Danish battery-management company eyeing Portland

[blucher]

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/danish_battery-management_comp.html

A Danish battery company is considering Portland for its U.S. headquarters as the firm attracts investors interested in electric vehicles and renewable energy for industry.
Managers of Lithium Balance have been talking to Portland Development Commission officials about locating in the city, according to Doug Morris, EnerSol Inc. president, who says he?s been representing the Copenhagen company in discussions.
Lithium Balance was founded in 2006 to develop systems that manage lithium ion batteries, which are migrating from personal electronics to power vehicles and industry. "Lithium Ion battery packs require management to ensure safety, performance and reliability," the company?s Web site says.
Morris said Thursday that Lithium Balance, with about 20 employees, is raising funds for expansion after developing and selling products in Europe and the United States.
"They?re trying to land their funding so they can move aggressively forward to make their final decision" on a U.S. headquarters site, Morris said. He said that the headquarters would start small, but that the market is growing fast.
More electric-vehicle and battery companies are locating in Oregon, which offers incentives to attract renewable-energy businesses. "There is a whole cluster developing around electric vehicles and the electric-vehicle industry," said Tim Miller, board president of Drive Oregon, a coalition of companies and organizations involved in electrification.
-- Richard Read

[byproxy]

seems like lithium is where the batt market is heading right now. hope they come up with some great advances in the auto batt market segment especially so we can get off the oil!!

[blucher]

Originally Posted by byproxy

seems like lithium is where the batt market is heading right now. hope they come up with some great advances in the auto batt market segment especially so we can get off the oil!!

We would have already developed better batteries years ago if auto companies (and probably oil companies) hadn't purchased development rights they then sat on.

After half a year of watching oil foul the Gulf I noticed Kaye Bailey Hutchison calling for more Gulf drilling.

Sure Kaye, go for it but when Texas shores resemble the LaBrea tar pits don't look for another Federal response.