This week found A123 Systems embarking on its long-awaited $225 million IPO. If successful, the greentech industry could be on the cusp of a new era in financing, and the energy storage sector could begin to receive some extra attention.
What follows is a convoy of stories and blogs from the battery and transportation world you might have missed:
• AltairNano Looks to Supply Batteries to Hawaii Solar Project
The battery maker is competing with A123 for grid-scale energy storage contracts. Lithium-ion may be an up-and-coming tech for "power-oriented" grid storage, says GTM Research analyst John Kluza.
• Electric Cars, Courtesy of Genetic Engineering
Some of the people who helped Norvartis develop drugs are getting into batteries and fuel cells.
• Lithium-Ion Battery Makers Fight Back on Push to Ban Air Transport
The Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) is making in opposing a call from an airline pilot's union to ban the shipment of lithium ion batteries on flights.
• Sapphire: A Major Tech Annoucement in 30 Days
We might get a little closer to one of the biggest questions in the algae world – why did investors put $100 million into Sapphire Energy – in about a month.
• The $225M IPO Roadshow begins: A123 = AONE
A123's long-threatened IPO has the potential to draw the market's attention to the energy storage sector. And the IPO will also give us a glimpse on how investment banks and institutional investors will value energy storage firms.
• Propane: Coming to 100 Gas Stations Near You
CleanFuel USA has received a $12.9 stimulus grant from the Department of Energy that it will use to install liquid propane pumps at 100 gas stations.
• Fisker's Karma to Get 67.6 Miles Per Gallon
Fisker will show off the Karma next week in Frankfurt, and it has a somewhat realistic mileage figure.
• Navy Orders 20,000 Gallons of Algae Fuel From Solazyme
The Department of Defense has ordered over 20,000 gallons of algae fuel from Solazyme to see if algae fuel can replace F-76 Naval Distillate, the primary shipboard fuel used by the Navy.
• Test Drive: The All-Electric Whip From Wheego
It's an all-electric, two-seater car that looks like a smart car. It's not bad, which is a good sign for the industry.