eNewsletter

C&D Technologies Introduces the New Dynasty True Front Access High Rate Max UPS Battery
C&D Technologies, Inc. has released the new Dynasty True Front High Rate Max battery system, an advanced valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) applications.

The UPS market's continued focus on higher density solutions, with greater power and lower total cost of ownership, has generated the need for highly reliable, increasingly energy dense, easy to maintain, and cost efficient battery storage solutions.

With the announcement of C&D Technologies' new new Dynasty True Front High Rate Max battery, the latest addition to the Dynasty brand family, the company addresses an emerging portion of the UPS market in which it had not previously participated. As the largest provider of lead-acid batteries to the UPS industry in North America, expansion into this segment of the market is a natural fit, building upon decades of sales to all of the major UPS original equipment manufacturers.

This new C&D product utilizes a unique true front access configuration optimizing performance and reliability to provide a product that addresses the current and emerging needs of the market. Based on the positive customer feedback on the battery features and its fit for UPS customer applications, C&D anticipates favorable market acceptance and expansion of market share in this increasingly vital portion of the UPS market. The product will be available for shipment in spring 2009.

ECOtality’s eTec Launches New Minit-Charger FC Fast-Charger
Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc. has launched  the new Minit-Charger FC battery fast-charging system. The FC is specifically designed for heavy-duty material handling applications and reduces a facility’s electrical consumption by featuring the highest energy conversion efficiency (97 percent) and power factor amongst chargers in its class. Utilizing Minit-Charger’s patented advanced algorithm technology, the Minit-Charger FC system is 50 percent to 65 percent smaller and 50 percent to 70 percent lighter than other fast-charge systems that provide a power output of up to 320 amps.

The Minit-Charger FC is a UL certified, high-frequency, single-connector charger designed for heavy-duty applications. Providing up to 320 amps of output, the FC Charger can fast-charge battery systems of 48 volts (or less) more than four times faster than conventional chargers. The FC Charger features a light and compact design that allows the system to be pole or wall mounted in order to save valuable floor space. The FC Charger also features the patented Minit-Trak data management system that provides the most comprehensive performance evaluation of a battery’s state-of-health and state-of-charge and the Battery Data Control (BDC) system that automatically adjusts charging rates to increase and maximize battery life.

Electricfil Introduces Self-Adapting Smart Battery Sensor
With its Smart Battery Sensor (SBS), Electricfil Automotive offers an effective way to get longer battery life, reliable cranking power and lower CO2 emissions, without adding battery calibration constraints.

Electricfil’s Smart Battery Sensor (SBS) combines a number of non-intrusive sensing solutions to continuously measure battery current, voltage and temperature. Patented algorithms developed by Electricfil and tested by a major battery manufacturer use these measurements to calculate state-of-health, state-of-charge and state-of-function information for delivery to the energy management system via a two or three-wire LIN or CAN compatible interface.

In this way, closed-loop control of the engine and alternator can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by as much as 3 percent. Energy consumption and production can be balanced, extending battery life and ensuring that power is always on hand for quick and reliable engine starting, even on today's most electricity-hungry cars.

Electricfil's SBS is also the first battery sensor to automatically adapt to any new battery due to a patented self-learning algorithms, totally eliminating the need for dealer servicing. In addition, a non-contact current sensor eliminates the drawbacks of shunt-based sensors, opening the way to non-intrusive battery management.

The result is dependable starting power, fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions and longer battery life without adding constraints. This product will be available in different packages for easy mounting on the terminal, alongside the battery or on the battery cable.

Ricardo Launches a Comprehensive and Integrated Development Center for Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Battery Systems
Ricardo, Inc., an independent engineering firm specializing in total vehicle fuel economy and efficiency, has launched the Battery Systems Development Center at its Van Buren Twp., Mich., headquarters. The center provides the most comprehensive and integrated range of capabilities in the industry for turnkey development and application of complete high-voltage battery-pack systems for hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

"As a leading supplier of advanced technologies and alternative energy solutions, Ricardo is at the forefront in developing renewable energy applications that will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lead to energy independence," said Ricardo president, Dean Harlow. "While there has been a great deal of theoretical discussion and proposals on renewable energy, Ricardo is actually applying the technology by taking it off the whiteboard and into the real world. Last year we launched TVFE as a total vehicle fuel economy solution. Now we open the Battery Systems Development Center which will be among the industry's most complete battery development and system integration centers, working with a wide range of customers from cell suppliers to the Tier 1 and OEM's on battery systems for hybrid and electric vehicles."

The Battery Systems Development Center is the focal point of Ricardo's design, analysis, simulation and integration of advanced high-power battery packs and their electronic management systems. Combined with the company's deep expertise in the development of electronic controls, hybrid transmissions and vehicle systems, it provides Ricardo with the capability of providing fully integrated, turnkey battery systems.

"Electrification of the vehicle is a critical element of automakers' strategies for achieving the 35-mile-per-gallon CAFE regulations," said Karina Morley, Ricardo's global vice president of Controls and Electronics. "The Battery Systems Development Center is a state-of-the-art, benchmark facility that enables Ricardo to evaluate and optimize batteries throughout the development cycle, from the early stages through battery pack production and integration into the vehicle."

Ricardo's Battery Systems Development Center is believed to be the only supplier facility with a Virtual Vehicle Development Environment, making it the industry's most comprehensive battery development and systems integration center. This allows for fully simulated vehicle integration to be conducted in a safe, controlled and repeatable environment, positioning Ricardo as one of the only suppliers equipped to deliver increased efficiencies by fully optimizing a battery pack and control system.

In the Battery Systems Development Center, prototype battery pack systems undergo exhaustive development in specially built development chambers equipped with robust safety and filtration systems. Each will feature high- capacity battery cyclers, high-voltage instrumentation, hardware-in-the-loop systems and other equipment to enable the development of battery systems in simulated vehicle environments. Once a battery pack design is verified in a safe, simulated environment, the battery system can be integrated into and further developed on a vehicle in Ricardo's adjoining garage facility.

Ener1, Inc. Expands Relationship with Japanese Partner
Ener1, Inc., maker of advanced lithium-ion batteries, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ITOCHU Corp., a highly diversified global trading company that leads the world market in distribution of specialized equipment and materials needed to produce lithium-ion battery cells.

The purpose of the MOU is to set forth the parameters of the parties' relationship with respect to the introduction of Ener1's products into the Japanese marketplace. ITOCHU, which has strategic partnerships and equity ownership in the Japanese automotive manufacturing community, will serve as Ener1's Japanese sales, marketing and development partner for both the Japanese automotive OEMs as well as the Japanese

The agreement also sets the stage for ITOCHU to introduce Ener1's batteries as an energy storage solution to the solar power markets, where ITOCHU is aggressively seeking to develop its business. Ener1 is currently the only company with the capacity to produce large-format automotive lithium-ion batteries on a commercial scale in the US, and currently has the manufacturing footprint in place to produce enough batteries each year to store 1.17 megawatt hours of electricity, with plans that could potentially expand that output to 3.12 megawatt hours annually. The MOU contemplates ITOCHU's possible extension of an equipment line of credit to Ener1 to fund this anticipated expansion.

"Solidifying this partnership opens up new market opportunities for our battery technology in and beyond the automotive sector at a time when we are ready to commence volume production," said Ener1 chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer. "We also feel privileged to have ITOCHU representing Ener1 in the sales and marketing of our cells, modules and battery packs to the Asian auto manufacturers and Tier One supply community. We believe that this will open doors for our US supply of batteries as well as bolster our growing international manufacturing presence."

Pennsylvania Grants Axion Power $800,000 to Study its Batteries in Electric Vehicles Hybrids, Plug-Ins and All-Electric Vehicles
Axion Power International, Inc., a developer of battery technologies and advanced energy storage devices, has announced that the potential energy efficiencies and cost savings its advanced lead-acid battery will bring to the rapidly-expanding electric car market has earned the company an award from the Pennsylvania Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program. The $800,000 first-year grant, which was announced by Governor Edward Rendell on January 29th, is part of the State's overall effort to invest in businesses that are creating important and innovative clean energy and bio-fuels technologies.

The award proceeds will be used to demonstrate the advantages the Axion proprietary PbC battery technology provides in a variety of electric vehicle types including: hybrids (HEVs), such as the popular Toyota Prius; "plug-ins" (PHEVs) used in commuter, delivery and other vehicles; and in EV's and converted (from combustion engine operation) EV's. The PbC battery technology, which replaces simple lead-based negative electrodes used by other manufacturers with its more sophisticated activated carbon electrode assemblies, has significantly enhanced performance characteristics when compared with other advanced lead-acid batteries. Those enhancements include deeper cycling, longer life, elimination of sulfation and shedding on the negative plate, lighter weight and easier more rapid recharging capabilities.

"This grant acknowledges that our PbC technology has a significant role to play in the development of electric vehicles and in the rapidly expanding global market for these non-carbon-generating, energy-efficient vehicles," said Axion Power's CEO Thomas Granville. "PbC batteries have inherent advantages that they share with lead-acid batteries with respect to safety and cost savings when compared with other energy storage technologies. Our advanced carbon-enhanced products also have advantages associated with: manufacture on existing battery lines and sustainability, because the raw materials used are among the most abundant on the planet. Our product will also be very environmentally friendly because it will be easy and inexpensive to recycle. The grant is another important milestone for us. It supports our vision as we demonstrate how our technology will make electric cars, and electric car conversions, more affordable and renewable. We believe that EVs of all types are the most important automotive innovations in the world today."

Battery Power 2009 Call for Presentations
Battery Power 2009, an international conference highlighting the latest developments and technologies in the battery industry, will feature presentations on portable, stationary and automotive battery technology, as well as battery manufacturing, materials and research & development. The conference is designed for OEM design engineers, system engineers, technical and management professionals involved in battery powered products and systems, battery manufacturing, battery technology research and development and power management technology.

The conference committee is currently accepting presentation abstracts. Please click here for details on submitting an abstract or contact Shannon Given, program manager, at shannong@infowebcom.com. Speaking slots will fill up, so it is imperative that you submit an abstract before the deadline.

Abstracts are due by March 14th, 2009.

We are seeking presentations on several topics including:
• Market Trends
Upcoming and Emerging Technologies, Market Opportunities, Venture Funding, Current and Future Battery Cost and Performance
• Batteries
Emerging Battery Technology, Recycling, Battery Pack Design Issues, Battery Hybrid Technology, Thin Film Technology, Battery Safety, Battery Manufacturing  
• Integrated Circuits
Power Management, Power Conversion, Fuel Gauging
• Battery Components and Materials
Emerging Chemistries, Nanomaterials/Nanotechnology in Batteries, Development of High Power Materials

• Charging, Testing & Monitoring
Smart Battery Pack Charging Systems, Avoiding/Predicting Battery Failure, Battery Testing, Capacity Testing, State-of-Charge, Charging Efficiency

Please visit our Call for Presentations Web page for a more detailed list.

February 2009

15-19 - APEC 2009, Washington D.C.

March 2009

10-12 - Aviation Industry Expo , Las Vegas, Nev.

16-19 - 26th International Battery Seminar & Exhibit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

18-20 - IWCE, Las Vegas, Nev.

31-April 2 - Advanced Capacitor World Summit

Aviation Industry Expo
March 10-12, 2009
Las Vegas Convention Center

The ONLY Event Focused on Ground Support, FBO/Aviation Services and Aircraft Maintenance

Aviation Industry Expo focuses on what matters most in the aviation industry and is the industry’s ONLY event focused on Ground Support, FBO/Aviation Services and Aircraft Maintenance. Whether you’re charged with fueling operations, running an FBO, worried about safety and efficiency, or looking for the latest products and technologies for ground support equipment and techniques, this show is for you!

The event is host to the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Educational Week, AMTSociety’s Annual Symposium, the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Panel on Aviation Support Equipment’s (JPAVSE) Annual Gathering, the USCG Biennial Support Equipment Conference and a wide variety of ground support and business seminars.

Join us in Las Vegas, March 10-12, 2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Register now at www.AviationIndustryExpo.com and the $25 expo fee will be waived! Use priority code BPENEW.     

Advanced Capacitors World Summit 2009
March 31 – April 2, 2009
Hilton Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA

As one of the worlds leading forums for discussing the latest technical advances and market trends in the EC industry, IntetechPira's 7th annual Advanced Capacitors World Summit 2009 set for March 31 – April 2, 2009 at the Hilton Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA, US will focus on advanced electrochemical capacitors and other complementary advanced energy storage and delivery technologies for electrical and electronic systems used in a wide variety of applications and industries.

Co-Chaired by Richard Smith, former VP of Maxwell Technologies and Andrew Burke of the University of California Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, this year's program is designed to help current and prospective users, integrators and suppliers of advanced power systems understand modern energy storage and delivery challenges for power intensive applications and identify business opportunities and realities with adopting advanced capacitors and capacitor hybrid systems to solve application energy requirements.

Visit www.advancedcapacitorsws.com for the most up-to-date program information.

The International CTIA WIRELESS 2009 Convention
April 1-3, 2009
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

The International CTIA WIRELESS 2009 event is where over 1,200 exhibiting companies and 40,000+ attendees from 125 countries will converge to do business, discuss innovation and exchange ideas.  Join us for four days to learn more about the emerging technologies that enable us to work toward the common goal of taking wireless and broadband communications to yet another level. Register now to be part of the Mobile Life! 

For more information, visit www.ctiashow.com.

Advanced Battery Manufacturing Summit
April 15-17, 2009
Washington, D.C.

Join the key stakeholders in the advanced battery value chain at the “Advanced Battery Manufacturing” Summit, April 15-17, 2009 in Washington, DC, as they layout the path for building a successful advanced mobile energy storage industry and Smart Grid infrastructure for the new North American clean energy economy. On top of the $25 Billion DOE re-tooling ans for auto makers and supply chain vendors, the latest U.S. Congressional stimulus bill adds $2 Billion in loan guarantees for advanced battery manufacturing, and $200 Million to encourage electric vehicle technologies. Key players of the value chain will discuss the opportunities and challenges in developing the North American manufacturing capacity, and they type of partnerships they are looking for. For more information, visit www.infocastinc.com/battery09.

ENTELEC Conference & Exposition
April 29 – May 1, 2009
Houston, Texas

Join us for the 81st annual ENTELEC Conference & Exposition, April 29 – May 1, 2009 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.  This year’s event features over 30 hours of technical training sessions, 225 exhibiting companies and free breakfast and lunch both days of the exhibits.  Join us for a networking social on Tuesday, April 28 at the Hilton Hotel and then on the evenings of Wednesday & Thursday at the Convention Center.  Col. Mike Mullane, former NASA astronaut will kick-off the conference on Wednesday, April 29th at 9:00am. Using real-life experiences from his Air Force and NASA careers, Colonel Mullane will motivate the ENTELEC audience on the practice of responsibility and accountability, on leadership and trust building, on setting lofty goals and overcoming obstacles to achieve those goals. To register for the show or for more information on our sessions, exhibiting companies or hotel/travel visit us online at www.entelec.org.

Battery Council International 121st Convention and Power Mart Trade Fair
May 3-6, 2009
Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada

Battery Council International (BCI) invites all battery industry professional to attend BCI’s 121st Convention and Power Mart Trade Fair, to be held May 3-6, 2009 at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  A trusted provider of cutting-edge information and networking opportunities in the battery industry, BCI’s 2009 conference offers topics from product and technical information, environmental and regulatory concerns to management issues and marketing forecasts.  Open to both members and nonmembers, the convention is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Red Rock Canyon. 

Visit www.batterycouncil.org for online registration and for updates on housing, speakers and exhibitors, or contact BCI Headquarters directly at 312-644-6610 or via e-mail at info@batterycouncil.org  

EDS
May 12- May 14
Las Vegas

EDS is the premier BtoB event that focuses on the electronics distribution supply chain and is the single most important annual conference, show and networking event for manufacturers, distributors, and manufacturers’ representatives.

At EDS 2009, May 12- May 14 at the Paris/Bally’s Hotel complex in Las Vegas, a number of new programs will increase the value of your participation in the electronic industry’s most connected conference. EDS will also feature a Solid-State Lighting Technology Conference to spotlight this emerging technology.

EDS allows companies to do business in their own style and at their own pace, with meetings occurring both in personal suites and at the traditional show floor conference units. Business gets done at EDS. 

For more information visit www.edsc.org.

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