Alternative Power | Power Systems Research

2024-11-16

Nevada Gets First Lithium-Sulfur Battery Gigafactory

Super materials trailblazer Lyten will invest over $1 billion to build the world’s first lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory in Reno, Nevada. The factory will be capable of producing up to 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of batteries annually once it’s fully online. Phase 1 is set to go live in 2027.

Lyten’s gigafactory will cover 1.25 million square feet on a 125-acre campus in the Reno Air Logistics Park. Initially, it will employ around 200 people, eventually expanding to more than 1,000 jobs

Source: Electrek: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Lithium-sulfur batteries are considerably lighter than lithium-ion batteries and use materials that are more abundant, so they should have a lower cost than Lithium ion batteries and their widespread use could reduce the pressure on lithium supplies. However, they are less stable and have a shorter lifespan, so unless Lyten has resolved these issue, this approach could backfire. PSR

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Batteries, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

Solid-State Batteries Costs Expected To Drop

Guy Youngs

The push to commercialize solid-state batteries is underway with industries from automotive to storage betting on the technology. But while the technology has been taking longer than expected to take off, semi-solid-state batteries, which use a hybrid design of solid and liquid electrolyte, have been making steady progress toward commercialization.

The latest findings from Taipei-based intelligence provider TrendForce show that all-solid-state battery production volumes could have GWh levels by 2027. This rapid expansion could lead to cell price declines, reaching the $84-$98 level by 2035.

Source: PV Magazine: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The benefits of solid state batteries (higher energy density leading to longer range, rapid charging, safety and lower weigh) are well known. If the costs can come down because of mass production, then this will become a significant game changer. PSR

Nevada Gets World’s First Lithium-Sulfur Battery Gigafactory

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Batteries, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

EV Battery Costs Will Drop To Key Level In 2026

Guy Youngs

In 2008, batteries cost $1,355 per kilowatt-hour, and the goal of an $80/kWh EV battery seemed ridiculous. But today the cost of EV batteries is dropping within shouting distance of that $80 goal, pulling the total cost of EV ownership down with it.

The total cost of EV ownership over time, including fuel and maintenance, has been close to, or at parity with, comparable gas automobiles for many years. The deciding factors for specific vehicles vary, but drivers in the US are owning their cars for longer periods — they hit a record average of 12.5 years in 2023 — so that long-term fuel and maintenance savings advantage for EVs can tip the balance.

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Batteries, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

2024-11-11

Alternative Power Report, November 2024

Guy Youngs

Alternative Power Report – Nov 2024 Download

The November 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research includes articles on battery development and discussions on the declining costs of battery power for EVs. Reduced battery costs means reduced costs for EVs, too. An article discusses the outlook for clean energy in the U.S. now that Trump has regained the White House. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Alternative Power Reports, AltPwr, Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

2024-10-15

Alternative Power Report, October 2024

Guy Youngs

Alternative Power Report – Oct 2024 Download

There’s plenty of news on battery development of EVs in the October 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research. You can also read about VW’s plans to restructure its labor force, as well as several articles on hydrogen power. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Alternative Power Reports, AltPwr, Batteries, Europe, Hydrogen, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

2024-10-12

VW Employment “Earthquake” Hits Germany

Guy Youngs

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

Volkswagen Group has let it be known that it might need to shutter two factories in Germany. It also indicated it might need to end the “guaranteed employment” policy it has adhered to for decades that is designed to ensure workers there will always be a job for them within the Volkswagen family. The news has rocked the company and has been described as an earthquake by some in the German media

Layoffs, which are common in the industry, are not the Volkswagen way, but now it appears that this promise is in danger as the company struggles to adapt to the current market situation.

Source: Clean Technica Read The Article

PSR Analysis: There is much criticism of VW’s failure to grasp the opportunities presented by the electric and hybrid car markets. There is also a lot of criticism about those EV models that VW does build. This coupled with the fact that every fifth electric vehicle sold in Europe today is produced in China, means that the German auto industry is now in crisis and what it does next may determine if it survives. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Europe, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

Europeans Unveil Solid-state Battery

Guy Youngs

A European research consortium has produced a prototype solid-state battery using a new manufacturing process that reportedly achieves high energy densities and can be implemented on modern lithium-ion battery production lines.

The “SOLiDIFY” consortium, composed of 14 European research institutes and partners, developed a battery with a pouch cell with an energy density of 1,070 Wh/L, compared to 800 Wh/L in standard lithium-ion batteries

Categories: Alternative Power, Batteries, Europe, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

Your EV May Fall Apart Before Its Battery Pack Does

Guy Youngs

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

Geotab, an automotive telematics company, is using its in-depth access to EV data to track battery health. And its new study of 10,000 electric cars shows that their battery packs could outlast the vehicles themselves

With five years of data, the company recently released a new study that shows the average degradation per year is actually 1.8%. The company believes that it could translate to EV batteries lasting 20 years.

Source: Electrek Read The Article

PSR Analysis: When EVs first appeared, there was a lot of talk about needing to replace the batteries after five years. That soon became 10, 15 and now 20 years, and so proving many ICE doubter wrong. Battery replacement need not be a concern when buying an EV. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Batteries, EV, PowerTALK

Office: United States Offices

H2 Fuel Technology May Be Falling Behind

Guy Youngs

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

Ballard Power Systems, a large hydrogen fuel cell making company from Canada, has announced a massive overhaul that will slash its spending by 30%, including huge job cuts

According to Ballard CEO Randy MacEwen, there has been a notable slowing in both the development of clean hydrogen fuel production capacity, and the infrastructure used for the distribution of H2

Source: Hydrogen Fuel News Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Ballard has long been one of the leading Fuel Cell companies globally and the action of cutting costs by 30% and putting its entire China strategy at risk, will echo throughout the fuel cell industry. This is yet another body blow to this industry. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Hydrogen, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

2024-10-11

Brazil Set To Start First Natural Gas Truck Corridor

Fabio Ferraresi

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

Eneva, a natural gas operator, plans to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Virtu LNG’s truck fleet, starting in January 2025. This fuel will be used for the logistics and distribution operations of Yara Brasil, a global leader in plant nutrition.

The initiative will begin in Maranhão and is expected to expand to other states. The transportation contract was signed on September 24 at the ROG-e fair, a major oil and gas event.

Categories: AltPwr, Central/South America, Commercial Vehicles, LNG

Office: Brazil Office

News: Alternative Power

Alternative Power Report, November 2024

Brazil Set To Start First Natural Gas Truck Corridor

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

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