Aussie Battery Cuts CO2 Emission
Energy Efficient Ultra Battery from Australia to the World
Sep 24, 2008
The UltraBattery combines a supercapacitor and a lead/acid battery in a single unit, creating a hybrid car battery that lasts longer, costs less and is more powerful than current technologies used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Developed by Australia’s CSIRO Energy Transformed National Research Flagship, the UltraBattery has already gone into production at Japan’s Furukawa Battery Company, who produced the successful prototype.
US manufacturer, East Penn has also signed an international commercialisation and distribution agreement for the technology throughout North America, Mexico and Canada. There is also strong interest from European battery manufacturers.
Energy Transformed Flagship Director, Dr John Wright, was along for the ride when the UltraBattery clocked up 100,000 miles in a hybrid vehicle under test conditions earlier this year.
“it’s very pleasing to see Australian technology leading the way,” he said.
“The UltraBattery employs some unique technology that makes a steep advance in lead/acid battery science. It’s a satisfying example of CSIRO innovation having international impact and reinforces the valuable link between quality research and commercial development.”
Battery Cuts Cost, Greenhouse Gases
“We are also very proud that if there is a large uptake of the UltraBattery, it will decrease the cost of hybrid cars, hopefully putting more of them on road in comparison to conventional vehicles, and having a major environmental impact by reducing GHG emissions from transport,” Dr Wright said.
Comparing performance and price, he said the battery’s performance was little different to the nickel/metal hydride batteries that it replaces. “The big advantage is that we believe the batteries can be produced at one-third the cost of the current range of hybrid car batteries.”
The UltraBattery has a life cycle that is at least four times longer and produces 50 per cent more power than conventional energy storage systems. The technology is approximately 70 per cent cheaper than the batteries currently used in hybrid cars.
Not only is it designed for HEVs, but Dr Wright says the battery could replace standard lead/acid batteries in petrol-driven vehicles.
Two Years to Market for UltraBatttery
Owners of hybrid cars in North America will probably have to wait up to two years before they see an UltraBattery under the hood.
“Furukawa is gearing up for volume manufacture to service Japan and Thailand,” Dr Wright said, “but we still need to get the major car companies involved.
“In the US, our partner is actively interacting with several car majors. They are also busy setting up a manufacturing line to produce significant battery numbers for wide testing in the US.”
Australians might have to wait a little longer, as the market is so small, and the UltraBattery will probably first appear in imported hybrid vehicles.
Renewable Energy Storage Solution
The UltraBattery also has potential as storage for renewable energy from wind and solar, Dr Wright said. CSIRO is part of a technology start-up that will develop and commercialise battery-based storage solutions for these energy sources, and is currently working with the wind industry to assess the battery’s potential.
For more about the Ultra Battery, see: New Battery to Power Hybrid Cars
See also: Crude Fuel from Garden Waste
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