Advanced Metal-Hydrides-Based Thermal Battery
Technology Description:
The University of Utah is developing a compact hot-and-cold thermal battery using advanced metal hydrides that could offer efficient climate control system for EVs. The team's innovative designs of heating and cooling systems for EVs with high energy density, low-cost thermal batteries could significantly reduce the weight and eliminate the space constraint in automobiles. The thermal battery can be charged by plugging it into an electrical outlet while charging the electric battery and it produces heat and cold through a heat exchanger when discharging. The ultimate goal of the project is a climate-controlling thermal battery that can last up to 5,000 charge and discharge cycles while substantially increasing the driving range of EVs, thus reducing the drain on electric batteries.
Potential Impact:
If successful, the University of Utah's thermal battery would provide a low-cost, efficient cabin climate control system that helps optimize the driving range of EVs—reducing the size and cost of EVs.
Security:
Increased use of EVs would decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil—the transportation sector is the dominant source of this dependence.
Environment:
Greater use of EVs would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.
Economy:
This technology would increase the marketability of EVs—helping spur growth in the automobile industry.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. James Klausner
Project Contact:
Dr. Zak Fang
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
zak.fang@utah.edu
Partners
General Motors
HRL Laboratories, LLC
Related Projects
Release Date:
04/20/2011