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Lockheed Martin to use EEStor's ultracapacitors
January 10, 2008 - by David Ehrlich, Cleantech Group
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Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced that it signed a deal with EEStor to use the secretive Ceder Park, Texas, company's ultracapacitors for military and homeland security applications.
Lockheed Martin, the world's No. 1 defense contractor, did not disclose financial terms for the exclusive international rights agreement.
The company said EEStor is developing a ceramic battery chemistry that could provide 10 times the energy density of lead acid batteries at one tenth the weight and volume.
"Our ruggedized BattPack energy storage unit generated considerable interest at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting in October 2007 for its potential for fuel savings in vehicular silent watch applications," said Lionel Liebman, manager of Program Development and Applied Research at Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control unit.
"The potential of an even safer, smaller and more powerful EESU (Electrical Energy Storage Unit) in BattPack would significantly enhance the warfighter's capabilities."
Lockheed Martin said EEStor's batteries are planned to be non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-explosive, as well as half the price per stored watt-hour than traditional battery technologies.
Toronto, Ontario's Zenn Motor (TSX: ZNN), which makes low-speed electric vehicles, has the exclusive rights to use EEStor's storage system in small vehicles (see the Cleantech Group's Zenn electric cars cleared for Canada).
Lockheed Martin said qualification testing and mass production of the ultracapacitors is planned for late 2008 at EEStor's facility in Cedar Park.
The EEStor supercapacitor cells are said to use barium titanate coated with aluminum oxide and glass to achieve a level of energy capacitance claimed to be much higher than what is currently available in the market.
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Comments
I've been watching EESTOR
Submitted on January 21st, 2008 by Nathan Tessier (not verified)Its good to see another great product bought up by the government so that the public will never see it ever again!!
Ultracapacitor Technology
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)Gentlemen, have you counted the number of items you use on a daily basis whose basic research was performed under military or aerospace grants? (Ever hear of the internet and ARPA?).
Why not take a more positive approach and understand that these inventors need money to further develop and commercialize their intellectual properties?
Venture ("Vulture") capitalists often dole out small amounts in exchange for wanting the majority of the new business and the IP in areas they know nothing about.
Look for some, soon-to-be-revealed technology that will knock the socks off of the present Ultracap offerings and be available much sooner.
When are they going to learn?
Submitted on March 17th, 2008 by RPforPrez (not verified)I have to agree with Nathan - the military-industrial complex trumps humanity every time when it comes to confiscating beneficial advancements in technology. Why, oh why do these companies have to be coerced into selling out to the military? Will any of them ever choose the people's best interest over the heavy hand of government?
A more efficient and cost
Submitted on May 29th, 2008 by Jay Draiman (not verified)A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed.
A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed.
To accelerate the implementation of renewable electric generation with added incentives and a FASTER PAYBACK - ROI. (A method of storing energy, would accelerate the use of renewable energy) A greater tax credit, accelerated depreciation, funding scientific research and pay as you save utility billing. (Reduce and or eliminates the tax on implementing energy efficiency, eliminate increase in Real estate Taxes for energy efficiency improvement).
In California, you also have the impediment, that when there are an interruption of power supply by the Utility you the consumer cannot use your renewable energy system to provide power.
In today's technology there is automatic switching equipment that would disconnect the consumer from the grid, which would permit renewable generation for the consumer even during power interruption. Energy storage technology must advance substantially. “Energy conservation through energy storageâ€.
New competition for the world's limited oil and natural gas supplies is increasing global demand like never before. Reserves are dwindling. These and other factors are forcing energy prices to skyrocket here at home. It's affecting not just the fuel for our cars and homes, but it's driving up electricity costs, too. A new world is emerging. The energy decisions our nation makes today will have huge implications into the next century.
A synchronous system with batteries allows the blending of a PV with grid power, but also offers the advantage of “islanding†in case of a power failure. A synchronous system automatically disconnects the utility power from the house and operates like an off-grid home during power failures. This system, however, is more costly and loses some of the efficiency advantages of a battery-less system.
We’re surrounded by energy — sun, wind, water. The problem is harnessing it in an economical way.
Jay Draiman, Northridge, CA
May 29, 2008
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