FMC Tech selects ESBI Computing for Crystal System™ Development

February 2004

FMC Tech, a dynamic technology start-up company based in Galway, Ireland, has recently selected ESBI Computing to develop a front-end software console for Crystal System™, a completely new electricity network-monitoring product.

Crystal System™ is a radically innovative product that improves the ability of electricity distribution network managers to identify, locate and respond to faults on overhead power lines. The application consists of inexpensive line mounted current sensors that communicate, via radio, back to a small unit fitted in the local substation. This unit can then forward the information from all the sensors back to the central control console.

Crystal System™ can pinpoint earth faults or short circuits as small as 1 amp and give real time values of line loading. The sensors themselves are self powered, drawing sufficient power from the magnetic field of the line to measure the current values, calculate fault currents and provide communications.

FMC Tech is also working in partnership with Vattenfall, Sweden's largest electricity company, developing the functional requirements for the Crystal System™ product and field-testing.

Commenting on the agreement with FMC Tech, Maurice O'Connor, Sales Manager, ESBI Computing said "We're delighted to be involved with FMC Tech on this initiative. The Crystal System is a real winner, lowering operating costs, protecting revenues and improving customer service. Providing the front end software console for the Crystal System is right in line with ESBI Computing's strategy of bringing innovative software products to global markets".

Mike McCormack, FMC Tech's Managing Director, stated, "To increase competitiveness and efficiency, tomorrow's distribution networks must become more automated. The Crystal System provides a platform for this automation by delivering accurate information from within the network itself. Along with Vattenfall Sweden, the combination of FMC Tech's innovative design and ESBI Computing's highly skilled IT professionals, give the Crystal System™ a global market advantage, and the potential to become the industry standard for cost effective network monitoring".

About FMC Tech.
FMC Tech Ltd is a Galway based technology company, set up in August 2001, for the purpose of developing a new network management system for medium voltage overhead electricity networks. The promoters have excellent track records in similar companies that they have been involved with over the years. Mike McCormack, Managing Director of FMC Tech, floated his previous company on the AIM in London. FMC Tech has recently closed a Business Expansion Scheme (BES) offer for subscription.

About ESBI Computing.
ESBI Computing is an established Information Technology company, focused on the provision of IT Solutions to the business challenges of government and industry internationally. The company specialises in GeoBusiness Solutions, Web Solutions, IT Consulting and Custom Enterprise Applications. ESBI Computing is a company in the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) group.

More Information :
Maurice O'Connor,
Sales Manager,
ESBI Computing
maurice.oconnor@esbi.ie
Tel : +353-1-7038474