A new video demonstrating the benefits of lead batteries to society and the potential of advanced lead batteries for the future turned out to be one of the major attractions at the European Lead Battery Conference (15ELBC) and is expected to be a focus of forthcoming promotional campaigns. Produced by long-time Consortium member the Hammond Group in conjunction with ILA/ALABC, the video examines the issue of climate change and how lead batteries can make an immediate, sustainable and cost-effective contribution to reducing global CO2 emissions. It also demonstrates how advanced lead batteries will open new markets as affordable energy storage is essential to renewable energy viability due to their low cost per kilowatt/hour and recyclability compared to other battery technologies.

 

 

Long-time battery R&D supporter and pioneer Professor Detchko Pavlov of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was recently honored by the Indian Lead Zinc Development Association (ILZDA) with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the battery and electrochemical sciences over the course of his over 50-year career. It was the second such award garnered by Prof. Pavlov, as he was honored earlier this year by the National Alliance of Advanced Transportation Batteries (NAATBatt). Prof. Pavlov’s scientific contributions to the lead-acid battery industry are numerous, founding the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems at BAS and the LABAT conference series and authoring or co-authoring more than 250 technical publications. Prof. Pavlov and his staff are also continuing their work on Project 1315 RE, the only ALABC project carried over from the previous program, and are also working on a new project for the 1618 program (highlighted in last month’s Keeping Pace).

 

Please join us in remembering Michael Mayer, one of the lead battery industry’s long-time advocates and family members, who died earlier this month at the age of 82. A former manager of lead-acid batteries at the Lead Development Association (currently the International Lead Association), Michael was best known as one of the key founders of the European Lead Battery Conference (ELBC) in 1988. ELBC was an immediate success, and after 28 years, the event is still growing and is the largest of its kind in the world. He was awarded the International Lead Award in 2014 at the 14ELBC meetings in Edinburgh for his service to the industry, particularly for his role in providing opportunities for newcomers to join the international lead community over the past few decades.

 

 

Former ALABC member Axion Power has officially entered into a letter of intent with Chinese battery producer Fengfan and worldwide distributor LCB International to license their proprietary PbC® energy storage technology across Greater China and North America. According to the agreement, Axion will receive funding to continue licensing the PbC® technology internationally and prepare it for commercial scale applications, and Fengfan will add the batteries to its product portfolio and initiate volume production to expand introduction into Southeast Asia.