Tag Archives: batteries
Electric Cars vs. Fuel Cell Cars
While some car manufacturers are placing their bets on electric cars, Toyota has decided to continue its focus on hybrids, and will introduce 21 updated or full model change hybrids in the next three years. It expects to sell a million hybrids each year through 2015. This year, the Prius family became the third top sellling cars in [...]
In Focus: Off-Grid Renewable Energy
At the beginning of August 2012, the world’s biggest power outage hit India leaving 600 million people without electricity. India’s burgeoning electrical grid failed to meet the extreme demands of its growing economy. They simply did not have enough capacity to meet the high demand of electricity in cities. The power outage threw the urban [...]
In Desperation, A123 Raises $39M
Lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems on Friday announced plans to raise about $39 million in cash to shore up its finances as it struggles to survive in the midst of a massive recall of its automotive batteries. But the company also warned that it only had cash to fund operations through the next four to [...]
In Focus: Folding Solar Panels
Are lightweight and portable devices, used for charging rechargeable batteries, cell phones, GPS, computers, satellite phones, 12 Volt car battery, portable USB power packs and laptops. The solar panels are generally less than 5 pounds and are less than 2 inches thick when folded. They are designed to use for outdoor purposes. These are foldable [...]
FUTUREWATCH: The Paintable Battery
Battery technology keeps improving in terms of density and storage, but how about changing the very form in it which a battery is presented? This is what researchers at Rice University in Texas have done with the creation of a paintable battery solution that reinvents the whole concept. The rechargeable battery consists of spray-painted layers, [...]
Grid-Tied vs. Off-Grid Solar
Will I need batteries for my solar system? How much does it cost to go completely off the grid? These questions often come up as people start thinking about going solar. So, what does it really mean to go “off-grid” with a PV system? First, let’s take a look at a traditional grid-tied system. Grid-tied [...]
Utility-Scale Energy Storage: How Soon?
Steven Berberich is the President and CEO of the California Independent System Operator — the entity that makes sure there is a balance of electrical generation supply to meet the power demands of 30 million Californians. The organization has a deep familiarity with baseload and synchronous generation sources. Berberich spoke at a recent energy storage [...]
More Problems at A123 Systems
Lithium Ion battery maker A123 Systems (NASDAQ:AONE) recently said in its 8K filing with the SEC that many events have raised “substantial doubt on [its] ability to continue as a going concern.” Back on March 26, A123 started a project with an estimated cost of $51.6 million to replace battery modules and packs that contained [...]
Battery Breakthrough from NTS Works?
NTS Works Inc referring to company initials Neal Tate Saiki, originator of Zero Motorcycles Inc – the prominent electric motorcycle company has disclosed information related to the innovative electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. Post retirement from Zero Motorcycles last year, Neal founded a new company in California, based in Santa Cruz. This company centers around [...]
A123 Raises $50M: Is It Enough?
A123 may have solved its short-term financial problems by raising $50 million in debt on Saturday. But the price of saving the beleaguered lithium-ion battery maker’s immediate concerns could lead to a “death by a thousand cuts” to its share price and long-term viability. That’s what some analysts are saying about A123’s weekend announcement of [...]
BASF Increases Lithium-Ion Batteries Investment
German chemical company BASF (PINK: BASFY) is expanding its presence in the lithium-ion battery technology field. On Thursday, the company announced its acquisition of Novolyte Technologies, a maker of lithium-ion electrolyte formulations. Though BASF would not release financial details, it revealed that it is acquiring the company from previous owner Arsenal Capital Partners. The purchase [...]
India Green Lights $4.1B for Sustainable Transportation
India’s massive power outage in July, the world’s largest, is energizing the nation’s interest in solar energy and clean transportation. Not only is India’s government speeding auctions related to 3,000 megawatts (MW) in solar plant development between now and 2017, but it is planning an investment of up to $4.1 billion to help spur electric [...]