Industry news

Energy storage has become this year’s cause célèbre. The main selling point for storage, forged into a meme by story after story in the press, is that storage is needed to compensate for the variable output of wind and solar. “Today, the power grid isn’t able to easily handle the rapid fluctuations in the production of wind and solar power,”

Read more

Under the motto “Superior Solutions for a Smart World” TDK Corp. is presenting its innovative and comprehensive range of EPCOS and TDK products for the entire spectrum of electronics applications at electronica 2014, Hall B5, Stand 506. TDK will be highlighting its electronic components, modules and systems according to both the underlying technologies as well as the markets we serve

Read more

Ergon Energy has announced the winner of its first tender to provide ground-breaking grid-based battery storage, in what could be the first of hundreds of such installations across its vast network in Queensland that will reduce its need to build more poles and wires. Ergon Energy says 20 systems that comprise 50 lithium-ion type batteries and a nominal capacity of

Read more

Is Tesla looking to bring a European factory online? Maybe, and it might just be in Slovakia. AutoBlog Green reports that the electric automaker is in talks with officials in Slovakia about potentially building a factory there, though so far Tesla isn’t confirming anything. After the recent retooling of its Fremont factory, Tesla will be able to build about 2,500

Read more

“Our goal is to create an early-warning system that saves lives and property,” explained Yi Cui, an associate professor of materials science and engineering. “The system can detect problems that occur during the normal operation of a battery, but it does not apply to batteries damaged in a collision or other accident.” Cui and his colleagues have described the technology

Read more

Vanner Incorporated introduced the next-generation in 100% hybrid electrification with the unveiling of their Increased Accessory Power II (IAP II) component system. IAP II is a customizable electric distribution platform that provides power distribution from the hybrid system to accessory components such as electric air conditioning systems, electric air compressors and electric power steering systems. Up to 30kW of continuous

Read more

I’ve been monitoring and writing about battery technology advancements for years, and have been let down so many times. This time, a lithium-ion battery technology that can be recharged to 70% in 2 minutes has been developed, and it can theoretically last 20 years! Let’s hope this is for real. This technology is facilitated by the use of a titanium

Read more

The heirs and still majority owners of the Walmart fortune, the Walton family, have been spending millions of dollars in recent years funding a huge number of anti-solar energy groups, according to a recent study from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR). If you’re asking yourself, well, what exactly is a “huge number?” — in this case, it’s more than

Read more

A recent study suggest Albertans want more wind energy, as not enough has been done to grow provincial renewable energy. Canadian Wind Energy Association (CANWEA) and Nanos Research have compiled some interesting results on the matter. Nearly 86% of respondents agreed or somewhat agreed wind energy is a good solution in battling greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, 80%

Read more

Chrysler is currently planning to launch a plug-in hybrid electric version of the next Chrysler Town & Country minivan sometime late next year, as per recent comments made by the company’s CEO Sergio Marchionne at the Paris Motor Show. This is in spite of the fact that the company’s CEO has previously made his dislike of plug-in electric cars well

Read more