(L-R) managing director of FPTI, Juan Carlos Sotuyo; Brazilian General Director of Itaipu, Jorge Samek; general manager of MIRA Brazil, Armando Canales; and executive financial director of Itaipu, Margaret Groff.
Vehicle engineering consultancy MIRA and Fundação Parque Tecnológico Itaipu (FPTI), a generator of renewable clean energy, are to develop a center of excellence for energy storage in Brazil. As part of this agreement, the two companies will perform research and development for a new and flexible architecture lithium battery for transportation applications.
The project entails the transfer of technology and the joint development of new intellectual property, enabling FPTI to develop a leading position in energy storage technologies. The combination of MIRA’s expertise in the international automotive market with FPTI’s knowledge of energy production and storage for large stationary applications is said to provide a solid base for the new battery development center.
A modular approach will enable the battery design to cover automotive applications for motorcycles, trucks and buses. In addition, the initial program will provide the basis for further low-carbon developments in areas such as hydrogen and liquid air.
MIRA and FPTI hope to have the first results within two years, and the development of local expertise and intellectual property in battery and battery management systems is expected to expedite the implementation of the electric and hybrid electric vehicle industry in Brazil as well as the application of renewable energy solutions in remote areas of the country.
June 4, 2015
