ZincFive, Inc.—Formerly EnSite Power, Inc.—Acquires PowerGenix to Globally Deliver Energy Efficient Nickel-Zinc Battery Systems and Technology
WILSONVILLE, Ore. (PRWEB) November 17, 2016 -- ZincFive, Inc. (formerly EnSite Power, Inc.) announced today that it acquired PowerGenix System, Inc. which commercialized the nickel-zinc battery; EnSite Power pioneered the battery management system and applications that use nickel-zinc, specifically the UPStealth® uninterruptible power supply (UPS)—the first nickel-zinc battery backup system. The two companies have been working together for years, and now the relationship culminates in a combined company, with the potential to deliver greater value to both customers and shareholders.
By leveraging nickel-zinc chemistry and optimizing the battery control systems, ZincFive delivers innovative solutions that are safe, highly recyclable, energy efficient and scalable—marking a shift in how mission critical applications such as intelligent transportation and data centers operate when utility power is interrupted. ZincFive’s battery solutions are expected to be delivered on a global scale—protecting data and technology and offering potentially significant improvements in efficiency.
Markets Addressed with Nickel-Zinc Batteries:
ZincFive manufactures a high power density battery backup system—for traffic/intelligent transportation systems—protecting critical infrastructure in more than 80 transportation agencies and 700 installations across North America (including traffic signals, variable message signs and light rail crossings).
Nickel-zinc delivers improved energy efficiency and reduced capital and ongoing operating costs for data centers, a market that ZincFive is currently addressing. Approximately 25 percent of a data center is dedicated to the space required for a traditional lead-acid battery backup. ZincFive’s solution greatly reduces this footprint requirement.
In other markets, ZincFive is undergoing qualification with several automobile manufacturers to address applications for stop-start vehicles. These vehicles put tremendous demands on the battery due to the high number of engine starts. Nickel-zinc is lighter, has a much longer life and delivers greater energy density than traditional lead-acid batteries.
Nickel-Zinc—Only the Fifth Rechargeable Battery Chemistry in History to Reach Commercial Scale:
The other four battery chemistries brought to global scale are lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium.
ZincFive has two strategic partnership arrangements: a licensing agreement with a global battery giant and a development deal with a major conglomerate headquartered in Japan.
“We believe that these partnerships validate that there’s finally a scalable, superior alternative for customers who have had to rely on legacy energy storage solutions and that we can now produce this technology in large commercial quantities,” says ZincFive CEO/Co-founder, Tim Hysell. “ZincFive and nickel-zinc technology mark a new chapter in battery history and innovative solutions for today’s growing power demands.”
Nickel-Zinc Battery in Today’s Connected World:
More than a century ago, Thomas Edison experimented with nickel-zinc electrochemistry. He hoped to create an ideal battery—non-toxic, light weight and able to meet high energy demand needs, such as powering miners’ safety lamps. In 1901, Edison was awarded a patent for a rechargeable nickel-zinc battery system, but he was never able to bring it to commercialization. Dr. Jeff Phillips, ZincFive’s VP of Operations/Technology, eventually cracked the nickel-zinc code, matured the technology and had 62 patents awarded to the company in the process. Dan Sisson, ZincFive’s VP of Research/Innovation, invented the operating system that optimized the nickel-zinc chemistry for use in several applications, including the UPStealth Battery Backup System. Together, as ZincFive, the two companies create and deliver highly efficient nickel-zinc solutions for many diverse applications.
“ZincFive addresses a growing need in the battery market between lead-acid and lithium-ion capabilities,” says Tod Higinbotham, ZincFive’s President. “New applications in our ever-evolving electrified and connected world are requiring much higher powered solutions, with increased cycling, lighter weight and significant safety and environmental improvements. Although it took a while for Edison’s idea to make it, the timing could not be better.”
Why Nickel-Zinc is a Game Changer:
● Inherently safe, non-flammable and non-explosive.
● Intelligent battery management system delivers greater energy efficiency and effectiveness.
● Lower total cost of ownership. Cost, performance and safety advantages over lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries.
● Light weight and twice as powerful as lead-acid.
● High charge and discharge capability.
● No trickle charging.
● Withstands temperature extremes.
● Highly recyclable.
Visit ZincFive at: zincfive.com
Sales: info(at)zincfive.com or 503.399.3517
Media: Shirley Hancock media(at)zincfive.com or 503.781.4234
About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive, Inc. is a privately-held company based in Wilsonville, OR focused on leveraging nickel-zinc chemistry and optimizing the battery control systems to deliver innovative solutions for mission critical applications that are safe, highly recyclable, energy efficient and scalable. For additional information, visit the company website at zincfive.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These include statements about our plans, objectives, strategies and prospects regarding, among other things, the effects of the recent business combination with PowerGenix Systems, Inc., as well as the potential market applications and effects of our nickel-zinc batteries and applications. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for forward-looking statements contained herein, we caution you that they are based on current expectations about future events affecting us and are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, they may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this presentation. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
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Shirley Hancock, Media/Communications, +1 (503) 781-4234, [email protected]
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