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DOE Aware of EEStor but Has Never Seen Functioning Technology

 
7,986 views Dec 18, 2009
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We are following the compelling EEStor story here on All Cars Electric.  As many people are aware, the company is reportedly on the threshold of unveiling its barite-based energy storage devices for use in Zenn Motors electric car powertrains.

These EESUs, as they are known, have been in development for over 10 years and are said to be several times lighter, smaller, and cheaper to produce that lithium cells.  They have a functionally unlimited lifetime as well.

These devices, if functional, have the potential to render lithium ion batteries immediately obsolescent not only for cars but for many other uses.  One would think this could have tremendous national security and economical implications.

We reached out to David Howell, who is Team Leader of the Hybrid and Electric Systems Vehicle Technologies Program of the US Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE is integrally involved in promoting vehicular electrification and supports the effort through low cost loans and grants, and has as one of its missions the reduction of national petroleum dependence.

Asked about EEStor Mr. Howel replied:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding EEStor and their energy storage technology. We are aware of this company and have been following developments in this technology area for the past several years. Typically these materials have worked for very small devices, but additional development is needed in order to make them applicable for larger electric drive vehicle batteries.

Asked specifically if the DOE has seen functional EEStor technology even on a small scale he advised:

We have not received, nor seen a functioning sample of the EEStor technology. Basically what we know is from presentations and discussions with EEStor and from past work on similar systems.





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Comments (21)

  1. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 12/18/2009 7:50am PST

    Lyle, the DoD may be more familiar with them - check out this link regarding Lockheed Martin's interest in EEstor. It includes a contact at Lockheed Martin that might have more answers:
    http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2008/010908_LockheedMartinSignsAgreement.html
     
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  2. By FOIA Follower Posted: 12/18/2009 8:31am PST

    Considering a FOIA request was filed not too many months ago asking for everything related to EEStor, I find his view on EEStor highly suspect. If they have presentations from EEStor, why weren't those released in the FOIA request?
     
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  3. By WierdoFollower Posted: 12/18/2009 9:02am PST

    Lyle, when you contact Lockheed Martin, ask them why they didn't bail out EESTor last year when Dick Weir stated to you they will not deliver the EESUs to Zenn due to lack of funding if LM believed in EESTOR's claims? LM should have put their money where there mouth is, maybe we would not have this year delay of the reveal, hahaha!
    You can also ask LM what happened to the EESU qualification testing and mass production at EEStor’s facility in Cedar Park that was planned for 2008 which LM stated in the press release James M. Hendler was reffering?
     
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  4. By EEScam Posted: 12/18/2009 9:44am PST

    So the DOE is aware of EESCAM and basically they don't give a rat's behind about it. That is all you need to know.
     
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  5. By broschultz Posted: 12/18/2009 10:03am PST

    But was he smiling when he said it?
     
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  6. By hahahahaha Posted: 12/18/2009 11:01am PST

    Hey guys
    I love to read your comments. That's the only sad thing about DW finally showing something. I'm going to miss the tragedy and comedy behide all this. Hurry up, we need more jokes...
    Muhahahaha!
    More more...
     
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  7. By jimza skeptic Posted: 12/18/2009 12:29pm PST

    Any day now they are going to showcase the technology. I suppose it will be on the Christmas day and nobody will show up... But it really happened!!!!! Then it will be wait another year until the next phase will be shown.
     
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  8. omnimoeish avatar omnimoeish Posted: 12/18/2009 12:42pm PST

    Maybe they're waiting for Christmas Day and all of the EV enthusiasts around the world will have a very merry Christmas.
     
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  9. By kerry bradshaw Posted: 12/18/2009 1:47pm PST

    ZENN Motors has dropped ALL of their lines of business EXCEPT their EEStor based drivetrain.
    We have to assume that EEStor must be working OK.
    Whether production begins before the end of the year is meaningless. I'm amazed that there are those who still consider this a mystery.
     
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  10. By TheDOEKnows Posted: 12/18/2009 3:58pm PST

    The DOE heard the presentations, and the DOE said "NO".
     
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  11. By don m Posted: 12/18/2009 4:51pm PST

    @kerry
    Zenn stopped production because they invested all their working capital and every cent they could borrow in eestor.
    Shutting down the production lines was not a move of confidence, it is the last move before having to shut their doors completely and defaulting on their loans.
    It's sad but eestor has missed every promised ship date for the last three years. Zenn will just be a footnote is this sad story.
     
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  12. By  Gene Posted: 12/18/2009 10:21pm PST

    I think big oil probebly stoped them as they stop any advancement that dosn't put money in their pocket (or worse yet eliminate the dependence on them)
    Hopefully no one was killed this time!
     
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  13. By  Gene Posted: 12/18/2009 10:35pm PST

    As for funds?for US factory?
    I believe most of our higher ranking Govt. officals have or their familes have Oil holdings(stock?)and it would really ruin their day for anyone one to slide in and push out Big oil Co. and/or the other battery companies that they also have stock in by now
     
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  14. By Roy Posted: 12/19/2009 8:05am PST

    Clearly the skeptics have it this time.
    DOE has seen a presentation, therefore EEStor was asking for a loan. EEStor was turned down.
    EEStor would have stopped short of providing proof of energy density, and DOE would not provide funding without proof. Same thing for NASA.
    Actually silly of EEStor to request funding when they knew they would be asked for proof and wouldn't (or couldn't) comply.
     
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  15. By bmtcmt Posted: 12/20/2009 6:02am PST

    Baghead/B/eestorblog
    Enough of your BS. You have no credibility. Tell Dick Weir/Ian Clifford either
    PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!
     
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  16. fb_637219902 avatar Darryl Siry Posted: 12/20/2009 1:42pm PST

    If it's considered news that someone *hasn't* seen EESTORs technology then you can run a new article everyday.
     
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  17. By Zhukov Posted: 12/23/2009 8:09am PST

    Even if EESTOR's product is real, it won't necessarily make Li-Ion obsolete. Energy density improvements are still likely for Li batteries. Silicon anode material is being marketed now. This gives about ten times the capacity of carbon anodes. The Argone labs new Manganese based cathode is being commercialized now. These new developements will improve the Li-Ion batteries 2.5 times, which put them about the same capacity as the initial EESUs from EESTORE. Li-Air, with a theoretical ten times capacity of Li-Ion, is being persued vigorously by Argone, and other labs around the world. It's possible that the energy capacity of Li batteries will stay ahead of the EESTOR EESU. If that happens EESTOR will sell their product because of it's long life-cycle, low cost, and high power capacity. But for electric airplanes, gravimetric density will be the most important parameter, and Li may have the edge.
     
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  18. By jimza skeptic Posted: 1/1/2010 6:01pm PST

    Lyle, any updates on how the big unveiling went? I am surprised it wasn't all over the national news!
     
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  19. By DustTheWind Posted: 2/1/2010 7:38am PST

    "By Zhukov #18, Posted: 12/23/2009
    If that happens EESTOR will sell their product because of it's long life-cycle, low cost, and high power capacity. But for electric airplanes, gravimetric density will be the most important parameter, and Li may have the edge."
    I disagree. It would be almost even keel with the caps at that. And the caps would have other advantages. Conserve lithium which won't last forever. Faster recharge times for airplanes this is a big advantage. Muuucchhh longer life cycle not just a little longer, muuuch longer.
    Not to mention they might be further improved if they are possible to build.
    As far as rest of opinions I read on here lot of useless skepticism. That's right I said "useless". Zenn cars could be either. Getting ready for big shut down or ramping up for complete focus on distributing that capacitor. Now why would they invest so much on something that would fail. They are a business and everyone knows who they are. Do they really want to go criminal? I kind of doubt it. However it could be a possibility but no one knows or has evidence. = "useless skepticism."
    Just remember there are other possibilities than what is being presented as fact here.
     
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  20. By EEDust Posted: 2/2/2010 1:45am PST

    DustTheWind, You sound like Baghead. You wrote:
    "Now why would they invest so much on something that would fail."
    Because Ian Clifford is an idiot! He has experience in scam and failures. Ian Clifford/Feel Good Cars invested in AEC, a water in water out scam, which failed. I know you don't want to mention this because it will effect your "small speculative investment in Zenn".
    If you want to play dumb Baghead, read Penny Guber's posts about the Scam.
    Muhahahahahahahahahaha!!!
     
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  21. By Earth2Weirdo Posted: 2/2/2010 8:08am PST

    Lyle, you wrote:
    EESUs...are said to be several times lighter, smaller, and cheaper to produce that lithium cells. They have a functionally unlimited lifetime as well.
    Those claims are total BS! Let's get the facts straight, no one independently has seen, verified or tested any prototype or production line EESUs produced which meet those claims.
    It's easy to make extraordinary claims when you don't have a product.
     
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