Much has been made of EEStor's development time lines. Skeptics say ongoing delays are proof they have nothing. Industry veterans say development cycles do not happen quickly and cite examples: Tesla, Valence & Bloom Energy, etc ad nauseum.
So, what do you build your case on? For anyone trying to establish credibility for their view on EEStor, it's important to cite actual facts. That's why the initial Internet revelation of EEStor's existence is an interesting one to examine.
Ed Beardsworth is the owner and publisher of UFTO.com which is short for Utility Federal Technology Opportunities, a program he started to give Utility companies..in the words of a client, "early warning about things out there that will change our world." Please note Beardsworth makes it very easy to contact him if you need to talk about something of potential utility to him. I've taken the liberty on more than one occasion to check out facts surrounding EEStor with Beardsworth. Although he has nothing to hide, he also has obligations for secrecy due to his business relationships. Still, Beardsworth has been able to provide background on already publicly released information. Beardsworth helped introduce EEStor to Kleiner and a few other VC firms in Silicon Valley. He has interesting observations about the whole phenomena some of which he will share and some of which he will not share due to the discretion required by his line of work.
In May 2004, he wrote what is probably the first ever Internet reference to EEStor and posted it to his website, making him the original EEStor Blogger. In it, we get the first claims of several important points related to EEStor. I'm going to list a few of the key facts and then post the entire entry.
1) The funding sought was $3.5Mil which matches roughly what we know Kleiner invested (based on SEC records).
2) This is the first public claim that EEStor samples have been tested "rapid-cycled over 1 million times" including measuring for leakage and temperature. It specifically indicates EEStor was aware of the traditional obstacles to using BT in energy storage applications: "leakage, voltage breakdown & temperature sensitivity." Weak minded skeptics have tried to accuse EEStor of being unaware of fundamental obstacles but this initial disclosure shows they were aware. (even if there's not an exhaustive list, it's certainly a sufficient one when combined with the fact that Carl Nelson worked for 8 years with Arthur Von Hippel something compelling enough to make two Penn State veteran researchers state unequivocally he would absolutely know what saturation is. )
3) This is the earliest known artifact which makes clear EEStor offered prototype measurements to support their claims. This may or may not be the exact data that Mort Topfer referred to when he said he was shown a demonstration and data validating the energy density of their technology.
4) EEStor calls their technology "electrostatic" in nature and not "electrochemical or electrolytic." Their achievement is summarized specifically as "eliminating the inherent weaknesses of electrostatic technology."
5) EEStor's business plan is described as completing their first assembly line "to prove out the technology and seed the market." This is the first reference to EEStor's plans to license technology rather than sell equity. People wonder what they've been doing these days. I take this statement to be a literal description of exactly what they have been doing keeping in mind that in 2007, they made major upgrades to improve their specs.
6) The post indicates EEStor claimed not just a device but a manufacturing plan involving "integrated-circuit techniques." This is important because it indicates they are inviting scrutiny not just on their lab success but their manufacturing plan. Kleiner would have hired someone to vet this in addition to what they got from Penn State on the material science front. People who say Kleiner is a bunch of fallible mortals who can't be relied upon to evaluate complex science breakthroughs forget they have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders to do exactly that.
7) Who are the major companies Beardsworth is referring to in one of the final statements? On one hand, it doesn't matter. On the other, it's obviously Lockheed and likely GE and Ford. But of course, that's my idle speculation, right? Believe whatever you like.
8) The EESU is referred to as an ultracapacitor and an ultrabattery. Keep in mind EEStor stealth was not in effect when this article went up. Everything in it was geared around gaining funding. I believe it's best to read this particular point literally meaning EEStor never claimed to have built a simple dipole system capacitor despite the strawman skeptics would have you believe they can so simply knock down.
9) Some have claimed Weir may have written this article for Beardsworth. No. Beardsworth wrote it. If you think this article would suggest he might be willing to relay a message from outer space or promote the tooth fairy, keep in mind Beardsworth is actually a bit of a genius himself. He has a PHD in Physics from Rutgers, a program which admittedly requires in-depth, hands on experience with massive kegs of beer. But he suffered no long term harm, as Brookhaven National Lab dusted him off and put him to work on basic research in physics. He ended up at EPRI, an organization notable for having hired EEStor skeptic, John Miller to vet EEStor. Miller's recommendation was never published by EPRI because it was deemed unbalanced. (check with them yourself--try and find Miller's report, I double dog dare you. ) Finally, please know that EEStor did not contact Beardsworth, he contacted them at the urging of some associates who alerted him to "an amazing story." Of course, all of this small world dot connecting means nothing, right? Keep drinking your kool-aid, and I'll keep drinking mine.
10) I can't really think of a 10th point here but no one ends a list with 9, right? Also, flyer is holding his breath so I have to wrap this up.
So in summary, it's not entirely useless to occasionally assemble the facts you think you know and plot them against a time-line to see if you can find any inconsistencies. So far, I have not been able to find any except related to various EEStor pronouncements about timing. Fortunately, I've had thousands of helpers like you keeping me on course.
==================
Subject: UFTO Note - EEStor Ultracapacitor and Ultrabattery
Subject: UFTO Note - EEStor Ultracapacitor and Ultrabattery
Date: Wed, 05 May 2004
There have been so many breakthrough battery claims, but here's one that might deserve a careful look. The specs are impressive, and the entire manufacturing process has been thought through using processes and equipment already proven in a large-scale commercial operations. The founders bring a wealth of experience as senior technology managers in large companies and startups. The company has maintained a very low profile for several years, and I first talked to them in early 2003.
The claim is for systems at 1/2 the cost of lead-acid (per kwh), and 1/10 the weight. Specifically, they quote a product which at 400 pounds will deliver 52 kwh. Discharge (and charge) rates are at "electronic" speed, and would be limited only by the sizing of the drive circuits and external systems. Thus power ratings can be as high as needed. Selling price would be $3200 at modest production rates, and eventually down to $2100 in high volume.
Here are some specs the company is claiming:
present longterm
Energy density, Wh/L 606 1513
Specific energy, Wh/kg 273 682
Price, $/kWh 61 40
The company intends to pursue a licensing model, after building their own assembly line to prove out the technology and seed the market.
The technology is basically a parallel plate capacitor with barium titanate as the dielectric. With it's extremely high permittivity, barium titanate has a long history in capacitors, but one known for high leakage, voltage breakdown and temperature sensitivity. EEStor has confronted these drawbacks head on, and has measurements on prototypes to support their claims.
The product is a ceramic-based unit fabricated with integrated-circuit techniques. The design is based on proprietary technology and there is a patent pending for the production process. There are no corrosive, hazardous, or explosive materials used in manufacturing this product, making this a totally green technology. Also, since it is ceramic, it can be fully charged and discharged using ultrahigh currents and at electronic speeds repeatedly with no degradation to the original specifications. Samples have been rapid-cycled over 1 million times, with no change of any kind. Operating temperature is -40 to +85 deg C.
Until now, electrostatic capacitors have not been considered for energy storage applications because of their low energy density characteristics. Capacitors applied to storage are based upon electrochemical and electrolytic capacitor technologies, which possess higher energy densities. EEStor's development proposition changes that premise by eliminating the inherent weaknesses of electrostatic technology for storage applications.
A number of major companies have said they would issue a purchase order quickly if specs are met.
The company is currently seeking equity investment of $3.5 million. A business plan is available.
Contact Richard D. Weir, President and CEO
EEStor, Inc. Cedar Park, TX
512-258-5669 dick_weir@eestor.us
In 2009 the Superyacht ketch "Ethereal" slipped gently into the water for the first time and silently sailed away into the history books as one of the "greenest" sailing yachts ever built. The 190 foot (58m) beast is also one of the largest sailing yachts ever made. It's a virtual "island" on the sea that that can sleep 10 guests at a time in the lap of luxury. The Ethereal was commissioned by Bill Joy who joined KPC&B in 2005 as a partner in their Greentech Practice. Bill Joy is believed by some to be the man driving KPC&B's $3m angel investment in EEStor around July 2005. I submit however that EEStor's connection with Bill and his Ethereal may hold a much deeper relationship. EEStor as we know it today might not even exist on its current trajectory (Wherever it may lead) without Bill Joy and his Ethereal.
(Click for full size)
When Bill conceived of the Ethereal, he treated it like a "Systems Integration" exercise. A Yacht is much like an oasis or small town on the ocean. It must generate its own fresh water, electricity, heating, cooling, comfort, entertainment and living services. A yacht such as this is really only limited by how much fuel it can take with it, and how much food can be brought on board. Efficient use of those resources is paramount. Ethereal was designed with efficiency as the number one concern. Built in some ways almost like an enormous hybrid car it has batteries, electric and diesel motors. It can even recharge the batteries while sailing by putting its props into the water. Ethereal would also at its heart have a new amazing battery never before seen.
"ETHEREAL. . . A day of light sailing can also be accomplished on battery power as well as 8 hours of overnight silent operation with air conditioning."
"Battery technology has come a long way in recent years and with this new technology comes incredibly high power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratios, along with dramatically extended high power discharge and two hour recharge capabilities."
"Ethereal’s entire battery system will fit in a compartment of around 9 cubic metres while providing even more peak power than a similar size generator installation.
(Excerpt - Royal Huisman Shipyard ‘Shipyard News’ Summer 2005)
Summer 2005... the exact same time that Bill and KPC&B were investing in EEStor... But what evidence do we have that this revolutionary battery for Ethereal was to be EEStor? Straight from a KQED interview with Bill we have it from him that many of his first investments were made in technologies directly applicable to his ship! In fact at the time, Bill had a full time researcher scouring the Internet and looking for technologies that could be used for this very purpose. In several cases Bill and KPC&B directly contacted these technology companies and in some cases funded them in order to get technology for Ethereal!
Amazingly Bill goes on to talk about some of the companies he contacted early on and how surprised they were that a large investment house was interested in their technology. This seems to go along with reports and anecdotes we have from EEStor about them not actively pursuing investment and the extreme stealth mode they were in. Furthermore this could help explain why KPC&B are and have been so tight lipped on their investment in EEStor in the first place! Just think of how embarrassing it would be to KP if it got out that Bill Joy was being somewhat selfish in investing in EEStor as a Lark for his personal pet project, a 50 million dollar pleasure yacht- Ethereal! Those who know me know that I am a believer in the core EEStor tech, so I'm not saying that the EEStor technology does not work, but the reasons for the investment in the first place seems like it could be related to this very ship!
I encourage you to watch this Jan 2005 Bill Joy interview in its entirety, however, in particular focus on these specific examples if you are pressed for time:
Interview on KQED Jan 2006
-
4:40 - 6:00 (NOTE: All Quotes EDITED for space, please check context. nekote, I don't think we need a dictation of this one! :). -Bretspot)
Bill attends a presentation by a company making a new product. (Is he talking about EEStor? The timing seems about right. -Bretspot)
Bill Joy: They brought slides, first expected to have a commercial product 2014.
The Company Asks: How did you find us?
Bill Joy: We were looking for something similar we found this link on the web!
Bill Joy: A company that makes $5M is not interesting to us, $100M business in 5 years... that’s interesting... We like to build SIGNIFICANT companies!
-
12:30 Host: Where is technology going?
Bill Joy: Investments in Energy and Materials.
Host: I'm wondering about emerging technologies?
Bill Joy:: We are leaving an area of where it is simple.
-
16:00 Bill Joy:New Opportunities in energy... Build up instead of carving down... (In Regards to how you work with materials -Bretspot)
-
25:30 New materials with extremely interesting properties, made using microprocessor techniques. Thin Films and Energy... (Thin films and energy? Where have I heard that before? -Bretspot)
-
29:48 I saw an Energy Presentation earlier: Last few weeks, Timeline: first prototypes in: 1896, 1950, 1975, 1993, Ideas with roots in chemistry or mathematics, material science didn't exist. New technologies to make these things happen.
(1896 - New types of CVD invented(Very handy for Capacitors), 1950 - Arthur Von Hippel working at MIT, , 1975 - New Capacitor production technology, 1993 - Approx time Dick Weir said "We made it all work")
-
35:35 Designing a sailboat - Attempt at integrated systems design. Sailboat similar to a mini-island. Opportunity to study energy efficiency. Started in 2005 (or 2004 depending on exactly when he meant - Bretspot).
-
39:20 maybe you can run the boat on batteries at night... it will be quiet when you sleep. (Seems o'l bill has some sort of aversion to fan noises, I don't blame him and find it nearly impossible to sleep in a room with a running computer fan. -Bretspot)
-
40:00 Segways into KPC&B I have a full time guy researching technologies that might be applicable to the sailboat... A lot of the people say "how did you find us", my research assistant found you for the sailboat project.
-
41:00 The ship would be able to possibly use Fuelcells in the future (Most likely Bloom Energy another KPC&B investment -Bret).
-
41.50 The boat is an open platform for improvement in the future. (AKA New batteries and new technologies as they become available such as EEStor -Bretspot)
-
53:00 The boat is an indulgence. Excited about change (Aren't we all? -Bretspot)
So why did the Ethereal not "Ship" (Pun intended! -Bretspot) with an EEStor unit at its heart? My guess is simply because EEStor sadly wasn't ready yet. Interestingly enough, it seems that possibly several time while the ship was being built the battery changed chemistry. The earliest mention seems to say a "revolutionary new battery", then later "Li-Po" batteries, and finally, large format LiFePo3 Batteries by Valence. The final battery contains 424KWH of total storage. (Approx. equivalent to 8.15 Tesla Roadster 52kwh batteries). It is composed of 240 individual Valance U27-12XP battery modules. Each module is about 20kg with a total estimated pack weight of over 4000kg, or approx. 10,000 lbs. This doesn't include any battery management systems. Each battery is about 12L with a total calculated size of 2880L (This is quite a bit smaller than 9 cubic Meters, or 9000L). It seems that each one of these Valance batteries is about $2000-$2500 with a total cost of well over $600,000. Most likely this was much higher with all the engineering and installation finished, my wild guess is upwards of $3M-$5M or roughly 1/10th the total cost of Ethereal. The pack is able to output over 50kw continuous, or as much as 110kw for 30 seconds at a time.
So... is the Ethereal due for an eventual retrofit in the future with EEStor batteries? It's no doubt that her LiFePo3 batteries are only going to last so long. Sure a cell can be removed and a new one dropped in as they age, but for one of the most advanced Yachts ever built, why you splurge on anything less than the best that's available? She is no doubt an amazing beautiful ship and its its very unlikely that the likes of me will ever get a chance to step foot on her sleek faux teak bow, ...unless ZENN stock does even better than I hope! If she does get an EEStor retrofit in the future, perhaps Bill will recommission her as EEthereal!
More fun facts about Ethereal: http://www.yachtingpartner.com/editorial/ethere... "Best Sailing Yacht in the 45 meter + size range" for the 2010 World Superyacht Awards This prestigious yacht is to be delivered in 2008 and will be equipped with 2 EPS™ 800, 132 kW retractable thruster units.
"the Huisman engineers the design team strives to use forward thinking and superior knowledge of new technologies to rethink methods of supplying power." The hybrid electro-mechanical propulsion system can re-charge her lithium polymer battery bank through the drive train under sail rather than relying on generators. She will be able to raise anchor, motor, hoist sails and run ship’s systems from quiet, stored electrical power. Energy demands have been rigorously addressed through major innovations in insulation, lighting, appliances, water making and air conditioning. Gains in speed and propulsion efficiency have been achieved from model and tank-testing. Large twin propellers and the ability to generate power from the main engines increase fuel efficiency and reduce maintenance
Propulsion system
Hybrid propulsion consisting of two drive trains
Each consisting of a Caterpillar C18 (533 kW @
2100 rpm) diesel engine together with a 300 kW
Combimac electric motor / generator
8x30 Valence U Charge U27-12XP Batteries
Lithium Iron Phosphate, 2000+ Cycles
12,8VDC, 130AH (C/5)x30=384VDC nom.
150A Continous, 300A Peak (30s)
EEStor Founder and CEO, Dick Weir has entered the fray concerning patent protection for one of his claimed 15 patent applications. The letter to the patent examiner covering EEStor's reveals more information on Dick Weir's background that until now has been laboriously pieced together by the good guys, known to some as a cadre of fanboyz following EEStor.
Special props to Thailand based TheEEStory.com member, Mark, for focusing his particular OCD on patent updates. Mark, we thank you for your affliction.
While I would have loved to be there and ask the "Hard Questions" to the likes of KPC&B et. cetera, at least the hard-working blogger Ross Miller was at the eBay reveal of Bloom Energy's Bloom Box event.
Check out the blog and pretend you were there yourself!
Yes another month has come and gone. A few exciting things happened in Jan. For instance, we learned that last (Fall?) ZENN hired Jane Huang, PMP MBA P.ENG.
http://www.theeestory.com/topics/4854?page=1#p1...
Polarity released info on its website about a 10watt DC DC converter that can drop 3500-850 volts to 5 volts at 10 watts.
http://www.theeestory.com/topics/4775
Any other NNN happen in Jan? leave a comment and I'll add it to this list.
So think to yourself for a minute... While we didn't get the proverbial "reveal" in 2009, or in Jan 2010, those people at ZENN, EEStor, Lockheed, Polarity and LightEVS are busy like little beavers trying to push this baby out. (Or at least it appears so).
"2009 was both a challenging year and an exciting year for the Company," stated Ian Clifford, Chief Executive Officer. "There is no question that the economic turmoil had a profound effect on this year's results; unit sales declined and it required increasingly greater incentives to attain what results there were."
"Through all the challenges however, there have been some significant achievements that we believe bode well for the Company. In the year, we had EEStor release their permittivity results which was well received, we were able to raise capital in an extremely unstable and challenging market environment and we increased our equity investment in EEStor," said Clifford.
"We have also refined the focus of our energies and resources where we believe they will optimize shareholder value. To this end, as previously announced, we have decided not to bring the cityZENN to market as a commercial product and to cease production of the ZENN LSV in 2010. Instead, the Company's strategic focus going forward will be on its ZENNergy™technologies and solutions, designed to capitalize on the unique characteristics expected of EEStor's capacitor-based energy storage technology. We are excited about the ZENNergy strategy; it builds on our experience from the cityZENN project and the ZENN LSV and is complementary to many electric vehicle initiatives being undertaken today by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive and specialty vehicle industries."
In yet another mystery chapter from the EEStory, we find that EEStor has been granted patent 11/453,581. Originally filed in June 2006, this patent for a METHOD OF PURIFYING BARIUM NITRATE AQUEOUS SOLUTION, had it's patent Issue Notification mailed on Dec 30,2009 and the Patent Grant Mailed on January 19, 2010. At first look, it appears to have stayed under the radar until now.
If you examine the Image File Wrapper, you'll notice some interesting references to arguments made by Carl Walter Nelson. Also, the prosecution of this patent included a telphonic interview with EEStor's representative John Schell. What was discussed? "Applicants believe the step-wise purification provides benefits such as removing strontium while keeping barium in solution."
I predict further nuggets will emerge from this patent. So, if you must, please enjoy your own favorite aqueous solution with a toast to sages, Weir, Nelson & Clifford, praise be their name.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 18, 2010) - ZENN Motor Company Inc. ("ZMC" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ZNN - News), a leading developer of zero emission transportation solutions and technologies today announced the appointment of Patrick Kinsie to the position of Vice President, Business Development.
Mr. Kinsie brings to ZMC over twenty years of automotive business-to-business experience, including as Vice-President, Sales & Advanced Engineering with Stackpole Limited (now Gates Canada), a leading manufacturer of powertrain components, systems, and assemblies and a member of Tomkins plc. Throughout his career, Mr. Kinsie has distinguished himself with a proven, results-oriented track record that includes international sales to the top global automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.
"I am thrilled to add someone of Patrick's caliber, expertise and background to the ZMC leadership team," stated Brian Cott, President & COO of the Company. "His experience and contacts align extremely well with our plans for selling ZENNergy(TM)drive technology and solutions to the automotive and specialty vehicle markets by partnering with major OEMs and suppliers globally."
Elaborating on his decision to join the Company, Mr. Kinsie stated "With the industry clearly committed to electric drive solutions, I believe ZENN Motor Company has the opportunity to quickly become a major player and candidly, I wanted to be a member of the ZMC team. I'm excited in the role I will play in helping the Company realize its goals and vision."
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.
ZENNergy(TM) drive solutions, powered by EEStor's electrical energy storage technology are expected to enable OEM and Tier 1 partners to deliver advanced electric transportation solutions to their customers. The Company has a Technology Agreement that provides certain exclusive and non-exclusive rights to purchase and deploy EEStor's EESU technology as follows (all of which apply to 4-wheeled vehicles using electricity as energy for the vehicle's propulsion system):
-- Exclusive rights for new passenger vehicles with a curb weight of up to
1,400 kilograms, net of battery weight (this does not include vehicles
that are classified as Sport Utility Vehicles, Pickups, Trucks, Trams,
Buses and certain high-performance sports cars with electric drive
systems of 100 continuous kilowatts or higher);
-- Exclusive rights for neighbourhood electric vehicles (NEV) and golf
carts operating at a maximum speed of thirty (30) miles per hour and;
-- Exclusive rights for utility vehicles having a maximum propulsion system
of 15 continuous kilowatts or a curb weight of up to 1400 kilograms, net
of battery weight (this does not include vehicles that are classified as
Sport Utility Vehicles, Pickups, Trucks, Trams, Buses and certain high-
performance sports cars with electric drive systems of 100 continuous
kilowatts or higher);
-- Exclusive rights for the aftermarket conversion to ZENNergy(TM) drive of
any 4-wheeled vehicles currently using internal combustion, electricity
or a combination thereof for the vehicle's propulsion system, and which
have been previously licensed for road use for greater than twelve (12)
months.
-- Non-exclusive rights to purchase and deploy EEStor's EESU in new
passenger vehicles with a curb weight over 1,400 kilograms, net of
battery weight (this does not include vehicles that are classified as
Sport Utility Vehicles, Pickups, Trucks, Trams, and Buses).
The rights that ZMC holds expire when the last applicable EEStor patent expires.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact:
Catherine Scrimgeour
ZENN Motor Company Inc.
Manager, Public Affairs
(416) 535-8395 ext. 201
cscrimgeour@ZENNcars.com
Ian Clifford
ZENN Motor Company Inc.
Chief Executive Officer
(416) 535-8395 ext. 202
Ian.clifford@ZENNcars.com
