MOMENTUM DYNAMICS WINS $95,000 GRANT FROM CA ENERGY COMMISSION FOR WIRELESS ELECTRIC VEHICLE RECHARGING SYSTEM
November 30, 2010
Monies to be used for field testing of ground and vehicle components
Malvern, PA—Momentum Dynamics Corporation, a clean tech company, announces that it has been awarded a grant valued at $95,000 from the CA Energy Commission, Energy Innovations Small Grant Transportation Program. The grant will pay for the prototype ground and vehicle components that will be installed in a rental car courtesy minibus in a beta test program at Los Angeles International (LAX) airport.
Momentum Dynamics (www.MomentumDynamics.com) is developing a unique and proprietary technology system that will permit electrically powered vehicles to be recharged without the use of a wire. Andy Daga, CEO and Principal Founder, commented, “Every major automaker is committed to bringing electric vehicles to market and commercial and fleet vehicle owners as well as passenger vehicle owners will profit greatly from the change from gasoline to electric. Momentum Dynamics aims to capture a significant portion of the emerging market for the charging technology that will be required to power these electric vehicles.”
The company’s technology consists of an integrated suite of hardware and software that can be operated with any type of vehicle. It does not require a conductor to connect the vehicle to the power grid. Mr. Daga added, “It is far more convenient and safer than plug‐in chargers and can be operated in any weather and without supervision so that charging is automatic. We are talking to rental car agencies in California and of course would welcome the opportunity to work with an airport rental car agency here in Philadelphia as well.”
Scott Anderson, author of the blog TheGreenSkeptic.com, is head of VerdeStrategy, a consulting and advisory firm focused on the clean tech, energy and environment sectors. He commented, “Momentum Dynamics is on the leading edge of electric vehicle recharging. Imagine a day when recharging an EV is as easy and available as E‐ZPass. Momentum Dynamics is helping to make that day a reality.”
Most of the world’s automakers, as well as commercial‐duty vehicle manufacturers, are on the verge of mass‐marketing electric vehicles. Battery Electric (BEV) and Plug‐in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles promise remarkably lower operating costs, a quieter ride, and reduced emissions (no emissions from BEVs). According to Pike Research, the number of electric automobiles sold around the world will exceed 3 million by 2015. However, the fastest adoption of electric vehicles may be in the commercial market space where operators of large continuous‐duty vehicles are looking at the prospect of dramatically reduced fuel costs.
Governor Rendell Says Latest Investments in Alternative Fuels Making PA More Energy Independent, Spurring Innovation
November 30, 2010
Nov. 16, 2010
Announces Nearly $8 Million for 21 Projects Promoting Biofuels, Natural Gas- and Electric-Powered Vehicles
Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that Pennsylvania is cutting its appetite for foreign oil by more than a half-million gallons as it invests in 21 alternative fuel projects that will also create 221 jobs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 14.5 million pounds.
The Governor said the $7.9 million he announced today through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant Program will spur innovation in Pennsylvania‘s advanced energy economy, while also making it easier for consumers and businesses to use home-grown biofuels and rapidly expanding technologies such as hybrid and electric plug-in vehicles, as well as those powered by natural gas.
Governor Rendell explained that this latest round of investments—which are being matched by another $22.1 million in private funds for a total economic impact of $30 million—further strengthens Pennsylvania‘s reputation as a leading state for clean energy innovation and use.
―Two weeks ago, the Natural Resources Defense Council named Pennsylvania as the 7th least vulnerable state in the nation to oil price spikes because of our work to build a green economy here,‖ said the Governor. ―In doing so, it noted ‗America’s addiction to oil continues to threaten not only our national security and global environmental health, but also our economic viability.‘
―That’s a very accurate assessment and it’s what we’ve been saying for the past eight years, which is why we‘ve worked so hard to create a green energy economy here. That work has paid off and today, we have thousands of companies who are employing tens of thousands of workers in green collar jobs. These projects will build upon that work and will transform the way we power our vehicles.‖
In making the announcement today, the Governor was joined by representatives of three alternative fuel incentive grant recipients that, he said, represent the innovative work the state‘s investment is supporting.
|
|
Chester County-based Momentum Dynamics will receive a nearly $587,000 grant to develop a technology in Berks County that will recharge EV and
|
|
plug-in hybrid vehicles wirelessly. The project is expected to create 18 jobs and cut CO2 emissions by 297,000 pounds annually.
International Battery Inc., based in the Lehigh Valley will use a $235,000 grant to demonstrate the long-term performance and manufacturing viability of an advanced lithium battery pack suitable for hybrid electric and electric buses and commercial trucks. The company’s green manufacturing process, which is solvent-free and free of volatile organic compounds, will create 2 jobs.
The city of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office of Sustainability will receive $140,000 for its $500,000 project that will add 10 charging stations and 18 electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids to existing, successful local car sharing operations, exposing more people to the benefits of these technologies. The project is expected to create 12 jobs and cut CO2 emissions by 61,000 pounds per year.
―These are exciting projects because they pave the way for consumers to adopt new environmentally friendly and money-saving technologies,‖ said Governor Rendell. ―As more auto manufacturers introduce electric vehicles, these should be viewed as legitimate technologies.‖
The Governor added that GE—a Fortune 100 company—announced recently that it intends to buy 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015, essentially replacing most of its 30,000 conventional-fuel vehicle fleet. The company expects these EVs to save it $500 million over just the next three years.
The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program helps to create new markets for biofuels and encourage innovation in developing and manufacturing other advanced fuel transportation solutions in Pennsylvania to reduce the state‘s dependence on foreign oil.
The commonwealth has invested about $39 million in 114 projects through the program since 2004. These investments have leveraged an additional $216 million in investments from other sources.
For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa. us, keyword: Alternative Fuels. Media contact: Michael Smith, 717-783-1116
Editor’s Note: The 17 other projects receiving funding through the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program are listed below, by county. For more information, call the media contact listed above.
Allegheny
Giant Eagle Inc. – $750,000 to purchase 29 compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric/plug-in vehicles, and to install 10 public electric vehicle charging stations— the first of their kind in Pennsylvania.
Waste Management of Pennsylvania Inc. – $700,000 – to build a CNG fueling station at the Washington hauling facility in Washington, PA, which will also be available to other fleet operators. The company intends to use natural gas in its fleet of trash and recycle trucks.
Bradford
Endless Mountains Transit Authority – $750,000 – to convert five public transit buses to CNG that will be fueled at a public fueling station built by Dandy Mini Marts in either Towanda or Sayre.
Bucks
451 Tyburn LLC – $837,400 – to build a publicly accessible CNG station in Fairless Hills and deploy heavy-duty CNG shuttle buses for public transit service in region.
Chester
West Chester University of Pennsylvania – $6,000 – to cover the incremental cost of purchasing B20 biodiesel to power vehicles on campus.
Cumberland
Cumberland County Commissioners – $15,360 – to purchase 96,000 gallons of blended biodiesel.
YRC, Inc. – $250,000 – to install a biodiesel blending system at its Carlisle Truck Freight Terminal.
Monroe
East Stroudsburg Area School District – $10,540 – to convert two existing, 20,000- gallon tanks for biofuel storage and purchase B5 biodiesel.
Montgomery
Bryn Mawr College – $88,682 – to increase its existing CNG storage capacity, and purchase one CNG transport bus and two Ford Transit Connect CNG vans.
Lower Merion School District – $121,641 – to purchase and use nine CNG school buses.
Self Heating & Cooling Inc. – $48,710 – to develop a public propane AutoGas station in Horsham Township and add two propane-powered vehicles to the company‘s fleet.
Philadelphia
Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania – $631,787 – to help 12 school districts purchase and use 1.8 million gallons of blended biodiesel and 280,000 gallons of B100.
Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania – $425,860 – to help five municipalities and school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania continue fueling 500 vehicles with biodiesel.
Philadelphia City Treasurer, Office of Fleet Management – $205,416 – to offset the cost of purchasing more than 1 million gallons of B5 biodiesel for use in the city‘s fleet.
PHL Taxi Management LLC – $900,000 – to purchase and deploy 50 new CNG taxis in Philadelphia that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to build a publicly accessible CNG fueling station in the city.
Venango
Venango Leasing Co. – $362,500 – to develop a CNG fueling station with convenient public access alongside an existing fuel station in Barkeyville and to purchase equipment that will enable its existing fleet to run on a mix of CNG and diesel.
Westmoreland
Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program – $486,066 – to convert heavy equipment construction fleets to accept locally produced biofuels and to demonstrate the performance, cost-effectiveness, maintenance, training and research necessary to prove the concept‘s viability.
Statewide
Dean Cerimeli/U-HAUL – $346,000 – to purchase and convert the engines of 20 vans to run on liquefied petroleum gas that will be deployed throughout the state.
Innovation zones get state funding
November 11, 2010
$100,000 in state money to help tech, life sciences companies get started
The Chester County and Delaware County Keystone Innovation Zones were jointly awarded $100,000 in state matching funds to help promising young life sciences and technology companies get off the ground.
Under KIZ, companies in a designated geographic area that are deemed most likely to create jobs, receive patents, license their technology and introduce their products to market are awarded grants, paid internships and mentoring support.
State Sen. Andrew Dinniman, a member of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority which oversees the commonwealth’s KIZ funding, said he was proud that Chester and Delaware counties scored so highly with their joint proposal.
“We want to incentivize and support local entrepreneurs. We all benefit when cutting-edge, knowledge-based companies call Chester County home,” said Dinniman, of West Whiteland, a Democrat who represents the 19th District.
“That being said, we must be extremely careful with funding and only invest in those start-ups that have passed the most rigorous tests and that are most likely to provide great products and high-paying jobs.”
The Chester and Delaware County KIZ programs received full grant
funding for the initiative due to their demonstrated success in helping entrepreneurs bring their technologies to market.
In addition to funding for services and training programs, KIZ companies are also eligible to sell tax credits of up to $100,000 a year which provides the start-up company access to working capital.
“There are 3,500 bioscience companies in Pennsylvania that have ideas,” Dinniman said. Trading tax credits helps those new ideas “become a reality, become a real help to some people.”
The CCKIZ program is administered through the Chester County Economic Development Council and is funded through a declining state grant. Mary Fuchs is the CCKIZ coordinator.
Since its inception in 2007, Chester County KIZ has helped 30 companies get off the ground, with more than 200 jobs created, hundreds retained and 17 patents received or in process, the organization said.
One such company is clean technology firm Momentum Dynamics, which has gone from one employee to 12 since it was founded last year.
The KIZ benefit for Momentum Dynamics was the “ability to hire an intern who is now a full-time employee,” said Andrew Daga, the company’s chief executive. “KIZ was instrumental (for us) to do that.”
Daga said that employee, a business development expert, interned while he was a student at Lehigh University.
Momentum Dynamics, headquartered in East Whiteland, is developing a proprietary system that permits electrically powered vehicles to be recharged without the use of a wire.
The technology allows the recharging system to automatically identify equipped vehicles and regulate the sale of power in a manner similar to the EZ-Pass system, Daga explained.
Earlier this month Momentum Dynamics was awarded a $95,000 grant from the California Energy Commission. The grant will pay for the prototype ground and vehicle components that will be installed in a courtesy minibus used to ferry passengers from Los Angeles International Airport to rental car locations offsite.
Before founding Momentum Dynamics, Daga, of Malvern, directed a division of Bentley Systems Inc., a CAD software company headquartered in Uwchlan, and had been a consultant to major aerospace firms and NASA.
He has worked on such projects as the solar power array structures used on the International Space Station, space-based solar power studies for the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA’s Constellation Program, advancing the multidisciplinary systems engineering for lunar surface habitat design
Keystone Innovation Zones in Pennsylvania are established in communities that host institutions of higher education. The zones are designed to foster innovation and create entrepreneurial opportunities.
The KIZ program was created in 2004 as part of a $1.1 billion economic stimulus package pushed by Gov. Ed. Rendell and designed to improve the state’s dismal job creation record that at the time ranked 42nd out of the 50 states.
Last summer, the Chester County KIZ expanded geographically as well as added four educational institutions to the program.