Energy Conversion Devices facts for kids
| Traded as | NASDAQ: ENER (2003–2012) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alternative energy |
| Fate | bankruptcy |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Stanford R. Ovshinsky |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters |
,
United States
|
Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) was an American company that made solar cells and rechargeable batteries. They were known for their special thin, flexible solar panels. These panels could be used on roofs or even built right into buildings.
ECD also made rechargeable batteries and other products related to renewable energy. The company was based in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Through its company called United Solar Ovonic, LLC (also known as Uni-Solar), ECD became the world's biggest maker of flexible solar panels. Uni-Solar panels were long strips with wires. They could be easily glued onto many surfaces, like flat roofs, motorhomes, and truck cabs.
Sadly, on February 14, 2012, Energy Conversion Devices and its related companies had to file for bankruptcy.
Contents
What Was Energy Conversion Devices?
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) focused on making and installing solar panels for buildings. Their main product was thin-film solar laminates. These laminates could turn sunlight into electricity.
The company had two main parts: United Solar Ovonic and Ovonic Materials. United Solar Ovonic made the special solar panels that could be part of roofing materials. The Ovonic Materials part worked on new materials and products using ECD's science.
ECD and its companies created materials and products for clean energy. This included solar power, energy storage, and information technology.
What is Ovonics?
Ovonics is a special area of electronics. It uses materials that can change from not conducting electricity to conducting it. This happens when a certain amount of voltage is applied. A good example of this is phase change memory, which is used in some computer memory.
Scientist and entrepreneur Stanford R. Ovshinsky started this field. He also created the name "Ovonics" (from his last name and "electronics"). He founded Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) in 1960. His goal was to develop new technologies that would not pollute or harm the environment.
Key Facts About ECD
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) was important for several reasons:
- It was a major maker of flexible solar panels.
- The company also worked on NiMH batteries, ways to store hydrogen fuel, and metal hydride fuel cells.
- Its founder, Stanford Ovshinsky, was called a "Hero for the planet" by Time magazine in 1999. He was also added to the U.S. Solar Energy Hall of Fame in 2005.
- ECD Ovonics stock was traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. It was later removed after the company went bankrupt.
How ECD Was Organized
ECD Ovonics was split into different parts. It also owned all or part of several other companies. These companies focused on three main areas:
- Energy Generation:
* United Solar Ovonic Corp: This company made the flexible photovoltaic laminates (solar panels). * Solar Integrated, Inc.: This company helped with installing solar systems. They handled design, building, and maintenance. * Ovonic Fuel Cell Company LLC: This company worked on fuel cells.
- Energy Storage:
* Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC: This company focused on storing hydrogen. * Ovonic Battery Company: This company made batteries. It was partly owned by ECD and other companies like Honda.
- Information Technology:
* Ovonic Media: This company worked on media-related technologies. * Ovonyx Inc.: This company was involved in information technology.
United Solar Ovonic Corporation
The United Solar Ovonic Corporation was once the world's largest maker of flexible solar panels (in 2008). They were also the second-largest U.S. maker of thin film solar cells in 2007.
Their solar cells were made of 11 triple junction amorphous silicon solar cells. These cells were connected in a series and could turn 11-13% of sunlight into electricity. The material covering the panels was a strong, clear polymer called ETFE. The panels were sold under the brand name "UNI-SOLAR".
Their main factory and offices were in Auburn Hills, Michigan. A second factory was built in Greenville, Michigan, in 2007. Many of their products were sold to companies that made roofing materials. They also developed flexible solar products for use in space.
Solar Integrated, Inc.
Solar Integrated, Inc. was a company fully owned by Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. This company acted as an EPC contractor. This means they were responsible for the entire process of setting up solar systems. They handled everything from design and engineering to buying parts, building, and maintaining Uni-Solar products.
Ovonic Batteries
Ovonic nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) batteries were used in early electric and hybrid cars. These included the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 EV and the 1999 General Motors EV1. They were also used in many other hybrid vehicles made later.
These batteries were even used in a special auto rickshaw concept vehicle. This vehicle burned hydrogen as fuel. A report said its performance was similar to rickshaws that used natural gas.
Battery Patents
In 1994, General Motors gained control over Ovonics' battery development. This included patents for making large nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.
Later, in 2000, Texaco bought General Motors' share in GM Ovonics. Then, Chevron bought Texaco. In 2003, Texaco Ovonics Battery Systems became Cobasys. This was a joint company owned equally by Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) Ovonics.
Chevron had a big say in what Cobasys could do with its NiMH battery technology. They could even take over all of Cobasys's technology if ECD Ovonics didn't meet its agreements.
Some people believed that large NiMH batteries were ready for wider use. However, Cobasys seemed unwilling to sell or license them to smaller companies or individuals. They only accepted very large orders for these batteries.
In 2006, Cobasys and General Motors announced a deal for batteries for the Saturn Aura hybrid car. They also planned to use them in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid. But Cobasys still didn't sell smaller amounts of batteries to people who wanted to build their own hybrid cars.
In 2009, Cobasys was bought by SB LiMotive, a joint company of Samsung and Bosch. Later, it became part of Bosch.
In February 2012, ECD sold its battery company, Ovonic Battery Company, to BASF Corporation.
See also
- Photovoltaic power stations
- Sustainable energy
Images for kids
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Metal hydride fuel cell
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Metal hydride for hydrogen storage
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United Solar Ovonic thin-film PV building-integrated solar shingles
