Used Chevy Volt Batteries Power Data Center

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zerox203,
User Rank: Ninja
6/29/2015 | 11:03:33 PM

Re: Used Chevy Volt Batteries Power Data Center

I'll be honest; as I was reading the article, I was looking closely for any hint that this was more of a PR stunt by GM and less of a real application. There has to be a catch, right? The numbers provided, the LEED certification, and the interest in similar applications from other companies all point towards this being pretty legit, though. Good for GM - good for all of us. The announcements from Tesla and Daimler AG specify that they're going to be offering home batteries that are new products based on their car batteries - not just repurposed car batteries. I wonder if GM will be developing a new, specialized battery for this purpose to sell to other companies? Perhaps one whose lifecycle is based around industrial use, and can switch more smartly?

Am I the only one who's interested in knowing a little more about the bat preservation thing? The article from GM actually specifies that it's actually the waste that's cleaned off of the adhesive-applying machines every so often that are the 'perfect shape' to make artificial stalactites - these must be some pretty big machines, then! It also mentions that they do outreach programs to involve local kids in the building of these bat houses, which is great - I wish I'd done more stuff like that as a kid. Seems like a great way to get them involved in putting technology and environmentalism together. At a certain point you have to set your knowledge that a lot of this is targetted PR aside, and lay down your cynicism in favor of all the great work being done. Good job, GM!

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tzubair,
User Rank: Ninja
6/28/2015 | 2:50:25 PM

Recycling centers

"The company is also working on secondary applications for the used batteries, working with partners to test other potential commercial and non-commercial functions"

I think all the companies who use these batteries should be part of the process whereby they accept the old batteries from their consumers. I remember Nokia taking that initiative sometime ago and setting up recycling centers to collect them. Other companies must be made to follow a similar practice.

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tzubair,
User Rank: Ninja
6/28/2015 | 2:37:23 PM

Re: A Battery is a Terrible Thing to Waste

"Just because the battery can no longer perform up to the level required in a moving vehicle doesn't mean it won't fit in just fine in a less space-critical environment."

@Gary: I think the more batteries are recycled, the friendlier it will be for the environment. You're right that a battery never becomes completely useless and that it can perform equally well in a less critical environment. Unfortunately, the idea of battery recycling is still not very common and needs more focus.

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[email protected],
User Rank: Ninja
6/28/2015 | 5:33:49 AM

Re: A Battery is a Terrible Thing to Waste

This is awesome. I hope more and more awareness of such things can be created so that we start recycling things rather than marking them as useless.

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Gary_EL,
User Rank: Ninja
6/27/2015 | 10:01:22 PM

A Battery is a Terrible Thing to Waste

A great idea. Just because the battery can no longer perform up to the level required in a moving vehicle doesn't mean it won't fit in just fine in a less space-critical environment. But this all may be short lived. Billions are being poured into Lithium-ion battery research all over the world, and the present generation may soon be relegated to antique status.

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