technical default, page-4

"Well we all know by now that the Powerbox didn't work well over here."

.....Its not that it didn't work well it simply did not work AT ALL! It was never filled with refrigerant (R134a or any other) as the pressure vessels were not able to be certified to Aust Standards due to the required manufacturing material specs. The box was never connected, never turned on and never generated one watt of power due to these non conforming issues. No performance could be gauged whatsoever.


"But that's exactly the reason we are getting a 3rd generation Powerbox which addresses the new climate conditions."

..... and a number of other issues like Aust Standard compliance and certification. There is still the question of refrigerant. R134a is used in the Swedish P/box and other ORC systems p/boxes. However, there is some debate about this suitability in relation to hotter temperatures here in Aust, especially in remote outback regions.
One refrigerant that was created by Honeywell specifically for ORC operation is "Genetron R245fa".

"R-245fa is non-flammable, non-ozone-depleting and has low toxicity. The heat transfer properties of Honeywell's R-245fa, including its low boiling point of 59.5 F (15.3 C), makes it ideal for use in ORC systems that use low-temperature heat and waste heat to generate electricity."
"The favorable performance of Genetron 245fa in Rankine cycles provides an opportunity to realize greater electrical energy output from power generation facilities that rely on steam-driven turbines. Likewise, large industrial enterprises can now consider recovery of waste heat with the option to convert the energy to useful electricity."


I am not a refrigeration expert. From what I can gather, both refrigerants have their pros & cons. It is appears selection of one over the other is dependent on
1. the working environment,
2. whether the ORC system is turbine or two stage
3. temperature and type of waste heat
4. application of the specific site.


"Also don't forget that ERJ isn't alone in this, Opcon continues to get new sales in Europe. Last month they secured the largest order to date with a customer in Scotland."

..... and other companies on a global basis are also making sales and sighting waste heat to power systems in a variety of locations that generate a variety of waste heat bi-products.


"Opcon took the first powerbox back no dramas. It is cheaper for them to build new 3rd generation units than to modify existing 1st generation units."

..... There was little chance if any of achieving Aust Standard certification with a locally revamped version of the original box. While we are on P/box changes / manufacture. It is not reasonable to expect it is in the best interest for the end user, Enerji or Opcon for Swedish built Powerboxes to be landed at a cost of 40% more than a locally produced Powerbox manufactured under license to Opcon. Even if Opcon managed to collect the same % profit as it would if manufactured in Sweden, a locally produced P/box would save shipping costs, import duties & associated costs, GST and would better suit Australian Certification needs. Surely this must be something for Opcon to look at in the not too distant future.


"Yes it's a shame that the boxes didn't work "straight out of the box" over here, but I still see massive potential over here. I am confident that ERJ and Opcon will get this technology working over here."

..... a dam shame this was not handled better from the beginning. I am also positive that the Powerbox will one day reap benefits for end users and ERJ shareholders. I have no doubt about that. I am concerned though that there is no updated Business Model that truly reflects .....
1. the real costs incurred for purchase, freight, tax, duties, installation & commissioning.
2. the real payback period based on ERJ's '$' share of power produced.

SOME QUESTIONS......

1. What are the associated costs of maintenance & downtime to the ERJ and the end user?

2. How does ERJ tend to address the compliance and certification issues?

3. What is the criteria for selecting R134a over another refrigerant like (say) R245fp?

4. Can Enerji please re-confirm and explain in detail, the Business Model with associated costs & income generation?

5. What is the actual payback period, given the only income will be via a share of the power produced?

6. Has there been a Refrigeration Engineering company appointed to assist in the roll-out of future boxes?