REPORT: public demonstrations of EESTOR's sectretive EESU next month?
Last month, we got a glimpse inside EEStor's ultracapacitor progress thanks to a leaked audio clip – admittedly, possibly on purpose – of someone interviewing EEStor CEO Dick Weir. At that time, Weir said that the EESU packs would be coming soon and promised demonstrations for 2010. We might not have to wait even that long for some sort of non-PR proof that the ultracaps work. According to All Cars Electric, EEStor has said, "they will prove their technology to the world by the end of September, slightly more than one month from now." We're marking this in our calendars using pencil.
Another bit of news from the audio tape that has since been confirmed is that Polarity Inc. of Rancho Cordova, California, is putting the EESUs (energy storage units) together for ZENN's upcoming EV. Polarity Inc.'s website states:
[Source: All Cars Electric]2009 Awarded contract from EESTOR to integrate Polarity's high power HV to LV converter into EESTOR's EESU that will be used in Zenn Motor Company's small to medium size electric car
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joe Bonaparte 6:32PM (8/26/2009)
That's cool. I haven't bought batteries for my converison yet.
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Mark Kiernan 6:35PM (8/26/2009)
This is looking more and more like vaporware. I really hope that super/ultra capacitors does become a reality, so we could have EVs with large cheap batteries (with large capacity of charge) and capacitors giving quick refill capabilities. One of the "issues" that skeptics have is that EVs recharge too slowly this would eliminate this problem.
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Sean 8:42PM (8/26/2009)
I'm still skeptical, but this is looking less and less like vaporware.
Minor point: ultracapacitors are a reality. You can buy one today. What doesn't exist yet are ultracapacitors cheap enough and with a high enough energy density to replace Lithium Ion batteries in cars.
Chris M 9:07PM (8/26/2009)
"Ultracapacitors" have better energy density than standard capacitors, but still have a lower energy density than lead acid batteries. While they do have many practical uses, powering EVs isn't one of them.
Perhaps we should call the EEStor units a "super-duper-hyper-capacitor". Assuming it ever lives up to the hype, that is.
Sean 2:06PM (8/28/2009)
Haha... HYPErcapacitor
BillySharps 6:43PM (8/26/2009)
I'm skeptical.
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Mark Kiernan 6:43PM (8/26/2009)
Sorry I think I confused the capacitor, it is intended as a replacement for lithium ion batteries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEstor
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alexacoon 6:57PM (8/26/2009)
Just looking at the pictured vehicle itself I have to say I am very interested. Even with a little ICE I would take such a vehicle over a Smart car any day, if it truly works as stated thats all the better!
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Dolphyn 7:27PM (8/26/2009)
The pictured low-speed vehicle is available today (without EEStor technology), http://www.zenncars.com/
Monroe 6:59PM (8/26/2009)
While the caps would be able to charge more quickly, very fast transfer of electrical energy still requires a large source of power and generates a significant amount of heat. Fast charging stations are likely to be dangerous and/or expensive. However the technology could evolve and cheapen over time. But it will never be as simple as pouring liquid into a container.
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bvz 7:16PM (8/26/2009)
Maybe. Maybe not. (re: never as simple as pouring liquid into a container)
Assuming EESTOR isn't full of it (and that is a very big assumption), take a look at the comparison (keeping in mind that this is all a lay person's understanding of the science involved).
Fast Charge System:
The end user would handle a high voltage cable with, no doubt, liquid cooling. It would have to have some sort of an interlock to make sure that no current was flowing unless actually plugged into a vehicle. The station itself would need some way to store huge amounts of electricity because you wouldn't want to drag that much current x the number of cars recharging at once (better to slowly draw current from the grid and store it at the station to be used to charge the cars).
Seems complicated. But think about the current gas infrastructure we are used to.
Gas Pumping:
You have to have a specialized pump with a specialized hose and nozzle (even so, there is nothing to prevent some user from just pulling the trigger and spilling gas). You most likely already need (or soon will) a vapor recovery system to catch stray, polluting vapors. The liquid that you are pumping is extremely flammable and, as such, is inherently dangerous. You need to have underground storage tank to store the liquid as well as the mechanisms for dealing with leaking tanks and potential fires. Finally, you have to have a huge distribution infrastructure in which gallons of this liquid is manually transported from it's point of origin to each of the individual gas stations.
Also seems very complicated, but it works.
I think this may be what you just said... and I agree that the complexity is something that will lessen over time. Eventually it will be so commonplace we won't even think about it... and the idea of manually carrying a gallon of explosive liquid miles and miles to dump into our car will seem incredibly anachronistic.
oobflyer 7:08PM (8/26/2009)
If nothing else they know how to keep the suspense going....
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jpm 8:02PM (8/26/2009)
EEstor's public demonstration will consist of a showing of its barium titanate powder. You'll finally get to see the ultra pure powder with your own eyes!
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Chris M 9:14PM (8/26/2009)
Or maybe it will be like the Steorn Orbo demonstration, that is, a big flop that they will blame on "hot lights" or some other silly thing. Steorn has faded into well deserved obscurity after that fiasco, but if EEStor screws up it could become a major scandal, given the huge multimillion dollar investments involved.
Or maybe EEStor will roll out yet another excuse for delaying their embarrassing public failure
RAN 10:34PM (8/26/2009)
Speaking of the Steorn Orbo, I found another magnet motor that appears to be in or near production, based on the Perendev motor: http://www.perendev-power.com/autopack.htm
I was wondering if anyone here had heard anything about this supposed auto-pack?
I can't help thinking that, if they really have such a motor, and it really works, why isn't the world beating a path to their door?
in re: EEStor's only doing a public showing of their barium titanate powder, they should remember what happens when you cry "wolf" one time too many. If they don't provide a public demonstration of their EESU by the end of this year, they can pound sand AFAIK.
Chris M 2:39AM (8/27/2009)
That "Perendev" 100 Kw generator puts out 90 Kw, in other words, you put in 100 Kw of mechanical power and get out 90 Kw. Average efficiency generator, in other words. But they carefully cultivate this image of it being so much more, the rumors from the lunatic fringe are that it is "self powered", though the company itself is deliberately vague on that point.
"Magnetic Motors" inevitably fall into 1 of 2 groups:
1. Electric motors that use permanent magnets, like brushless DC motors. Quite common and ordinary.
2. "self powering" motors that are always demonstrated by hucksters looking for investors. In other words, a scam.
Yanquetino 11:05PM (8/26/2009)
Don't hold your breath.
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Mark 11:33PM (8/26/2009)
Dear EESTOR:
Put up or shut up. We want to see a real product, even a prototype, at this point, not powder or promises.
Signed - gave up hope on EESTOR
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Rif 12:46AM (8/27/2009)
I am doubtful of what Eestor has to show.
Batscaps is also working on super capacitors, but they are not trying to replace batteries, but to make the two work in combo, and they have actual products.
"These evolutions require new energy storage technologies. Supercapacitors meet applications requiring high power values for short periods (ten seconds) and defined by a very high number of charge / discharge cycles (millions). This innovative technology feels the gap between capacitors and batteries."
http://www.batscap.com/en/supercapacitor/detail.php
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Andy 5:18AM (8/27/2009)
Somebody bought too many Zenn shares. Now attempting a pump and dump.
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