Welcome to a new series exploring the different technologies and companies that are a key part of Ecotality’s vision for a greener and more sustainable future. First up is eTec, a company that specializes in next-generation energy storage and alternative-transportation testing.
Tell us a bit of what eTec specializes in — and where the company is positioning itself over the next couple years.
eTec is focused on technologies and solutions surrounding Energy, Transportation and the Environment. Initially focused on electric vehicle infrastructure, ETEC has expanded into areas of battery research, energy storage, advanced vehicle testing, and hydrogen technologies. eTec has strong fast charger branding in the airport, industrial lift-truck and low speed electric vehicle markets and is well positioned to develop charging products for the emerging plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and pure electric vehicle on-road markets.
The Minit-Charger appears to be an excellent fast-charging accessory for electric and plug-in vehicles. Can you describe how it works and it we might one days see these things in our garage?
Minit-Charger utilizes patented charging methods that allows faster charging wthout the destructive effects of over-charging and un-controlled temperature rise. The eTec Minit-Charger fast-charge system will more likely be deployed at commercial facilities where people spend at least 10-15 minutes such as restaurants, malls and in fleet applications. It is typically not necessary to fast-charge at home, the residential home could have an eTec overnight charge system that typically would complete the charge in 6-8 hours.
The “Hydrogen Future” is generally expected to be 10-15 years away. In your experience working on technologies to make a hydrogen infrastructure a reality, does this ring true? Could it happen faster?
We believe we could get to a cost effective solution pretty quickly with the hydrogen ICE vehicle conversions, but the hydrogen supply is still an expensive proposition. We are conducting a study for the US DOE looking at utilizing existing off-peak nuclear energy to see if an economic solution can be achieved in the near term for bulk hydrogen production. There are several other such studies underway to better understand what the best approach would be for hydrogen generation. It’s very difficult to predict what advancements might take place to get us there.
What are the major hurdles still to be conquered in safely storing and distributing hydrogen?
For storage, Increasing energy density while economically competing with other fuel choices. Distribution can be done by various methods (truck, pipeline, etc.) but large scale delivery is necessary in most cases to make economic sense.
eTec also performs advanced testing of electric vehicles. Has the company been busier lately with this industry — and is it (the electric vehicle industry) more mature and ready for the market this time around than, say, when the GM EV1 first launched back in ‘98?
eTec is extremely busy testing hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles for the US DOE. We believe that the introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is a good “next-step” in getting to the overall goal of pure battery electric vehicles. The GM EV1 was a remarkable car that had it continued could have met a growing percentage of the public. The plug-in hybrid electric cars will likely be a much easier step for consumers because they will have the safety net of the petroleum engine. There appears to be momentum building by all of the auto manufacturers between environment concerns, energy independence and high oil prices. It looks like plug-in vehicles are coming soon and likely here to stay for a long time.
