Ground Vehicle Standards Newsletter - June 2014 - 4

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storage, load leveling, and frequency regulation. These can
be applied to grid applications including everything from
"behind the meter" application for residential use (low kW·h) to
micro-grid applications (kW·h to MW·h) and even large utility
suppliers (MW·h to GW·h). The definitions of each are just
too broad a topic to try to cover here. Suffice it to say these
applications cover from tiny to enormous in the marketplace.
In China, Amperex Technology Ltd. is working directly with
one major OEM on repurposed batteries from automobiles
with installations in Asia, North America, and Europe. These
installations are simple solar renewable energy generation
stored in repurposed battery systems.
The recycler is the end of one food chain...and the creator
of a new one. The point at which the recycler receives the
battery pack is when it has the least value from an application
standpoint. The value proposition is to convert spent product
back to raw materials for reuse. For example, in today's leadacid world, 99% of battery products are recyclable. About
the only thing that isn't recycled are fastener features in the
terminal area.
Battery packs represent a different opportunity in that we are
recycling large systems that can include steel and aluminum
frames, plastic dielectric materials, high- and low-voltage
wiring systems, and a whole variety of fasteners. And, of
course, there are the cells, which have the highest value of all

within the pack. The reason for the value is the metals within
the cell structure. As an example, the lithium cells usually have
both copper and aluminum current collectors, and the active
materials may contain additional exotic metals that carry a high
price tag.
Battery pack systems may have up to a 10-year life in an
auto. Some systems could even have a 10-plus year life in a
secondary application as an ESS (energy-storage device).
Clearly, none of us knows what the time-value of money will
be over a 10- to 20-year period. And the value of these battery
pack systems is dependent upon the energy storage and
recovery of energy during the total useful life of the systems.
We also do not know the exact application usage profiles to
calculate true value. Today, valuation is merely an estimate
based on best knowledge. New technologies focused
predominately on lithium cathode/anode and electrolyte
systems will play a key role, as we know that every battery
manufacturer on the planet is running to the finish line to
improve energy, power, and life span while reducing cost.
It is my hope that some young genius will emerge from the toils
of university life to create the next energy-storage invention
that will achieve the goals of the energy-storage revolution.
For more information or if you would like to join the task force,
contact Pat Ebejer at pebejer@sae.org.

STANDARDS MATTER. AND SO DO YOU.
Standards are published documents that set out
speciﬁcations and procedures to ensure products and
systems are safe, reliable, and consistently perform the
way they were intended. They serve to protect... support
innovation...boost production and productivity... make
businesses more competitive...link businesses to the world...
complement regulation and make markets work better....and,
reward individual participants personally and professionally.
Standards matter-and so does the ongoing need for
involvement from people like you to participate in the
development of these technical documents with the
organization that produces more aerospace and ground vehicle
engineering standards than any other, SAE International.

To learn more or to express interest
in volunteering for the important work
of standards, we urge you to contact
SAE International.
Because standards matter and
so do you.
Ground Vehicle:
+1.248.273.2467
www.sae.org/standardsdev/callforexperts.htm
Aerospace:
+1.724.772.7161
www.sae.org/standardsdev/aeroexperts.htm

P140733

SAE International Ground Vehicle Standards Newsletter

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Ground Vehicle Standards Newsletter - June 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ground Vehicle Standards Newsletter - June 2014