August 2012

Feature Article

Cost and Performance of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Recognizing the threat of rising temperature brought by climate change and what, as a developed country, the UK’s fair contribution to the global effort should be, the UK Government has set a legally binding target of 80 percent CO2 reduction by 2050 compared to 1990. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is an independent body that advises the UK Government on setting and meeting carbon reduction targets and on preparing for the impacts of climate change....read more

Cadex Electronics, Inc. is an established global leader in battery management products. With 30 years of experience developing and commercializing technologies for testing and servicing batteries, Cadex has delivered solutions to many of the world’s largest companies in radio and cellular communications, medical devices, portable computing, and aviation.

New innovations include the versatile C8000 Advanced Battery Testing System that allows you to optimize batteries at every stage of product life, and the C5100 Battery Testing System that delivers tremendous value to cellular retailers.

Cadex is ISO 9001and ISO13485 (Medical) certified and our products are sold in over 100 countries.

Cadex Electronics Inc.
22000 Fraserwood Way • Richmond, BC V6W1J6 Canada
Contact: Sales • 604-231-7777 • info@cadex.com
www.cadex.com • www.BatteryUniversity.com

Special Discounted Rate of $695 to Attend Battery Power 2012 for eNewsletter Subscribers

Battery Power 2012 is offering a special discounted rate of $695 for our enewsletter subscribers when you register by Friday, August 31st. The discount is good for new registrants only and you need to enter the code "ENEWS" upon checkout.

Balqon Corp. Introduces HIQAP Lithium Battery for Solar Energy Storage Applications
Balqon Corp. has introduced a low cost high capacity lithium batteries as an alternative to the current industrial deep cycle lead acid batteries. The HIQAP batteries are available in 12, 24 and 48 volt configurations with an amp hour capacity ranging between 700 Ah to 1,000 Ah. HIQAP battery packs include Balqon proprietary battery management system (BMS) and related power electronics components for direct replacement of current lead acid battery packs. HIQAP lithium battery packs are designed to support large daily loads requiring deep depth of discharge and high energy transfer efficiency for solar, micro-grids, off-grid storage and telecom application.

HIQAP batteries include large format 1,000 Ah and 700 Ah, 3.25 VDC folded prismatic cells connected in a series, available in 12 V, 24 V and 48 V configurations. Life cycles of HIQAP batteries vary from 2,500 cycles to 5,000 cycles based on depth of discharge. Low internal resistance allows for over 95 percent efficiency during energy transfer compared to 80 percent efficiency of equivalent deep cycle lead acid batteries.

Midtronics Develops New GRX-5100 Hybrid/EV Battery Service Tool
Midtronics, Inc. has completed the initial field testing for the GRX-5100 Hybrid/EV Battery Station, the high-voltage Hybrid/EV vehicle battery service and de-power tool for various hybrid and electric vehicles. The GRX-5100 safely de-powers high-voltage batteries and also enables service for the battery system at the module level, reducing manufacturer warranty costs and repair time and expense for customers.

Currently completing field testing at General Motors, the GRX-5100 was developed to perform full battery pack service, including balancing, charging in no-start situations and full de-powering. The de-power capability enables packs in vehicles that have been involved in severe collisions to be de-powered to a safe level for storage, recycling or shipment. Beyond service providers, the GRX-5100 is also targeted for reclamation yards where it can be used to perform critical safety checks and de-powering with the battery pack either in or out of the vehicle.

The GRX-5100 features a versatile electrical harness between vehicle batteries and communication systems via unique adapters for each vehicle model. Simple menu prompts guide verification that the battery and communication systems are properly connected and balancing or de-powering operations can safely begin. The station also utilizes USB-based memory, which will support system updates for future vehicle battery systems without a hardware upgrade.

The GRX-5100 is the latest in Midtronics products for the hybrid/electric vehicle market. Previous product releases have included the HYB-1000 Hybrid Battery System Analyzer, designed for the aftermarket, and the GRX-5000 EV Battery Module Diagnostic Station, which performs both battery module balancing and diagnostics and was initially created in support of the Nissan LEAF program.

60 Volt  Battery Charging Controller & Power Manager Features Input Maximum Power Point Control
Linear Technology Corp. has introduced the LTC4000-1, a high voltage controller and power manager with input maximum power point control (MPPC) that converts virtually any externally compensated DC/DC power supply into a full-featured battery charger. The LTC4000-1 is capable of driving typical DC/DC converter topologies, including buck, boost, buck-boost, SEPIC, flyback and forward. The device offers precision input current monitoring and charge current monitoring and regulation. It operates across a wide 3V to 60V input and output voltage range, compatible with a variety of different input voltage sources, battery stacks and chemistries. The LTC4000-1’s MPPC circuit features an input voltage regulation loop that controls charge current to maintain the input voltage at a programmed level, ideal for solar panels or other high impedance sources. Applications include: high power battery charger systems, high performance portable instruments, battery backup systems, and industrial or military battery-equipped devices.

The LTC4000-1 features an intelligent PowerPath topology that preferentially provides power to the system load when input power is limited. The LTC4000-1 controls external PFETs to provide low loss reverse current protection, efficient charging and discharging of the battery, and instant-on operation to ensure that system power is available at plug-in, even with a deeply discharged battery. External sense resistors and precision sensing ensure accurate currents at high efficiency, allowing operation with converters that span the power range from milliwatts to kilowatts.

The LTC4000-1’s full-featured controller charges a variety of battery chemistries, including
lithium-ion/polymer/phosphate, sealed lead acid (SLA), and nickel-based. The device provides charge status indicators through its FLT and CHRG pins. Other features of the battery charger include: ±0.2 percent programmable float voltage, selectable timer or C/X current termination, temperature-qualified charging using an NTC thermistor, automatic recharge, C/10 trickle charge for deeply discharged cells and bad battery detection.

Ioxus Launches Thin Cell iMOD Ultracapacitor Module Designs Worldwide
Ioxus, Inc. is offering thin cell ultracapacitor module designs worldwide for power conditioning and automated guided vehicle (AGV) applications. Ioxus THiNCAP iMOD modules consist of high power, thin, flexible ultracapacitor packs, instead of cylindrical cells, making them well suited for a variety of applications where small form factor is valued. The THiNCAP iMOD modules save space and weight, benefiting users with a reduced total cost of ownership as compared to batteries with longer life, higher cycle count, wider operational temperature range and reduced maintenance requirements.
 
With smaller footprint designs, the THiNCAP iMOD modules allow for flexible product development across a wide variety of markets. They are ideal for power conditioning and voltage sag compensation in short-term uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to protect against voltage disruptions and ensure a smooth power supply to factory equipment and mission-critical applications. These applications can include telecommunications, silicon and food production, renewable energy, hospitals and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, AGVs and robotics benefit from the quick charge and long life of the Ioxus THiNCAP iMOD modules, cutting charge times in half and increasing productivity and operating time while eliminating the need for battery replacement or charging.

Smart Battery Chargers Offer Three-Phase Operation
Available in versions delivering 4.2 V, 8.4 V, or 12.6 V at 1  A to address single- or multiple-battery configurations, the GTM91128 families of smart Li-Ion battery chargers from GlobTek offer three charging methods: conditioning, constant current, and constant voltage. The universal-input devices have a minimum current charge termination technique with timer as back up, with LED indication of charging and fully charged states. An additional feature of the smart battery charger family is that they have user-interchangeable plugs for seamless international operation.

Additional features of the GTM91128 battery charger family include built-in over charge and damaged-cell detection, with a battery over-temperature protection option also available. A custom battery cradle can also be designed for specific battery form factor, if desired. All appropriate safety and EMC approvals are done and available.

Terra 51 Electric Vehicle Fast Charger From ABB Awarded UL Certification
ABB has received the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing for its best-selling Terra 51 direct current (DC) fast charger. The certification demonstrates compliance with North American safety directives, including the requirements of UL 2202, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Equipment, and CSA C22.2 No. 107.1-01, General Use Power Supplies, designed to ensure safety of electrical equipment. The Terra 51 is also compliant with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal Code of Regulation (CFR) Parts 15B and 15C, pertaining to radio and frequency emitting devices.

“Earning this seal of safety and protection, which is recognized widely by US consumers, is consistent with ABB’s global strategy to be a leader in cutting-edge technology that meets, and often exceeds, national and local standards,” said Cal Lankton, director of EV charging infrastructure. “Our engineering design and development team achieved this certification in record time, reinforcing our ability to quickly deliver the highest quality products in this dynamic and evolving industry.”

The Terra 51 is an intelligent DC fast charger that reduces EV charging times from eight hours to as little as 15 to 30 minutes ABB’s chargers can be connected to any charging network or community via the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), the widely adopted international open networking standard for charging equipment. Terra 51 fast chargers, and future products, will support all existing and future connection standards and communication protocols to drive the continued growth of EV infrastructure in the North American market.

ITT’s SAE J1772 Certified Electric Vehicle Connector Integrated Into Taiwanese Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
ITT Interconnect Solutions has been selected as the qualified supplier of connectors for use in electric vehicle charging stations throughout Taiwan. The EVC Series is the only SAE J1772 (U.S.), IEC (Europe) and GB (Asia) certified connector capable of delivering a 75 A charge, which results in a charging time that is 2.5 times faster than 30 A offerings from other industry suppliers.

Part of a pilot program developed in early 2012, the leading Taiwanese EV charging station manufacturer began using ITT’s EVC Series electric vehicle charging connectors to establish a charging package for both local and imported electric vehicles. The program was designed to test the charging technology of both the connectors and the charging stations for security and performance comparison between electric vehicles and gas-fueled cars. Preliminary results have shown great efficiency using the new technology, and plans have been made for an additional 3,000 charging stations to be installed throughout Taiwan by the end of 2014.

More recently, one of Taiwan's leading rental car companies ordered ITT’s SAE J1772 connectors to charge their fleet of electric vehicles at the rental site. When a customer rents an electric car, the double-ended ITT coupler is packaged in the car so the driver can power the car at offsite charging stations.

Chinese Lithium-Ion Battery Market to Nearly Double to $9.2 Billion in 2016
The Chinese lithium-ion battery market will nearly double to $9.2 billion in 2016, as volumes grow 129 percent to 44.3 GWh. This impressive growth will occur even though demand for emerging electric vehicles will still trail government’s ambitious projections, Lux Research reports.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for battery volumes will be 18.2 percent while revenues, pegged at $5.0 billion in 2011, grow at a slower rate of 12.8 percent as average selling price dips 20 percent to $207 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2016.

“The consumer electronics market continues to dominate the Li-ion battery market but emerging applications are where the hype is and where policy is being focused,” said Zhuo Zhang, Lux Research Associate and the lead author of the report titled, “Hype vs. Policy: The Chinese Market for Lithium Batteries.”

“The markets for electric bikes and electric vehicles are anticipated to grow fast in a few years but less than 100,000 new-energy vehicles will be sold in 2016, a far cry from the seven-digit target that has battery developers salivating,” Zhuo added.

Event Listings

Technical Events Co-Located with Battery Power 2012
Three leading conferences on advanced technologies for design and system engineers involved in cutting-edge product development and technical operations will be taking place with Battery Power 2012. Topics covered include electronic device design issues, wireless connectivity and communications technology, management of critical infrastructure equipment and facilities, network cyber security and thermal mitigation. The events will share a combined exhibit hall.

For $300 attendees can upgrade their Battery Power conference pass and attend all four conferences. Attendees will have access to all presentations and conference proceedings.

Advancements in Thermal Management 2012, a symposium for engineers and product developers, will feature presentations on advancements for electronics packaging and cooling, temperature sensing and control, thermal materials, systems design and management for optimizing thermal properties.

Mobile Antenna Systems 2012 will cover the latest advancements in the applications, technology and economic development, with sessions focusing on antenna designs, integration and manufacturing, 4G developments, future technology, and supporting technology and integration.

Remote Monitoring and Control 2012 will focus on advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, infrastructure, automated process & system controls and device networks, including SCADA, remote networking technology, M2M and security.

INTELEC 2012, Conference and Exhibition
September 30-October 4

Scottsdale, Ariz.

INTELEC 2012 , the International Telecommunications Energy Conference, will be held between September 30 and October 4, 2012 at the Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. The conference theme is “Star gazing in the desert: What keeps power people up at night?”

For more information on INTELEC please see www.intelec.org.

INTELEC 2012 will feature a technical exhibition. If you manufacture, distribute, sell or service products related to telecommunications or computer energy systems the INTELEC 2012 exhibit is the place for you.

The conference program will include key note speech by General Russel Honore who led Task Force Katrina and plenary sessions, technical presentations, exhibitor seminars, workshops and poster sessions.

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