Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the UltraBattery, its applications and commercial availability.
What is the UltraBattery?
The UltraBattery is a hybrid energy storage device that integrates a supercapacitor with a lead acid battery in one unit cell.
This unique design harnesses the best of both technologies to produce a battery that can provide high power discharge and charge with a long, low-cost life.
What are the UltraBattery’s applications?
UltraBattery technology has applications for low emission transport, specifically hybrid electric vehicles, and stationary applications including renewable energy storage from wind and solar sources.
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) application
How is the UltraBattery different from current HEV battery technologies?
The UltraBattery offers a number of advantages over conventional car batteries:
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cycle life is four times longer
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50 per cent more power than lead acid batteries counterparts
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approximately 70 per cent less expensive than current HEV battery systems
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faster charge and discharge rates.
CSIRO will conduct further research to improve UltraBattery technology, making it lighter, more efficient and capable of setting new performance standards for HEVs.
Is the UltraBattery commercially available?
CSIRO is involved in the UltraBattery’s technology development, not its manufacturing and distribution. CSIRO has licensed UltraBattery technology for automotive applications to The Furukawa Battery Co Ltd in Japan and East Penn Manufacturing Co Inc in North America. These commercial licenses extend through the regions of Japan, Thailand, North America, Mexico and Canada.
CSIRO expects the UltraBattery to be available in 2009/2010 but the final market release date is at the discretion of the licensees.
For further enquiries regarding commercial availability in the above listed regions please contact:
Mr Hitoshi Taguchi
Manager Corporate Planning
The Furukawa Battery Co Ltd
Email: h-taguchi@furukawadenchi.co.jp
Mr Kevin Smith
Technical Director
East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Email: ksmith@eastpenn-deka.com
Can the UltraBattery replace regular car batteries?
The UltraBattery is not intended to go on sale as a replacement for regular car batteries at this time. The technology presents an opportunity to be integrated into new, low emission vehicle designs.
Will the UltraBattery be available for purchase direct to consumers?
The availability of the UltraBattery will be determined by the technology licensees. For more information please contact the Furukawa and East Penn representatives listed in the above answer.
Will the UltraBattery be available in Australia?
CSIRO does not currently have a licensing agreement for manufacture and distribution of the UltraBattery in Australia. Please direct Australian market business development enquiries to:
Corinne Turner
Business Development Manager
CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship
Email: Corinne.Turner@csiro.au
Renewable energy storage application
Background
CSIRO and Cleantech Ventures have invested in technology start-up Ecoult Pty Ltd to develop and commercialise battery-based storage solutions.
Ecoult battery technology aims to deliver a low cost, high performance, high power stationary energy storage solution suitable for grid-connected and remote applications. UltraBattery technology forms the basis for the Ecoult system.
What are the UltraBattery’s applications for renewable energy storage?
The UltraBattery has applications for both wind and solar energy storage.
The technology will be developed to address a number of issues related to energy systems including:
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reliability of grid connected and non-grid connected systems
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grid stability
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load levelling
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remote area power supply (RAPS)
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emergency back up, often referred to as an Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS.
Is renewable energy storage technology currently available?
Current battery storage solutions using lead-acid battery systems undergo frequent deep discharging and are unable to meet high power demands. They are also considered expensive due to high initial cost and short battery life.
Cost effective, high performance energy storage has been the missing link for renewable energy.
Development of the Ecoult system is now underway to produce a low cost and easily manufactured deep-cycle stationary battery that meets demanding variable operating conditions.
How is the UltraBattery different from current renewable storage devices?
The Ecoult technology is a hybrid battery which combines an asymmetric supercapacitor electrode and a lead-acid battery in a single unit cell. Advanced materials used for the electrodes and current management absorb and release charge rapidly and at efficiencies well above conventional battery types.
It is expected that the discharge and charge power of the Ecoult battery will be 50 per cent higher and its cycle-life at least three times longer than that of the conventional lead-acid counterpart currently used for renewable energy storage.
The Ecoult technology development path is directed towards manufacturing in existing lead-acid battery plants, meaning infrastructure investment will be significantly reduced.
When will the UltraBattery be available for renewable storage applications?
Ecoult is currently undertaking trials to prove the technology and aims to commercialise the energy storage system in approximately three years. More information will become available as research continues.
Where will the technology trials be held?
Trials are now underway at CSIRO’s Energy Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
The Ecoult system is being trialled on three 20kW wind turbines and a 20kW photovoltaic array at the site.
Is Ecoult looking for trial locations to test the UltraBattery?
Ecoult is identifying suitable sites for future trials. Consideration for trial sites will be based on:
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the partners and their future deployment plans
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the application and its suitability to the UltraBattery
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funding available to support the trial.
Are there any investment opportunities available for Ecoult?
Ecoult is not seeking investment or funding at this stage. For further information on Ecoult please contact:
Mr John Wood
Chief Executive Officer
Ecoult
Email: john.wood@ecoult.com
Find out more about the UltraBattery: no ordinary battery.
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