One of the interesting things I’ve been doing is participating in a review group for a European study on heavy vehicle decarbonization comparisons and simulations. That means, among other things, that I’m poking at the assumptions being used. As the paper is in review and assumptions are being tested and improved, I won’t identify the […]
Battery Metals
Australian tycoon Forrest shuts nickel mines after prices crash
Wyloo Metals Pty Ltd., the private nickel producer owned by billionaire Andrew Forrest, is shutting down its Western Australian mines due to a sharp slump in prices for the key transition metal. The mines near Kambalda will go into care and maintenance from May 31, the company said in a statement on Monday. Wyloo, which […]
SEACOR to Convert Four PSVs to Battery Hybrid Power
SEACOR Marine announced it will convert four of its platform supply vessels (PSV) to battery hybrid power in a move to enhance efficiency and slash emissions. The Houston-headquartered marine transportation firm said on Thursday it has ordered containerized energy storage systems (ESS) from Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime for install aboard SEACOR Ohio, SEACOR Alps, SEACOR Andes […]
Battery breakthrough that could slash price of electric cars
The recent Arctic blasts across the United States left some electric vehicle (EV) owners in a jam. Fast-draining batteries, slow charging, long queues, and cars being towed after running out of power were reported from Illinois and Michigan to Texas. Sub-zero temperatures aren’t great for EV battery life – neither, of course, are they for […]
Connecticut’s home battery storage incentive jumps to up to $16k
Connecticut’s home battery storage program, Energy Storage Solutions, just doubled its upfront incentive to help homeowners invest in backup power – here’s how it works. In exchange for installing battery storage for 10 years to help reduce demand from the electrical grid and provide home backup during power outages, Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has […]
Nickel prices keep slumping even as mines close
Nickel futures continued to edge lower on the London Metal Exchange, despite a slew of announcements by companies cutting production in response to a collapse in prices. The metal used in stainless steel and electric-vehicle batteries is down more than 40% from a year ago amid a growing global glut. The market has been flooded […]
Cadillac Lyriq production ramping up as battery supply grows
SAN FRANCISCO — General Motors’ Cadillac division is ramping up production of its Lyriq electric sport utility vehicle now that more batteries are available and as demand for luxury EVs remains strong despite a slowdown for other types of EVs, a senior executive said on Thursday. Production of Lyriq has been far behind initial targets, […]
BHP flags possible writedowns at nickel unit on low prices
BHP Group said on Thursday it was reassessing the value of its nickel operations after a price slump, in a move that could lead to writedowns amid an oversupply of the metal used in electric vehicle batteries. The world’s biggest listed miner, which signed a deal to supply nickel to Tesla in 2021, is reevaluating […]
Northvolt looks at sourcing cobalt from Congo
Swedish battery maker Northvolt is looking to source cobalt, used to make chemicals for electric vehicle batteries, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the company said on Friday. The company has trialled material, studied work processes and compared plans to improve both social and environmental sustainability with the aim to find long-term partners. “I […]
‘One of the biggest of its kind’ power storage plant being built in Phoenix for $500M
A North Carolina company broke ground Jan. 18 on a large battery-storage facility in Phoenix that will accumulate power during the morning and early afternoon, then release it during peak-demand hours for utility APS and its customers. Strata Clean Energy said it’s investing roughly $500 million in the Scatter Wash complex near Happy Valley Road […]
