The competition for the development of lithium-ion batteries is justifiably heating up. Battery technology will be at the center of our future energy consumption patterns. The progress of wind and solar energy generation are great developments, but the pressing problem is as much where to store the energy as it is how to develop it. If energy has to travel large distances from the great plains to major cities, then much of the benefit of generating wind and solar energy will be lost. This consortium of companies looking for federal money for the car battery might be the next step in this technological evolution. I’ll definitely keep my eye on it:
hzl2
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If this is the way to reclaim the American auto industry, why haven’t the auto execs been pushing for it in Washington? Especially if it would keep factory workers relevant. Plus I would have to imagine that the American advantage in infrastructure (one we’re slowly losing) has to make some difference.
Is it time for Congress to actively intervene to promote a public good? Perhaps if the automakers can’t cooperate effectively…
the automakers can’t cooperate effectively, that’s been proven. If they had the ability to look out for the best interest of the industry, then we would have had more efficient vehicles ages ago. I see the issue of the car battery separately from the issue of battery storage for wind and solar energy. Aid from congress to the former would be a pretty apparent promotion of a national industry at great risk of being outdone by other national competitors. I am not sure this is a role they should play–although they have done so before. On the other hand, I see promotion of battery storage for wind and solar energy as a global imperative that would have particular national advantages if we were responsible for it. I know this is a subtle difference at best, but it seems more right to support the latter and let the former be decided on market principles (to the degree that those still exist).
That’s a tough distinction to make politically. Either way, what if we invest in battery storage but the market beats us on battery production. Then what?