NY-BEST Newsletter 5-5-2010

NY-BEST welcomes our newest members: Utility Savings & Refund, LLC (US&R) from Irvine, California, and Ice Energy, headquartered in Windsor, Colorado. US&R is the sales affiliate and strategic partner for Prudent Energy and the VRB-ESS(r) vanadium redox flow battery. Ice Energy is commercializing thermal energy storage systems that integrate software and communications technology for utilities and consumers.

With great pleasure, we also congratulate Stan Whittingham, NY-BEST Vice Chairman and Director of the Institute for Materials Research at Binghamton University, on being selected into the Greentech Hall of Fame as one of 40 innovators who have made a significant difference for his work in Li-ion battery development.

NIST Technology Innovation Program

Supports research that provides manufacturers and end users improved access to new materials based on advances that allow evaluation and use of these materials in innovative ways, and new transformative manufacturing processes. 25 awards expected; $25 million in available funding. U.S.-based small- and medium-sized businesses doing a majority of their business in the U.S. are eligible. A single company can receive up to $3M for three years. A joint venture can receive up to $9M for five years.

Procurement for Submarine Value-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries
The Naval Surface Warfare Center anticipates award for the Submarine Valve-Regulated Lead Acid (SVRLA) Batteries that will cover FY11 - FY12.

Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center Seeks Batteries (VA-791-10-RP-0009)
DALC intends to solicit the following types of batteries: CR2025, L2032, L2450, NIMH1604, NIMHAA, NIMHAAA, S357, BA300, NIMH13, NIMH312, NIMHAP97A, NIMHBA151, NIMHBA90, NIMHSERVOX, ZA10, ZA13, ZA312, ZA675, and ZA675HP. The solicitation is expected to be released on May 10, 2010.

Defense Logistics Agency Seeks Storage Batteries (SPM7LX-10-R-0015)

Pre-solicitation for seven types of storage batteries under a long-term contract. The solicitation will be available on May 13, 2010 at https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/RFP. This is a small business set aside.

Defense Logistics Agency Seek Batteries (SPM7LX10R0007)
Pre-solicitation for long term battery contract. Solicitation to be released 5/10/10.

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

ARPA-E Awards

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's New Durathon Brand Batteries
GE introduces new Durathon battery with sodium-halide technology. At just one-fourth the size of conventional large-scale batteries, the Durathon can deliver peak performance in extreme temperatures with no toxic chemical emissions. It also boasts remote-monitoring capabilities, requires little maintenance and is fully recyclable. GE’s Durathon products are designed to serve the rail, marine, mining, telecommunications and electric utility sectors.

CUNY Speeds Up the Race for a Better Battery
A summary of the zinc battery discoveries underway at CUNY's Energy Storage Institute

Using Neutrons to Peer Inside A Battery Designed for Hybrid Locomotives
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.

GE Partnering with Nissan on Smart Charging for Electric Cars
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.

Ultralife Corporation Names Steven M. Anderson to Board of Directors

Ultralife Corporation announced that Brigadier General, US Army (Retired) Steven M. Anderson has joined its board of directors, effective April 13. General Anderson fills the vacancy on the board created by the retirement of General Daniel W. Christman on March 24.

Raymond Corporation Unveils iBattery Module for iwarehouse Fleet Optimization System
New system allows warehouse managers to monitor battery power fleet while units are in use. iBattery can detect numerous vital pieces of battery fleet information, including battery weight to meet lift truck specifications, ensuring optimal lift truck performance; and state-of-charge and voltage to aid in the prevention of overdischarging of the battery, promoting longer battery life.

For more news about NY-BEST and NY-BEST Members click here.

Energy Storage System Built in Broome

New York Public Service Commission approves a $22.3 million dollar 20 MWh battery facility to be constructed by AES Westover.

For more news about New York's Battery & Energy Storage Industry click here.

A Burgeoning Market for Used EV Batteries
Automakers rethink used battery market, ideas include stationary power applications

ReVolt Technologies Receives $5 Million from ARPA-E to Develop Zinc-Air Battery

ReVolt Technologies receives $5 million from ARPA-E to develop zinc-air batteries capable of extending driving ranges for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

FIST SA Publishes a New Report on the Lithium Metal Phosphate Batteries Patent Landscape
Report now available which covers patents for Lithium Metal Phosphate batteries.

BYD Puts U.S. Battery-Car Sales Base in Los Angeles
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.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Industry to Collaborate in Advanced Battery Research

The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and American industry will tackle some of the most critical challenges facing lithium-ion battery production.

U.S. Closes $529 Million Loan for Fisker Automotive
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.

Frost & Sullivan Projects Explosive Growth for Lithium-ion Batteries in Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Segments
Another report on the possibilities of energy storage growth potential. According to F&S, new cathode chemistries such as Li-iron phosphate and manganese spinel as well as anode and electrolyte technologies promise higher performance while improving safety.

International Advanced Automotive Battery Conference & Symposia
Advanced automotive battery conference to be held in Orlando, Florida on May 17-21

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

For 23 more news articles from beyond New York State posted since the last NY-BEST newsletter click here.

This news update is provided as a service to members and interested parties of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium. NY-BEST, currently operating under the auspices of NYSERDA, is an industry-led coalition working to build a vibrant, world-class, advanced battery and energy storage sector in New York State.

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