Battery companies team up to store renewable energy

Sep 21 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Julie Wernau Chicago Tribune

Two battery manufacturers are teaming up to combine the capacity of a golf cart battery with the compactness of a cell phone battery, in an effort to create technology that can store power from the wind and sun.

Naperville-based Palladium Energy, which produces lithium batteries for consumer gadgets like cell phones, tablets and GPS systems, announced Tuesday it will partner with California-based Trojan Battery Company to create portable batteries that can be used to store energy for use when it is most needed.

The technology is important to companies and governments developing technologically intelligent electrical grids (better known as "Smart Grids") because it would allow wind power, which is most often available at night, and solar power, available during the day, to be stored for use at any time.

At the same time, developing nations with less-reliable electrical grids and disaster-torn regions can use the backup power when the electrical grid is unavailable.

The partnership would have Palladium contributing engineering, technology and manufacturing expertise, while Trojan -- which until now dealt solely in cheaper-to-produce, dirtier and less efficient lead-acid batteries -- would market the technology to a consumer base that includes clients in the renewable energy sector as well as industrial and other clients looking for backup power.

"It's a marriage made in heaven -- battery heaven," said Art Salyer, president and CEO of Palladium Energy, which is owned by a private-equity firm.

Salyer headed the Trojan's operations as recently as four years ago before his move to Palladium.

Among other markets, Trojan, which has been manufacturing lead acid batteries for 85 years and is privately owned, sells batteries to the Middle East and Latin America for solar-powered street lights. Their batteries can also be found in most golf carts and street sweepers.

Historically, lithium batteries operate at a smaller scale because the material is expensive. But with the emergence of electric vehicles, larger-scale applications are becoming more commonplace and costs are trending downward.

Battery manufacturers have high hopes for lithium, which can provide twice the power reserve, at a third the size and weight of lead-acid batteries.

At this point, the companies said the partnership amounts to little more than an agreement. They expect to jointly market the batteries under the Trojan name. Other details of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We want to be agnostic. Partner with a leading manufacturer of lithium ion technology, focus on quality and performance in a customized way, identify which applications we want to target initially," said Mat Segal, senior vice president of global business development at Trojan Battery Company.

Palladium employs approximately 1,700 people and manufactures about 100 million battery packs each year at nine worldwide locations. Trojan Battery sells about 3 million batteries per year, distributes its products in about 100 countries and employs about 600 people worldwide.

jwernau@tribune.com