- Looks like they are taking orders for the new Rudman MK3 battery regulator/monitors. “The current command structure supports 99 regulators in series. All communications are done on with terminal software.”
- Another breakthrough in solar cells. I’m not sure what the exact major breakthrough is (i.e. how much cheaper to make or % efficiency) but thought this quote from the article was interesting: “Alberts said in Switzerland it was already compulsory for all new houses to include solar technology to lessen energy demands on national grids.” Another take on the story, here
- Geoff’s e-jet, jet power assist EV-1? Uh, ok…
- While we are covering science fiction, “Bush said the batteries could someday enable a hybrid car to plug into a wall socket to recharge and then travel 100 miles on a single gallon of gasoline.” Or, hey, how about NO gas?
- I heard back from A123 Systems: “Thank you for you interest in A123Systems’ exciting new battery technology. Electric vehicle (EV) & hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications are extremely attractive applications for our technology. Unfortunately, we are not currently in a position to support the individual inquiries for project cars.” Dang!
Exxon Mobil Senior Vice President Stuart McGill recently stated: “No combination of conservation measures, alternative energy sources and technological advances could realistically and economically provide a way to completely replace those imports in the short or medium term.” This according to C.Scott Miller
Poor old America has a long way to fall considering her infrastructure is so very energy and liquid fuel dependent. The Japanese, through dint of a national program, have kept their energy usage stable since the mid seveties even though their economy has double in size Japanese putting their energy into saving fuel I think these sorts of changes take a while!
Bad A123. Bad, bad, bad.
I’ve also received A123’s form letter and statement that they would contact me with more information. Two plus months on and still nothing new. Valence got back to me the next day, with answers to every single question I had, plus a few good comments. Who do you think is getting my battery money?
A123 looks good, but it seems to me that they are only interested if you will be buying larger shipments. Understandable, I guess, but still annoying.
I could not get any information on A123 Systems they are only interested in big orders. One of the emlpoyees slipped and said “like toyota”
In a few years, we’ll be scavenging those things from crashed Toyotas in junk yards. :)
I had the reverse experience with Valence, Rick. I asked them about maximum discharge rates and have heard nothing for over a month now. Maybe ‘twas the question…