Wisconsin gives Johnson Controls-Saft $500,000 for hybrid battery tech
The State of Wisconsin will give Johnson Controls-Saft a half-million dollar grant to aid in the development of hybrid battery technology, it was announced yesterday. The grant is part of Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle's Clean Energy Wisconsin Plan, and requires Johnson Controls-Saft to invest $500,000 of its own money - I wouldn't be surprised it it goes into the company's Battery Technology Center in Milwaukee - to get the matching funds from the state. The company says it was given the grant "specifically for the advanced technology R&D and commercialization efforts for lithium-ion hybrid vehicle batteries." Johnson Controls-Saft is also building li-ion batteries in France and got $8.2 million from the "ignorant" federal government. [Source: Johnson Controls]
PRESS RELEASE:
Johnson Controls-Saft Awarded Grant for Development of Hybrid Battery Technology
MILWAUKEE, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle's Clean Energy Wisconsin Plan, Johnson Controls-Saft was awarded a $500,000 Bio Energy Grant. The company was chosen for this grant due to its leadership in developing innovative, clean energy projects, specifically for the advanced technology R&D and commercialization efforts for lithium-ion hybrid vehicle batteries. The company's Battery Technology Center in Milwaukee is one of the most sophisticated automotive battery research and development facilities in the United States.
The grant is part of a cost share program in which Johnson Controls-Saft will invest $500,000 and in turn receive $500,000 from the State of Wisconsin as an incentive for further innovation and advancement of the state's clean energy agenda.
"We are extremely proud that our joint venture Johnson Controls-Saft is working with the state of Wisconsin on this project," said Johnson Controls Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen A. Roell. "Wisconsin is establishing itself as a leader in the next generation of transportation and we look forward to partnering with the state to drive domestic competitiveness in sustainable mobility and making Wisconsin an important part of the new energy economy."
In March, Governor Doyle introduced Clean Energy Wisconsin, his plan to move Wisconsin forward to promote renewable energy, create new jobs, increase energy security, and improve the environment. The plan is part of the Governor's overall efforts to grow Wisconsin's economy by investing in innovative businesses that improve the state's energy independence.
"From manufacturing wind turbines and solar panels to retro-fitting fuel pumps and exploring the latest clean technologies, Wisconsin's future lies in seizing green opportunities that will create good jobs for our citizens and add billions of dollars to our economy," Governor Doyle said. "I am pleased the state is awarding Johnson Controls-Saft with a grant to develop innovative technologies that will improve our energy independence and provide diverse and affordable clean energy to our citizens."
Recently, Johnson Controls-Saft was awarded a grant from The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for a development contract worth $8.2 million over the next two years. The development efforts will focus on the development of lithium-ion battery systems for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and over the course of two years will seek to validate the commercial feasibility of lithium-ion technology for mass market PHEVs.
Earlier this year, Johnson Controls-Saft opened the world's first production facility for lithium-ion hybrid vehicles, located in Nersac, France. The company has production and development contracts for global automakers, including Ford, GM, Daimler, Chery and SAIC. In addition to its leadership in the development of hybrid battery systems, the company is also the leading supplier of lead acid batteries for virtually every type of passenger car, light truck or utility vehicle, with global brands including OPTIMA, VARTA, LTH and Heliar, as well as private labels.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defense. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defense and space industries. With approximately 3,800 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 18 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. For more information, visit Saft at http://www.saftbatteries.com/.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 10:50AM (9/19/2008)
WOW! There are so many ways to make a profits these days and you don't even have to make or sell a product!
All you have to do is "support" a politician through a lobbiest and they will give you some of the taxpayer's money. Now THAT'S how the "market" in Amerika works!
This must be the "change" politicians talk so much about in the "new" United Socialist States of America!
I hope we handle Socialism better than our comrads, the Soviets did. Then again, our markets don't look so good either. I know, let's print MORE money (liquidity) and further debase the currency. Yea, and more crack will stop the pain.
What happens when the currency is worth NOTHING and there is no more crack for the addict? This is going to be one hell of a hangover and this time, the Gov't can't borrow it's way out like it did during the last "great" depression.
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TX CHL Instructor 11:40AM (9/19/2008)
Ah, yes good ol' Johnson Controls. I worked for them for a couple of years, back during the time they bought out Globe-Union Inc., the maker of the "Diehard" battery for Sears. I think it was called "Diehard" because when it dies, it's really hard to start your car... I learned about how you can tack on a meaningless 'warranty' that locks in your customer base for a battery that would not last as long as the least expensive Pb-acid auto battery you could buy at the time(*). The "Diehard" was deliberately designed to have an average 3-year service life, even with proper maintenance and reasonable care, and came with a 4-year pro-rated warranty.
Maybe they've changed their ways in the last couple of decades, but in my experience, such behavior tends to be endemic to an organization, and is very difficult to change. When a company screws their employees, their vendors, or their customers, it's only a matter of time before they screw all three groups.
(*) The cheapest Pb-acid battery you can buy with a 2-year warranty will last about 4 years in automotive use with proper maintenance and reasonable care. A Pb-acid battery with a 4-year warranty will last about 4 years in automotive use with proper maintenance and reasonable care. The most expensive Pb-acid battery you can buy with a 6+ year warranty will last about 4 years in automotive use with proper maintenance and reasonable care.
Anybody notice a pattern?
Newer technology in Pb-acid batteries has some promise of dramatically longer service life, but what would be the motivation to sell fewer batteries?
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