http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22188/

Provisions in the Congressional stimulus bill could help jump-start a new, multibillion-dollar industry in the United States for manufacturing advanced batteries for hybrids and electric vehicles and for storing energy from the electrical grid to enable the widespread use of renewable energy. The nearly $790 billion economic stimulus legislation contains tens of billions of dollars in loans, grants, and tax incentives for advanced battery research and manufacturing, as well as incentives for plug-in hybrids and improvements to the electrical grid, which could help create a market for these batteries.

 

Good catch!

Although not discussed much, there is a national security aspect. Vehicle traction battery technology is critical to fuel efficient vehicles. Although hydraulic hybrids can somewhat fill the bill for larger vehicles, they are vastly out numbered by smaller, battery based systems. In spite of the patents that often have a USA author, volume production over seas puts us at risk.

Bob Wilson

 

Look at this link: http://www.jsonline.com/business/40012422.html

It is an article about the 1500 solar panels just installed on Johnson Controls Inc. Does Johnson Controls Inc. sounds familiar? You better believe it. Many times it is referred to as Johnson Controls Saft Inc. due to its French partner where lithium-ion batteries are produced. This is where the Ford Escape PHEV Hybrid batteries are coming from. Mary Ann Wright -ex Ford Escape Hybrid Head--leads the Johnson Controls hybrid division. In the past 18 months, she has hired these ex-Ford Escape Hybrid engineers to further develop Johnson-Controls Inc. PHEV division: Craig Rigby, David Cue and Majid Taghikhani.

 

It is amazing that in the process of being "Green". We are willing to fund one of the nastiest manufacturing processes out there. There is a reason that battery plants are in third world countries. A great way to divert the focus of the process is to build a larger solar farm. Which will likely be paid for with Stimuli money. Just hope those battery plants are in someone else's neighborhood. We don't need any three eyed infants here. We can go to SRS for that.

 

Is anyone else puzzled by the latest post? Johnson Control Saft Inc. has their lithium-ion hybrid battery plant in France, not an undeveloped country.

The solar panels were designed and installed prior to any of the recent stimulus moves.

 

Yeah. Can't imagine what you're talking about. Did you ever wonder about your car battery? Lead-acid? Do you know where they've been made for over 100 years?

Yep, solar technology will be built with money from the stimulus money, as well it should. Who knows, maybe you can get a job. Or is it your governor who's fixin' to send some of that money back to Washington.

And as for those 3rd world countries building those Li batteries - that's not all they're building. Textiles, shoes, toys, food. You got that right - not much being built over here.

 

The state governments have been given chunks of money from the Stimulus to fund local businesses use and investment in green energy initiatives. That money is retroactive, I think to 2006 (may be states discretion). The French owned JCS may be getting a check for their solar panels.

 

So you're agreeing with me

 

Don't know where they're being built, but a chunk of money is going into building battery tech.

That means they're being built in this country. Now, considering your governor's reluctance to even take money for extending unemployment insurance, you are ok. You're not seeing those batteries being built near you.

Besides, the jobs might just be union, which leaves you guys out for sure.

Enjoy your genteel poverty.

 

Johnson Controls Inc. is based in Glendale, Wisconsin--where I lived as a small boy-and it is not own by the French company Saft. Johnson Controls Inc. is involved in multiple ventures involving automobiles, power sources and building energy efficiency. You can purchase stock of JCI on Wall Street. This is a company that continues to produce profits.

Johnson Controls Inc. has entered into a joint venture with Saft to produce automobile hybrid batteries. These batteries are made in France which is not a third world country.

There is no evidence the Federal Government Stimulus is being used to pay for JCI solar panels. I receive the largest daily Wisconsin paper and have yet to read anything of what has been posted.