Electrifying EEStor Plot Thickens

If you love a good gear-head mystery (and who doesn't?), the ongoing controversy about stealthy little Texas-based EEStor and their ultracapacitor, which Tonic has been following, certainly ranks as a great one. And it's all about taking a huge, socially responsible step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The latest bit of information to thicken the "can they or can't they" plot involves the venerable Underwriters Laboratory. You know, the "UL" that certifies many household products as safe for consumers to use.

UL has only recently added a certification category for electric cars, and now, several Web sites that follow electric car development report that UL said it is testing a device from EEStor.

"If the [ultracapacitor] was really about to see the light of day, one would think EEStor has begun working with the UL," wrote Lyle Dennis in allcarselectric.com. "I reached out to them for clarification."

Priya L. Tabaddor, of UL's Global Energy Services, told Dennis that they "have received a request to certify EEStor's product."

Adding further flour to an already well-thickened plot is related news, reported on the newenergyandfuel.com Web site, that "EEStor has contracted with Polarity of Rancho Cordova, California, to design and specify the construction details of the ultracapacitor’s power converter."

So, rage on, all you naysaying electrical engineers out there who say an EEStor's ultracapacitor is impossible. It seems highly unlikely that UL is testing a fantasy. And maybe soon we can all kiss the gas pump goodbye.

Photo courtesy of frankh, via Flickr