AeroVironment, Inc. (AeroVironment) has announced that EnerDel, Inc. (EnerDel), a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc., will be using a portion of its recent federal stimulus grant to purchase eight AeroVironment advanced electric vehicle (EV) power cycling and test systems. The addition of AeroVironment’s 170 kilowatt ABC-170CE cyclers and its 250 kilowatt AV-900 heavy-duty cyclers will expand the advanced battery testing capabilities at EnerDel’s Indiana facility.
Both test systems are programmed to simulate real world driving conditions by repeatedly charging and discharging EnerDel’s hybrid and EV batteries to replicate actual operating conditions. The ABC-170CE is designed to facilitate high voltage and high current battery and fuel cell charge and discharge testing with a full 170 kilowatt sinking power. The AV-900 is capable of up to 250 kilowatt charge and discharge testing and is used to test larger applications, such as plug-in and full battery electric buses, trucks and military equipment. The addition of the ABC-170CE and AV-900 systems enables complete advanced power cycling of EnerDel’s cutting edge hybrid and EV batteries.
“The AV units provide additional life-cycling systems for all of our major projects,” EnerDel President Rick Stanley said. “The cyclers enhance our performance testing abilities, allowing us to better meet our customers’ rigorous standards.”
In August 2009, EnerDel was awarded a $118.5 million grant to expand its domestic manufacturing capacity under the Advanced Battery Manufacturing Initiative (ABMI), part of the federal stimulus package enacted in February 2008.
Michael Bissonette, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems segment, said, “AV’s power cycling and test systems help premier battery manufacturers like EnerDel contribute to the development of the next generation of clean vehicle powertrains through their reliability, adaptability, ease of use and longevity.”
Bissonette said the AV-900 is one of the company’s heavy-duty test systems and has been used to develop fuel cell buses and hybrid locomotives with its high power capability. Recently, the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) took delivery of the AV-800, another high-powered, heavy-duty, near-megawatt scale EV test system to conduct critical testing needed for the advancement of ground system electric transportation technologies to support and protect today’s military forces.
AeroVironment’s test systems have been used to develop, test and integrate fuel cell and hybrid energy systems and to support the development of systems such as large hybrid EVs, high power energy storage systems, power generation equipment, powertrains, and electrical components.
EnerDel is a US-based advanced lithium-ion battery maker.
AeroVironment is a US-based provider of products and technology for clean energy and efficient vehicles.