These advanced homes will use the latest in smart grid, solar generation and energy storage to ensure each home generates as much clean energy as it uses, thus maximizing homeowner utility bill savings.

PARIS (February 16, 2011) — Saft, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech batteries will supply renewable energy storage for 2500 R Street, California's first micro-grid, distributed energy community housing project. These advanced homes will use the latest in smart grid, solar generation and energy storage to ensure each home generates as much clean energy as it uses, thus maximizing homeowner utility bill savings.

Pacific Housing, Inc., a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, is developing the 2500 R Street project as an affordable, progressive, sustainable and efficient 34-home community in Sacramento. The homes are designed to meet stringent energy-efficient guidelines as well as offer an expedited construction schedule with emphasis on reducing construction waste. Additional advantages include reduction of resources, cost reduction and minimizing green house gas emissions. Each home utilizes Sunverge Energy's Solar Integration System (SIS), with energy storage from Saft, to shift electrical loads, flatten peak electricity demand and maximize return on renewable energy investments.

Saft's Synerion E™ lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery will be integrated into Sunverge's Solar Integration System to capture solar energy and store it for use when needed most by the homeowner. Li-ion is the only technology that meets the project's need for 20-year battery life in a range of demanding environmental conditions.

"We selected Saft's Li-ion battery technology because of its proven performance and ability to meet the custom specifications of our energy management system," said Ken Munson, President of Sunverge Energy. "We needed a smart system with an intelligent design to provide sufficient energy storage at an affordable cost - Saft's Synerion battery met all our criteria."

"Saft is excited to be part of this residential energy storage program and fully supports the primary goals to conserve energy, protect the environment and provide reliable and affordable utility services," said Blake Frye, Vice-President of sales, Energy Storage for Saft America. "We see strong growth potential for the residential solar storage market and 2500 R Street marks Saft's second major RES project in California."

The modular battery design offers a number of features important to the 2500 R Street project, including excellent cycling capability, low maintenance, long calendar life and an intelligent self-diagnostic platform. It offers high energy density, millisecond-level response time and power capability - both in charge and discharge. Additionally, Saft's Li-ion technology provides precise information on the battery's state-of-charge, a vital function in a dynamically operating energy storage system. Another important component of the SIS energy appliance is Schneider Electric's Xantrex XW hybrid Inverter/Charger, which performs the vital function of converting DC electricity from the solar panels and battery into useful household AC power.


About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications, such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defense. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defense and space industries and world leader in lithium-ion satellite batteries. Saft is also delivering its lithium-ion technology to new applications in clean vehicles and renewable energy storage. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 19 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. Saft is listed in the SBF 120 index on the Paris Stock Market.

For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com