In developing regions with unreliable power grids, batteries are a necessity. But while traditional lead-acid batteries and diesel generators have been valued for their rechargeability, they are not practical for use over long periods of time (more than four hours). One company has found a way to harness the power of zinc-air batteries to provide a safer, more efficient power source for weak-grid applications.
An ASU startup, Fluidic Energy, shipped 50,000 battery cells to developing nations to replace diesel generators and lead-acid batteries. The company is now exploring partnerships with Caterpillar and PT Perusahaan Listirk Negara, Indonesia’s state-owned electric utility, to deliver energy to 500 remote Indonesian villages.
