The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking proposals to create computer models to help build and improve electric drive vehicle (EDV) batteries. The goals for the design tools are to shorten the prototyping and manufacturing process, to improve overall performance, safety, and battery life and lower costs. The request for proposals for "Development of Computer Aided Design Tools for Automotive Batteries" and related documents are available online at http://www.nrel.gov/business_opportunities/solicitations_rfps.html. Proposals are due September 14, 2010. The award amount that companies can apply for is up to $7.5 million with a 50 percent cost share required bringing the total possible project amount up to $15 million over three years. EDVs - commonly known as hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles - have the potential to significantly reduce petroleum consumption and dependence on imported oil while improving emission of greenhouse gases and pollutants. NREL is DOE's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is managed and operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Source: NREL, Image: Freefoto.com

The Danish Energy Agency has given DKK 54.5 million in support funding to Topsoe Fuel Cell and the National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy (Risø DTU) in order to bring prototype ceramic fuel cells to market by 2012, writes Energy-Supply.dk. Ceramic fuel cells, otherwise known as solid oxide fuel cells or SOFC, represent an efficient technology for electricity production. SOFCs have a relatively high operating temperature (around 700 degrees C), which makes them more suitable for fixed site applications. Topsoe Fuel Cell and Risø DTU have worked closely on SOFC development for a number of years, and have made considerable technological progress. The new funding will be used to continue development and demonstration work in order to prepare for commercialisation of prototypes.