General Electric to build sodium-based batteries

Press release : GE : News

12 May 2009

GE Transportation Announces New $100 Million Battery Manufacturing Facility to Advance Hybrid Technologies

ERIE, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GE Transportation, a unit of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), announced today the next step in its commitment to develop leading hybrid technology. The Company announced plans to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant for advanced storage batteries.

The new battery business will be a part of GE Transportation and will serve customers in the rail, marine, mining, telecommunications and utility sectors. As the leading producer of diesel-electric locomotives, GE has a rich history of delivering breakthrough technologies that are today commonplace in the rail industry.

GE has invested more than $150 million to develop advanced battery technologies, including a high energy-density sodium-based chemistry battery that will provide energy storage for a variety applications, including GE Transportation’s ecomaginationSM certified Evolution® Hybrid Locomotive, mining truck drive system and tugboat electrification.

In addition, GE has launch customers in several industries, including mining, telecommunications and utility, with key applications for heavy service vehicles, backup storage and load leveling for the smart grid.

“We are very excited about the breakthrough in battery technology and the new production facility,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation. “This leading commercial-grade battery technology is essential in advancing our hybrid development programs and a vital step in the evolution of high-tech and green transportation solutions.”

GE Transportation Announces New $100 Million Battery Manufacturing Facility to Advance Hybrid Technologies : Press Releases : News : GE.

This is the key paragraph:

In addition, GE has launch customers in several industries, including mining, telecommunications and utility, with key applications for heavy service vehicles, backup storage and load leveling for the smart grid.

Perhaps you could build substation level energy storage for use in electricial distribution systems and large scale warehoused energy storage compounds.