Skeleton Technologies - Page 3

Skeleton Technologies, an Estonia-based company that produces graphene-based supercapacitors and energy storage systems, is to invest €25 million in its plant located in the German state of Saxony. With this investment, Skeleton aims to expand its research and development as well as scale its production.

"In 2017, we announced our first stage in Saxony — €6.2 million were invested in the production of ultracapacitors in Großröhrsdorf," Skeleton co-founder and CEO Taavi Madiberk said in a press release. "We have successfully entered the market and helped save fuel and reduce emissions from buses, trucks, railway vehicles and industrial machinery".

Skeleton Technologies and British bus manufacturer Wrights Group have announced the signing of a high-volume, multi-million-euro contract for the next 5 years. Skeleton Technologies will supply graphene-based supercapacitors to the latest KERS enabled hybrid-electric double and single deck buses produced by the Wrights Group.

The demand to reduce CO₂ emissions in city centers is one of the key drivers for WrightBus to implement new technology which cuts such emissions by saving fuel. The integration of graphene-based supercapacitors into test WrightBus double deck buses reportedly enables a 36% fuel saving compared to a UK-based EuroVI diesel bus baseline. It also adds at least another 3 passengers to the capacity of these buses compared to a lithium battery-based hybrid equivalent.

Skeleton Technologies has announced the signing of a distribution agreement with Sumitomo Corporation Europe, with the aim of providing energy storage solutions for the rapidly growing hybrid electric and electric vehicle industry.

In electric vehicles, graphene-based supercapacitors can be used in tandem with lithium-ion batteries, doubling the battery lifetime and downsizing the cell receiving the peak power from supercapacitors and the long-term energy from the batteries.

Skeleton Technologies has unveiled SkelGrid, an energy storage system for industrial power applications, based on the company's curved graphene supercapacitor technology. The system is meant to ensure reliable power quality in manufacturing plants, data centers, and more.

SkelGrid is said to provide the highest power and energy density on the market in the industry standard electrical cabinet or container format. The SkelGrid product family is based on SkelRack modules, which can be installed in industry standard 19, 600mm deep cabinets, and in 20 or 40 ft. containers to provide short-term power at the megawatt level. The SkelGrid family has maximum power ratings ranging from 520 kW up to 1500 kW, and as a modular product, its components can be configured according to customers’ needs.

Skeleton Technologies, developer and manufacturer of high energy and power density supercapacitors, has announced launching a new graphene-based engine start module to help power heavy industry vehicles in extreme conditions. Called SkelStart Engine Start Module 2.0, it is available in 24V and 12V versions and is based on the graphene-based SkelCap supercapacitors, which Skeleton says provide the highest power and energy density on the market.

The new module’s casing is made of non-flammable material that is resistant to vibration and shock, and is a stud terminal device in BCI Group 31 size. Skeleton states that SkelStart Engine Start modules are designed to provide reliable engine starting in even the harshest conditions, as well as reduced ongoing costs on maintenance and replacement. Businesses can therefore expect their equipment to work cost effectively year-round, affording them peace of mind.

Skeleton Technologies, developer and manufacturer of high energy and power density supercapacitors, has received €15 million in a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

This funding is meant to allow the company to finance the R&D for the further development of its products and systems. Skeleton will use part of the money to invest in an electrode mass-production facility in Dresden, Germany, according to the statement. The loan is stated to be based on company performance and doesn’t dilute the holdings of Skeleton’s founders, according to the EIB.

Skeleton Technologies has received 13 million Euro in an investment led by FirstFloor Capital, a Malaysian venture capital investment firm specializing in funding high-growth technology companies.

The Round C investment, which also includes existing Skeleton Technologies’ investors UP Invest and Harju Elekter, brings total financing to 26.7 million Euro and will support Skeleton Technologies in its next phase of revenue ramp-up to bring graphene supercapacitors from high-end sectors to the mass market.

A new European partnership will aim to ensure that graphene supercapacitor technology powers the next generation of large, heavy-lift airships for industrial applications in China and France. Skeleton Technologies will join French firm Flying Whales’ programme to build a 60-ton Large Capacity Airship, or LCA60T, for the global transport market.

Skeleton Technologies will join the programme to help design and build hybrid propulsion for the LCA60T’s electric power systems. Average operational power is expected to be approximately 1.5 MW with the company’s graphene-based supercapacitors assisting to cover the additional 2 MW peaks for hovering, lifting and stabilization in reasonable and turbulent environments.

Skeleton Technologies has signed a €3.5 million distribution agreement with French transport tech developer Adgero, that ensures modules from Skeleton Technologies be part of the world’s first Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for road freight. Under the agreement, Adgero will source SkelMod 160V modules exclusively for the Adgero hybrid system pioneered to increase efficiency for the truck transport industry.

The Adgero KERS system is scheduled to be road tested next month by leading UK transport company, Eddie Stobart, ahead of Adgero’s expected series production this year. The truck company will test the KERS system in a curtainsider trailer – built by one of the largest manufacturers in Europe, SDC Trailers – and unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham later this month.

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