ElectronVault Creates Next Generation of Energy Storage With Autodesk Software
LAS VEGAS–()–What has kept electric cars out of the mainstream for the past several
decades? Most experts believe it has been deficiencies with battery
technology. Now startup ElectronVault is closing in on solutions to some
of the cost and performance problems that have hampered the energy
storage industry in general, and the electric vehicle in particular,
with help from Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) software.
“Our business was formed to design battery packs that can
be easily serviced in the field by changing out components that can
later be repurposed or recycled. Autodesk Inventor was critical in this
process, enabling us to reduce design and prototyping time by up to 75
percent.”
ElectronVault uses Digital
Prototyping technology powered by Autodesk
Inventor and Autodesk
Vault Professional software received through its membership in the Autodesk
Clean Tech Partner Program to create a reliable, safe, affordable
and sustainable method of building and managing dense electrical storage
systems such as car or grid batteries.
Rather than needing a different, specialty battery cell for each
application, ElectronVault’s large-scale battery packs use the same
types of batteries found inside digital cameras or laptops across all
applications. The difference is in scale. A battery pack for an electric
car might contain more than 6,000 commodity battery cells, while a pack
to provide backup power for a housing development might contain
millions. By mixing commodity cell prices with ElectronVault’s
proprietary management technologies, battery pack costs are halved when
compared to other offerings.
“Electric vehicles have been around for decades, but their Achilles heel
has always been expensive and short-lived batteries,” said ElectronVault
CEO Rob Ferber, who previously designed batteries for Tesla Motors and
AC Propulsion. “Our business was formed to design battery packs that can
be easily serviced in the field by changing out components that can
later be repurposed or recycled. Autodesk Inventor was critical in this
process, enabling us to reduce design and prototyping time by up to 75
percent.”
By using Autodesk Inventor software to cut costs and speed time to
market, ElectronVault has been able to prototype systems with greater
efficiency. The company uses the software to design, simulate and refine
battery packs that allow trained technicians to quickly swap out a few
depleted cells within a large pack—similar to the way sparkplugs are
replaced in traditional automobiles. ElectronVault also uses Autodesk
Vault Professional data management software to share files with its
network of partners and domestic suppliers.
ElectronVault, founded by a husband and wife team of Caltech alumni
serial entrepreneurs, has deployed battery systems across the world.
Together with SunPods, another participant in the Autodesk Clean Tech
Partner Program, ElectronVault designed a low-carbon power system for
rural communities that collects solar power during the day and stores it
for consumption at night. An initial system was recently installed in
South Africa.
“We often are asked by national government officials about how they can
better secure their grid infrastructure and electrify certain regions of
their countries for the first time,” said Linda Maepa, who serves as
ElectronVault’s COO, and CEO of ElectronVault Energy Systems, the
company’s infrastructure energy storage subsidiary in Johannesburg,
South Africa. “It’s these sorts of big problems with immense impact that
drive us. The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program has helped us
immeasurably with access to incredible software that enables us to
respond to customer and partner requests on a much faster timeline.”
“Autodesk’s Clean Tech Partner Program is providing entrepreneurial
clean technology companies with the tools they need to make a difference
in the world,” said Robert
“Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at
Autodesk. “ElectronVault is a powerful example of one of these
forward-thinking companies that is working to advance transportation
with its unique approach to energy storage.”
About the Clean Tech Partner Program
The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program supports the efforts,
innovations and environmental advancements of clean technology pioneers,
providing world-class software to design, visualize and simulate their
ideas through Digital
Prototyping. Clean tech companies in North America, Europe, Japan,
and Singapore are invited to apply to receive up to $150,000* worth of
software for only $50. Access to a collection of Autodesk
industry-leading software includes up to five licenses each of Autodesk
Product Design Suite Ultimate, AutoCAD
Revit Architecture Suite, Autodesk
Simulation Mechanical, Autodesk
Inventor Publisher and Autodesk
Vault Professional software. Get more
information.
About ElectronVault
ElectronVault invents and licenses technologies that enable large-scale
battery systems to be manufactured, sold and serviced at mass-market
price targets. For more information, visit http://electronvault.com/.
About Autodesk University
Now in its 19th year, Autodesk University is the annual series of
Autodesk in-person and virtual user conferences, which include the
flagship Autodesk University event in Las Vegas, Autodesk University
China, Autodesk University Japan and Autodesk University Brazil, as well
as associated online content available through Autodesk University
Virtual. The 2011 events will bring together 200,000 designers,
engineers, architects and digital artists together to explore the “Power
of the Possible”. More information is available at the Autodesk
University web site.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D
design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the
manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and
entertainment industries — including the last 16 Academy Award winners
for Best Visual Effects — use Autodesk software to design, visualize
and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in
1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of
state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information
about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
*Value is based on a package of up to five commercial licenses of
each application.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor and Revit are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries.
Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks
belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter
product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any
time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or
graphical errors that may appear in this document.© 2011 Autodesk, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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