Smart Meters Require Genius Batteries

As governments, utility companies and consumers alike strive to become more energy independent, the smart grid has risen in popularity.  Using two-way digital communication, the smart grid overlays typical electrical grids with a wireless metering system that, for the first time, allows average consumers to react to changes in grid conditions and sell surplus energy back to their utility companies via a smart meter located in the home or business.

Smart meters like this one are growing in popularity worldwide.

Since the smart grid was first implemented in Italy in 2005, municipal governments in American cities, such as Austin, TX and Boulder, CO have started switching to smart meters in order to save energy, reduce costs and increase reliability and transparency.  Fueled by government incentives such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it’s estimated that by 2015, 18 percent of the world’s meters will be converted to smart meters for a total of 250 million smart meters worldwide.

An example of a Lithium Thionyl Chloride battery designed for smart meters.

Even in the smart grid, power outages are inevitable. Therefore, smart meters must contain reliable primary and back-up battery power in order to maintain the grid’s unique two-way communication.  Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl₂) is one of the perfect battery technologies for smart meters because it can operate in a range of global climates with solid reliability and minimal maintenance.  In the event of an outage, Li-SOCl₂ batteries ensure that smart meters remain active, capturing and reporting data.  In addition, Li-SOCl₂ batteries are a green technology that last up to 20 years, and are even environmentally friendly if disposed of properly.

Palladium Energy stays abreast of the newest technologies and is entrenched in emerging markets – including green power. Our expertise in lithium-based battery technologies includes Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl₂), and is why the world’s largest smart meter manufacturers turn to Palladium for back-up power solutions.

–Tom Larsen, Product Manager

The Evolution of Telematics and the Battery Power that Keeps Pace

The 21^st Century has given rise to location-based communication and information applications – making our lives safer, more integrated, energy efficient, and for those of us who are directionally challenged – it’s revolutionized the highway map.

M2M OEMs such as Continental and Borg have been developing these telematics devices at a rapid pace since the early 2000’s as business and consumer demand has soared.  To put this in perspective, in 2008 the total net market value for telematics and telemetry equipment was $11.6 billion and it is projected to reach $40.3 billion in 2016.

As the telematics market has evolved, so have consumer trends and integration methods.  Most recently, telemetry hardware is being embedded within a larger product.  For example, gone are the days of suction-cupping a Global Positioning System to your windshield.  This trend anticipates that consumers will choose to pay recurring monthly fees for the convenience of having integrated software, like OnStar’s in-vehicle communication service.

Just as consumer trends have changed, the market for telematics devices has expanded.  Today, the U.S. government is integrating telematics into homeland security fleet vehicles and the emerging smart grid technology industry is utilizing telematics in its metric system.

The future of telematics is sure to include a rise in smartphone applications, such as automobile apps that allow users to interact with their car with the strike of the thumb.  One thing is for sure – telematics devices will continue to require power systems with higher charging densities that can perform in a range of environments.

Palladium Energy’s battery packs are safe, reliable, and are designed to meet the rigorous certification requirements of telematics devices.  At Palladium, we also have the industry’s only independent and accredited test lab, IQ Laboratories, where we can design, test, and certify each battery pack to the most stringent of industry standards.  Every battery pack we manufacture for telematics devices are custom engineered and designed for this burgeoning and rapidly changing market.

– Rebecca Kritzman, Director of Marketing

Battery Power: Going Long

This Sunday when Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin confers with his defensive coordinator, he’ll have portable electronic battery power to thank.  And when a referee calls a play, you can count on battery power to hear it over the Cowboys Stadium speaker system.  And when you use your credit card to buy a hot dog while in the stands, the vendor will rely on the battery power in its data capture device to process your purchase.

Here at Palladium we aren’t placing bets on The Big Game, but while we’re watching the gridiron showdown, rest assured we’ll have our eyes on all of the portable devices that are battery powered.

The transmission of communication and storage of data are critical to large-scale sporting events such as Sunday’s football face-off.  Everyone from sports journalists to coaches to paramedics to box office agents rely on portable battery power to send, receive and store information.

Greenbay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy and Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin sport a sampling of the portable electronic devices that will be showcased at Sunday’s Big Game.

Moreover, portable devices must meet increasing demand for long-lasting life.  That’s why today’s batteries must “go long” in order to survive four grueling quarters on the turf.  In addition, since football season lasts five months of the year, the batteries that power the game must be able to perform in a range of environments, climates and temperatures.

Palladium Energy provides the most reliable battery packs for portable data capture devices for retailers, logistics, and yes, even football fanatics. Palladium has the industry’s only independent and accredited test lab, IQ Laboratories, where we can design, test, and certify each battery pack to the most stringent of industry standards, ensuring that our batteries can make it through over-time.

– Rebecca Kritzman, Director of Marketing