The Battery

You have patented a new technology which can be used with a car battery. The battery can be used inside a hybrid vehicle or a purely electric vehicle. The technology involves the use of solar panels to charge the battery while the vehicle is in operation.

You decide to attach your new technology to one of the existing types of car battery. Existing battery types are:

Lithium Ion Battery (Li-Ion)

made from carbon and highly reactive lithium

stores high amounts of energy

more horsepower than a typical hybrid-battery

weighs less (0.5kg)

150,000 miles/15 year battery Lifespan

recyclable

offers a 30 minute charge transmitted

best choice for hybrid vehicles

high cost (up to $5000), but will continue to decrease

larger batteries may experience overheating

need to produce large li-ion batteries necessary to power hybrid vehicles without reverting to the internal combustion engine

Nickel Metal Hybrid Battery (NiMH)

made from hydrogen, nickel and another metal such as titanium

on the market longer than Li-Ion batteries

more affordable ($1500) than Li-Ion batteries

offers 4-5 miles/kWhr

weighs 1kg

easily rechargeable but store less energy than lithium ion battery packs

NiMH batteries are less expensive and more predictable in performance

Both NiMH and Li-Ion batteries are both harmful to the environment when improperly disposed of

Lead Acid Battery

made from lead, sulfuric acid, and water.

most affordable battery ($500)

the oldest auto battery

least stored energy

weighs 1kg

recyclable

attractive for environmentalists

Warehouse

You have three options for a warehouse: one by a lake, one by train tracks, or build a new one near train tracks.

The warehouse by the lake:

Can be leased for $2/square foot per year for five years, then the lease is negotiable.

Contains 10,000 square feet of empty space

Has access to shipping which can move produce at $0.10 per kilogram per kilometre.

Is situated 40km from a large urban center.

Is situated just 5km from a small town.

The warehouse by the train tracks:

Can be leased for $1/square foot per year for five years, then the lease is negotiable.

Contains 10,000 square feet of empty space

Has access to rail transport which can move produce at $0.20 per kilogram per kilometre.

Is situated in a small town.

The town is known for high crime.

Is situated 80km from a large urban center.

A new warehouse near train tracks:

Can be built for $200/square foot.

Can contain up to 20,000 square feet of empty space

Is situated inside a forest with road service.

Is situated just 5km from a small town.

Has access to truck transport which can move produce at $0.40 per kilogram per kilometre.

Has access to rail transport which is 10km away which can move produce at $0.20 per kilogram per kilometre.

Is situated 80km from a large urban center.

In preparing the specifications for your hybrid battery warehouse and vonr hattery, please consider the following: See course notes from week 3 for details on each of these. Note that specifications are requirements that also specify Please write specifications for your warehouse. The specifications for your warehouse should mostly be taken from Please write specifications for your battery. The specifications for your hybrid battery should mostly be taken from