Johnson Controls and UW-Madison join forces to test new battery technology

Johnson Controls News Release:

Johnson Controls and UW-Madison join forces to test new battery technology

New vehicle systems lab expands Johnson Controls' investment in innovation

MADISON Wis., May 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A new laboratory at the Wisconsin Energy Institute on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus will strengthen Johnson Controls' innovation capabilities as the company researches and develops next-generation technology.

The partnership represents the kind of innovation Johnson Controls is developing to craft the next generation of market-leading energy storage technology.

Johnson Controls is committed to developing both the talent and technology for the next generation.

"This partnership will help advance the energy storage industry by expanding the reach of our university research partnerships," saidChristian Rosenkranz, vice president of advanced products for Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "With the help of the UW-Madison, Johnson Controls will test cutting-edge energy storage concepts while training a new generation of engineers."

The donation announced today includes state-of-the-art battery testing technology, which will allow students, faculty and engineers to study and optimize energy storage systems. The research will enable manufacturers to build systems that utilize battery power more efficiently.

"We deeply appreciate Johnson Controls' generosity in making this suite of battery test equipment available to faculty, students, and other researchers at UW-Madison," said Mike Corradini, director of the Wisconsin Energy Institute. "The availability of this valuable new resource represents a significant milestone in our pursuit of integrated clean energy systems and cutting-edge storage technology at the university."

The lab, called the Johnson Controls Advanced Systems Test Lab, will support research focused on vehicular and stationary energy.

The project will team industry scientists with UW professors, graduate students and undergraduate students. It will build on UW-Madison's strong foundation of leadership in energy, power and controls research.

The UW-Madison partnership complements Johnson Controls' existing partnership with UW-Milwaukee. At UW-Milwaukee, Johnson Controls scientists are working with university research staff and students to develop new energy storage materials. The partnership enables students there to expand their knowledge in a test lab on campus. Once cells are clustered into energy storage solutions in the form of battery modules or systems, those systems can be tested at the new UW-Madison lab. The tests conducted at UW-Madison could come as part of the engineering development phase or final product testing phase. The lab will be equipped to test batteries both inside and outside of a vehicle.

Johnson Controls partners with universities around the world. In addition to the University of Wisconsin system universities, the company currently has partnerships with Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, Argonne National Lab, Lawrence Technological University, Ohio State University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Hannover University, Aachen University, University of Cambridge and University of Science and Technology-Beijing.

About Johnson Controls 

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 170,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; conventional automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2014, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #12 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About Johnson Controls Power Solutions 

Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in conventional automotive batteries and advanced batteries for Start-Stop, hybrid and electric vehicles.  Our 50 manufacturing, recycling and distribution centers supply more than one-third of the world's conventional batteries to major automakers and aftermarket retailers. Through our innovations we are building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles. We were the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles.  Our commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.   

About Wisconsin Energy Institute 

Created in 2006, the Wisconsin Energy Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a world-class leader in clean energy research, education and outreach. With more than 100 affiliated faculty from numerous disciplines, the Wisconsin Energy Institute is connecting, collaborating and coordinating efforts to solve the world's energy problems. Home to the nation's first solar energy lab and the only Department of Energy funded bioenergy research center on an academic campus, UW-Madison supports the efforts of hundreds of faculty, scientists and students working in energy. Guided by a commitment to American energy independence, the institute's teams of scientists, engineers and scholars work across traditional research boundaries to make game-changing energy discoveries. From biofuels to batteries, the Wisconsin Energy Institute is driven by UW-Madison's legacy of solving large-scale societal challenges.