NY-BEST™ News and Notes

GE clears air quality hurdle for new battery plant in Schenectady. Documents filed with DEC say that the Schenectady factory is expected to make 1 million batteries a year at first, but that production will increase to 10 million batteries a year by 2015.

Ice Energy supporting new bill (Storage act of 2010) that covers many areas of energy storage

$3 million project with CUNY to implement grid scale storage

The GE WattStation will be sold in 2011 and a home version will be introduced later this year. The equipment can reduce the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle battery from 12 to 18 hours to around four to eight hours, according to GE.

Three New York based projects have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $5.5 million for research projects that aim to dramatically improve how the U.S. uses and produces energy.

CUNY’s Energy Institute received two awards totaling $4.6 million. The first project will develop metacapacitors with increased storage capability for grid interfaces, working in partnership with NY-BEST member Columbia University. The second project is in partnership with Ultralife Corporation, also a consortium member, and will develop low-cost grid-scale storage using a flow-...

Kodak is donating to Rochester Institute of Technology's Golisano Institute for Sustainability to help support research efforts and, eventually, a laboratory to allow collaborative work between Kodak and RIT on sustainability projects.

The research team, from Stony Brook University, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Victoria, Australia, and University of Cambridge in the UK, is using NMR spectroscopy to measure the amount of dendrites formed, for the first time, as they cannot be quantified using a scanning electron microscope.

KEMA released results of a research effort to model the effect of high-penetration renewables on intra-hour system operations of the California ISO. The findings are part of KEMA's report, "Research Evaluation of Wind Generation, Solar Generation, and Storage Impact on the California Grid," sponsored by the California Energy Commission.

GE's hybrid locomotive is getting ready for production. The locomotive will use a sodium-metal battery built at a new $100 million battery plant in Schenectady, NY. The plant is expected to open in 2011 and employ about 350 people. The batteries that will eventually be found aboard Evolution hybrid locomotives will likely also be used in backup power systems for the telecommunications industry and for other applications.

GM stops work on the Spark and leaves Indian Markets

With more patents than any other woman, UB scientist Esther Takeuchi brings fresh perspective to the nation's electrical grid. She holds more than 140 U.S. patents in energy storage and won the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama last Fall.

GM sets up venture capital company with $100 million to invest in auto-related technologies.

General Motors said on Thursday, that it is ending its partnership with Reva to develop electric cars in India.

Ice Energy expands into NYS with increased production of "Ice Bear" unit, 3,000 units per month, or 25 MW of energy storage.

GM seeks more business partners to create new features for the Volt.

AEYCH outlines localized energy storage study it is performing for NYSERDA; seeks partners and participants.

Ice Energy to install 1.5 MW of energy storage for Glendale Water & Power. Southern California municipal utility will integrate Ice Energy’s Ice Bear distributed energy storage technology to complement its smart grid strategy.

Ultralife announced that Thomas L. Saeli has joined its board of directors, effective March 5.

Wireless devices may interact with car charging in the future

LG Chem broke ground for the construction of a $800 million electric-car battery plant in Korea yesterday. The new plant, scheduled be opened in the first half of 2010, will supply lithium-ion batteries to General Motors from the second half of next year.

A summary of the zinc battery discoveries underway at CUNY's Energy Storage Institute

Details on NYSERDA's recent award to Ultralife

Widetronix Inc, with ties to Cornell, receives $2.2 million for beta voltaic batteries, which generate electrical current by using energy from radioactive isotopes that emit electrons. They are particularly well-suited to low-power electrical applications where long life of the energy source is needed, such as implantable medical devices or military and space applications.

The most recent ARPA-E awards were announced. In the “Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage Category,” Brookhaven National Lab is a partner with Missouri University of Science and Technology on lithium-air batteries.

GE R&D in Niskayuna is partnering with Nissan to "take a comprehensive look at what technologies will be needed in the car, on the grid and at home or work to make smart charging a reality." The companies announced an MOU to undertake research mainly at GE's Niskayuna, NY, smart-grid lab for three years. The first phase of work will focus on integrating electric car charging with homes and buildings. The second phase will work on integrating electric vehicles into the power grid.

Stan Whittingham, NY-BEST Vice Chairman and Director of the Institute for Materials Research at Binghamton University, is honored in Hall of Fame as one of 40 innovators who have made a significant difference for his work in Li-ion battery development.

NY-BEST has commissioned three competitive market analyses in grid-side energy storage, distributed generation storage, and medium/heavy-duty transportation storage. The studies will be completed in May. Each team includes university MBA and technical students as well as technical and industry advisers. These analyses will be available free of charge for all NY-BEST members on the Market Studies page.

Scientists are using a neutron scanning device for analysis of GE battery cells as a form of non-destructive testing. The The battery systems are designed for energy savings of at least ten percent in hybrid locomotives.

A perspective on East coast and West coast energy storage activities including the NY-BEST award to UltraLife

Ultralife’s Energy Storage System to Link Lithium Ion Battery and Ultracapacitor Technologies with Wind and Solar Energy Systems

If The Paper Battery Company gets its way, builders could potentially use its new prototype paper-based battery material in much the same way builders use Tyvek-branded DuPont plastic as a moisture wrap in building construction and roofs in electric vehicles could store energy.

Catherine S. Hill, a lawyer with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in Albany, N.Y., was elected to a one-year term on the board of directors of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium.

NY-BEST, Cornell and Primet Precision Materials Inc. to develop electrolytes for batteries to improve electrochemical stability and safety of lithium batteries.

NY-BEST awards will allow Brookhaven National Lab, Binghamton University, and University at Buffalo to collaborate on energy storage solutions.

University at Buffalo, Binghamton University, and Brookhaven National Lab funded to work on grid storage technologies.

A review of some of the local NY-BEST funding

Summary of awards from Green Car Congress

Summary of awards from Binghamton press

Cornell University and Binghamton University awarded funding for R&D work

NYSERDA press release announcing first annual NY-BEST meeting and conference

Ultralife to receive $2.4M for energy storage project

NYSERDA Commits $8 million to Develop and Commercialize
19 New York Battery and Energy-Storage Technology Projects

Discussion of the energy storage industry in the Greater Capital Region and NY-BEST

The Paper Battery Company has been selected to be the recipient of a $250,000 NYSERDA contract for development of its breakthrough, scalable energy storage technology.

On March 30 and 31 KEMA will host its 21st Executive Forum, assembling a group of key energy leaders to discuss the resurgence of retail energy markets. Based on current registrations, KEMA expects a record turn out for the meeting.

NY-BEST members and profiles now available. If you'd like to enhance your profile, please register for an account at www.NY-BEST.org and then contact Anne Savage at info@ny-best.org with your account name and email address.

Glendale Water & Power (GWP) has awarded a $4.2 million contract to Utility Partners of America (UPA) to replace its existing electric and water meters with smart meters, beginning this year. KEMA Inc. is providing project management and technical support for GWP's initiative.

Depending on business, the firm may grow from 20 to 60 employees by year's end in production, research and engineering positions, Ioxus officials said.

Global energy consulting and certification firm KEMA has won the open European tender on the Front End Engineering Design Study for two offshore wind farms in the North Sea. The farms will have a maximum capacity of 1,200MW and produce approximately 4.5bn KWh per year.

Ioxus is also pursuing the application of more patents and the 2010 roadmap shows how serious they are; additional products, a new generation 2 series of products that will enhance power. The company has also been active with patents and added an extra 12 patents in 6 months, now up to 21.

According to Ultralife's President and CEO, refinancing their existing revolving credit facility with an asset-based facility was one of their highest priorities. Ultralife’s family of brands includes: Ultralife Batteries, Stationary Power Services, RPS Power Systems, ABLE, McDowell Research, RedBlack Communications and AMTI. Ultralife’s operations are in North America, Europe and Asia.

More on underground compressed gas energy storage

GE Global Research in Niskayuna will receive $1.5 million to develop measurement techniques for interfaces in metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors allowing rapid routing of renewable energy from the source to customers. General Motors in Honeoye Falls will receive $1.3 million to apply neutron detectors that can view the inner workings of fuel cells with 10 times improved resolution and assess degradation of lithium-based battery capacity and power. 

GE received a $25 million tax credit for its new battery plant in Schenectady. The credit is part of the 2009 ARRA and will help refurbish an existing GE facility.

NY representatives visit west cost to promote NYS offerings

Ener1, Inc. said that it has executed an agreement with its principal shareholder, Ener1 Group, for the purchase of common stock and warrants for $65 million.

Ener1, a manufacturer of large lithium-ion battery systems for automotive and utility grid applications, announced that it obtained a $65 million investment commitment from its principal shareholder, Ener1 Group.

Honeywell International's Buffalo laboratory to test LiPF6 electrolyte salt for Li-ion batteries in pilot plant (funded by DOE).

NYSERDA announced $4.4 million in funding over five years to NY-BEST member Intertek Testing Services to establish renewable energy test and research centers in New York that will be among the first of their kind in the nation. The funding will allow Intertek and a consortium of partners to establish solar photovoltaic and small wind test centers throughout the State. They will use rigorous real-life testing scenarios to measure safety, performance, reliability, durability, and longevity.

Details on awards from NYSERDA's PON 1670 including awards to NY-BEST members Ultralife, EPX, CUNY, and CNSE at University at Albany in cooperation with Cornell and Alfred University.

Two electric car charging stations will be installed in Warwick, one in the town and the other at the village's South Street municipal parking lot. Officials expect to break ground next month and complete work by early summer. Manufactured by Coulomb Technologies in Campbell, Calif., these stations are networked, so drivers with smart phones can check which chargers are unoccupied and receive text messages or e-mails when charging is complete.

NYSERDA has developed a roster of Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, individuals with C-level experience in technology-based companies who have agreed to work with the management teams of NYSERDA-related early-stage companies to help identify business objectives and advise in their pursuit. This resource is available to NYSERDA-related companies, and is managed by High Tech Rochester.

THINK’s CEO ranked New York City third worldwide on their EV-Ready Cities Index based on the great fit of EVs to city driving and the strength of state and local government support. The lithium-ion battery system is made by Ener1, Inc., headquartered in New York.

Battery maker Electrovaya Inc. has won a contract with Chrysler to provide lithium-ion batteries for a plug-in hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pickup truck. Chrysler will build 140 trucks in a three-year demonstration project under a $48-million grant from the U.S. vehicle-electrification program. Electrovaya is a tenant of NYSERDA's STTEP park in Malta, New York.

The Syracuse region was recently named one of the world's top 10 "cleantech clusters

Plug Power signed a commercialization agreement with CITIC GuoAn Mengguli Power Science & Technology Co., Ltd. for the joint marketing and sales of their co-developed high power lithium-ion battery systems into automotive applications.

Johnson Controls has been named the single supplier of automotive and related (primary) batteries for Wal-Mart stores in the United States.

The Department of Energy announced 24 million hours of supercomputing time have been awarded to help develop lithium-air batteries. New York companies and researchers, through NYSTAR, also can gain access to supercomputing time on two of the world's fastest systems at Brookhaven National Lab/Stony Brook and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Visit http://www.nystar.state.ny.us/hpc/About_HPC_Computing_Program.html for assistance.

According to recent market research by McKinsey, EVs – comprising both full electric cars and plug-in hybrids – could account for 16% of new cars sales in New York by 2015, amounting to 70,000 vehicles on the streets.

Video: Obama speaks at new Michigan battery plant

If you have not yet participated in the EPRI & TTC project to develop functional requirements for key energy storage applications, there is still time. Please note the revised schedule for the upcoming application webinars.

Tiny copper spheres and carbon nanotubes cool hot electronics found in high power devices. The new type of cooling system can be used to prevent overheating of insulated gate bipolar transistors, high-power switching transistors used in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Fisker purchases Delaware Automotive plant to start vehicle production in 2013. Like the Chevy Volt, these would run on plug-in battery power for roughly the first 50 miles and then recharge the batteries through an on-board internal combustion engine.

The Company will ship an estimated 287,000 batteries during the first two years of the agreement.

The DOE expects battery costs per kWh to drop from about $1,000 in 2009 to $300 in 2015 and $100 in 2030. For example, the battery LG Chem is supplying for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt cost $13,000 last year but is expected to drop to $4,000 by 2015, the report said. White House economists estimate that the U.S. accounted for 2% of global production of batteries for electric cars and hybrids in 2009. That share, however, is expected to rise to 40% of global production by 2015, according to Reuters.

Tesla Motors will produce electric Rav4 crossover SUVs for Toyota Motor Co. beginning in 2012, the two companies announced Friday.

As it moves closer to launching its Focus Electric model, Ford has selected Compact Power as the supplier of its lithium-ion battery packs for the vehicle. The company, which is also supplying battery packs for the Chevy Volt, will use its expertise in advanced prismatic lithium-ion cells and advanced liquid-cooled modules and battery management systems to boost the vehicle which is scheduled for launch in 2011.

Eaton Corporation has selected Compact Power Inc. (CPI), a wholly-owned US subsidiary of LG Chem, to provide batteries for certain future Eaton hybrid electric drive systems.

Improvements in version 2 of the ZESS POWR™ zinc bromide battery system include advanced materials for better internal flow, new external sealing material for secondary leak protection of the electrolyte, improved pumping components for greater reliability and lower auxiliary power requirements.

Battery will help regulate power from 12 wind turbines. The battery system will come from Xtreme Power and will help regulate power from 12 "Liberty" wind turbines, each rated to produce 2.5MW of power.

S. Korea to invest $12.4B over 10 years to become dominant in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Korea is on a par with Japan for electric car batteries, but in terms of energy storage batteries, the country is still behind in research and development and capital investment according to their Ministry.

President Barack Obama will make his fourth visit to Michigan since taking office, to take part in the groundbreaking of a $303 million battery plant.

This workshop will examine end-use applications and market drivers for large-scale storage, the R&D efforts that are pushing the boundaries, and highlight near-deployment technologies.

More on the xenon difluoride pressure treated battery

SHANGHAI - A battery manufacturer is being blamed for the lead poisoning of four children aged one to six in Gao'er village, Jiangsu province.

Washington State University chemists have used super-high pressures similar to those found deep in the Earth to create a compact, new material that potentially could store vast amounts of energy. As researchers increased the pressure inside the chamber, the material became a two-dimensional graphite-like semiconductor. In the process, the huge amount of mechanical energy of compression was stored as chemical energy in the molecules' bonds.

Japanese electronics maker Toshiba Corp. now in a deal with Mitsubishi to develop EV batteries. Production will start sometime next year in a new facility in northern Japan. The plant's production capacity is expected to grow to one million cells a month by March 2012. Batteries may also be used for smart grid storage.

InstaLoad is a patented battery contact design that Microsoft has made available for licence by third party device suppliers. InstaLoad works by using battery contacts designed to operate from both ends - thereby dismissing the need to worry about the plus and negative polarity on the power cell.

IPO raises needed funds in first initial public offering by a U.S. automaker in more than 50 years.

Tesla Shares make off to a good start, shows market acceptance

UL working with Electric Drive group to accelerate technology and maintain safety standards

An opinion article on competitiveness of battery technology against traditional fuels

Japanese scientists have developed a paper-thin battery Lithium-polymer base which can be produced with printer technologies.

This conference in Detroit, Michigan, is designed for senior executives from vehicle manufacturers to gather to explain how their latest technical research on EV batteries will help drive down the cost of the battery in order to accelerate the commercialization of mass market EVs.

The Obama Administration backed a proposal to spend up to $6 billion more on subsidies for electric vehicles. The proposals include more spending for research and development of car-battery technology, aid to utilities and homeowners to build recharging outlets, and consumer tax credits to offset the higher costs of battery-electric vehicles. The bill is drafted by Senators Byron Dorgan (ND), Lamar Alexander (TN) and Jeff Alan Merkley (OR).

More on carbon nanotube discovery (nice diagram)

Harsh fall of stock price after report from Chinese battery maker

USGS expects battery growth, control of key lithium supplies are key

Japan's largest electronics maker Hitachi Ltd seeks to boost sales at its in-house battery systems company by 75% to $2.75 billion in fiscal 2014. Hitachi plans to mass-produce industrial-use laminated lithium ion batteries beginning next April at a Toyoma Prefecture plant. The products will be used in smart grids and are expected to find applications in electric bicycles and uninterruptible power supplies.

HRL Laboratories announced today that it will be a partner in Stanford University's Center on Nanostructuring for Efficient Energy Conversion.

Wheego now accepting pre orders for small electric car

Nissan and partners increase battery production from 54 to 90 thousand units as demand for Leaf is higher than expected

New device to help monitor and balance multiple cells in automotive applications

The new venture named UltraLith LLC is expected to start shipping products to battery manufacturers in August and will offer battery separator technology that meets lithium battery capabilities required in Electric Drive Vehicle or EDV applications. The new UltraLith-HP is a non-shutdown polyolefin separator engineered for high power, high density lithium batteries.

Storage Week in San Diego, CA, will focus on integrating storage into the grid.

mPhase Technologies reported today that it has been granted a patent for the concept of a porous membrane made from silicon that is capable of controlling the flow electrolytes used in both primary and rechargeable batteries.

The country generated GDP per head of just $800 in 2009, but the new-found mineral wealth could propel the country into one of the world’s most lucrative mining areas. Deposits include iron, copper, cobalt, gold and industrial metals such as lithium.

The author's analysis demonstrates that lead acid technologies may be undervalued.

More companies eye used EV batteries for localized stationary storage. Experts believe that after seven to 12 years, the batteries might still hold 70% to 80% of the power they could when new.

MI company lands government contract totaling $3 million

Chemicals found in wastewater cause for alarm

Mini-car maker Smart USA said it will test electric vehicles powered by a battery made by Tesla Motors in San Jose and a handful of markets this fall. The cars will have a 16.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

GIA announced release of a comprehensive global report on Consumer Batteries markets. The world market is projected to exceed $33 billion by the year 2015. The report provides a review of market trends, competitive scenarios, regulatory environment, product innovations/introductions, and recent industry activity.

Batteries built into circuit boards in the works for future electronics

Mitsubishi has large expectations for battery growth, as much as 200-300 thousand kWh annually by 2013.

Residual value for used batteries raises questions for electric vehicles

A foreign prospective on the battery competition, from The Japan Times.

Overheated battery system forces evacuation of busy DC transit station

Boston-Power Inc. (Westborough, Mass.), a vendor of lithium-ion batteries, is teaming up with Batteries-Montage-Zentrum (Karlstein, Germany), a supplier of rechargeable battery packs.

Trojan Battery expands from recreational power to remote power applications.

International Battery (IB), a manufacturer of large format, rechargeable lithium ion cells, batteries, and systems, closed a $35 million Series C financing round, led by Digital Power Capital, an affiliate of Wexford Capital LP.

EnerDel signed an agreement for a joint venture with Chinese auto parts maker Wanxiang's electric vehicle unit, as it looks for access to the world's fastest growing electric vehicle market.

Top LG officials recruit 1000 of top talent from around the world

The city of Montreal is serious about going electric and, as proof, it will convert its entire fleet of buses over to the electric variety by 2025. If successful, Montreal should become the first North American city able to lay claim to an all-electric bus fleet.

18650 batteries power car to new world record

Ford Motor Co. today announced that it is investing in two Michigan parts plants to produce battery packs currently manufactured in Mexico and Japan.

Scientists begin to discover story behind Li batteries overheating.

Grid Storage Technologies to install energy storage for wind later this year

Concern over A123's profitability and competing technology draws skeptics.

Three year supply contract for battery supply for $3.8 million order

NEC Corp to invest in battery and smart grid technologies.

Investment news from CODA in California

Japanese electronic conglomerate Toshiba Corp said it is developing lithium-ion batteries with multiple automakers as it seeks to benefit from growing demand for more environment-friendly cars.

Leaders from government, industry, scientific and technological circles will gather in China in November 2010 for the 25th World Electric Vehicles Symposium. Through May 30, organizers are seeking abstracts that touch upon EV future developing direction and strategy, government policies, infrastructure construction, commercialization, and innovation of leading technologies.

"Build Your Dream" comes to US with lots of ambition

Scientists at Cambridge have developed a simple, accurate way of "seeing" chemistry in action inside a lithium-ion battery. Similar techniques are available at NY-BEST member Brookhaven National Lab.

Simbol Mining Corp. has developed a process to extract lithium from the waste brines of geothermal power plants. Backers say it will produce lithium more cheaply and with a smaller carbon footprint than any other producer out there.

Japan’s second- largest minicar maker, plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its Swift compact car using batteries supplied by Sanyo Electric Co.

On over view of supercomputers in developing battery technology. New York companies and researchers, through NYSTAR, also can gain access to supercomputing time on two of the world’s fastest systems at BNL/Stony Brook and RPI. Visit http://www.nystar.state.ny.us/hpc/About_HPC_Computing_Program.html for assistance.

A123 and Eaton working together for F550 medium sized Plug-in Hybrid trucks

General information on, and progress update, for Li-air cells

International Battery experiments with water soluble chemicals to reduce manufacturing costs and waste stream of making Li-ion batteries.

Device from Yokohama-based JFE Engineering Corporation fills electric vehicles 50% in three minutes.

Battery costs will keep battery vehicles out of the market for some time

FIAMM to bring battery headquarters to Waynesboro, Georgia.

TMK (formally Deerfield Resources) appoints new CFO for Chinese division

Advanced automotive battery conference to be held in Orlando, Florida on May 17-21

Partial article on electric vehicle stocks

Summary of BEEST and winners of funds

Proterra makes large purchase for batteries to support electrified transportation manufacturing

Drivers will be able to select "mountain mode" to have the engine come on sooner

Construction of the Renault-Nissan Alliance's first European plant for batteries has just begun in Sunderland, UK.

A discussion on ultra capacitors and new graphene material

A summary of energy storage grants

Chinese auto maker is locating its North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles as the company prepares to sell electric cars in the U.S.

Details on ARPA-E winner Sion Power

Background on battery company A123, and efforts to nationalize manufacturing

New simulation software could help advance Li-ion batteries

Battery companies struggle then diversify as battery competition intensifies

"Better Place" takes a big step forward in battery swap-out plan

China's projected growth and effort to get off limited supply of oil

New device recharges batteries previously unrechargeable.

Fisker to create 2,000 jobs in Delaware by reopening former GM plant to build plug-in hybrids. Fisker expects to reach full production in 2015 with its cars powered by a lithium-ion battery.

Tesla and Panasonic form closer relations

GM repays $5.8 billion to US and Canadian governments

Researchers have developed a new strain of bacteria that is eight times more efficient at producing power in microbial fuel cell than other strains

Laymen's care of li-ion batteries

A123 turns business else ware as consumer spending slows

Unveiling and test-driving new EV trucks from Chrysler

Ford pulls for support for Battery makers, claiming the playing field is not level

Automakers rethink used battery market, ideas include stationary power applications

Hitachi experiments with Manganese in Li-ion systems, increasing life and output.

Notes from a recent conference call as GM prepares for Volt production.

Switzerland-based FZ Sonick favors stationary salt batteries then mobile li-ion varieties

GM invests $8 million in battery expansion plan, centralizes activities

A prospective on the Li-ion sector and other alternatives.

Connecticut maker of military batteries expanding into other markets including EV

New material could help prevent laptop batteries from overheating when damaged

Construction begins on 25,000 square meter, 60,000 unit plant

Japan's lithium-ion battery sector has limited competition, lack of market alternatives and growing demand which could drive hefty gains for the next 10+ years.

Hitachi claims doubled lifespan and reduction of cobalt in new battery

National Public Radio Interviews Calvin Crowder where they've installed a $25 million battery backup system for the entire city. Listen or read transcript.

Nano-scale batteries and battery components could mean big things for future devices

Daikin Industries Ltd and Kansai University developed a fluorinated electrolyte that can realize a Li-ion rechargeable battery with a high voltage and safety. It is possible to stably charge and discharge the battery at a voltage as high as 4.7V (tested for 30 cycles).

Battery company outpaces other clean technology fields as investors bank on plug-in vehicles

Higher margins mean greater profits, despite lower sales

Japan's largest computer maker invests heavily in Nissan's battery development

Eamex's technology basically stabilizes the electrodes in a Li-On battery.

A report on how the electric vehicle battery industry could cave in by 2017

Unusual news -- electrolytes from salt and pepper can make batteries

A 200 amp-hour battery sounds to good to be true

Prior predictions of battery shortages unfounded, but US still in bad position for global market place

Newly received preliminary results of the independent tests of its Nano Lithium Batteries

A perspective on how the energy industry has changed, and where it is going

International Battery will supply large-format lithium-ion batteries for the new community energy storage (CES) system

Researchers at Stanford University have developed an electrode that can be used to make more energy-dense lithium-sulfur batteries.

BYD Co., the Chinese carmaker backed by Warren Buffett, has given up a plan to mass produce electric cars in China by the middle of this year, the South China Morning Post said.

In about two years, the Honda Civic Hybrid could start using lithium-ion batteries. The move to lithium from nickel batteries could reduce the price premium for Honda hybrids.

CLEAR facility put Bessemer City, NC on the map for battery development

Examines the tax credits offered by Michigan for electric vehicle and battery manufacturers

General Motors is now using Bitrode's fully automated battery test system in their new Global Battery Lab located in Warren, Michigan. Comprised of A&D's Labminder, iCentral, and Bitrode's cell, module and pack test equipment, the state-of-the-art A&D iTest EV solution represents a major advancement in world class battery systems.

French Company Received Federal Grant To Build $200 Million Facility

An overview of the conference "Lithium Battery Technology and System Development" in London 9 March 2010 including "breaking barriers for electric vehicles".

Researchers from Mississippi State University have engineered a new charging method that relies on new developments in molecular dynamics simulations to speed the charging process.

New lithium sulfide (Li2S) cathode claimed to have 10 times the power density of conventional lithium-ion cathodes.

NanoeXa, a designer and manufacturer of advanced Lithium-ion battery materials for a range of applications, is using its Quantum Simulation Software (QSS)

Discusses where we are today in cost per kWh to use batteries to store power and the latest technologies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a partnership that will focus on bringing manufacturers of various types of lithium-ion batteries together with EPA and university scientists, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant parties, to help the manufacturers make environmentally sound manufacturing and material choices. This Design for the Environment partnership (DfE) is the first that has addressed an application of nanotechnology, by targeting companies that make lithium-ion batteries with carbon nanotubes.

The property could sustain annual battery-grade lithium carbonate production of 40 million pounds for at least 30 years.

This particular hybrid system is different from the two-mode system which is used to power some of the larger trucks and SUVs in the GM portfolio. According to the GM press release announcing this initiative, "The increased power from the lithium-ion battery will allow the next-generation GM Hybrid System to be used in a wide range of global powertrains, including naturally aspirated engines, new high-efficiency turbocharged engines, bio-fuel engines and diesels.

An American company believes to have found a new battery concept that would allow cost reductions and better performance. Scientists from AMPAC and UCF seem to confirm the breakthrough.

Celgard, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore International, Inc. (NYSE: PPO), and a global supplier of microporous separators used in lithium-ion batteries, announced plans to expand production capacity at its existing lithium-ion separator manufacturing facility in Ochang, South Korea.

Ford Motor Company and Progress Energy are expanding their plug-in vehicle research partnership to include the utility company's Florida operations

Prudent Energy, a Beijing-based maker of large-capacity flow batteries, has raised a $22 million third round of venture funding. Its products may be too heavy for use in plug-in vehicles, but the company could become a player in grid storage, both in China and the U.S.

GS Yuasa plans to boost production of battery cells to equip 9,000 electric vehicles in the year ending March 2011 from 2,000 electric cars this fiscal year and raise it to about 20,000 the following year. The company, which has partnerships with Honda Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to make lithium-ion power cells for electric vehicles, competes against Osaka- based Sanyo Electric Corp. to win automakers as clients.

An overview of advanced battery energy storage technologies available or in development for heavy?duty, bus and truck applications, prepared by CALSTART.

A nanoscale material developed in Britain could one day yield wafer-thin cellphones and light-weight, long-range electric cars powered by the roof, boot and doors. Technology is at least a decade from market.

Discussion of battery testing capabilities at Sandia National Lab. This may drive discussion of additional capabilities needed in New York that NY-BEST can help procure.

Tips on finding the right funding and commercialization partners

Office parks invest in energy storage for power quality and reliability. EPA has estimated that 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is unnecessary or inefficient.

FY 2011 budget request of $28.4 billion includes an additional $40 million for existing Energy Frontier Research Centers, $107 million for Energy Innovation Hubs and $300 million for ARPA-E.

Prototypes combines the long life and fast charge capabilities of an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) with the greater energy storage capacity of a lithium-ion battery.

Highlights of the latest energy storage products

NYSERDA invests in flow batteries

More on Li deposits

Batteries built into clothing

The composite material is made of carbon fibers and a polymer resin and can store and discharge large amounts of energy much more quickly than conventional batteries. The material does not use chemical processes, making it quicker to recharge than conventional batteries. Unlike conventional chemical batteries, the recharging process also causes little degradation in the composite material.

A report on Green tech industry

Ohio revitalizes old battery manufacturing site.

(Since this news story was posted on NY-BEST, the original article was archived and the full article is available now only at a fee. Click the link to be brought to a site where you may purchase the full article.)

Duke and progress energy to test grid storage technologies

LG Chem will begin delivering the lithium-ion batteries in the second half of this year.

The Korean Government and the nation's largest steelmaker signed an agreement for a joint research and development project to extract lithium from sea water. The aim is to produce up to 750 million euros worth of lithium carbonate a year by 2015.

New materials discussed

DOE 2009 Annual Progress Report for Energy Storage Research and Development Vehicle Technologies assesses lithium-ion battery research and development including R&D objectives, technical barriers, targets and recent accomplishments.

Also could be used for energy storage devices

T3 Motion Has Deployed Over 5,000 Swappable Lithium Battery Systems for Electric Vehicles

New mining raises question about environmental benefits

The intent is to provide the utility and its customers load leveling, back-up power, support for plug-in electric car deployment as well as grid regulation and improved distribution line efficiencies.

Growing numbers of people choose electric bikes for affordable urban transit

Supercomputers are being used to solve some of our greatest energy questions

More info on wearable batteries

California makes decision on power regulation for PHEVs

Big energy jumps into the Lithium game as well

Plasma TVs are notorious for their excessive use of electricity, but the same principle used to produce high definition pictures in the TVs could result in the development of a new type of battery that would save rather than waste energy.

The US DOE and ARPA-E are hosting an Energy Technology Innovation Showcase highlighting the recent ARPA-E award winners, finalists, and other exciting transformational technologies in Washington on March 1-3. Organizations may submit a Showcase Application to request displaying their technology at the event.

EnerDel advancing in the vehicle market and expanding its American lithium-ion production.

New energy partnerships for marine applications

EnerDel moves quickly to build, hire, and startup new facility

According to the international consultancy firm PRTM, total lithium-ion battery cost reductions could exceed 50% by 2020 and adoption rate for electric vehicle could be 10% of new vehicles sold by 2020. The higher production volume would lead to economies of scale, manufacturing process optimization, and supply chain savings.

The small PowerPlane battery holds potential as a building block for bigger batteries for power tools, renewable-energy storage and electric vehicles. The buried-anode lithium ion battery hinges on two key innovations: a thin film solid electrolyte using a glass called lithium phosphate oxynitride developed by Oak Ridge National Lab and a process-engineering breakthrough at NREL.

New technologies that could allow electronics to be run by sugary beverages

A summary of 20 startups working in lithium-ion technology

Ford is investing $450 million in production facilities to build hybrids, electric vehicles, and electric vehicle batteries in house.

MIT works with India to develop rooftop solar/energy storage

Tesla Motors and Panasonic will collaborate to develop next-generation battery cells for electric vehicles. Tesla will use Panasonic cells featuring a Nickel-based Lithium ion chemistry in their newest battery packs.

Cars21 has released a list of key electric vehicle conferences during 2010.