Motive Asia

The Smart Energy Council recently held a successful conference in Adelaide, highlighting the rapid mainstream adoption of home electrification driven by battery incentives. However, there is a significant need for improved customer education, particularly for those unfamiliar with new technologies or hesitant to replace outdated gas appliances despite rising gas and electricity prices. Many late adopters are vulnerable to exploitation by energy and building sectors due to their lack of understanding. Solar energy adoption drastically reduced traditional electricity consumption, causing utility companies to lose substantial revenue, which has since been offset by rising electricity rates and the end of generous feed-in tariffs. As a result, many solar customers are confused by complex billing structures and blame their systems when the issue often lies with utility pricing models. Energy retailers are increasing fixed charges and complicating plans, leading to customer frustration and mistrust. The article stresses that customers should be wary of overly cheap solar battery deals, which often come with inferior installation and support. Proper system setup and maintenance require professional expertise to ensure efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, builders are criticized for poor construction standards that worsen energy efficiency, such as inadequate insulation, poor ventilation, and complicated designs that increase running costs unnecessarily. Better education and industry practices could help prevent energy waste and improve customer outcomes. Overall, while incentives and technology have driven growth in solar and electrification, there is an urgent need for smarter customer engagement and accountability within the energy and building sectors to avoid exploitation and inefficiency. #MotiveAsia #Not Assigned https://lnkd.in/g49XrAD6

Mining Gold from Urban Mines, Wuhan PhD Revives Used Lithium Batteries for a Second Life Ding Weigang, a recent PhD graduate from Wuhan University of Technology, is currently pursuing postdoctoral research focused on recycling used lithium batteries. These batteries, obtained from the Wuhan branch of GEM Co., Ltd., are subjected to electrochemical processing to recover lithium and reintegrate it into the battery production supply chain. The research addresses the issue of limited natural mineral resources by utilizing electronic waste, including old refrigerators, computers, and circuit boards, as "urban mines." These wastes contain valuable metals such as graphite, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. After disassembly and crushing, the black powdery material extracted from used batteries contains these important resources, which can be recovered and reused. Ding Wei’s motivation stemmed from a shortage of lithium resources and a surge in lithium carbonate prices in 2022, which affected domestic new energy vehicle production. He focused his research on extracting lithium from lithium iron phosphate batteries through electrochemical treatment, aiming to give discarded batteries a "second life." His method involves a selective acid leaching process to extract a metal solution rich in lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from mixed electrode materials. This solution is then subjected to oxalate precipitation and sodium hydroxide precipitation to produce ternary precursors. The ternary precursors are combined with sodium carbonate, calcined, and processed into ternary cathode materials ready for battery manufacturing, thus enabling a closed-loop resource utilization system. GEM Co., Ltd. has officially recognized Ding Wei’s technology. Luo Fan, director of GEM’s Wuhan Research Institute, stated that the technology accomplishes full-component recycling of used lithium batteries, transforming lower-quality materials into high-quality products. It improves production efficiency and reduces costs, representing a significant technological asset for the company. #MotiveAsia #China https://lnkd.in/gMKxdHbG

BMW Korea launches 4 limited edition electric vehicles to celebrate 30th anniversary BMW Korea is launching four limited edition electric vehicles in August through its online sales channel, BMW Shop Online, to commemorate its 30th anniversary. These special editions highlight the premium electrification brand 'BMW i' and are introduced with different concepts each month. The flagship model, the BMW New iX First Edition, features new front diagonal patterned adaptive LED headlights, a vertical kidney grille, and a glowing grille contour. Two editions of the New iX are available: the iX xDrive45 M Sport First Edition, which includes 22-inch Midnight Grey M aerodynamic wheels, a 4-zone automatic climate control system, 408 horsepower, 71.4 kg·m torque, a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.1 seconds, and a 446 km driving range, priced at 127.1 million KRW for six units; and the higher-spec iX M70 xDrive First Edition, limited to six units and priced at 181.4 million KRW. Additional models include the BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport Pro Special Edition, which offers a 66.5 kWh battery with a 310 km range and is limited to 10 units at 73.4 million KRW. The BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe M Sport Pro Special Edition features BMW Individual special paint and the M Sport Pro package, with a maximum range of 420 km, available in 15 units priced at 87.5 million KRW. #MotiveAsia #SouthKorea https://lnkd.in/gxQ4c6Fg

Issuance of the Kyoto City Rakusai Area Public Transportation Map Kyoto City has issued a public transportation map for the Rakusai area detailing route bus services operated by four companies that connect residential zones with railway stations. The local public transit environment faces challenges such as declining ridership due to population decrease and aging, along with a worsening shortage of personnel including drivers and mechanics. To address these issues and support the continuation of local transportation, the city emphasizes the importance of residents using and supporting public transit as both a personal responsibility and a shared community concern. This effort aligns with the Rakusai "SAIKO" Project’s action plan, aimed at upgrading transportation through mobility management initiatives in the region. The issued leaflet contains comprehensive information about bus routes and other transportation options in the Rakusai area. It is available as an 8.80MB PDF file requiring Adobe Reader, with downloads accessible through Kyoto City's and each bus operator's websites: Kyoto City Transportation Bureau, Keihan Kyoto Kotsu Co., Ltd., Hankyu Bus, and Yasaka Bus. Additionally, the map is compatible with the Avenza Maps app, which can be used on smartphones and tablets. This app allows users to download the map for offline use and provides features such as marking desired locations and adding photos. Only the route map pages are included in the app’s version, which can be downloaded via official links or QR codes from the App Store and Google Play by searching for "Kyoto City Rakusai Area Public Transportation Map." #MotiveAsia #Japan https://lnkd.in/gPip-4AV

Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and China and the Evolution of Electric Cars Electric vehicles have existed for over 100 years, with the first patented electric vehicle, the Electrobat from Philadelphia, dating back to 1894. Despite their early presence, electric cars gained significant popularity recently due to rising gasoline prices, oil dependence, and environmental concerns. In 2024, the International Energy Agency reported that global electric car sales reached 17 million units, with China leading by selling over 11 million electric cars. In Indonesia, electric car sales have grown steadily since 2020. Sales increased from 125 units in 2020 to 687 in 2021, jumped to 10,327 in 2022, and rose again to 17,051 in 2023. The upward trend continued in 2024, with battery electric car sales reaching 43,188 units. Indonesian electric cars are mainly imported from China, the United States, and South Korea. As of March 2025, there are 16 Chinese electric car brands present in the Indonesian market, including Wuling, BYD, Chery, Neta, Great Wall Motor brands (Tank, Haval, Ora), Denza, BAIC, DFSK, FAW, Seres, Jetour, Jaecoo, Aion, Geely, Xpeng, Changan, and ZEEKR. Some of these brands are affiliated companies within China. #MotiveAsia #China https://lnkd.in/gG5zUjTT

General Motors has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Redwood Materials to develop grid-scale energy storage solutions using both new and repurposed electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This collaboration targets AI data centers, leveraging GM’s surplus battery production capacity, which can produce cells for up to 800,000 EVs annually, despite GM selling just over 100,000 EVs in the first half of 2025. GM CEO Mary Barra views this initiative as an extension of its battery expertise and a new business opportunity, especially as the company plans to mass produce batteries with a new lithium-manganese-rich chemistry starting in 2028. While European and Asian automakers like Renault and Nissan have explored stationary energy storage using repurposed EV batteries primarily for renewable energy balancing, GM’s approach explicitly addresses the power demands of AI data centers. Several U.S. factors, including the rollback of federal EV incentives and slower EV adoption forecasts, contrast with booming demand for data center power infrastructure, which is expected to triple this decade. This demand, combined with expanded renewable penetration, is driving a projected $1 trillion global investment supercycle in battery storage systems over the next 10 years. Tesla has already capitalized on this trend, with storage deployments surging 158% year over year in 2024, offsetting slow EV sales. Although GM’s competitors have yet to publically pursue EV battery energy storage specifically for data centers, market interest is growing. Redwood Materials tested repurposed GM batteries in a 12-megawatt microgrid in Nevada supporting an off-grid, AI-powered data center operated by Crusoe, powered by a 20-acre solar array. This project, the largest solar-powered off-grid data center globally and the biggest installation of second-life batteries, marks Redwood’s strategic shift from solely focusing on battery recycling to developing energy storage solutions for emerging markets. #MotiveAsia #Not Assigned https://lnkd.in/e2fFDeYa

All work related to the proposed 400MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at Kelburn Estate has been put on hold. Developer Elmya RPC UK Hunterston Limited is awaiting a grid connection decision from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), which will determine the project's feasibility and timeline. The company paused all activities, including environmental surveys and community consultations, until late September when the NESO is expected to provide an update. The BESS facility aims to store excess renewable energy, such as wind or solar, to release it during peak demand or when additional grid support is needed. The project was anticipated to bring economic benefits to local businesses during construction and operations, and it will feature advanced battery management systems to ensure safety and security. The proposal is part of broader efforts to support Scotland’s climate goals by enhancing renewable energy infrastructure. Prior public consultations and endorsements, including from Viscount David Boyle, highlighted the project’s potential contributions to reducing carbon emissions. However, its future remains uncertain pending the crucial grid connection approval. #MotiveAsia #Not Assigned https://lnkd.in/gGYgsVz4

GM to temporarily import EV batteries from China's CATL General Motors (GM) plans to temporarily import electric vehicle (EV) batteries from Chinese manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) while it develops its own low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. GM acknowledged that other U.S. automakers have also relied on foreign suppliers for LFP battery procurement and licensing in recent years to maintain competitiveness. GM intends to source battery packs for its most affordable EVs overseas during this interim period. The company has committed to using LFP technology for the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt and currently sells twelve EV models equipped with domestically produced batteries in the United States. GM aims to begin domestic production of LFP batteries in 2027. #MotiveAsia #Japan https://lnkd.in/gpKQJD7f

Households will be eligible for compensation from energy suppliers due to delays in smart meter installations and for faulty meters that are not repaired within specified timeframes, according to new proposals announced by Ofgem. Consumers can claim £40 if their smart meter installation takes longer than six weeks or if a faulty meter, including those not operating in smart mode, is not fixed within 90 days. The move comes as part of a regulatory crackdown addressing widespread issues with smart meters, which has already resulted in the repair or replacement of over 600,000 faulty devices since July 2024. It is estimated that about one in five smart meters are faulty, many being left in “dumb” mode, where connectivity is poor or automatic data transmission ceases. Ofgem’s new rules aim to set clear expectations for suppliers, incentivizing improvements in smart meter standards and protecting consumers from poor service. The compensation rules, effective from early 2026, will also extend to micro-businesses affected by smart meter problems. The government supports these measures as part of broader efforts to ensure a reliable energy retail market and shield households from global fossil fuel price volatility. Industry voices, including MoneySavingExpert.com's Martin Lewis and Uswitch’s Richard Neudegg, have welcomed the proposals, highlighting the need for firms to focus not just on installing meters but on promptly fixing faults to rebuild consumer confidence in smart meters. Recent research shows many households have been waiting over two years for faulty smart meters to be repaired. #MotiveAsia #Not Assigned https://lnkd.in/gPtY4Gwi

Approximately half of global energy consumption is used for heat generation, rising to 66-70% within the industrial sector. To transition industrial operations to renewable energy, efficient storage solutions are critical to address energy intermittency. Thermal energy storage (TES) emerges as a promising alternative to chemical batteries, utilizing abundant and inexpensive materials such as dirt, concrete, and salt. TES technologies offer long lifespans, often decades, and high efficiency of around 95% in converting and storing heat. TES systems can be classified into three types: sensible, latent, and chemical storage. Sensible heat storage, the most prevalent industrial method, involves storing heat by raising the temperature of a medium, such as refractory bricks or molten salt. U.S. startup Rondo utilizes refractory bricks to store energy at temperatures up to 1,500°C with battery capacities ranging from 100 to 300MWh. German firm Kraftblock has developed a high-energy density storage medium from recycled steel slag, capable of transporting heat at up to 1,300°C; it is completing Europe’s largest thermal battery to replace a 25MW natural gas boiler for a PepsiCo facility in the Netherlands. Latent heat storage captures energy through phase changes in materials, such as sodium acetate solutions in hand warmers. These systems generally release lower-intensity heat. U.K.-based Sunamp focuses on residential latent heat storage with maximum temperatures around 130°C, while Australian startup MGA Thermal is developing a hybrid system combining metal alloy phase change and graphite sensible heat storage for industrial applications at around 700°C. Chemical heat storage involves reversible chemical reactions that store and release heat with high energy density but currently face engineering challenges preventing commercialization beyond laboratories. Thermal energy storage has significant potential to reduce industrial sector carbon emissions, which account for approximately 9.4 gigatons of CO₂ annually, about one-fifth of global emissions according to a 2021 IEA report. While not all industrial heat can be efficiently produced or stored via TES and renewable energy, a substantial portion of this emissions footprint could be eliminated as the technology matures, alongside advancements in CCS and hydrogen. TES is an emerging technology positioned to play an essential role in the evolving clean energy landscape. #MotiveAsia #UnitedStates https://lnkd.in/gt_T8Df2