EnerSys
Entek International
Electro-Rep Energy Products
Electric Battery Co
Edison Minit-Charger
EARLES BATTERY SERVICE
Earl’s Battery and Charger Service
Raymond introduces Energy Essentials fast-charging power solutions
Fast-charging lithium-ion power solutions unlock greater energy, operational efficiencies The Raymond Corporation introduces the next generation of lithium-ion batteries — Energy Essentials distributed by Raymond — to deliver fast-charging power solutions housed in a denser footprint, providing companies with high-performance energy sources to optimize their operations. This new offering presents a comprehensive solution that supports the entire Raymond® family of forklifts, ranging from pallet jacks to Swing-Reach® trucks. “Energy Essentials distributed by Raymond enables complete and unique integration between the truck and battery, giving full visibility to operational data elements that include state-of-charge and fault codes,” said Jennifer de Souza, senior director of energy solutions, procurement and leasing for The Raymond Corporation. “Engineered to excel in the toughest material handling applications, these lithium-ion solutions provide our customers with significant productivity enhancements, including increased uptime and reduced electricity costs.” Raymond’s NMC chemistry lithium-ion batteries offer a higher energy density in a smaller footprint for increased runtime between charges. It also provides peace of mind with the only UL-listed lift truck battery with this chemistry available on the market. By embracing this solution, operations receive the following benefits: High-density power with more energy in less space, allowing for future truck developments with smaller battery compartments, giving forklifts access to tighter spaces and narrower aisles, leading to increased pallet positions and throughput. Industry-leading capacity with the ability to put a 1,056-ampere-hour battery inside an 18-inch battery compartment. Increased productivity with the capacity to charge 500 amps on a single connector. Trucks can be charged quickly, easily, and conveniently. Undiminished performance in rigorous applications, including cold storage environments, with active cell balancing and thermal control. Greater efficiency and reduced life cycle cost with less heat and energy loss, superior capacity retention, a better acceptance of regenerative power, and no performance degradation. Full compatibility with the Raymond family of forklifts, which allows operations to develop a powerful ecosystem with unmatched synergies designed to enhance an operation’s efficiencies. Less maintenance with a completely sealed battery design to eliminate the traditional watering, equalizing and cleaning, and additional battery maintenance requirements. A best-in-class warranty with five-year 6,000-cycle coverage. When paired with Raymond’s iWAREHOUSE Evolution ™ fleet management system, Energy Essentials distributed by Raymond give operations all the tools, insights, and lithium-ion power solutions needed to run more efficiently, reliably, and profitably. From forklift battery monitoring and maintenance management to the vehicle and operator utilization, electronic checklists, and impact management, this advanced telematics solution provides timely data across an entire fleet to reduce downtime and unlock further optimization opportunities.
Flux Power’s FY 2021 Q1 revenue increased by 135%
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion industrial batteries for commercial and industrial equipment, has reported financial results for its first quarter of the fiscal year 2021 (Q1’21). Financial Highlights: Q1’21 revenue grew 135% to $4.5M compared to Q1’20 revenue of $1.9M Q1’21 gross margin increased to 19.4% compared to 6.1% in Q1’20 Strategic Highlights: While our first quarter is typically a seasonal low quarter for many of our customers, our underlying momentum and pacing compared to our revenue levels for Q1’20 is encouraging, especially in view of the COVID environment. Uplisted to Nasdaq and completed a public offering of $12.4M in August. Completed a private placement offering for $3.2M. Continued expansion of relationships with forklift OEMs and new customers. Continued expansion with Beam Global for stationary power. Repaid short-term debt by $2.6M during Q1’21. Subsequent to Q1’21: Filed a shelf registration of $50M to support capital raise for business growth over the next three years. Converted $2.2M of short-term debt to equity to strengthen the balance sheet and capital structure. Secured a working capital revolving line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. “Our revenue during Q1’21 reflects added customers and momentum despite the COVID pandemic,” Flux Power CEO Ron Dutt commented. “We believe continued improvement in our gross margin moves us closer to our goal of becoming cash flow breakeven.” Q1’21 Financial Results Revenue: Q1’21 revenue increased by 135% to $4.5M compared to $1.9M in Q1’20, driven by sales of larger LiFT Packs and stationary power applications. Gross Profit: Q1’21 gross profit improved to $873,000 compared to a gross profit of $117,000 in Q1’20 principally reflecting higher sales volumes and gross margin improvement program. Selling & Administrative: Expenses increased to $2.9M in Q1’21 from $2.3M in Q1’20, principally reflecting increased staffing to support expanded sales and marketing, sourcing and procurement, demonstration units for marketing, and expanded customer service footprint. Research & Development: Expenses increased to $1.5M in Q1’21, compared to $1.3M in Q1’20 reflecting our continued rollout of new product models, third party expense for UL Listing certification, and further development of our telemetry products. Net Loss: Q1’21 net loss increased to $4.0M from a loss of $3.8M in Q1’20, principally reflecting higher operating costs and interest expense. The fiscal Year 2021 Outlook The first quarter of the fiscal year is a seasonally lower revenue quarter, reflecting customers not purchasing or installing new equipment over the historically slower summer months of July and August. However, Flux Power continued its underlying business momentum with triple-digit year-over-year growth. The current growth trajectory is anticipated to continue based on an expanded line-up of product offerings, continued demand for lithium-ion solutions, and potential new customer opportunities. Flux Power also expects to further enhance gross margins across its product lines by implementing a series of clearly defined initiatives to advance technology, design, production, and purchasing efficiencies, as well as benefiting from growing economies of scale. CEO Ron Dutt added, “While the timing of sales continues to be a challenge to predict each quarter, we are confident in a positive outlook for the fiscal year 2021 based on customer dialogues across all product lines.” As a point of reference, according to the October 2020 report from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA), the outlook for new U.S. equipment orders is down 9.6% for the calendar year 2020 and up by 10.0% for the calendar year 2021.
1C Charging Speed Of Lithium Batteries: A Necessity or a Fad?
If you’re reading this, you’re likely considering switching your fleet of forklifts and hand jacks to Lithium-Ion batteries. Or you might be in the market for new batteries and are looking for guidance on which Li-Ion technology to purchase. If switching from older lead-acid technology, you’re making a sound business decision on several levels. It doesn’t matter if you have a single forklift working a single shift, or a large fleet working multiple shifts, upgrading to Li-Ion batteries offers you many benefits over lead-acid. Here are just a few highlights to consider before we go myth-busting on needed Li-Ion charging times. In no particular order: Li-Ion batteries give you more consistent, stable power when in use. Unlike lead-acid types, the voltage level and power availability remain at a higher, more even level. Lead-acid technology loses both voltage level and power in a downward curve, from the time you plug in the battery to the final job. This can be particularly important in cold storage or freezer applications. Cold is the sworn enemy of lead-acid batteries. You will lose between 30-50% of available capacity in cold or freezing applications with lead-acid. Li-Ion batteries are virtually maintenance-free. Lead-acid batteries need to be cleaned, watered and equalized on a regular basis. Li-Ion batteries don’t need these operations. And there’s no crusty caustic build-up to remove. Li-Ion batteries are designed for opportunity charging. In other words, you can plug them into a charger anytime the forklift isn’t in use. This saves time by eliminating the need for labor-intensive battery swaps. Of course, because they can be opportunity charged, you eliminate the need for and expense for additional batteries, normally at least one per forklift. In some cases, this may even allow you to cut down on the number of lifts needed for your operation. Not to mention the related battery handling equipment required for lead-acid. Along with opportunity charging capability, Li-Ion batteries have much faster charging times than their older, lead-acid batteries counterparts. It’s that last item—faster charging times—that will be addressed in the remainder of this article. There are two main Li-Ion battery technologies used in forklifts, each with its own unique characteristics, advantages, and limitations. LFP, or Lithium Iron Phosphate, has been around for quite some time. Because of that, it has a better track record for reliability and other factors than its Li-Ion battery counterpart, NMC. NMC, or Nickel Magnesium Cobalt Oxide batteries, are a newer technology. When first developed, NMC Li-Ion batteries were much more expensive than LFP Li-Ion batteries. That’s often the case when a new technology is developed. However, the cost between them is leveling out, so the price may or may not be your main consideration. There are other, more important differences. The Myth of a Necessary 1C Charging Rate Revealed What is an important consideration is charging times during normal forklift operations? The charging rate is designated by C, which stands for charge current, not charge voltage. A battery that can be charged at 1C will go from 0% charge to fully charged in one hour. NMC batteries achieve this charging rate easily, as many manufacturers and sales reps will inform you. In fact, that’s one of the main selling points they’ll tout during their pitch. An LFP Li-Ion battery, on the other hand, normally has a charging rate of between .5 to .8 C. What this means is that the battery will charge from 0% to 100% in about two hours at .5C and perhaps closer to 1-1/2 hours at .8C. That seems significantly slower, a potential downside to LFP batteries. So obviously, the sales rep’s biggest draw is that the NMC will charge completely in half the time of the LFP Li-Ion battery. The cost to do that may be slightly higher, both for the battery and the accompanying heavy-duty hardware required. But the time saved for the entire charge cycle makes up for it, right? Not necessarily. The need for a zero to 100% charge in 60 minutes sidesteps one of the main benefits of Li-Ion batteries as a whole: opportunity charging. Think about it for a minute. When will you ever completely drain your battery? If you’re seeing that happen, you’ve likely got a personnel problem not a battery issue. One of your drivers is not taking advantage of opportunity charging. The fact is that if opportunity charging is used, you’ll rarely get more than a 20-30% power drain, even in freezers and cold storage operations. Therefore, the higher charging rate of 1C for an NMC Li-Ion battery is really a non-issue. It’s just an exaggerated selling point with no real tangible benefit. You’re being sold a tractor/trailer rig … when a box truck or van will do the job. But there’s one final and important nail to hammer in the coffin of the 1C myth. Safety. You Really Don’t Want the Heat of 1C NMC Charging Rates Any form of flowing electrical current generates heat. That’s a fact. It’s an immutable law of electricity that must be accounted for and dealt with. The higher the amperage or current, the higher the heat. How do you get a faster charge rate? You raise the current flow, producing more heat. That heat must be dissipated by either using larger diameter cables, more robust insulation, or a combination of both. And the connectors that join battery to cable must also be heavier made or they’ll melt. Even the battery charger must be constructed more robustly, adding to the overall cost of the installation. Look at the cabling of an NMC high charge rate battery compare it with an LFP cable set. The size difference is quite noticeable. And remember, the heavier hardware is NOT for using the battery, but for charging it. More heat from higher charging rates mean more potential for fire and other heat-related accidents during charging. High amperage burns hot. Need a practical example? Turn on a 100-watt incandescent light bulb and let it sit for a minute. Then, unscrew
Episode 124 – Enersys Motive Power
In this episode, I was joined by Tim Wittig who is the General Manager of Motive Power Specialty at Enersys. We have talked to Enersys multiple times on the show, most recently on our Modex episode with Harold where we discussed wireless forklift charging. Tim and I discuss the motive power branch of Enersys, contact-less battery solutions, and the impact of the pandemic on the battery industry. Key Takeaways Enersys covers many different industries when it comes to providing battery solutions for whatever your power needs might be. Tim is focused on the motive power side of the business which would be most commonly found in the forklifts that The New Warehouse’s audience would be utilizing in their operations. Tim and I discuss the business impact of the pandemic and how Enersys has been handling it. As many in our industry are familiar with, MODEX was somewhat of the mark for the beginning of all of the change that happened over the last few months. Tim shares that throughout the pandemic the business has remained strong due to the increased demand for distribution operations to keep up with the spike in eCommerce shopping. When it comes to dealing with the pandemic every company has had to come up with some way to accommodate guidelines for proper safety measures. Enersys is no different and has a few different solutions that allow for contact-free battery usage. Tim talks about the Nexsys battery that is a pure lead solution that does not need to be watered for maintenance which takes out that touchpoint. Ultimately with a battery, the major touchpoint comes into play with maintenance so, with Enersys’ existing technology, maintenance had already been reduced prior to the pandemic. Other solutions include the E-connect app which allows for on-site maintenance workers to get further insight before touching anything and the future holds wireless charging which we have talked about previously on the podcast. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 124: Enersys Motive Power
Ecotec hires National Sales Manager
Ecotec, a global supplier of energy-efficient battery charging and monitoring systems, has hired Brian McMillan as their new National Sales Manager. “Brian will be responsible for growing sales nationally, within our established lines of distribution, by adding new distributors, and through the addition of new major accounts,” said Jim Keyser, General Manager at Ecotec. Mr. McMillan comes to Ecotec from EnerySys, where he had Regional Sales Manager responsibilities in the Upper Midwest and Sunbelt. “The opportunity to join a smaller, but growing company really intrigued me,” said McMillan. “Being in control of my future, with the chance to join upper management with an equity stake meant a lot.” With travel limited by the COVID-19 epidemic, McMillan has had time to focus on product knowledge and developing relationships with Ecotec’s existing customer base via conference calls and online meeting services. “While I do have ten years of experience with industrial batteries and chargers, I’ve been able to familiarize myself with Ecotec’s engineering advantages. It is also nice to have the time to get to know the dealers and distributors in our network. I’m really looking forward to next year when we plan to launch a couple of new charging products which will open up different markets to us,” he said. Mr. McMillan has a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and a Masters in Business Administration. He lives in West Central Florida with his wife and four daughters. Ecotec is a member of the Micropower Group, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of power storage and charging technologies. Products include lithium battery chargers, fast chargers, opportunity chargers, conventional chargers, and advanced fleet management systems. Their flagship Access Charger features microcomputer smart charging functions with 92% efficiency.
Crown Equipment expands V-Force® Battery line to offer power solutions for every forklift application
Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, has announced an expansion of its V-Force forklift batteries, chargers and accessories with the introduction of the V-Force Lead-Acid Battery line. With the expansion, Crown strengthens its position as a single source for customers for lift trucks and the power solutions and services needed to keep them running with peak performance. V-Force Lead-Acid Batteries can provide a cost-effective power solution for a range of duty cycles, including multi-shift operations. Crown’s V-Force Lead-Acid Battery line features two options: flat plate and tubular lead-acid batteries: Flat Plate Lead-Acid Batteries are a more traditional, lower-cost design for electric lift trucks and feature a robust design for durability in rough applications. To minimize positive active material shedding and corrosion, this model features a five-layer wrap and heavy grid construction. Tubular Lead-Acid Batteries increase the surface area of active material, while also improving productivity and extending runtimes for multi-shift applications. Crown’s tubular batteries feature a first-of-its-kind flexible bolt-on inter-cell cable connector. This connector allows for easy maintenance, higher current delivery with less internal resistance and lower operating temperature. The fully insulated flex connectors and post bolts prevent arcing and lead exposure. Standard tubular cells requiring less maintenance are available as are high-capacity cells for high duty cycle applications where increased run time is needed. “Not only does Crown offer flexible, versatile motive power products, but we also have the expert guidance and resources to work closely with customers to build a complete power system for any application,” said Todd Fleck, director of parts and motive power at Crown Equipment. “Having one single source that offers forklifts, chargers, and batteries enables our customers to pick the efficient, reliable, and affordable power solution specifically configured for their applications. Our customers also gain unparalleled access to Crown’s consistent, quality support and service on every level of the lift truck operation.” The full V-Force Lead-Acid Battery line is supported by Crown’s extensive service and distribution network and the company’s professional technicians who are trained to help extend the life of batteries and chargers while helping customers increase productivity and avoid unexpected repairs and downtime. The lead-acid batteries are fully compatible with V-Force high-frequency chargers, helping ensure the forklifts, batteries, and chargers work together to increase uptime and performance. Systems may be shipped pre-configured with options such as watering kits, Blinky electrolyte monitors, and battery monitoring identification devices. Crown previously announced its V-Force Lithium-Ion Energy Storage Systems in late 2019. The V-Force Lithium-Ion batteries present a number of operational advantages and are ideal for multi-shift operations because they readily accept frequent opportunity charging at high recharge rates throughout each shift, without risking damage to the battery. The full integration of the system into the lift truck allows for increased flexibility, scalability, and convenience.
Li-ion vs TPPL Battery for Forklifts
As lithium-ion batteries continue to grow in popularity, lead-acid battery manufacturers are now offering thin plate pure lead batteries (TTPL) in response, an offspring of the absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology, as an alternative. Are you interested in learning about the test results from an expert battery user? Nigel Calder has written an expert overview to provide you with a closer look into the difference between a TPPL battery and a Lithium-ion battery. This is an abridged version of his article. Keep reading to learn more! What Are TPPL Batteries? TPPL is an abbreviation for Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries. These types of batteries are a new type of Absorbed Glass Mat batteries or AGM, which have been on the market for some time now. TPPL Batteries and AGM Batteries Are Both Lead-acid. The way that TPPL batteries work is very similar to the AGM battery. The total time it takes for a TPPL battery to reach its full charge is reduced, however, TPPL batteries need to be brought to full charge to limit sulfation. The largest difference between AGM batteries and TPPL batteries is the rate of charge. TPPL batteries can absorb more charge than the standard AGM battery faster. This results in an increased but declining acceptance rate. This means a TPPL battery can charge quickly up to 70-80%, but it takes a long time to get it to the fully charged state. Performance of TPPL Batteries Compared To Li-ion When you compare TPPL batteries to lithium-ion batteries, you will find that TPPL batteries need roughly double the nominal capacity to do the same job. They typically can not be discharged below 40% SOC without damaging the battery and/or voiding the warranty. (It’s still lead acid). With a Li-ion battery, you do not have this limitation. TPPL batteries have a high rate of charge and discharge. This increased rate translates to an increased level of internal heat inside of the battery. This can cause a reduction in the life expectancy of TPPL batteries. Even if you take proper care of TPPL batteries, TPPL batteries won’t have as long a life expectancy as the majority of the Lithium-ion batteries that you’ll find on the market. Life expectancy is routinely measured in cycles. When you compare Lithium batteries to lead-acid batteries, you’ll find that lead-acid batteries will lose their capacity when being used at a permanent partial state of charge, or “opportunity charged”. This isn’t the case with lithium-ion batteries! NO Memory effect! TPPL Battery Claims There have been many performance claims made about TPPL batteries, based on their beneficial characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at some of the claims made about TPPL batteries. Increased Charging Rate. According to some manufacturers TPPL batteries can be charged at a rate up to six times the rated capacity that they have. One of the leading manufacturers of TPPL batteries on the market claims that TPPL batteries can go from completely dead to a full charge in under 30 minutes. However, based on testing performed by Nigel Calder, even as TPPL batteries absorb 2 times their rated capacity, this rate only lasts for a limited amount of time. When a TPPL battery reaches around 70% charge, the acceptance rate dramatically slows down (about 300%). While many manufacturers will claim that TPPL batteries charge faster than other types of batteries on the market, testing has shown that TPPL batteries follow the same charging curve as lead acid-based batteries. (It’s still lead acid). Charge Capacity. When TPPL batteries are being used in a partially charged state, they work in the same way that AGM batteries do. This means that when a battery is partially charged, there’s an increased risk of a loss of charge capacity. (Memory effect). While a TPPL battery charge capacity can be adjusted, there’s special equipment that’s needed to modify the charge capacity. The charge capacity can be adjusted by controlling how much the battery can be overcharged, but this only occurs when the voltage of the battery is driven to high levels. During the process of recovering the capacity of the battery’s charge, it’s to be expected that the venting of electrolytes will take place. In simpler terms – expect acid fumes or “gassing”. Usable Capacity. Another common claim about TPPL batteries is the usable capacity. Manufacturers will claim that up to 80% of the capacity will be usable for up to 1200 cycles. Compare to Li-ion batteries that offer above 80% of usable capacity at 3000 plus cycles, depending on charging habits and application. That’s more than double the cycles! Whenever there isn’t a complete full recharge, the entire capacity to which a TPPL battery can be charged is reduced. This results in an additional drop in the battery’s charging capacity. As an end result, this can cause a reduction in the capacity to around 50%, i.e. “memory effect”. Li-ion batteries can be charged at any given moment and for any amount of time with no loss of capacity. NO Memory effect! Storage. One claim that has been proven to be true about TPPL batteries is the shelf-life of their charge. When a TPPL battery is brought to a full charge, the battery can be stored for several months without losing any charge. This is because of the low self-discharge rates that are found with TPPL batteries. Some Li-ion batteries have an “on-off” button to switch off the battery when not in use for as long as 6-12 months. The Differences Between a Lithium-Ion Battery Vs the TPPL Battery – Not a Fair Comparison Now that you have a basic knowledge of the differences between Li-ion and TPPL batteries, we hope you understand that this is not really a fair comparison. They are often included in the same conversation because two technologies can be said to have the “no-maintenance” feature. Aside from that, they are completely different technologies. It’s like comparing “apples” to “Lions”! Are you interested in learning more about how to take advantage of the lithium
Quantum Automation supports off-grid automation with QRTU and QSolarBattery
These Quantum Automation hardware platforms can be used individually or together to enable IIoT monitoring and automation almost anywhere Quantum Automation is shipping the Quantum Remote Telemetry Unit (QRTU) and the QSolarBattery. These standardized yet customizable hardware platforms are part of the growing array of Q-Line products which are enabling end-users and systems integrators (SIs) to deploy industrial internet of things (IIoT) and automation solutions anywhere, regardless of whether internet connectivity or power is readily available. QRTU—Complete Edge Solution The QRTU is a complete edge hardware solution for all remote commercial, industrial, and utility/infrastructure data collection and control applications. Numerous options are available to incorporate PLCs from major suppliers such as AutomationDirect, IDEC, and Allen Bradley. Any type of I/O signaling or communications protocol can be supported, and an edge wireless gateway provides connectivity via the cellular network of choice for installations where internet service is not available. Power can be supplied by the user—supplemented with the Quantum Uninterruptible Power Supply (QUPS) if desired—or by the QSolarBattery for a complete off-grid solution. A customized QRTU system can be shipped in one box and is easily installed, so you can begin monitoring and controlling your remote applications quickly. The system is UL Listed and includes detailed documentation and engineering drawings. QSolarBattery—Automation Power Anywhere The QSolarBattery system is a complete package with everything needed to power remote monitoring and control panels anywhere there is sunshine. It includes: Solar panel Lithium-ion battery Charge controller Pole-mount or ground-mount options Over a dozen configurations are available, with four different solar panel wattage sizes and battery capacities ranging from 30Wh to 480Wh to support up to four hours of runtime, depending on the load. These systems are designed to deliver regulated power output, not just a variable battery voltage, using a battery management system with eight layers of safety and optimization built-in. Battery and solar components carry the relevant UL certifications, and the compact form factor is built for outdoor operation in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 65°C. Quantum Automation is available to help size a system to best meet your needs. QRTU + QSolarBattery While the QRTU and QSolarBattery can each be used for standalone applications, they work together particularly well for industrial-grade monitoring and control applications located near or far, with or without available networking or power connectivity. Applications include: Oil & gas: Production, well and tank monitoring, leak detection, compressor stations Environmental: Solar and wind tracking, paint booths, HVAC equipment, landfill monitoring, water treatment Agriculture: Soil moisture monitoring, weather monitoring, irrigation, pump houses Golf courses: Lake monitoring, pump control, timers, sprinklers Water districts: Tank monitoring and pump control Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): Bridge/tunnel/freeway signage, overpass pump houses, battery charging stations, temporary power, smart trucks Entertainment: On-location movie filming support Combined with the Quantum Cloud Server (QCS) IIoT remote monitoring and control cloud-based solution, users can interact with remotely-sourced vital data anywhere via any device capable of hosting a web browser, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Quantum Automation is a manufacturing and distribution company located in Anaheim, CA. Backed by a talented team of electrical and mechanical engineers, Quantum Automation specializes in automation, networking, power products, solutions, and services for the commercial, industrial, and utility/infrastructure markets.
Nano One adds Battery Materials Strategist Robert Morris to address the market need for Environmentally Sustainable Battery Metals
Highlights Robert Morris joins Nano One™ as an expert advisor on battery raw materials strategies. Automotive companies, investors, and governments are increasingly requiring environmentally sustainable supply chain practices. Nano One’s latest technology eliminates the need for metal sulfates from refiners and reduces costly and environmentally sensitive waste streams in cathode production. A patent application has been filed that could align Nano One’s process with those of the raw material suppliers for a cost-effective, integrated, and environmentally sustainable supply chain. Dr. Stephen Campbell, CTO of Nano One, is pleased to introduce Nano One advisor Mr. Robert Morris and present an emerging opportunity to leverage Nano One’s patented cathode production technologies in addressing a growing requirement for clean and sustainable sources of battery raw materials. “The leaders in electric vehicle manufacturing, investors and governments are all seeking sustainable sources of raw materials for use in lithium-ion batteries, especially nickel and cobalt,” said Dr. Campbell. “We believe that Nano One’s cathode production technology could contribute by enabling integration with raw material suppliers to eliminate waste streams and provide a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable process. We have recently filed another patent application relating to the integration opportunity.” Mr. Robert Morris of Morris Consulting has joined Nano One as an advisor to explore business opportunities with battery metal producers looking to provide environmentally sustainable and value-added materials into the battery supply chain. Mr. Morris has more than 15 years’ experience in the mining industry, most recently with Vale as Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing in Base Metals and as President of Vale Japan Ltd. He was instrumental in developing Vale’s strategic direction relating to its electric vehicle strategy, positioning its vast nickel and cobalt assets towards the production of essential battery materials. Prior to Vale, Mr. Morris was Managing Director at Umicore Greater China responsible for marketing Umicore’s line of cathode battery materials to the China market. Mr. Morris said “There is a tremendous opportunity to further optimize the global supply chain for the critical metals required for today’s lithium-ion batteries. In addition to bringing important efficiencies to the supply chain, Nano One’s technology has the capability to significantly reduce the waste stream associated with processing these metals in the production of cathode active materials.” Mr. Morris joins a strong team of strategic advisors at Nano One including Joe Lowry, Gord Kukec, and Dr. Byron Gates. Miners and refiners supply nickel in the form of sulfate (22% nickel, 78% waste) to manufacturers, mostly in China, who mix it in a caustic process with cobalt and manganese to form an intermediate precursor while generating a sizable sulfate waste stream that adds cost, complexity, and environmental challenges. Lithium is then added to the precursor in a prolonged thermal process to form cathode powders before final protective coatings can be applied. This supply chain is long and complicated with waste handling, sales, support, logistics, shipping, and margins added at each stage. Nano One’s patented one-pot process forms durable single crystal cathode powders and protective coatings simultaneously and directly from non-sulfate metal salts. It is an aqueous process that operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressures, and it eliminates the precursor step, and the extra coating steps completely while keeping the sulfate stream at the refiner where it can be recycled. This aligns Nano One with the sustainability objectives of automotive companies, investment communities, and governmental infrastructure initiatives. It also offers an opportunity for nickel refiners to provide environmentally and sustainability-minded sources of nickel or to integrate and manufacture cost-reduced value-added cathode powders for direct supply to battery manufacturers. Dr. Campbell added, “We look forward to working with Mr. Morris on building relationships with upstream metals refiners and exploring opportunities to align Nano One’s processes with those of the raw material suppliers to add value, reduce waste and improve environmental footprints.”
OneCharge Lithium-ion Batteries help a leading U.S. Manufacturer stay at the Top of the Game
Briggs & Stratton, a U.S. small engine manufacturer, made the switch to OneCharge lithium-ion batteries to achieve the highest performance for its forklift fleet at the company’s U.S. distribution centers. “What’s nice about lithium batteries is that there is no memory effect! You can randomly charge it at 90% or at 10% (SOC)” – Bill Harlow Director of Global Distribution and Warehousing, Briggs & Stratton Executive Summary Briggs & Stratton merged its smaller warehouses across the U.S. into two large distribution centers and switched forklift fleets at both locations to li-ion batteries from previously used lead-acid batteries. The detailed cost analysis demonstrated significant savings of lithium batteries compared to both LPG (propane) and lead-acid batteries. After over a year of impeccable performance from OneCharge li-ion batteries, the company is committed to switching all of its remaining lead-acid batteries to Li-ion. Challenges With over 110 years of experience, Briggs & Stratton is trusted by millions of people around the globe and backed by the largest service network in the industry. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Briggs & Stratton Corporation is the world’s leading producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power lawn and garden equipment and pressure washers through its Briggs & Stratton®, Simplicity®, Snapper®, Ferris®, Vanguard®, Allmand™, Billy Goat®, Murray®, Branco® and Victa® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced in over 100 countries on six continents. In 2019, Briggs & Stratton was consolidating a number of its smaller existing warehouses throughout the U.S. into two large warehouses in Richfield, Wisconsin and Auburn, Alabama, with a total area of 1.1 million square feet. “By consolidating our current footprint into two large distribution centers, we’re increasing efficiencies to more effectively serve our customers,” Bill Harlow stated in the company PR release at the time. The drive for efficiency has guided Harlow’s decisions for 42 years at Briggs & Stratton. His career started in August 1978, and in 2020, Harlow is responsible for over 1.5 million square feet of warehouses and distribution centers in the U.S. and Europe (Netherlands). About 10 years ago, the company started to experiment with an alternative charging pattern of these “wet-cell” batteries to increase uptime. Instead of a standard practice of 8 hours of operations and 8 hours of charging followed by 8 hours of cooling, Harlow’s team was charging lead-acid batteries frequently to keep them in the 40-70 percent SOC (state of charge) corridor. Harlow thought this was not enough. There was still maintenance to take care of. With an average of 20 minutes per day spent on watering and changing the lead-acid batteries during shifts, the inefficiencies were piling up quickly for the 150 people operating over 50 trucks. The uptime increase has become a real issue for the company with the two-shift operations. So, Harlow decided to test the long-standing practice of using lead-acid batteries as a power source for the company’s fleet of electric forklifts. Harlow had been closely following the developments in li-ion technology. One of the company’s commercial brands, Vanguard, has a line of lithium-based power solutions. Harlow asked his longtime trade partner Dwayne Lawhorn from YES Equipment to help estimate the available options for the two new distribution centers. How OneCharge Lithium Batteries helped The initial comparison included all available alternatives of power sources: fuel cells praised for their safety, li-ion batteries for longevity, “wet cell” batteries, and LPG (propane) for lower initial costs. Both battery types and LPG went into the total cost of ownership calculations. “The cost analysis made the decision straightforward,” said Lawhorn. The estimate was based on the 15 years of operations of 54 trucks, alternatively powered by LPG, lead-acid, and OneCharge lithium batteries, and factored in the lease, daily maintenance, and fuel/electricity costs. The li-ion option was by far the most attractive: it demonstrated a savings of $2,800 per truck compared to lead-acid and $8,100 compared to LPG. Accumulated over the full period for all 54 units, the savings add up to a $2.2 million vs. lead-acid and $6.6 million vs. LPG. And this analysis did not even take into account the air ventilation makeup, battery room expenses, potential hazards with acid spills, and potential safety costs for LPG tank changeouts! Once the deal was sealed, there was no problem fitting all of the new Class I and III lift trucks with the optimal li-ion batteries. Lawhorn and Jerry Mastroianni, sales manager from OneCharge, developed the battery specs to choose from the OneCharge product line of over 550 models. Results, Return on Investment and Future Plans One and half years after the start of the operations at new distribution centers powered by li-ion batteries, Briggs & Stratton has seen no issues with the equipment, and Harlow is happy with the performance boost. No leaking acid, none of the downtime associated with lead-acid batteries, and “what’s nice about lithium batteries is that there is no memory effect! You can randomly charge it at 90 percent or at 10 percent,” Harlow said. This is true “opportunity” charging. If you can’t opportunity charge a lead-acid battery outside of the 40-70 percent SOC range, this actually is a strict pattern of a “memory effect”. Bill reports a 5 percent overall efficiency increase, and for a large company, this is a big deal. There are a few lead-acid-powered trucks left until the current lease term is over, and the plan is to transition to li-ion only at Briggs & Stratton. Efficient li-ion batteries are replacing the old lead-acid technology across industries and applications. Tried-and-tested lithium solutions are no longer the newcomers, and we will see an accelerating adoption of li-ion batteries by all players in material handling over the next few years.
Nano One enters into a joint Development Agreement with a global cathode material producer
Dan Blondal, CEO of Nano One has announced that Nano One has entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with a multi-billion-dollar Asian cathode material producer. This producer, based outside of China, wishes to remain unnamed at present due to the highly competitive state of the lithium-ion battery supply chain. The JDA completely aligns with Nano One’s mission of developing, demonstrating, and licensing of its high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode material technology. “We are thrilled to be working with a highly respected cathode producer who shares Nano One’s vision to develop and launch a disruptive cathode business,” said Mr. Blondal. “This is a defining moment in our evolution and an important milestone in the advancement of our business.” Under this JDA, the parties will jointly develop and evaluate cathode materials made with combined technologies, including Nano One’s patented One-Pot process for the production of high-performance coated single crystal cathode powders. The JDA also provides a framework to develop a business plan for the commercialization of these jointly developed materials. The potential outcomes of the JDA include the formation of a joint venture, licensing of Nano One’s technology, and or further joint development work. Nano One has developed, patented, and scaled-up innovative processes that produce cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion battery applications in electric vehicles, energy storage, and consumer electronics. The processes are engineered with a low carbon footprint to form protective coatings on individual crystals that improve durability and add value while reducing process steps and cost. Mr. Blondal added “We have assembled a valuable portfolio of cathode technologies and our business strategy is designed for opportunities such as this. We are excited to be working with a global leader in innovation and materials manufacturing who share our vision and we look forward to advancing this partnership and expanding our business opportunities.”
Hyster pushes Integrated Lithium-ion Power forward with higher capacity lift truck
Hyster Company introduces the new Hyster J155-190XNL series, the industry’s first sit-down counterbalanced lift truck with factory-integrated 350-volt lithium-ion power in the 15,500 to the 19,000-pound capacity range. The J155-170XNSL, J175XNL36, and J190XNL provide a zero-emission alternative for heavy-duty, higher-capacity applications both indoors and out, avoiding the need to operate extra lift trucks only for certain environments. “While heavy-duty lifting applications have long relied on internal combustion engines (ICE), green initiatives and government regulations have made an electric option increasingly attractive,” says Martin Boyd, Vice President, Product Planning and Solutions, Hyster Company. “Lithium-ion power has key attributes that make it well-suited to electrify higher-capacity trucks, allowing customers to get the performance they need and meet sustainability targets. The high-voltage lithium-ion battery paired with efficient, high-power electric motors delivers performance comparable to an ICE, and maintains efficient, consistent power delivery throughout the full battery charge. The battery is sealed and has no maintenance requirements, offering faster charging and a longer overall battery cycle life than typical lead-acid batteries. The battery can fully charge in less than 90 minutes using the required charger and can also be opportunity charged, allowing operators to plug in whenever convenient to help increase truck run time. The J155-190XNL series uses the chassis and other tried and true components of the Class 5 ICE-powered Hyster® Fortis products of the same capacities, including the same shortened counterweight design and turn assist system from the H155-170FTS models, providing improved maneuverability in the J155-170XNSL models. Lithium-ion power means far fewer serviceable parts compared to ICE-powered alternatives, with no fluid, filters, spark plugs, belts, or other powertrain items that require periodic service or replacement. The J155-190XNL is the company’s second sit-down counterbalanced forklift with factory-integrated lithium-ion power, joining the Hyster® J50-60XNL, a finalist for the International Forklift Truck of the Year Award.
CLARK partners with Flux Power to supply Lithium-Ion batteries
CLARK Material Handling Company (CLARK), a top-ten global manufacturer of forklift trucks and spare parts, has partnered with Flux Power to provide the family of CLARK Dealers and end-users with up-to-date lithium-ion power options that outlast and outperforms most, if not all, comparable options and at a lower cost with fewer replacements needed. Founded in 2009, Flux Power is a leading developer of lithium-ion batteries having higher performance, extended life, and lower total cost of ownership compared with lead-acid solutions. Products include advanced battery packs for forklifts, airport ground support equipment, and other commercial and industrial applications. To date, Flux Power has shipped over 7,000 lithium-ion battery packs nationwide. Over the years Flux Power manufactured high-quality battery packs for Sitdown Riders, Narrow Aisle, End Riders, Center Riders, and Walkies with a focus on being “experts in energy storage solutions.” Their environmentally friendly products contain no toxic lead or acid and release no explosive gases when charging. Additionally, customers using Flux Power LiFT Packs experience run time increases of up to 45% over similarly rated (amp-hour) lead-acid batteries. The exacting standards of Flux Power provide CLARK with a competitive product that meets the extensive needs of CLARK Dealers and end-users. “We’ve listened to our dealers and to our end-users. After extensive industry research, CLARK identified Flux Power as the best partner for providing a superior product that meets or exceeds our dealer and customer requirements,” said Charlie Chwasz, North America Aftermarket Sales Manager. “Flux Power is a great addition that well-complements our existing battery line-up. This partnership will provide customers with a maintenance-free alternative that reduces owner operating costs,” Chwasz added.