Technology
AGT offers customized product solutions to improve the efficiency of battery-based energy storage systems. Efficiency gains are achieved through the injection of low levels of ultrasonic energy, which modifies the electrochemical performance within the battery and reduces its internal impedance. This effect provides increased capacity, reduced charging times, reduced size, weight, and material needs. The ultrasonic energy is transferred to the battery through a low power actuator ( shown in Figure 1) which can be retrofitted onto existing batteries or incorporated directly into the structure of new batteries.
Figure 1. Sample Actuators
Product-based customized solutions are determined through analysis of customers’ existing or planned energy systems, development of the optimal mechanism and location to apply the ultrasonic energy to their particular batteries, and testing to validate the performance improvements. Additional value can be added to a product-based offering through the incorporation of controls to optimize battery impedance for a given application. Once validated, a customized product-based solution will be licensed to customers for incorporation into their energy systems.
AGT’s ultrasonic technology also improves certain electrochemical conversion processes that are affected by ultrasonic energy. Widespread industry examples that are being pursued include battery electrode formation and electrochemical plating.
When a client licenses AGT’s technology they get clarity in their energy systems performance, i.e. The”Boost” in the UPBA aconym discussed earlier.
AGT’s UPBATM solutions add value since we can enhance the performance and extend the life of existing batteries. Most importantly, is that the industry as a whole has been seeking an “advanced” battery technology for decades, and lead-acid has still prevailed! New and so-called “disruptive” technologies and chemistries fail to win market share because their developers and supporters fail to account for incremental improvements and enhancements to the prevailing technology they are trying to displace or replace. This is especially true with utilities, because reliability, availability, and familiarity with the product (i.e. staff training, O&M characteristics, existing expertise, etc…)—in other words, predictability—is critical. AGT’s UPBATM technology is nothing more than an add-on to an already proven technology that everybody understands – AGT just makes it better.