Congress Appropriates $1 Million for Continuing Electro Energy’s Bipolar NiMH Battery Development
20 October 2006
Electro Energy (EEEI), a developer and manufacturer of advanced rechargeable batteries, will receive $1 million from the 2007 budget of the US Department of Defense (DOD) for continued development of its bipolar wafer-cell Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery for advanced military aircraft applications.
Michael Reed, Electro Energy’s CEO and President, stated that the ongoing DOD funding will allow Electro Energy to continue development of its patented bipolar wafer-cell technology for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) as well as for stationary applications.
The company’s proprietary bipolar rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (BP-NiMH) battery currently powers a prototype plug-in hybrid vehicle which is an adapted Toyota Prius, developed in cooperation with the California Cars Initiative (CalCars). Electro Energy has also joined the Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium. (Earlier post.)
The bipolar NiMH used in the EEEI Prius is a first-generation, proof-of-concept application. It is rated at 28 Ah, 6.0 kWh (180 cells), with a battery-only weight—i.e., not including controls, etc.—of 300 lbs (44 Wh/kg), giving the vehicle a projected theoretical all-electric range (AER) of more than 20 miles.
The company estimates that it will be able to deliver a final version of the PHEV bipolar NiMH battery rated at 30 Ah, 6.5 kWh (180 cells) also weighing 300 pounds (48 Wh/kg). EEEI is also developing high power lithium rechargeable batteries utilizing its proprietary bipolar design. (Earlier post.)
| PHEV Battery Comparison Table | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Energy (kWh) | Weight (lbs) | Density (Wh/kg) | CalCars Rangea (miles) |
| EEEI Data courtesy of Electro Energy Inc. aCalCars assessment based on mixed-mode driving (50% EV) range at double normal Prius gasoline mileage b The Energy CS implementation removes the OEM battery from the Prius (70 lbs) resulting in a net weight increase of 80 lbs over OEM level. cTheoretical rating of 6.0 kWh. d This application assumes the removal of the OEM battery from the Prius (70 lbs) resulting in a net weight increase of 230 lbs over OEM level. | ||||
| Energy CS Valence Li-Ion | 9.0 | 150b | 132 | 50-60 |
| EEEI 1st-gen prototype (current demo) | 6.0c (3-4) |
300 | 44 | 20-30 |
| EEEI Final version NiMH | 6.5 | 300d | 48 | 40-50 |
Encouraging to see DOD back on track with NiMH. In the short term, given the right conditions, this working technology may return far more benefit than Li expectations.
Posted by: gr | 20 October 2006 at 12:30 PM
Looks like a gave-away to me if the numbers are "truthiness." .5kwh improvement isn't "muchiness."
Stephen C.
Posted by: Ikey | 20 October 2006 at 12:54 PM
Hey its still 8%. The zillion dollar question is how many more 8% improvments can you squeeze out of NiMH chemistry.
Posted by: Neil | 20 October 2006 at 01:41 PM
I’m guessing that the bipolar wafer-cell NiMH development could carry over to the proprietary bipolar design of the lithium batteries, as well.
Posted by: George | 20 October 2006 at 02:02 PM
Patented bi-polar technology of EEEI is method of packing of battery electrodes, separators, electrolyte, etc. into one pack. It delivers superb heat dissipation and some other advantages. Bi-polar design is especially advantageous to big batteries, like used in HEV and PHEV. Now, one could use any of available chemistries, including Ni-Mh or any Li variety. If some new exotic chemistry will appear, it could be used too.
Posted by: Andrey | 20 October 2006 at 07:16 PM
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