Enhancing NSW Police’s Radio Communications Network with Valen’s Custom Battery Solution 

Client: NSW Police 
Industry: Public Safety & Communications 
Challenge: End-of-Life Battery Replacement and Capacity Upgrade

Background

NSW Police operates a network of mains-powered radio communication sites critical to their operations. With the current lead-acid batteries nearing the end of their life cycle, NSW Police required a solution that increased battery capacity without upgrading their existing racks. Additionally, safety concerns prompted them to avoid lithium-based solutions, favoring lead-acid technology to reduce fire risk. Faced with a tight deadline to match their scheduled battery swap-out program, NSW Police sought a partner capable of delivering a custom battery solution with improved capacity and reliability. 

The Challenge

• Battery Upgrade: NSW Police needed to increase battery capacity beyond their existing 150Ah configuration to ensure longer uptime and greater redundancy. The batteries, however, had to fit within their current racks, limiting options for size. 

• Safety Requirements: Lithium batteries were ruled out due to concerns about potential fire hazards. Therefore, the new battery solution needed to maintain safety without compromising performance. 

• Tight Schedule: With a set battery swap-out schedule, NSW Police had minimal lead time and required a reliable supply chain to meet their deadlines. 

• Enhanced Monitoring: NSW Police also sought improvements in how they monitored battery performance and site reliability through their Network Operations Centre (NOC). 

The Solution

Valen Power proposed a custom design: the 12V Front Terminal Topin AGM Battery, uniquely engineered to provide 170Ah capacity while fitting within the constraints of NSW Police’s existing racking system. This higher energy density allowed NSW Police to maintain the original form factor of their batteries, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. 

Key aspects of Valen’s solution: 

• AGM Technology: Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries were chosen for their suitability in mains-powered sites, given their ability to sit on float charge while also handling heavy discharges during critical power loss events. This made them the perfect match for the operational demands of NSW Police. 

• Custom Design: Valen’s expertise allowed them to design a 170Ah AGM battery with greater capacity, providing increased backup time and enhanced redundancy across the communication network. 

• Power System Upgrade: In addition to the batteries, Valen supplied power systems that improved real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing NSW Police to oversee performance through the Network Operations Centre (NOC). This upgrade offered better visibility of assets and faster response times when issues occurred. 

The Benefits

NSW Police experienced several key benefits following the successful deployment of Valen’s custom solution: 

• Increased Capacity and Redundancy: The new 170Ah batteries provided greater capacity, ensuring longer operational time in the event of power failure. This added redundancy meant NSW Police had more time to resolve issues on-site, resulting in improved reliability across their network. 

• Cost Efficiency: By designing the batteries to fit the existing racks, Valen saved NSW Police from having to upgrade their racking systems, reducing costs and logistical challenges. 

• On-Time Delivery: Valen’s established 25-year supply chain allowed for the timely delivery of batteries, ensuring that the battery swap-out program was completed on schedule. 

• Improved Monitoring: With upgraded power systems, NSW Police gained better insight into battery health and site performance, enabling quicker, more efficient responses to any issues that arose. 

Through its custom-designed AGM battery and power system upgrade, Valen Power provided NSW Police with a reliable, higher-capacity energy solution that fit within the existing infrastructure. By improving both the energy density and the monitoring capabilities of their battery systems, Valen helped NSW Police maintain their mission-critical communications network with increased uptime, safety, and operational efficiency. 

Reach out to the Valen Power team today to discuss your next project.