Solar & Wind Hybrid Batteries
As our society tries to get less and less dependant on oil, we need other forms of power to be reasonable and renewable. It needs to have the power that we need when we need it, yet at the same time it can’t cost & arm and a leg. Too many body parts are being lost when we fill up at the gas station.
As we go more “Green” our energy needs will require more and more efficient, powerful, and cost effective batteries. CSIRO and Cleantech Ventures have joined forces and invested in Smart Storage Pty Ltd. Smart Storage has the goal of developing battery-based storage solutions for this increasing need.
CSIRO has been working on their “Ultrabattery” for hybrid vehicles. Smart Storage is using similar technology in order to produce a low-cost deep-cycle battery to meet the needs of solar and wind based generators.
What the “Ultrabattery” uses is a super-capacitor and a lead-acid battery all combined into a single unit. Using these technologies together they tend to overcome the weaknesses inherent with the other technology.
Something intelligent on their part was to use technology that is readily available. Since lead-acid has been a proven performer so for long the infrastructure to distribute and manufacture are already well placed. This will ease the transition to the “Ultrabattery” into the market and help in the cost. The problem with a lot of new technologies is the cost of the first few batches is usually staggering. Anyone buying the newest, biggest, baddest, electronics can testify to that. The first round of plasma TV’s being a screaming example; as the cost of these have dropped substantially.
What are your thoughts?
Are you planning to use wind or solar in your household/business?
Written by:
Ken