Tuesday 4 February 2020

A PM with “ Inside Information “ ?

No ! No !

But there is no denying that Shri Modiji is a “ PM with Insight Information “ !

At recently concluded 107^th Indian Science Congress, Shri Narendra Modi challenged the scientists to develop new battery types , saying :

“ We need to pay attention to grid management as we expand our renewable energy

supply.

These require developing new battery types which are ,

Ø based on environmentally benign materials,

Ø not monopolistic,

Ø affordable on 100s of Giga-Watt scale,

Ø suitable for tropical climates ”

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Now read this appearing in today’s Economic Times :

IOC acquires stake in Israeli battery developer Phinergy

Extract :

Founded in 2008, Phinergy develops an assortment of zero-emission batteries including aluminum-air and zinc-air batteries designed to offer power sources for electric cars.

IOC and Phinergy will form a joint venture in India to collaborate in developing aluminium-air battery system including research & development, customisation, manufacturing, assembly, sell and service of aluminium-air energy systems technology.

"The joint venture intends to set up a factory in India to manufacture aluminium-air batteries for electric vehicles and stationary applications and facilitate development of eco-system for Al-Air technology," the statement said.

Phinergy specialises in aluminium-air (Al-Air) and zinc-air battery systems that have great potential applications in electric mobility and stationary applications.

Aluminium is naturally available in India and its extraction and recycling technologies are also very well established.

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Better Late Than Never !

Indian Oil had signed an MOU with Phinergy, almost 2 years ago !

Why Aluminum-Air Batteries ?

From web site of Phinergy :

Phinergy’s air-electrode technology has enabled it to master the metal-air reaction process and develop an aluminium-air system with a lifespan of thousands of working hours, relieving the main constraints of electric transportation and clean distributed generation.

What are the implications of Alu-Air Batteries ?

Ø There will be no “ charging “ of this battery using Electric Charging Stations

Ø Charging is through its built-in “ Air Electrode “ being injected with oxygen , extracted from air , even as the car is running – eliminating need for millions of Charging Stations that India would require to completely switch-over to Electric Vehicles ( using Li-ion batteries ) by 2030 . Hence no “ Range Anxiety “ ?

This would remove the biggest hurdle to early adoption of Electric Cars by

the buyers and make it possible for quick transition from IC engines !

Ø Its Cathode will need replacement after 25,000 hours

Ø If battery is used ( on average ) for 2.5 hours per day, then that means , it would need to be replaced after 10,000 days ( 30 years ? )

Ø Battery needs to have 1 of kg Aluminium to generate 8 kwh . So , to generate 50 kwh ( rumoured capacity of TESLA Model 3 electric car ), it would need about 6 kg of Aluminium and make it extremely cost-effective !

Ø It can be “ re-charged “ ( with oxygen ) in 5 minutes ( while car is running ? )

Ø After each recharge , it can run for 1,000 km

Ø As compared to Lithium-ion battery costing 30 % of the cost of an Electric car , this Aluminium-Air battery would cost , hardly 5 % .

Ø Using Aluminium-Air battery , what would be the on-road price of a standard 4 seat electric car (such as M&M e20 ) ? Can it possibly drop from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 8 lakh ?

Has anyone else tied up with Phinergy ?

Yes. About 2 years ago, Ashok Leyland too , tied up with Phinergy . Read :