NY-BEST Newsletter 8-12-2010

Congratulations to NY-BEST Member Binghamton University on receiving one of only eight awards under the DOE Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies (BATT) Program. This funding will support their work in Metal-Based High-Capacity Li-Ion Anodes.

For those tracking SBIR and STTR reauthorization, both programs were recently extended “as is” through September 30, 2010 while both House and Senate committees work to reach a compromise.

Less than three weeks remain for the NY-BEST solicitation to hire an Executive Director and Operational Support. Visit http://www.ny-best.org/SolicitationSummer2010 to view the informational session held on August 6 and review the solicitation and FAQs.

NY-BEST members received information in this newsletter about funding opportunities. Becoming a member is easy and economical. For 2010, the Board has set the membership fee at $500 to allow a broad membership base to build. Visit http://www.ny-best.org/OrganizingMembershipForm for more information.

If your organization is a NY-BEST member, simply login to access all funding opportunities. No account? Click "Create New Account" from the login page.

Binghamton Awarded Funding Under DOE's Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies (BATT) Program
Binghamton University is one of eight awards under the BATT program and will explore Metal-Based High-Capacity Li-Ion Anodes.

A Quicker Test for Hybrid Batteries
Mark Mathias, Director of General Motors's Electrochemical Energy Research Lab, is interviewed.

No More Foot Dragging for Energy Storage?
Ice Energy promoting the Energy Storage Bill of 2010

Takeuchi Discusses Evolution of Battery Technology for Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators
Amazing new devices for human implants driven by advanced batteries

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

Latest DOE Loan Guarantee: A123 Battery Project for Grid Storage
A123 Systems gets $17 million loan guarantee for 20MW grid storage project in Johnson City, New York, to enable AES to both balance its load using less fossil fuels, and have more flexibility to mix variable clean power into the grid.

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

General Motors Venture Capital Arm Makes First Investment
First investment made in electric vehicle company Bright Automotive. The companies said Tuesday that the investment by recently created GM Ventures for an undisclosed amount will give GM a minority stake in Anderson, Ind.-based Bright and accelerate Bright's plans to manufacture a plug-in hybrid van that can get up to 100 miles per gallon.

California Makes It Official: Electric Car Charging Won’t Fall Under Utility Rules

Companies providing electric vehicle charging stations and services will not be regulated as public utilities in the state, which is expected to be one of the earliest and largest markets for plug-in vehicles and a model for other markets.

Experts Warn 'Battery Bubble' Could Burst Michigan's Dreams
Large investment and high production could lead to a "bubble" as demand is uncertain.

Car Makers Eye Toshiba Tech Breakthrough
New battery can charge to 90% of capacity within five minutes.

Battery Team Looks Beyond Vehicles to the Electric Grid
Under ARPA-E funding, the Berkeley Lab team has proposed a flow battery using hydrogen-bromine chemistry.

Everyday Lithium Batteries at Center of Debate About Cargo Handling
Shippers argue if Li-ions should count as hazardous cargo, shipping costs and times could increase.

Valence Technology Receives $13 Million Battery Order from Smith Electric Vehicles U.S.
Valence advanced battery modules to power Smith's line of all electric commercial trucks.

South Korea Invests in EV and HEV Development
S. Korea increases investment by 50%, with billions dedicated towards electric vehicles and smart grid applications.

SANYO Completes New Factory for Li-ion Batteries for Eco-friendly Vehicles
Expanding battery production capacity to meet the growing global demand for eco-friendly vehicles.

GM Michigan Plant Gets $336M and Visit from President Obama

President Obama's visit corresponds with GM's announcement that the plant will receive $336 million in new investment to prepare it to produce the Volt electric vehicle. The money is part of more than $700 million that GM has invested in eight Michigan facilities since 2008 to support the Volt's production. The company last week announced the Volt's price will start at $41,000.

Energy Storage Pioneer Xtreme Power Closes $29.5M Series C Round
Extreme energy raises nearly 30 million from VC partners.

Altair Nanotechnologies Reports Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results
Altair Nano has good first quarter with Proterra Bus Company.

For 20 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 is an industry-led coalition working to build a vibrant, world-class, advanced battery and energy storage sector in New York State.

Your suggestions and comments for future topics are welcome.

Please email suggestions to: info@ny-best.org