U.S. Battery Manufacturer Hopes to Recycle Battery Factory
The recycling of batteries is becoming more common than ever before. But the recycling of battery factories? Apparently this is exactly what Orlando-based Planar Energy Devices intends to do with a lithium ion battery factory previously operated by Electro Energy in Gainesville,FL. Planar has applied for $56 million of the the $2 billion set aside by the Obama administration for the research and development of advanced battery systems. If all goes according to plan, Planar believes they could be manufacturing batteries and creating jobs in a short amount of time.
“The Obama administration has targeted battery manufacturing as a priority for helping rebuild America’s economy and a path to renewable energy independence,” said Planar CEO Scott Faris “This facility is now a strategic national asset, as it is the largest rechargeable battery manufacturing facility outside of Asia. We can have it up and running and producing batteries in weeks, and it gives us the capability to immediately address the needs of customers, from automotive manufacturers to defense contractors, who currently rely heavily on batteries made off-shore. While there are other facilities being planned to address these needs, this facility gives Planar and the U.S. a jump-start on addressing the immediate, high-volume demands many companies have for energy storage product requirements,” said Faris.
According to a study conducted by Innovation Insight, Planar’s recycling of the Gainesville facility has the potential to result in more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs in Florida between 2009 and 2015. The project is also expected to generate $628 million in Florida personal income, $1.2 billion in state gross regional product and $2.3 billion in Florida sales activity.
Category: Battery News
