PNNL Researchers Developing High-Capacity Silicon Anode Material Using Micrometer-sized Particles with Nanopore Structure; 1600 mAh/g After 40 Cycles

Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a silicon-based anode material for Li-ion batteries using micrometer-sized silicon particles with a nanopore structure. The material shows reversible capacity of more than 1,600 mAh/g after 40 charging/discharging cycles.

With a theoretical capacity some 10 times that of graphite, silicon anodes could contribute to a doubling of the capacity of graphite-anode Li-ion batteries. However, a silicon anode experiences a large volume expansion during lithium-ion insertion and a consequent shrinkage during extraction; this leads to severe particle pulverization, resulting in quick failure of the electrode structure and resulting capacity fade with cycling. Accordingly, a numerous efforts are underway to devise a structure and a material resistant to those changes.

Dr. Jason Zhang and the PNNL research team are addressing that challenge by designing a silicon particle architecture that would maintain structural integrity. The porous structure of the Si helps accommodate the large volume variations that occur during the Li insertion/extraction processes.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon coatings and highly elastic Ketjen Black (KB) carbon were used to improve the electrical conductivity throughout all cycling stages. The team placed these anodes between graphene—planar sheets of bonded carbon atoms—to maintain strong electrical contact between silicon particles.

The combination of the nanopore structure, CVD-coated carbon on the Si surface, and the elastic carbon (KB) among the silicon particles provides a cost-effective approach to utilize the large micrometer-sized Si particles in Li-ion batteries.

—Xiao et al.

 

The PNNL research team continues to improve the performance and long-term stability of the silicon anodes from 40 to 50 charging/discharging cycles today to a goal of about 500 cycles in the future. One solution may be the development of a better binder that can maintain improved mechanical and electrical contact. This method has potential for much greater cyclability while maintaining high energy density.

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=> PNNL Researchers Developing High-Capacity Silicon Anode Material Using Micrometer-sized Particles with Nanopore Structure; 1600 mAh/g After 40 Cycles.

Three Battery-Electric Opel Merivas to Participate in MeRegioMobil Research Project; Vehicle-to-Grid Integration

Opel is developing three battery-electric versions of its Meriva small MPV as research vehicles to participate in the MeRegioMobil research project funded by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology. The research project has the goal of integrating electrical vehicles as mobile energy storage units in the future intelligent power grid (smart grid).

Opel will use MeRegioMobil to study new intelligent charging technologies. The electric Meriva features electronic controls which permit high power electrical recharging using both a 230-volt single-phase household current as well as 400-volt three-phase AC. The demonstration will also explore the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability of the car via the bi-directional charging system when the car is not in use and the driver permits it.

This demonstration of two-way charging technology will test the practicality of distributed energy storage in car batteries for home usage, Opel said.

The electric Meriva has a 60 kW (82 hp) three-phase asynchronous motor with integrated power electronics and planetary gear. Torque output is 215 N·m (159 lb-ft). Equipped with a 16 kWh Li-ion battery pack, the Meriva has a range of 64 km (40 miles) on the NEDC and a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). Charging time with 230V is approximately 3.5 hours; charging time with 400V is approximately 1 hour.

The electric Meriva may look like the production car, but is a pure research-vehicle. We are testing charging at high currents in less than one hour, as well as the communication protocols between the vehicle and charging station.

—Rita Forst, Opel’s Vice President of Engineering

Opel’s engineers integrated the electric drive without making concessions on luggage capacity or comfort.

Under the leadership of the energy group EnBW, other members of the consortium include: Daimler, Bosch, SAP, Stadtwerke Karlsruhe, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).

KIT will use the first electric Meriva. Two more will soon enter service at Stadtwerke Karlsruhe and EnBW. KIT and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research have built a “Smart Home” on the south campus of Karlsruhe University. The home’s 60-square meter building area is equipped with the usual appliances including refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and washing machine and gets its energy from a photovoltaic cell as well as a micro combined heat and power plant. A charging station connects the Meriva as a storage unit to this local energy grid.

MeRegioMobil is an outstanding E-Mobility project in which we are able—together with our partners—to conduct real-time testing of an intelligent, bi-directional charging management with electric vehicles for the first time. The electric Opel Meriva is a real milestone for the research project. In the future we will be able to store energy from renewable sources in the battery of the electric vehicle and then, when there is less wind supply we can retrieve it.

—Lars Walch of EnBW Energy Baden-Wurttemberg AG, and project leader of MeRegioMobil

Communications technology plays a key role in the MeRegioMobil project. Depending on how the residents want to use the Meriva, they can distribute the energy between home and vehicle by computer. This ensures that the electric Meriva always has enough energy to meet transportation needs and enables some buffering of green power from the photovoltaic equipment.

The participating energy providers are currently building hundreds of public charging stations in the project region of Baden-Württemberg. There, the demonstration vehicles can be re-charged at a variety of destinations using renewable energy. The goal of this infrastructure usage is also to test a new data communication and billing system similar to the system used for mobile-phones; in the future, users of electric vehicles should be able to recharge at any energy provider. Users then receive the one bill from their energy provider.

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=> Three Battery-Electric Opel Merivas to Participate in MeRegioMobil Research Project; Vehicle-to-Grid Integration.

Amsterdam and Renault-Nissan Partner on EVs; Targeting Sales of 1,000 EVs by End of 2011

The City of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) has signed a Definitive Agreement with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles. Among the specific targets agreed by both parties is a determination to register at least 1,000 EV sales by the end of 2011.

As a first step to reaching that target, Nissan will deliver 100 Nissan LEAFs to fleet customers starting in February 2011. In June 2011, deliveries will begin to individual customers. Deliveries of the Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Express Z.E electric vehicles from Renault will start shortly thereafter.

Amsterdam has introduced several incentives in order to stimulate EV demand, including free electricity at public charging posts until March 2012, as well as free parking at such posts.

Since March 2009, businesses are also eligible for a subsidy from the city when purchasing an EV. In addition, EV buyers benefit from national incentives, including zero registration tax and zero road tax. For businesses, that means Nissan LEAF is available for less than €30,000 (US$40,000) including the battery.

Almost 100 charging points have been installed in public areas since November 2009. Each point has at least one regular user. To meet growing demand for electric charging points, Amsterdam plans to install up to 2,000 additional charging points in the streets, car parks and Park and Ride sites. The extra charging points will be financed by the Air Quality Fund, with a substantial contribution from the government.

Starting in 2011, Amsterdam will install a Quick Charger in the city which is capable of up to 50 kW and which can recharge a battery to 80% of its capacity in about 30 minutes. The City will also encourage the installation of private charging posts at companies.

As well as providing a supply of advanced EVs for purchase or lease and managing the Netherlands’ EV Pilot Program, the Renault-Nissan Alliance will establish a sales and service network for the cars in the Amsterdam area. The Alliance will also join forces with Amsterdam to run an Electric Mobility Education Program designed to promote the positive benefits of zero-emission travel.

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=> Amsterdam and Renault-Nissan Partner on EVs; Targeting Sales of 1,000 EVs by End of 2011.

Nissan and Endesa to Develop CHAdeMO Quick Charging Network in Spain

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Endesa, Spain’s largest electricity supply company, are developing a Quick Charging network for electric vehicles.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties, Nissan and Endesa have agreed to advance the technical progress and deployment of Direct Current (DC) quick charging technology throughout Spain. This is in parallel to the work started earlier this year between Endesa’s parent company, Italy’s ENEL and Nissan’s Alliance partner Renault on Alternative Current (AC) quick charging technology.

The DC technology will be based on the CHAdeMo standard (earlier post) for electric vehicle charging stations. The network will be compatible with the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, which is expected to go on sale in Spain in June 2011.

In addition, Endesa will invite Nissan to take part in the SmartCity Project in Malaga and its Quick Charging Demonstrator Project in Catalonia. For its part, Nissan will support the certification process ensuring that Nissan LEAF and Endesa’s Quick Charge device are compatible and the Japanese car maker will share energy supply knowledge and ideas learned during the development of the Nissan LEAF and other EV projects with Endesa.

Endesa has pledged to develop a sustainable transport policy based on the EV as a key element in combating climate change, a cornerstone of its Sustainability Strategic Plan 2008-2012.

The CHAdeMO—or Charge to Move—standard was originally determined and agreed by a coalition of Japanese companies including Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Fuji Heavy Industries working closely with the Tokyo Electric Power Company. Today the association includes representatives from more than 150 Japanese and foreign companies, as well as local governments. Endesa is a regular member of CHAdeMo. Together with Enel, they represent two of the three companies from the European power industry in the coalition.

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=> Nissan and Endesa to Develop CHAdeMO Quick Charging Network in Spain.

Consortium Developing New Flexible DC-DC Power Electronics System for Next Generation Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

UK-based motorsport and automotive technology company Prodrive is leading a consortium of companies to develop a flexible DC-DC converter for electric and electric hybrid vehicles that will reduce the weight and space taken by the electrical power system.

The three-year project to develop the new power electronics technology is supported by investment from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board. (Earlier post.) Prodrive is joined by the University of Manchester, Raytheon Systems Ltd, SciSys, International Transformers and Tata Motors European Technical Centre.

The first year of the project will be devoted to fundamental research, followed by two years of application and development, leading to a driveable demonstration car by the end of year three; market introduction is said to be 5-7 years away.

Current practice is to integrate DC-DC converters into the power management system to step down or step up the battery voltage to meet the needs of different devices such as traction motors, cabin electrical systems, fuel cell stacks or supercapacitors. In complex architectures this requires several converters. A single, flexible converter will save cost, weight and package space, enabling vehicle manufacturers to move more easily to the next generation of sophisticated plug-in and range-extended hybrids.

Existing hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, need one DC-DC converter for the traction motor and another for the vehicle’s 12 volt system. In future, there will be further voltage steps for supercapacitors or fuel cells; it isn’t viable to keep adding extra converters for every additional voltage. Having worked hard to reduce the cost, weight and size of battery packs and motors on hybrid vehicles, manufacturers are clearly unwilling to see those gains swallowed up by growth in the power management hardware.

—Pete James, Prodrive technical specialist

Solving this problem will require the development of fundamentally new technology; the flexible converter will have to be capable of handling multiple voltages simultaneously on both the input and output sides, while achieving conversion efficiencies equal to the best single-range converters currently available.

DC-DC converters. DC-DC converters convert a source of direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another. This is particularly important in hybrid and electric vehicles because the battery cell voltage varies with state of charge which would cause vehicle performance to vary with battery state of charge without a DC-DC converter to maintain the voltage level. Conversely, generator charging voltage varies with speed and would, without a converter, present a variable charging voltage to the battery that would affect battery life and limit the practical speed range in which regenerative charging was possible.

Switched DC to DC converters convert one DC voltage level to another by storing the input energy temporarily in inductors and capacitors and then releasing that energy to the output at a different voltage. Physically small inductors and capacitors can be used by operating at high switching frequencies, and high efficiencies are possible when using high power, high frequency devices such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). A switched DC to DC converter regulates the output voltage, presenting a constant voltage to the output device (e.g. a traction motor drive).

While most DC-DC converters work in one direction only, hybrid and electric vehicles require bi-directional control to recover energy from regenerative braking. Bi-directional DC-DC conversion provides a constant supply voltage to the traction system, stepping up the battery voltage during motoring operation, and providing a controlled charging current to the battery during regenerative braking.

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=> Consortium Developing New Flexible DC-DC Power Electronics System for Next Generation Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.

ARPA-E Selects 37 Projects for $106M in Funding in Second Round; Electrofuels, Better Batteries and Carbon Capture

Better Batteries – Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation (BEEST). The critical barrier to wider deployment of electric vehicles is the high cost and low energy of today’s batteries. This ARPA-E program seeks to develop a new generation of ultra-high energy density, low-cost battery technologies for long range plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles.

Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation (These projects have been selected for negotiation of awards; final award amounts may vary.)
Lead organization (Partners)	Description	Funding
ReVolt Technology LLC	Zn-Air Battery: Zinc Flow Air Battery (ZFAB), the Next Generation Energy Storage for Transportation ReVolt Technology will develop a novel large format high-energy zinc-air flow battery for long all-electric range Plug-In and All Electric vehicles. This novel high energy battery concept is based upon a closed loop system in which the zinc (anode), suspended as slurry in a storage tank, is transported through reaction tubes (cathode) to facilitate the discharge and recharge of the battery. ReVolt’s fundamental breakthroughs in air electrodes enable a new class of high-energy rechargeable battery systems that combines key innovations from the fields of fuel cells and batteries.	$5,000,335
Sion Power Corporation (BASF, LBNL, PNNL)	Li-S Battery: Development of High Energy Li-S Cells for Electric Vehicles Sion Power Corporation, a Brookhaven National Laboratory spin-out company, will develop an ultra-high energy Lithium-Sulfur battery able to power electric vehicles more than 300 miles between charges, with and energy density of 500Wh/kg that is 3x that of current Li-ion batteries. While the high energy potential of Lithium-Sulfur is well known, Sion Power’s proprietary strategy, focusing on a manufacturable approach to lithium anode protection and employing six different physical barrier layers, highly differentiates Sion’s approach from all other Lithium-Sulfur efforts. These strategies directly address cycle life and safety while also allowing higher energies.	$5,000,000
PolyPlus Battery Company (Corning)	Li-Air Battery: Development Of Ultra-high Specific Energy Rechargeable Lithium/Air Batteries Based On Protected Lithium Metal Electrodes PolyPlus Battery Company and Corning Incorporated will work together to achieve transformational improvements in rechargeable Li-Air battery technology. PolyPlus’s lithium-air batteries based on proprietary protected lithium electrodes and Corning’s specialization in glass, ceramics, and record of moving technology from laboratory to manufacturing have great promise for advancing Li-Air technology, which holds promise to rival the energy density of gasoline. With a clear path to commercialization this technology hopes to revolutionize Li-Air batteries for electric vehicle applications.	$4,996,311
MIT (A123 Systems, Rutgers University)	Novel Battery: Semi-Solid Rechargeable Power Sources: Flexible, High Performance Storage for Vehicles at Ultra-Low Cost (<$0.10/Wh) Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in collaboration with A123 Systems and Rutgers University, will seek to develop a revolutionary new electrical energy storage concept for transportation that combines the best attributes of rechargeable batteries and fuel cells. This technology incorporates semi-solid high energy density rechargeable, renewable and recyclable electrochemical fuel in a flow system that decouples power from stored energy. Early stage results suggest that high energy density and system costs less than $100/kWh can be obtained, which would enable rapid widespread adoption of electric vehicles.	$4,973,724
Applied Materials (A123 Systems, LBNL)	Advanced Li-Ion Battery Manufacturing: Novel High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Cell Designs via Innovative Manufacturing Process Modules for Cathode and Integrated Separator Applied Materials Inc. will lead an effort to develop ultra-high energy low cost lithium-ion batteries enabled by disruptive new manufacturing processes. This novel approach will focus on developing a high energy density porosity-graded cathode on 3D current collectors, an integrated separator, and a suite of modular manufacturing processes that have the potential to transform lithium-ion battery manufacturing technology. These high energy cathodes will be incorporated with new high capacity anodes to demonstrate prototype manufacturing of high energy lithium-ion cells with energy density greater than 400 Wh/kg and extremely low cost.	$4,373,990
Planar Energy Devices (NREL, UCSD, Univ. of Central FLorida, Univ. of Colorado-Boulder, Univ. of Florida, Univ. of South Florida)	Solid State Lithium Battery: Solid State All Inorganic Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Planar Energy Devices, Inc, an Orlando, FL based early stage battery technology company, will seek to develop an ultra high energy, long cycle life all solid-state lithium battery that can manufactured using low cost non-vacuum fabrication techniques, targeting energy densities of 400Wh/kg and 1,080Wh/liter; system costs of $200/kWh, and cycle life of 5,000, Planar Energy Devices will demonstrate pilot manufacturing of these disruptive new batteries using a low cost roll-to-roll process in ambient environment, all inorganic materials, and solid state electrolytes whose ionic conductivity is similar to existing liquid electrolytes.	$4,025,373
Pellion Technologies (MIT, Bar-Ilan University)	Mg-Ion Battery: Low-Cost Rechargeable Magnesium Ion Batteries with High Energy Density Pellion Technologies Inc., an MIT spin-out company, will develop inexpensive high-energy-density rechargeable magnesium-ion batteries with the potential to disrupt current energy storage technologies for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. To develop a game-changing magnesium-ion battery, Pellion will leverage high throughput computational materials design coupled with accelerated materials synthesis and electrolyte optimization to identify new high-energy-density magnesium cathode materials and compatible electrolyte chemistries.	$3,204,080
Recapping Inc. (Penn State Univ.)	Capacitive Storage: High Energy Density Capacitor Recapping Inc. and researchers at Pennsylvania State University will seek to develop a novel energy storage device based on a 3D nanocomposite structure with functional oxides that provide a very high effective capacitance. The basic fabrication of the dielectric materials and devices will utilize traditional multilayer ceramic fabrication methods that will provide a cost effective alternative to battery solutions, with added benefits of exploiting mechanisms that could maintain higher cycling and possibly deliver charge with high power density. This technology hopes to create a cyclable and economically competitive energy storage device that will catalyze new, related cleantech industries and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases and oil imports.	$1,000,000
Stanford University (Honda, Applied Materials)	Novel Battery: The All-Electron Battery: a quantum leap forward in energy storage In this project, researchers Stanford University will seek to develop an “All-Electron Battery”, a completely new class of electrical energy storage devices for electric vehicles that has the potential to provide ultra-high energy and power densities, while enabling extremely high cycle life. The All-Electron Battery stores energy by moving electrons, rather than ions, and uses electron/hole redox instead of capacitive polarization of a double-layer. This technology uses a novel architecture that has potential for very high energy density because it decouples the two functions of capacitors: charge separation and breakdown strength.	$1,000,000
Missouri University of Science & Technology ((Brookhaven National Laboratory, MaxPower Inc., NanoLab Inc.)	Li-Air Battery: High Performance Cathodes for Li-Air Battery Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology will lead a multi-disciplinary team to develop a disruptive new high energy air cathode to enable the successful development of ultra-high energy Lithium-Air batteries. Lithium-Air batteries have extremely high theoretical energy densities (5,000-12,000 Wh/kg) approaching those of gasoline due to the use of a high capacity lithium anode and oxygen from the air. However, existing Lithium-Air technologies have exhibited very low power, round trip efficiency, and cycle life due to severe performance limitations at the air cathode. In this project, researchers will seek to dramatically improve Lithium-Air air cathode performance through the development of a new hierarchical electrode structure to enhance oxygen diffusion from the air and novel high performance bifunctional oxygen reduction and evolution catalysts.	$999,997

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=> ARPA-E Selects 37 Projects for $106M in Funding in Second Round; Electrofuels, Better Batteries and Carbon Capture.

Renault sends 110 electric cars to German test fleet

Renault Fluence Z.E. concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

A group of German companies is working with French company Renault to see just how practical it would be to install a large network of electric vehicles and networked charging stations between the Rhine and the Ruhr. The test program involves 110 electric cars leased from Renault, including the pre-production models Kangoo Express Z.E. utility vehicle and the Fluence Z.E. mid-range family sedan and some Fiat 500s, Fiat Fiorinos and Karabag 500 Es that have been converted to electric drive. The German government is providing €7 million for the project.

Why so much? Well, aside from the cost of the vehicles, there’s this:

The goal of this joint project is to integrate electric mobility into the everyday commuter traffic along the urban nexus of the A40 motorway. This metropolitan area, often blighted by traffic jams and concertina traffic, provides the ideal environment for testing the strengths of these clean and silent-running electric vehicles. With the focus on the towns of Mülheim, Essen and Dortmund, RWE is to construct a comprehensive charging infrastructure by mid-2011. In addition, data will be collected to enable the development of marketable products such as GPS devices with a clear charging station overview and route planning.

Sounds good, and expensive.

[Source: Renault SAS]
Continue reading Renault sends 110 electric cars to German test fleet

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=> Renault sends 110 electric cars to German test fleet.

Harz E-Mobility Project to Deploy Charging Infrastructure Throughout Region

Seventeen partners from research, academia and industry are participating in the project Harz.ErneuerbareEnergien-mobility (Harz.EE-mobility), which will deploy a network of charging stations for plug-ins covering the entire Harz region in Germany. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg are determining the optimal locations for charging stations.

The success of electric cars will stand or fall with the power supply, the partners note. The ability to charge vehicles with green power anytime and anywhere will boost acceptance of this technology. Hence, charging stations will have to be located astutely enough that electric cars will even be able to reach a city 60 km away without any problem.

In addition to the flow of traffic, we are analyzing mobility characteristics to find out where vehicles are parked for how long. This time can be used to charge cars. Locations where vehicles may park long enough are favored for charging stations. Garages or parking lots at work or near one’s residence are the preferred option.

We will also be making a decision about the number of charging stations. However, the results aren’t in yet. The placement of charging stations must be carefully considered to keep the network from overloading.

—Dr. Przemyslaw Komarnicki, Research Manager at the Fraunhofer IFF

The mobility control center where all the traffic and power data converge advises a driver to head for a suggested charging station based on the battery’s charge level. Through the navigation system, the control center informs a driver which charging stations are occupied, being serviced or are closed and have low priced, renewable and/or sufficient electricity. When traffic is backed up, the control center guides cars with a low charge to a nearby charging station. Researchers at the Fraunhofer IFF are developing the necessary database system concept.

The Harz.EE-mobility project is being supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The industry partners are providing part of the total funding of €12 million (US$16.4 million). The official test phase will begin at the end of 2010. 25 electric cars are intended to be underway in the Harz region by June 2011. First, they will be driven in cities in the Harz region. Later, they will also be made available to commuters who travel between Magdeburg and the Harz region.

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=> Harz E-Mobility Project to Deploy Charging Infrastructure Throughout Region.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company to Launch Plug-in Trial; GridPoints Smart Charging Software to Manage Grid Impacts

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Constellation Energy, has launched a multiyear plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) demonstration project using GridPoint’s smart charging software (earlier post).

Fielding five converted Toyota Priuses and a Ford Escape, and deploying electric vehicle management technology from GridPoint, BGE will investigate when and where drivers will charge their vehicles, what effect charging may have on BGE’s peak load periods, and how that load can be managed to provide cost-efficient energy to customers. BGE will also evaluate the impact a PHEV fleet has on the company’s carbon footprint.

Vehicle Connectivity Modules (VCMs) will be installed in each vehicle to establish two-way communication with the grid and log critical performance data. GridPoint’s smart charging software can be used to manage the flow of electricity to charging vehicles, balancing driver needs and real-time grid conditions.

During peak periods, the flow of energy can be delayed or slowed to shift the charging load off-peak—minimizing localized grid stress and ensuring service reliability. When wind or solar power is available, the charging rate can be increased to expand the use of renewable energy in the grid.

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=> Baltimore Gas and Electric Company to Launch Plug-in Trial; GridPoints Smart Charging Software to Manage Grid Impacts.

UK Technology Strategy Board Awards More Than 12M to 22 Projects to Speed Up Development of Low-Carbon Technology for Vehicles; Includes Gas Turbine Range Extender and Li-S Battery Cells

For ELMO cluster members: overview of the latest R&D projects financed in the UK

The UK government-backed Technology Strategy Board (TSB) will invest more than £12 million (US$19.4 million) in 22 studies and projects to develop new technology that will speed up the reduction of CO₂ emissions from road vehicles. The investment will be made in sixteen proof of concept studies, which will last up to one year, and six longer-running full research and development projects.

The total value of the research will be in the region of £25 million ($US$40.3 million), with the remaining funding provided by the UK organizations taking part in the work.

This investment is part of our ongoing strategy to put the UK at the forefront of low carbon vehicle technology. We are funding innovative projects in a number of key areas which include internal combustion engine technologies, energy storage and management, lightweight structures and new propulsion technologies. The work will help to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions and deliver mass-market low carbon road vehicles within 5 to 15 years. In addition to helping to meet UK and EU climate change targets, we anticipate this research and development work will create significant market opportunities for UK-based companies.

—John Laughlin, the Technology Strategy Board’s Low Carbon Vehicles program manager

Projects to be funded include:

• Ultra Lightweight Gas Turbine Range Extender for Electric Vehicles. Led by Bladon Jets, this consortium includes SR Drives and Jaguar Land Rover. Total project cost is £2,206,784, with the TSB providing £1,103,392.

  The aim of this project is to develop an ultra-lightweight, gas turbine powered, electric vehicle range extender that will enable vehicle weight savings of 100 kg or more and a modest reduction in CO₂emissions on the UNECE101 drive cycle. More substantial CO₂ savings can be achieved in real world use. The small size, multi-fuel capability and potential low cost of the ULRE could also help speed adoption of electric vehicles.

• Development of high energy Li-S prototype battery cells. Oxis Energy Ltd (lead) and ABSL Power Solutions will receive £235,000 from TSB in a £470,000 project focused on improving the durability and quality of Lithium-metal Sulphide (Li-S) 1Ah prototype pouch cells with specific energy of 220 – 250 Wh/Kg and combining these in series to create a 20-40 volt module.

  These battery cells are expected to have improved cycle life stability and safety features superior to those of Li-ion batteries. Objectives are: (a) develop and demonstrate Li-S prototype cells with specific energy of 250 Wh/Kg and improved cycle life stability; (b) demonstrate Li-S cell tolerance to mechanical, electrical and thermal abuse; (c) demonstrate a bill of materials of $800/KWh (in volume production).

Other projects include:

TSB Low-Carbon Vehicle Technology Awards
Title	Partners
2nd Generation Zero Emissions 12t Battery Electric Truck	Leyland Trucks (lead), MAGTEC, Valence Technology
LOPEPS – Low Power Electric Power Steering to provide steering assist during parking for small, ultra-efficient vehicles	TRW Conekt (lead), Tata Motors European Technical Centre, Brook Crompton
High Efficiency Transmission (HET) for Electric Vehicles	Antonov Automotive Technologies Ltd (lead), MIRA, JLR
High energy sodium-nickel battery cell for EV application (Acronym: NINACELL)	Ionotec Ltd (lead), Dynamic-Ceramic Ltd, Birmingham University, University College London, Aloxsys Inc
High energy density TMO/Si-alloy battery for PHEVs	Axeon Technologies Ltd (lead), University of St Andrews, Nexeon Ltd, Ricardo UK Ltd
GKN Eco-Trailer	GKN AutoStructures Ltd (lead), Magnetic Systems Technology Ltd
BladeBoost – A Novel Rotary Supercharger for Ultra-Efficient Downsized Gasoline Engines	Ricardo UK Ltd (lead), Lontra, Ford Motor Company
MU2IC	Ptech Engines Ltd (lead), Tickford Powertrain Test Ltd, MUSI Engines Ltd, Concept Group International
FLYBUS – Flywheel Based Mechanical Hybrid System for Bus & Commercial Vehicle Applications including Retrofit Programme	Torotrak (Development) Ltd (lead), Ricardo UK Ltd, Optare Group Ltd, Allison Transmission Europe (UK)
Low CO2 High Efficiency Diesel Fuel Injector Nozzle (LOCOFIN)	Delphi Diesel Systems UK Ltd (lead), University College London
Flexible Multiport Converter Technology	Prodrive (lead), Scisys, Raytheon Systems Ltd, Tata Motors European Technical Centre, International Transformers, University of Manchester
EDS TurboClaw	AVL Powertrain UK Ltd (lead), Dynamic Boosting Systems Ltd, TURBOCAM Europe Ltd
Demonstration of Aggressive Downsizing a Truck Engine with Epicam Supercharger – ESTED (Epicam Supercharger Truck Engine Downsizing)	Epicam Ltd (lead), J C Bamford Excavators Ltd, The Hardstaff Group, Birmingham City University
eDCT – Low Cost High Efficiency Transmission Actuation: Electric Moving Magnet Linear Actuator	Ricardo UK Ltd (lead), TRW Ltd, Raicam Clutch Ltd
Syner-D – Integration of Synergistic Cost Effective CO2 Technologies for Diesel	Ricardo UK Ltd (lead), Jaguar Cars Ltd, Shell Global Solutions (UK), Lontra, SKF (UK) Ltd, Valeo Engine Cooling UK Ltd

Since 2007, the Technology Strategy Board’s Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform, sponsored by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, with strong support from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, Regional Development Agencies and the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, has invested £74 million (US$119.3 million) in more than 50 innovative research, development and demonstration projects, including the road-testing of 340 low carbon vehicles across the UK during 2010. Including contributions from the participating companies, the total value to date of investment in low carbon vehicle research and development managed through the Innovation Platform is nearly £150 million (US$242 million).

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=> UK Technology Strategy Board Awards More Than 12M to 22 Projects to Speed Up Development of Low-Carbon Technology for Vehicles; Includes Gas Turbine Range Extender and Li-S Battery Cells.