LightEVS Update

I spoke to Carl Watkins today. He was just back from a trip to Eurobike. Watkins indicates that since we last checked in, his firm has made contact with just about everybody in the ebike world including the major 3 wheeled vendors out there. There have been tons of inquiries not just about production availability and timing but also about whether or not LightEVS will one day IPO. For now, Watkins doesn't see a need to go public. Once a demo units become available, his feeling is, understandably, that those willing to be supplied EESU's will finance the lift off of his company.

For now, everything is in wait and see mode until EEStor makes it's next move.

Nanosolar Announcement Update 9/9/9

I will be posting an article before noon EST tomorrow, 9/9/9 concerning the "significant" news event coming out of Nanosolar. Just because I've been such a tease in the past, I should mention, it's not going to contain EEStor content. But that's ok because Nanosolar is one of those companies that on it's own is poised to transform the world....and with some luck, I'll have a thought or two from Martin Roscheisen on the grand old topic of energy storage. (although no guarantees, remember I said "with some luck.")

Update: Nanosolar will announce a monumental achievement tomorrow. A feast for the eyes and a pleasure for numbers crunchers.

Could Lockheed Martin Launch an Electric Car Company?

You can read this blog post one of two ways. First, you can conclude that on the basis of extremely little evidence, almost any conclusion can be arrived at with imagination. Or, alternatively, you can examine an odd piece of evidence that doesn't really make much sense and thus, have your curiosity somewhat permanently marked for any related future developments.

What you are looking at here is a Lockheed Martin logo-imprinted, promotional pen that an alert reader sent to my attention. If you have any initial thoughts upon seeing it, you might quickly jump to conclusions. But then if you give it a little bit of thought, it does leave you wondering which marketing person felt it made sense to purchase a set of promotional pens with a sporty little car on top. Sporty little cars do not exactly capture any of Lockheed Martin's strengths, of course. Then again, you can't completely dismiss the idea of Lockheed Martin being involved with electric cars since a few years ago, there were some press releases about innovations they had achieved with hybrid vehicles and batteries. Plus, there is that tiny nagging fact that any company who could make the Joint Strike Figher might also as a result be capable of producing something far less complicated such as an electric car.

It's been pointed out many times previously in following the EEStory that electric cars are far less complicated to build and maintain than those with internal combustion engines. The hope by some is that this simplicity of technology (never mind which battery technology prevails) will lead to a renaissance of new competition in personal transportation...extending of course to industrial uses of transportation as well. So, on the basis of this, why couldn't Lockheed Martin be slightly more involved with electric cars than anyone is at this time comfortable to admit? I leave it to more curious journalists or bloggers to advance the thesis with Lockheed. At the very least, the denials of interest in electric cars would afford the opportunity to inquire about an update with EEStor Inc. So how is it coming with EEStor these days Lockheed? How is the integration with weapons systems going?

NOTE: If you work for Lockheed Martin and know the story behind these pens, shoot me an email: eestorblog@gmail.com

Zenn Motor Company Wants YOU!

According to alert TheEEStory.com user SmackYYZ, Zenn Motor Company posted some new jobs online. The project management positions would report to VP of Engineering, Michael Bergeron. According to the fine print of the job description, the new hires would be expected to also invent a new 52kWh barium titanate based energy storage solution. I'm kidding.

Attention Dick Weir and EEStor Inc.

"There is no technology on the horizon which can replace oil to satisfy colossal needs of U.S. industry, transport and armed forces. Any future scenario will be characterized by mix of renewable and non-renewable energies whether you like it or not," Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal said.

Zenn Motor Company Sept 10, 2009 Presentation

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- 09/03/09 -- ZENN Motor Company Inc. ("ZMC" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: ZNN) a leading developer of zero emission transportation solutions and technologies, today announced that it will participate in the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference on September 10, 2009 at the New York Palace Hotel. Ian Clifford, Founder & CEO, will review the company's growth strategy at 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be accessible via the ZENN Motor Company website. To hear the presentation please visit the website atwww.zenncars.com for the appropriate link. A replay option will be available for ninety days.

About ZENN Motor Company Inc.

ZENN Motor Company, Toronto, Canada, is dedicated to being a global leader in zero emission transportation solutions and technologies for markets around the world. Driven by quality, ingenuity and a philosophy of social responsibility, the ZMC team is redefining what is possible in both urban and business fleet transportation.

The ZENN(TM) (Zero Emission No Noise) provides an excellent alternative transportation solution for environmentally conscious drivers who want to dramatically reduce their operating costs and free themselves from dependence on oil. The current ZENN low speed vehicle is perfect for urban commuters and commercial fleets such as resorts, gated communities, airports, college and business campuses, municipalities, and parks and is sold through a network of retailers across the United States and directly by the Company in Quebec.

The planned commercialization and implementation of the ultra capacitor being developed by ZENN Motor Company's strategic partner EEStor, Inc., is expected to enable future ZMC vehicles and ZENNergy(TM) drivetrain powered vehicles to travel at speeds and distances similar to internal combustion powered vehicles but at a fraction of the cost and with zero emissions!

Contacts:
ZENN Motor Company
Catherine Scrimgeour
Public Affairs
416-535-8395 ext. 201
cscrimgeour@ZENNcars.com

ZENN Motor Company
Ian Clifford
Chief Executive Officer
416-535-8395 ext. 202

Jacob Securities Inc. visits EEStor Production Facility

Founder of Jacob Securities Inc., Sasha Jacob with former Ontario Premier Ernie Eves

I was able to interview Khurram Malik from Jacob Securities Inc today. They released coverage of Zenn Motor Company on Sept. 2, 2009. Malik and team visited EEStor Inc. in June along with 2 other companies. They were given a tour of the production line and even saw the powders produced by it (Malik could not reveal the color of the powder as he had signed an NDA). He was not shown components or EESU's.

Here is the report that has been filed by Jacob Securities Inc.

In the report, they predict a milestone announcement in September 2009. I asked about the source of this info and Malik points to ZMC but adds that he can't reveal any NDA information concerning certification and testing of components and EESU's. Malik admits that he isn't certain what would be announced if anything but believes that it would be a component or EESU certification. The topic of safety and certification was discussed with EEStor but Malik says that is covered by NDA. In Malik's words, "They've put quite a bit of thought into the safety aspect of it. There are technology and designs in place to address that. That's about as far as I can take that question."

Malik admits he did not have a technical person accompanying him on the visit and that there was no way to conduct a true verification of capabilities but "at the end of the day, I think myself and all of the parties down there were reasonably impressed with what we saw and heard."

The report is the most comprehensive one so far that is publicly accessible and written by someone who has visited the site. It contains, too, balanced caution as when they point out the following which I will quote at length:

If EEStor delivers there are three reasons why the world will not be revolutionized overnight:

1. ZMC and EEStor management are pragmatic people looking to maximize the return on their

investment and the reach of the technology over the long term. They will not sign deals to

just flood the market with product as quickly as possible.

2. The world is structured today along the lines of economies and societies that rely on

industries producing and consuming fossil fuels. Both in democracies and autocracies, these

very powerful industries will not just wilt away.

3. You will still need to generate electricity. And fossil fuels like coal are still the cheapest and

most prevalent fuels for power generation in the world today. So fully electric cars are not

really zero emission under most circumstances. However, there is more to a fully electric car

than simply its “green” reputation.

Finally, I asked Malik if there was anything not in the report that he might want to add. He explained that with EEStor, obviously the technology is exciting if they can produce even one of them. But for Malik, he was equally impressed with the manufacturing methodology which would allow EEStor to produce the technology at the fraction of the cost of lithium ion batteries.

"... the fact that they've built a manufacturing methodology and process which can be scaled up to produce these things at a very low cost and by using very low cost materials, it is just as important as the technology itself. When you build lithium ion batteries, it requires hundreds of millions of dollars to produce X amount of annual watt hours of production. These folks can do it at a fraction of that number in my understanding due to the screen printing technology. I think that is as impressive as the EESU itself. "

Malik spoke about scaling. He said, EEStor is not trying to build a single production line and scale it up by increasing throughput on it but rather "when they build out their commercial facility, they will add rows of production lines."

All of this recent disclosure of EEStor's increasing openness causes one to wonder if and when Kleiner Perkins may wish to finally say something about this investment in which they have a 20+% stake. How about it KPCB?

After Tour of EEStor Facilities, US Congressman John Carter R (TX) says EEStor will "change the entire automotive industry"

It all started with an innocuous June 30, 2009 tweet on Twitter, "well, it's only taken me a year, but I get to meet EEStor this morning." The author of the message was Larry Holt, Economic Development Specialist for Cedar Park, TX. Accompanying Holt to this meeting would be his boss, Phil Brewer and Texas Congressman John Carter with a staff assistant. The meeting included "an extensive tour" of the production line which was "fully staffed with a very busy team." One attendee concluded that there was "a lot of money being spent" in the EEStor facility, adding, "they're not building pet rocks in there." As well, Dick Weir reportedly said with a chuckle, "Now, the bloggers say we can't do this... but we're doing it!"

The tour was a typical outreach effort from a representative like Congressman John Carter, where local businesses are contacted to gain feedback.

I contacted Phil Brewer and Larry Holt from the Cedar Park Economic Development Council for comment on this tour, however, both declined official comment besides acknowledging that it did indeed occur. This blogger's presumption is that they are adhering to EEStor's desire for secrecy.

Via email, Congressman Carter issued this statement regarding his visit to EEStor facilities:

"It is exciting that we have a Central Texas company this close to
revolutionizing transportation as we know it in America. The electric
storage technology that I saw at EEStor can dramatically change the
entire automotive industry and our overall economy when placed in mass
product. I'm looking forward to great things in the very near future
from this company." - U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-TX31)

Congressman John Carter R (TX) pictured with former CIA Director James Woolsey (left)
at a 2006 DC Plug-in Hybrid event

US Congressman Mark Schauer Supports Zenn Motor Company Bid for Dept of Energy Funding

Through some recent inquiries at the US Department of Energy, it was revealed that ZMC America, a subsidiary of Zenn Motor Company, has applied for multi-million dollar funding to construct a "world-class electric drive automotive research and development facility" at one of 3 sites in Southeastern Michigan. In a proposal submitted in June 2009, ZMC says it would match federal funds with additional funding from other sources to build the center.

The proposal was submitted to the DOE by Michigan Congressman Mark Schauer. In his accompanying June 29, 2009 letter to the DOE, Schauer indicates that he discussed this unsolicited proposal with Secretary of Energy Steven Chu during a June 22, 2009 event held in Battle Creek, MI. See video. Schauer's support for the plan highlights the 100 initial jobs that such a center would create for his district. The economic downturn has caused Michigan to experience the highest unemployment rate in the United States.

In a phone interview yesterday, Rep. Schauer's spokesperson, Lisa Dedden Cooper indicated Rep. Schauer's office inquired with DOE this week as to the current status of the proposal review. Indications were that a response from DOE may occur later this month pending full review.

According to the DOE proposal, support for the effort includes:

Senator Carl Levin
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Congressman Mike Rogers
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
Michigan Lieutenant. Governor John Cherry
United Auto Works VP Duane Zuckschwerdt

Kathleen Long, a press agent for Senator Carl Levin, issued this statement:

Senator Levin has met with ZENN Motor Company and was interested to learn about the electric vehicle technology they are working on. Many Michigan companies have been actively engaged in developing advanced electric vehicle and battery technology and Senator Levin is hopeful that they and others will take advantage of federal funding opportunities and take steps to locate electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities in Michigan.

A prior May 13, 2009 letter to DOE Secretary Chu was co-authored by Michigan State Senators Elizabeth S. Brater and Mickey Switalski. In their letter, they provide support for the effort contingent upon "independent third party certification" of the technology.

DOE officials did not yet respond to further queries logged with them late in the day yesterday.

Over the next few days, I hope to add more comments from various individuals and organizations concerning this new ZENN-related information.

Congressman Schauer's letter of support can be downloaded from here.

UPDATE:
When asked for comment on the proposal. Zmc's Ian Clifford said, "the
state of Michigan holds great strategic potential for our plans to
accelerate adoption of ZMC solutions. We have appreciated their
leadership and look forward to further dialogue with the DOE on this
important topic."

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The Thomas Edison EEStor-like Battery Mystery

Previously, I wrote about a curious quote attributed to the inventor Thomas Edison and recorded in a June 11, 1911 New York Times article in which Edison claims to have "perfected a battery which can be recharged in three or four minutes and which will run fifty or sixty miles without being recharged. "

What happened to this battery? Were the claims ever confirmed? With the GM-Volt having an initial target range of 40 miles and requiring relatively much longer charge times, one has to wonder where did this Edison technology go off the track?

To find out, an EEStory reader contacted the Director and General Editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers, Dr. Paul Israel. Dr. Israel is a leading scholar in Thomas Edison studies and he was kind enough to respond to our query concerning specifically, Edison's claims to have a quick charge battery capability.

According to Dr. Israel there has not yet been any "detailed research on Edison's storage battery." Israel pointed out that the records for Edison's efforts in this endevour "have been microfilmed but not yet digitized. There is limited secondary literature on the battery and as far as I know none has tested this claim." He recommended this 1913 article in the Transactions of the American Electrochemical Society. Via a phone interview, Dr. Israel pointed out that two researchers have referenced Edison's battery in their modern day narratives. The first is Edwin Black's Internal Combusion, a pulitzer nominated conspiracy theorist's dream come true about Oil dependency. (BTW, although I say that in an amusing way, you'll quickly notice Black as someone with enormous credibility. ) It's not unimportant to speculate about the significance of the fire that destroyed Edison's battery labs in 1914 as Black does in his book...one I have not read yet. The second reference Israel provided is Rich Schallenberg's 1982 book, Bottled Energy: Electrical Engineering and The Evolution of Chemical Energy Storage. I have read neither book but both look interesting. Israel was also asked whether or not Edison was ever prone to exaggeration of claims. He pointed out that in disputed matters, if one can establish that he was correctly quoted, typically his claims were bore out with scientific proof, ie, he was not a boaster.

Also, check out Bill Moore's EVWORLD interview of Edwin Black.

Photo link: Edwin Black.