The Côte d’Azur Observatory chooses Be Energy to regenerate its batteries

Based in Nice, on Mont Gros, this world-renowned observatory has been involved in the development of several astronomical instruments, including the Astronomical Multi Beam Combiner (AMBER). Although better known today as a tourist site, the observatory is still in operation.

OCA chooses to invest in battery regeneration

Since setting up in Nice, the OCA (Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur) has improved the results of several astrological projects. However, for several years now, the observatory’s work has focused on measuring and calculating the trajectories of space probes and planets (notably the Moon). OCA astronomers use a range of equipment, including an atomic clock and a telescope.
.

As the observatory has recently specialised in calculations, it must operate in an environment that does not interfere with the performance of the atomic clock. So, instead of using the ENEDIS electricity network, which tends to alter the results of the calculations because of the noise it emits, the OCA preferred to install 104 stationary batteries to supply the site with electricity.
.

These batteries, which have been in use for several years, are becoming less and less efficient and needed to be replaced. However, replacing them with new batteries would have cost the observatory a great deal of money. The OCA management therefore opted for the most practical and least expensive solution: reconditioning the batteries.

So the OCA called in Be Energy for an initial diagnosis. The results were encouraging, as all the batteries could be regenerated. . Thanks to Be Energy’s regeneration technology, the equipment at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur is now fully operational again.

An ecologically and financially advantageous solution for OCA

The advantages of reconditioning for OCA are considerable. The first is financial. Battery regeneration costs 70 times less than buying new equipment. What’s more, the reconstituted batteries offer the same performance as newly purchased equipment. Be Energy’s BRT 20-3 regenerator has the advantage of being much more efficient than conventional regenerators currently available on the market. In particular, it minimises battery recharging times. This has made the teams at the Nice site more productive.

So, as well as making significant savings, the OCA now has a high-performance, sustainable electrical installation. The stress associated with recurring electrical breakdowns is now a distant memory…

The other major advantage of reconditioning the batteries at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur is that it is environmentally friendly.. Instead of investing in the purchase of new equipment, the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur has chosen to recondition its batteries in order to helpreduce the amount of harmful waste emitted into the environment. It is not an insignificant decision, since outside their work, astronauts are among those who know best the changes that pollution is causing on our planet.

Let’s remind ourselves that it is everyone’s duty to adopt an environmentally friendly approach.