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Obama Predicts Electric Car Battery Prices Will Drop 70%
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.
Leader Chosen for Kentucky Battery Research Lab
Ralph Brodd will lead the Kentucky-Argonne National Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center. Brodd has done battery research for both industry and the federal government. The center is a collaboration among scientists from University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Argonne National Lab.
Storage Technology for Renewable and Green Energy (STORAGE) Act of 2010
A bill has been introduced in the Senate that would offer up to $1.5 billion in tax credits for energy storage projects that are connected to the grid. Storage 2010 would provide a 20% investment tax credit of up to $30 million for storage systems connected to the electric grid. It also would provide a 30% ITC of up to $1 million to businesses and homeowners for on-site storage projects.
Korea Seeks Leadership in Rechargeable Batteries
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.
Participate in EPRI's Requirements for Energy Storage Initiative
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.
Smart Energy Storage Summit in San Jose, California September 8-9, 2010
Assembly Member Nancy Skinner, author of the first U.S. bill that would mandate energy storage standards for state utilities, will serve as a keynoter.
EV Battery Tech USA Conference in Detroit, Michigan September 21-22, 2010
A conference on EV batteries to explain how the latest technical research will help drive down the cost of the battery in order to accelerate the commercialization of mass market EVs.
Graphene Cuts Battery Charging Times
Graphene increases electron transfer rates, improving many aspects of battery performance. The advance could help maintain energy storage capacities for longer periods while making batteries safer by preventing excessive heating. The nanomaterial could reach batteries for use in cell phones, laptops and power tools starting next year.
Safer, Longer-Lasting Batteries for Cars
Planar Energy of Orlando, FL (a spin-off from NREL) is working on scaling up solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries are normally made using complex, costly, vacuum-based deposition methods which limit the thickness of the battery and, in turn, its storage capacity. Planar Energy has developed a roll-to-roll process for making larger solid lithium-ion batteries. The company received $4M from ARPA-E.
Ford Selects Lithium-Ion Battery Supplier
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.
Nanowick Supercooling System for 'Power Electronics'
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.
ZBB Energy Releases Next-Generation Battery Module; ZESS POWR(TM) V2 Seen as Major Step Forward in Zinc Bromide Technology
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.
Advance in Quantum Computing and Energy Conversion Technology
Breakthroughs in quantum mechanics could "shed light" on light-matter interactions and have important applications in many areas, particularly energy conversion and storage.
Powerpoint Slides on Battery Technologies
Free Powerpoints on various battery technologies; searchable by topic.
For 18 more news articles from beyond New York State posted since the last NY-BEST newsletter click here.
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