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protrade101 - great work!
Just catching up on posts. Your post didn't seem to generate the interest it deserves. Busy day, maybe. Tidbits for all who skimmed past it:
[protrade101 e-mailed Steve]
"I have close family friends that work for Safeway."
"In the past, my friend has been able to introduce and launch new products to Safeaway stores."
"I have the ability to set up a meeting that wouldnt be possible otherwise."
[Steve replied with interest, and plans to follow up]
Thanks, protrade101. Hope you hear back soon.
- guy6
Another Hypothetical:
$80,000 (per car) x 250 (cars) = $20,000,000 (each year)
5 (days) x 52 (weeks) = 260 (working days a year) (assuming M-F)
Subtract about 10 days for holidays.
This yields about 250 working days per year.
That would put it at about one car per day, if assumptions above are correct.
- guy6
PS: Needless to say, but I'll say it (loudly):
*Excellent work on the gif, Team Dub!*
Thanks.
New board for BBYB started:
As of February 15, 2009, Baby Bee Bright, formerly BBGT, became BBYB. I started a board for the stock under its new symbol. I chose not to act as moderator. Anyone want the job?
- guy6
OT: Sidney / BadMutha - missing signature:
Sorry for the late response. Just now catching up with posts.
Since Sidney cannot view her signature but BadMutha can,
it might have to do with the server being used.
When I open I-Hub, I see "You are logged on to Server 3 as guy6" in the extreme bottom right of the window. I think it is always server 3 for me. Maybe it would change if I logged out and logged back in. In any case, I cannot view signatures now either.
- guy6
PS: Note that I refrained from adding "(lucky dog)" after "but BadMutha can". I don't want to be booted for making my posts too personal. :)
DonQuijote / pangaeatech / fordgonracn - webcam response:
I received a brief response from Chad about the webcam idea. He said he would run it past the CEO.
- guy6
200:1 Reverse Split, New Symbol BBYB
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/quotes.asp?ticker=bbgt
Click on February 15 release.
QUOTE:
Baby Bee Bright Corporation Does Reverse Split
Frederick A. Dahlman Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Baby Bee Bright Corporation (Pink Sheets: BBGT), announced today that the Company has reverse split the common stock at a ratio of 200:1 after submitting to the proper regulatory authorities. The timing of said reverse, at the election of NASDAQ, will take effect at the opening of business, February 15, 2008. Transfer agent, PacWest, LLC, will be sending out a letter of transmittal for the exchange of stock. Any questions can be answered by calling PacWest, LLC at (509) 926-2330. The new symbol will be BBYB.
[Note: "About" and "Safe Harbor" sections edited out.]
Baby Bee Bright Corporation
Fred Dahlman, Chief Executive Officer, 615-754-4051
fred.dahlman@babybeebright.org
Source: Business Wire (February 15, 2008 - 12:00 AM EST)
News by QuoteMedia
www.quotemedia.com
ENDQUOTE
DonQuijote - re: webcam
I agree. Perhaps a work-around could be devised to protect the identity of the party involved in the contract. FWIW, I sent a message to Chad about the idea, using the contact information in a recent PR.
- guy6
DonQuijote - webcam:
"We should buy them a webcam so we can get live feed of what they're working on."
For about a second I took that as a joke. But then I realized that it is a TRULY EXCELLENT IDEA.
Other companies I have heard of have done similar things. A construction company in Colorado - future tenants could check out progress. A Wisconsin company that makes fire engines - firemen who were expecting a new truck could check out progress.
In one case above, to cut down on bandwidth required, a still picture was updated every thirty seconds or so.
- guy6
Hi, nilremerlin.
It seems like a panic reaction to me. I don't see the logic of it, other than a rule-of-thumb red flag when a long-time director leaves. He has been with LTHU since 1999, and apparently is technically able. But such people move on from time to time.
See http://www.powerpulse.net/story.php?storyID=2564
for the February 24, 1999 announcement that Arif Maskatia joined the LTHU board of directors.
QUOTE:
LTC Announces That Arif Maskatia Has Joined Board of Directors
February 24, 1999
Lithium Technology Corp. (LTC, Plymouth Meeting, PA) announced that Arif Maskatia, a US-based executive with Acer Inc. (Taiwan), has joined its board of directors. Maskatia is currently Vice President of the Advanced Technology & Portable Development Group for Acer Advanced Labs (San Jose, CA), responsible for development of new notebook computer platforms. "We are very pleased to have someone with Mr. Maskatia's superb technical credentials in the PC industry join our board,: stated LTC chairman Thomas R. Thomsen. "He has a clear vision of how to apply and manage next generation technologies and in particular how polymer battery technology can provide a significant product differentiation in the global portable electronics marketplace."
ENDQUOTE
See http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=65100482
for Arif Maskatia's employment, board membership, and education information.
- guy6
Amazon Presence and Research Project:
A recent press release mentioned Amazon as a sales channel. I checked it out today, after recalling that Amazon has a customer rating feature and a similar products feature.
BBGT has been rated by one customer (it was positive), and there are a couple of similar products on Amazon. One was half the price (BebeSounds Prenatal Gift Set - mediocre ratings), and one was twice the price (Baby Plus Prenatal Education System - generally high ratings).
The announced research project is probably a good idea, but
(1) to have any scientific credibility, qualified researchers need to be involved in the planning stages
(2) graduate students under the supervision of an advising professor could be a source of free labor
(3) the existence of a credible research project could be a good promotional tool
(4) any real (non-anecdotal) results would be years away
- guy6
Thanks for exploring this possibility.
On the other hand, S2C is a reporting company on the OTCBB,
http://www.s2cglobal.com/company/
with a history of filings going back to 2005.
http://www.s2cglobal.com / Investor Information / SEC Filings
[Filings on I-Hub site back this up.]
In an interview link on their web page, S2C claims to have a patent application on file. I looked for evidence of it on the USPTO website, but so far have been unable to verify. I have mainly used the Assignee Name search. Patent applications are typically not published for 18 months after the filing date.
According to their China press release, bottle size is to be 10 and 20 liters. These are big bottles, not the type you would carry around.
Please post anything else you find, Long-vestor, as will I. Thanks.
- guy6
Thanks for digging into Warwick, kenny.
The factual, non-promotional monthly progress reports seem to be a part of CNQ, as per your first link. What a concept!
- guy6
I concur.
My bold below.
Quote from GBRC's December 19 press release:
Along with CEO, President and CFO Jeremy White, Warwick's management team and board of directors include Executive Vice President Jules Roy and Chief Technology Director James C. Speight.
White is currently CEO of AAA Power, Inc., Calgary, a venture company focused on new technology start ups. He has many years of experience in oil refining, exploration and development as well as mining operations in Canada.
End Quote
Quote from Warwick Communications' October 29 press release:
Effective October 23, 2007, AAA Power Inc. purchased 81% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation. AAA Power Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta.
End Quote
Warwick Communications' October 29 press release also refers to "...the Corporation’s 6,024,000 common shares...".
GBRC's press release says "...Warwick will give Global Resource Corp. in exchange for the license two million shares of its stock and warrants to purchase additional shares. Also, Warwick promises to purchase a minimum of one microwave machine each year for the next five years. This will total $25,000,000.00 or $5,000,000.00 per year." And later, "A member of the Global Resource Corp., board of directors will join Warwick's board upon the successful conclusion of the agreement."
This seems to have something of the character of a joint venture rather than a simple contract.
- guy6
Warwick Communications:
Here is some background on Warwick Communications (Canada):
http://www.cnq.ca/Storage/1121/99883_Press_Release_(00223229).PDF
- guy6
Reading old posts / Searching:
I have a couple of suggestions.
To read FoggontheTyne's old posts, click on his username and scroll down. You will see the subject lines of old posts, which are clickable.
I think that I-Hub still has "Happy Hour" on Friday afternoons (maybe after the close, I'm not sure). During Happy Hour, you can try out the privileges of paying membership. In England, try at about 9:00 PM.
- guy6
Allyson / Nina
Hi, Doc. Thanks for making the effort.
You might also copy your message to Nina Velasquez.
Recent PRs have listed her as the contact.
The Red Consultancy
Nina Velasquez, 212-529-8473
nina.velasquez@redconsultancy.com
- guy6
ALTI Third Quarter:
Follow link at:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/quotes.asp?ticker=alti
My bold below. Net loss of 9 cents was the upper estimate on expected loss (i.e., unfavorable).
Revenues, however, were above consensus estimates.
The note on Phoenix Motorcars was misreported at first in a follow-on story, causing some premarket panic.
Follow the above link for the included tables.
Altair Nanotechnologies Reports Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI) today reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.
For the quarter, the company reported a substantial increase in revenues to a record $3.37 million, up from $0.75 million for the comparable period in 2006. The net loss was $6.13 million, or 9 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $4.05 million, or 7 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2006. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the quarter were 70,023,935 compared to 59,461,244 for the same period a year ago.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the company reported record revenues of $7.58 million, a $5.23 million increase from $2.35 million for the comparable period in 2006. Operating expenses increased to $9.62 million from $4.91 million in the comparable period of 2006. The net loss was $17.89 million, or 24 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $12.80 million, or 21 cents per share, for the comparable period in 2006. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were 69,741,148 compared to 59,325,488 for the same period a year ago.
The rise in operating expenses in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the comparable period in 2006 is primarily associated with increased efforts in research and development associated with the expansion of the company’s Power and Energy Systems business. General and administrative costs increased primarily due to employee benefit and stock option compensation increases as a result of growth in the number of Altairnano employees.
As of September 30, 2007, Altairnano’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $14.76 million. Long-term debt is $1.20 million at September 30, 2007, which represents the remaining mortgage obligation used to purchase the company’s facilities in Reno, NV.
“Altairnano’s cutting-edge, nanomaterials-based products continue to gain commercial acceptance in our target markets: power and energy storage, performance materials and life science,” said Alan J. Gotcher, Ph.D., Altairnano’s president and chief executive officer. “The commercial acceptance is illustrated by our ongoing revenue growth, and the progress made with key partners. Phoenix Motorcars continues to be one of our key partners, and has placed firm purchase orders, through September, for $3.25 million for Altairnano battery packs. We are committed to providing current and future partners with unique, high-performance products to address unmet market needs.”
Recent Highlights
A purchase and joint-development agreement with a division of the AES Corporation, AES Power Storage LLC. Together, the companies are developing a suite of energy storage product solutions to help AES better manage demands on the electrical grid. On August 3, 2007, AES placed a $1 million purchase order for a 2.0 megawatt-hour energy storage product, expected to ship by the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.
Congressional support for the funding of two key Altairnano projects, including the development of a 2.4-megawatt stationary power supply for the U.S. Navy to replace diesel fuel powered generators on the Navy’s largest ships.
A successful public demonstration of the medium-duty All-Electric Fiat Doblo to government officials and potential customers in Oslo, Norway. On October 2, half-way through an ongoing 60-day demonstration, the vehicle, powered by a custom 18 kWh Altairnano battery pack, traveled 300 kilometers (186 miles) in an urban delivery circuit. The custom battery pack was fully recharged in less than ten minutes a total of three times. The vehicle is a joint-development effort by Altairnano, AeroVironment, Inc., Micro-Vett, SPA and Go Green Holding AS.
Phoenix Motorcars (PMI) has announced plans to move to a “Gen 2” vehicle design, the goal being to reduce vehicle costs, begin production and shipping of its all electric vehicles next quarter, the first quarter of 2008. Altairnano continues to be encouraged that PMI will close its financing round this quarter. However, it is possible that projected minimum 2007 orders of $16 million required to maintain PMI’s exclusivity rights in the United States for Altairnano’s lithium titanate battery technology may not be achieved, which will result in the loss of those rights.
Third Quarter 2007 Conference Call
Altairnano will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2007 results on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Shareholders and members of the investment community are invited to participate in the conference call. The dial-in number for both U.S. and international callers is 719-325-2427. Please dial in to the conference five minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Ask the operator for the Altair Nanotechnologies call.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available from 2:00 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 15, 2007, and can be accessed by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering conference number 2427291. Additionally, the conference call is available online, and can be accessed by visiting Altairnano's web site, www.altairnano.com.
ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced novel, ceramic nanomaterials. Altairnano’s leading edge scientists are complemented by a seasoned management team with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. The company has developed nanomaterials for the alternative energy, life sciences and performance materials markets based on its proprietary manufacturing process. This process also provides the foundation for its innovative AHP pigment process. For more information visit: www.altairnano.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Altairnano’s actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks that development of the development-stage products referred to in this release will not be completed because for technical, business or other reasons; that any products under development or in the early commercial stages will not perform as expected in future testing or commercial applications; that one or more of the joint development partners may proceed slowly with, or abandon, development or commercialization efforts for any of various reasons, including concerns with the feasibility of the product or the financial viability of continuing with the product; that sales of commercialized Altairnano products may not reach expected levels for one or more reasons, including the inability of a purchaser to fund product purchases, failure of end products to perform as expected or the introduction of a superior product; and that costs associated with the proposed products may exceed revenues. In general, Altairnano is, and expects to be in the immediate future, dependent upon funds generated from sales of securities, grants, testing agreements, and licensing agreements to fund its testing, development and ongoing operations. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.
Tables Follow
2007 NASA Aerospace Battery Workshop:
November 14 – 16 or November 27 – 29 [conflicting information]
http://ntf-2.msfc.nasa.gov/battery.nsf
Some registrants of note:
Chesonis, George [Lithium Technology Corporation]
Hazel, John [Lithium Technology Corporation]
Sennet-Cassity, Annie [SAFT America]
Yannick, Borthomieu [SAFT]
Carmen, David [A123 Systems]
Pickett, Jr., David [Electro Energy Mobile Products]
Inoue, Takefumi [GS Yuasa Technology]
Osako, Yosuke [Mitsubishi Electric Corporation]
Of the above, Saft and A123 Systems are presenting. As near as I can tell, LTC is not.
From above website:
QUOTE:
The NASA Aerospace Battery Workshop is an annual event hosted by the Marshall Space Flight Center and is sponsored by the NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Systems Program.
The Workshop is typically attended by scientists and engineers from various agencies in the U.S. Government, aerospace contractors, and battery manufacturers, as well as international participation in a like kind from a number of countries around the world.
END QUOTE
- guy6
Price/Book Ratio:
I don't know what is behind the recent price drops. However, the price/book ratio is now .45. It seems to me that at some point, EEEI becomes an attractive take-over target.
- guy6
Comment on the GAIA Website:
http://www.gaia-akku-online.de/ENG/SEITEN/
(1) I now see that the GAIA website has large portions which have not been updated recently. The battery chemistry mentioned appears to be the old chemistry, before the company's introduction of iron phosphate.
(2) There is much more information on the GAIA website than I realized at first. In addition to the "tabs" in the left column, some categories of information have "sub-tabs" in the right column which I had overlooked earlier.
- guy6
Pitch Control Link:
Sorry, my "Pitch Control" link doesn't work, and I didn't discover it until my editing time was up.
One of these links should work. I'll edit them out if they don't.
shortened address:
http://www.gaia-akku-online.de/ENG/SEITEN/produkte.html
[find picture, click "continue" if the following link does not work]
battery details:
http://www.gaia-akku-online.de/ENG/SEITEN/pitch_control.lasso?-Token.Menu=Produkte&-Token.Link=L....
Nuggets in the gravel:
I sometimes troll through the RB site. Believe me, there is a lot of junk there. But occasionally I find some good information, which I check out and document.
One nugget is the GAIA website:
http://www.gaia-akku-online.de/ENG/SEITEN/
which explains under the "Our Technology" tab a few things about our battery technology that I did not know before.
The Lithium Technology website mentions stationary power applications under the "Markets / Stationary Power" tabs
http://www.lithiumtech.com/StationaryPower.html
But the GAIA website has a picture of the battery under the "Products" tab [last picture, "Pitch Control"]:
http://www.gaia-akku-online.de/ENG/SEITEN/action.lasso?-Token.Menu=Produkte&-Token.Link=Link1&am....
A 10/15/07 article, "Lithium-Ion-Accumulator for Pitch Systems"
http://www.verivox.de/News/ArticleDetails.asp?aid=64236&pm=1
mentions GAIA's contribution [paragraph 4].
Wind to Energy, the company that developed the pitch control device,
http://www.wind-to-energy-online.de/DE/W0107-M0812-APFY-800-W2E-004-1-GE_A3_reduce.pdf
mentions GAIA and shows a picture of our battery [page 2].
- guy6
San Diego - October 29-30:
LITHIUM MOBILE POWER 2007
http://www.knowledgepress.com/events/1221437.htm
[my bold below]
Conference Sponsors
General Dynamics C4 Systems
Lithium Technology Corporation
Conference Partners
Advanced Battery Technology
The A to Z of Materials
Battery Power Products and Technology
The list of speakers / organizations represented / topics is impressive. This is a real conference, not some PR stunt.
Klaus Brandt is the first speaker on October 30.
- guy6
Anaheim - December 2-5:
The Electric Drive Transportation Association [EDTA]
http://www.electricdrive.org/index.php
is co-hosting the International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition [EVS 23]
http://www.electricdrive.org/evs23/
in Anaheim, California December 2-5.
Lithium Technology has booth #656. See floorplan:
http://www.ntpshow.com/ExpocadVR2/Floorplans/shows/07EVS/start.html
The booth is about a quarter of the way down from the top, just left of center.
- guy6
American Scientist Article:
Here is an interesting article
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/55860
from the September/October issue of the online version of the American Scientist.
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/IssueTOC/issue/1001;jsessionid=aaa4Cv8ZzMxjGN
In mentions the documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?”, the California Air Resources Board, discusses some of the chemistries involved in lithium ion batteries, the issue of thermal stability, the lithium iron phosphate cathode solution, the University of Texas patent, A123 Systems [partly in the context of patent issues], the lithium titanate anode solution [rapid recharge but lower energy density], Altair Nanotechnologies, AeroVironment, Phoenix Motorcars, and Tesla Motors.
Altair is to be the supplier to Phoenix Motorcars. However, today it was reported that Phoenix is delaying its production. As a result, one analyst has downgraded Altair.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/7962ba6e64198780de9fd20dfbecccf2.htm
- guy6
b0b - my reaction
We have certainly had some nice runs in response to news as well.
I expect good things when the financials are announced [although to some extent the news might be priced in, since it is anticipated].
Doubt will be removed and we have the likelihood of moving off of the pinks.
Our price has a lot of room for growth, and yes, I do have confidence in the company.
The news from Altair was pretty good, however.
[In short: 6o miles on one charge, with a recharge time of 10 minutes.]
To me, it means that we are not the only kid on the block.
- guy6
Mixed day for lithium:
FWIW, two of LTC's competitors have had a good day:
Altair Nanotechnologies [ALTI] on news, and
Electro Energy, Inc. [EEEI] on nothing obvious.
Added in edit: Oh, I see we are regaining some ground.
- guy6
Filing by COO:
I think the following sentence from
http://www.sec.gov/about/forms/form3data.pdf
sums it up:
"This Form must be filed within 10 days after the event by which the person becomes a reporting person (i.e., officer, director, 10 percent holder or other person)."
So it seems that within the last 10 days or so, Ken Rudisuela became our new COO, taking over from Dr. Andrew J. Manning, who I presume remains as President and Chief Technical Officer.
I believe one of these guys is Ken.
http://www.7ms.com/abt/free/florida_2006/pages/11.htm
Arcotronics is now part of Kemet.
- guy6
Filing by [new?] COO
The COO ["RUDISUELA KEN"] of LTC
[Is this new? The LTC website lists Dr. Andrew J. Manning as COO,
as well as President and Chief Technical Officer]
filed an "INITIAL STATEMENT OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES" today.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/quotes.asp?ticker=lthu&qm_page=24115&qm_symbol=LTHU
Type: Common Stock, Amount Owned: 0, Ownership Form: D [direct]
I found the "0" a bit odd.
Perhaps such a declaration is required of an incoming officer?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
- guy6
kittycattttt,
This company is showing signs of life. Several recent PRs indicate that the marketing effort is being taken seriously.
I have only a few shares myself. Be aware that in the recent past, the volume is sometimes zero, and the bid moves up slowly (sometimes with no change) while the ask bounces around. But if the company lives up to the recent PRs, things could change.
- guy6
Reuters Coverage - Outperform
I think this is new. I could be mistaken.
Reuters now covers LTHU with an Outperform rating.
Reuters breaks down the rating into four components:
Fundamental Quality
Technical Factors
Operational Trends
Value Catch-up
On Fundamental Quality, which is the most heavily weighted, Reuters gives LTHU an Underperform rating.
On the other three components, Reuters gives LTHU an Outperform rating.
The net effect is an Outperform rating for LTHU.
I was trolling and found mention of this by somebody else. I checked it out on my E*trade account, where I have access to Reuters reports, and found it to be true. I cannot provide an active link. Sorry. The report itself is dated "21 Sep 2007", but next to the link to the report, it says "Last Reported 9/30/07".
- guy6
Lithium Technology Competition:
First, preliminary comments:
I'm no expert. I have a degree of confidence in the company leadership, so the issues you mention are not of critical concern to me. To the best of my knowledge, the possibility of a reverse split has not been discussed by the company.
I feel more able to address your question about competition. At this point, all I have is a list cribbed from various sources. Here it goes:
According to the May interview with CEO Brandt
http://www.thestreet.com/video/executiveinterviews/10358889.html
among large western hemisphere companies, LTC sees its competition as:
Johnson Controls [JCI – NYSE], especially in its
joint venture with
Saft Advanced Power Systems [a French company with Lithium Ion expertise].
The joint venture is not publicly traded, to the best of my knowledge.
From the point of view of the Independent Expert Panel report
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevreview/zev_panel_report.pdf
LTC’s competition is:
A123 Systems [not publicly traded to the best of my knowledge]
Altair Nanotechnologies [ALTI – NASDAQ]
Electrovaya [EFLVF – OTC]
Electro Energy, Inc. [EEEI – NASDAQ]
GS Yuasa [unknown status]
Hitachi Vehicle Energy [a joint venture – unknown status]
JCI-SAFT Power Solutions [the joint venture mentioned by Brandt]
Kokam [unknown status]
Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. [“Panasonic” – unknown status]
Litcel [a joint venture of Mitsubishi and TDK – unknown status]
NEC Lamilion Energy [unknown status]
Panasonic EV Energy [jointly owned by Toyota and Matsushita Electric Industrial]
Sanyo Electric Co. [unknown status]
Another valuable source [see especially page 2] is
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/jan07/4848 [page 1]
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/jan07/4848/2 [page 2]
The IEEE Spectrum article mentions:
A123 Systems [mentioned before],
(I) a joint venture between A123 Systems and Cobasys [itself a joint venture of Chevron Technology Ventures and Energy Conversion Devices], and
(II) the joint venture of Johnson Controls and Saft Advanced Power Systems.
GM has awarded battery development contracts to both (I) and (II).
Also mentioned are:
Valence Technology [VLNC – NASDAQ],
Altair Nanotechnologies [mentioned before],
a joint venture of Fuji Heavy Industries [Subaru] and Tokyo Electric Power, and
Litcel [mentioned before].
citoyen - I’ll give it a shot.
You said brief. I would be interested in a more comprehensive answer as well, but that is something for the future.
I’m sure there will be disagreement and/or further discussion. But here is a first approximation of an answer.
In very broad strokes –
Some other companies
(1) also have advanced technologies
(2) have more financial resources
(3) have established relationships with manufacturers
(4) are already in production mode
However, some of these other companies
(1) are not a pure play in lithium
(2) are more fully valued already
(3) are not publicly traded in the US
Financially, Lithium Technology
(1) is expected to release overdue financial reports soon
(2) has made recent advances in financial stability
(3) is cheap but has improving prospects
Technologically, Lithium Technology
(1) is beginning to ramp up production
(2) has an extrusion process that has several advantages
(3) has an expertise in large format cells, which simplifies battery design and management
As to credibility, Lithium Technology
(1) has been chosen for several advanced projects
(2) was included in the Independent Expert Panel report of the California Air Resources Board
Panel Members and Report Comment:
Short bios of the members of the ZEV Expert Review Panel are available at
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevreview/zevreview.htm
More details are available by clicking links at the above site.
The point is that these are experts who know what to look for and what questions to ask.
They are not just compilers of information.
I see the Panel Report as an excellent resource for investors in alternative energy
[at the scale suitable for cars].
I learned a few things about GAIA/LTC by reading what the panel had to say about them.
(1) LTC is largely owned by a Dutch venture capital firm.
[I had no idea.]
(2) LTC/GAIA’s proprietary extrusion process has potential to reduce production cost, simplify scale-up, and reduce environmental impact.
[I had overlooked simplified scale-up as an advantage of LTC’s process.]
(3) A 10-fold scale-up will be implemented at the Nordhausen facility within a year. A production plant representing another 10-fold scale-up could be built on site within less than 2 years if justified by demand.
[I previously did not know the extent of the proposed scale-up.]
Note (I): The site of the scale-up [Nordhausen in the panel report] could now be different [The Netherlands as suggested in the letter from the CEO dated July 30].
Note (II): The report was delivered this summer, so I interpret “within a year” to mean “by sometime next summer”.
Note (III): I interpret the wording to mean that that the second provisional scale-up will equal the first scale-up in capacity, for a net 20-fold scale-up.
- guy6
The Panel Report:
Edited QUOTE from Press Release:
Battery industry leader Lithium Technology Corporation ("LTC") (OTC: LTHU) is one of few companies selected by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as a potential technology solution for its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) initiative. The findings of the Independent Expert Panel’s (IEP) investigation of advanced technologies were released this summer in the ZEV Technology Review.
To learn more about the ZEV program and Technology Review findings visit:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevreview/zev_panel_report.pdf
End edited QUOTE
The panel report is long but worth a scan. I have highlighted the most relevant part below.
- guy6
From the Panel Report:
E. Battery Manufacturers: Technology and Availability [starting on page 52]
This section summarizes information collected by the Panel on the development and commercialization status and plans of prospective manufacturers of the battery technologies reviewed in Sections 3.C and 3.D. The focus is on companies that were visited by Panel members or that provided key staff for off-site meetings with the Panel. The section also summarizes information received in response to the Panel’s battery questionnaires (see Appendices A and B) and through follow-up contacts with organizations not visited by the Panel. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.
[The companies considered by the panel. Each is discussed in detail.]
A123Systems
Altair Nanotechnologies
Electrovaya
Electro Energy, Inc.
GAIA
GS Yuasa
Hitachi Vehicle Energy
JCI-SAFT Power Solutions
Kokam
Matsushita Battery Industrial Co.
Litcel
NEC Lamilion Energy
Panasonic EV Energy
Sanyo Electric Co.
[We appear under GAIA.]
GAIA Accumulatorenwerke (GAIA) is a subsidiary of Lithium Technology Corp. (LTC), a publicly traded US company largely owned by a Dutch venture capital firm. GAIA’s business is Li Ion technology development and production, currently on a limited-scale for military and developing commercial applications including transportation and stationary power, in a 170,000 sq.ft. facility in Nordhausen, Germany. LTC’s business includes assembly of complete batteries from GAIA cells, R&D support for GAIA, and limited production of prismatic cells.
GAIA’s Li Ion technology uses well established cell materials and designs: NCA positive and graphite negative electrodes, conventional electrolyte compositions and standard separators. Cell construction is by spiral winding of electrodes made by a proprietary extrusion process. This process has potential to reduce production cost, simplify scale-up, and reduce environmental impact. A variety of cell types are manufactured, ranging from high power 7.5Ah cells to high energy cell designs with 120Ah and more capacity. GAIA also has developed a battery management system based on master control and “slave” modules for electric and thermal management of individual Li Ion modules. This system is produced in limited numbers and used in complete batteries supplied by GAIA/LTC. In volume production, the cost of such a system is expected to be around $2 per cell in the battery.
Cell production capacity currently is approximately 4000Ah/day, or about 4 MWh/year, corresponding for example to 200 batteries of 20kWh for a small FPBEV. Based on the expected demand of niche markets, a 10-fold scale-up will be implemented at the Nordhausen facility within a year. A production plant representing another 10-fold scale-up could be built on site within less than 2 years if justified by demand.
Experimental transportation applications of GAIA Li Ion cell technology include a 2kWh/25kW battery for a Smart-based HEV, a 8kWh (45Ah cells) battery for a small series PHEV with 50 miles electric range, a similar battery for an experimental PHEV of an automobile manufacturer, and a 25kWh/200kg battery for a BEV converted from a Daihatsu small car by Innosys, a small Dutch company. All of these batteries use air cooling, considered adequate because of the very low impedance, low heat generation and good heat dissipation of GAIA cells. The Innosys BEV has a nominal range of 250km (about155 miles), with actual ranges falling between 150-300 km (about 95-190 miles), depending on conditions and drivers. GAIA executive management foresee lifecycle cost competitiveness of volume-manufactured, Li Ion battery-powered small BEVs with conventional ICE cars in Europe.
Frankfort Auto Show - another release
[note: this event took place on Wednesday]
QUOTE:
VDA Press Releases
Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. the 62nd IAA Cars will feature a world premiere at the Forum on Sustainable Mobility
Green Party Caucus Chairman Kuhn in Discussion with VDA President Wissmann
Frankfurt am Main, September 18, 2007.
More than any other political party in Germany, the Greens have been a critical observer of the nation’s automotive industry during the last 25 years. For the first time ever, a representative of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Germany’s Green Party) will appear at the IAA. Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), will welcome Fritz Kuhn, the chairman of the party’s parliamentary group, to the world’s leading motor show on Wednesday. Wissmann will be taking part in a discussion with Kuhn at the IAA Forum on Sustainable Mobility, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the foyer of Hall 4.0. Titled “How far can we go with sustainable mobility?”, the event will be broadcast live by the German television station Phoenix.
- guy6
Frankfort Auto Show - Booth 4.1 K03
I found limited information about the Green Party booth.
The press release said their booth was in Hall 4.1.
I searched "Hall 4.1" in the Exhibitor Directory on the auto show web page, leaving other search fields blank, and then looked under the letter "B" and found (last entry)
Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen Bundestagsfraktion
Platz der Republik 1, D-11011 Berlin
Website: www.gruene-bundestag.de
Location: 4.1 K03
Products: 8 - Services and organisations
- guy6
Frankfort Auto Show:
The Frankfort Auto Show website
http://www.iaa.de/index.php?id=home0&L=1
now returns a few interesting hits on searches for "green party". Still no hits on "lithium technology" or other variations.
(1) QUOTE:
VDA Press Releases
Jürgen Trittin visits the IAA on Sunday
Frankfurt am Main, September 15, 2007.
Jürgen Trittin, Member of the German Bundestag and vice-chairman of the parliamentary group of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Germany’s Green Party), will visit the 62nd International Motor Show (IAA) Cars on 16 September 2007 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Dr. Thomas Schlick, Managing Director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), will welcome the eminent Green politician and accompany him on his walking tour.
The following stops are planned: DaimlerChrysler (Hall 2.0), BMW (F3 Agora), VW (3.0), Loremo (4.0) and in Hall 8 the companies Bosch, Opel and Toyota.
Contact: Eckehart Rotter
German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)
Communications Department
Tel.: +49 (0) 69-97507-266
Fax: +49 (0) 69-97507-320
(2) QUOTE:
VDA Press Releases
Kuhn and Künast at the IAA:
“Beginnings of an ecological orientation now visible”
Frankfurt am Main, September 14, 2007.
“At this IAA the beginnings of an ecological orientation are now visible in the German automotive industry, even if not yet in the whole fleet. The basic direction is right,” emphasized Fritz Kuhn, chairman of the parliamentary group of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Germany’s Green Party). He was speaking after an extensive walking tour of the trade show, which he and Renate Künast, chairwoman of the Grünen (the Greens’) parliamentary group, undertook accompanied by Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) on Friday. Kuhn said he liked the new small car “Up” from Volkswagen, and also recognized the fuel-saving technology that BMW is using “across the product range.” At the DaimlerChrysler stand Renate Künast got behind the wheel of a roomy Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid, which will be launched onto the market in 2009 with 340 hp and consuming only 7.7 l of gasoline to travel 100 km. The two politicians took seats together in the VW Polo BlueMotion – whose 99 g CO2/km makes it a “CO2 champion.” At the Porsche stand Kuhn and Künast heard about the new hybrid technology of the Cayenne.
The Greens’ leaders expressed their great satisfaction with the IAA stand of their own party in Hall 4.1. “Above all many young engineers are coming to see us at the stand and they are pleased that the Greens are represented at the IAA. Obviously young technical graduates in particular are very enthusiastic about the idea of linking ecology and economy. In our opinion, a car that is to be successful on the market must emit little CO2 – but of course it can have a smart design,” Fritz Kuhn said.
[edited: same contact information]
- guy6
Commercial Available:
The BBGT commercial is now available for viewing on the babybeebright web site.
- guy6
Frankfort Auto Show:
I looked for mention of Lithium Technology at the Frankfort Auto Show, without success. I believe LTC is showing for the Green party, not as a manufacturer with an independent booth, so searching for them is problematic.
I have heard the Frankfort show described as the largest auto show in the world. In any case, it is a big one.
Here are two websites of interest:
Frankfort Auto Show page:
http://www.iaa.de/index.php?id=home0&L=1
Edmund's page about the show:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/AutoshowArticles/articleId=122322
- guy6