Firefly Presents Illinois Senator with Its First Battery
Source: Journal Star
[Jan 13, 2008]
Peoria-based battery maker recognizes efforts of Senator Durbin in securing federal funding to help develop its unique carbon-foam battery technology.
PEORIA - Firefly Energy's first battery aimed at the plug-in hybrid market has left the building.
The battery was mounted on a plaque presented to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who visited Firefly offices at the Illinois Central College North campus, 5407 N. University St., Friday.
The presentation was the company's way of thanking Durbin for helping get federal funds for research into the high-tech batteries being developed at Firefly since technology that originated at Caterpillar Inc. formed the basis of the start-up company in 2003.
Durbin announced earlier that $3.2 million in federal funds had been budgeted for Firefly's 3D advanced battery, designed to replace traditional lead acid batteries.
Driving the nation's push to find a better battery are the needs of the U.S. military, currently involved in hot-weather combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Durbin. "Current lead acid batteries lose as much as 50 percent of their power for every 15 degrees above 70 degrees," he said.
Durbin also addressed the country's new energy bill thatwas signed into law last month. "We're in a new debate. We're looking for fuel economy to average 35 miles per gallon for U.S. vehicles by 2020. Automakers say that's impossible. We shouldn't accept that," he said.
Durbin recalled that U.S. automakers also fought a hike in fuel economy standards in the 1970s when the price of oil rose from $2 a barrel to $5 a barrel.
Calling Firefly "on the front line" in efforts to develop a more fuel-efficient future, Durbin applauded the firm for its work in the energy field. "I believe in what you're doing here," he told assembled employees.
Firefly co-founder Mil Ovan said the company now employs 45 people, up from three when the firm was spun off from Caterpillar five years ago.
"I like the parentage of this company. Caterpillar is a company well-grounded in technology. I like what I've seen here. Early reports are very positive," said Durbin of Firefly research efforts.
In addition to encouraging Firefly, Durbin called for a greater public effort in conservation. "There are things we can do to consume less energy. Each individual American has a responsibility to make it work," he said.
Ovan said Firefly planned to send samples of hybrid batteries to the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago this spring for testing. A positive result could lead to further funding by the U.S. Department of Energy and FreedomCAR, a partnership between the U.S. government and the nation's automakers, he said.
Plug-in hybrids are vehicles that use batteries that can be recharged overnight. Automakers are expected to develop the plug-in hybrid as a major market segment.
Firefly is also pursuing the U.S. truck market with its Oasis battery, designed to meet the needs of truckers now facing stiffer idling regulations in California, said Ovan. Firefly expects the new battery to be available this summer with full production expected in the fourth quarter of 2008.
