is extremely important for 24/7 operations of remote oil and gas well pumps,” said Holly Ernest, senior director of North American after-market sales at Trojan Battery.

“We look forward to working with Primus to provide for their battery requirements with advanced technologies to maximize equipment performance and reduce downtime.”