U.S. Government Awards Contract to Firefly

The U.S. government has executed a $5 million contract with Peoria, Illinois-based Firefly Energy to fund prototype development of its 3D and 3D2 advanced battery technologies to assist the nation’s military defense efforts. The U.S. Army will assess Firefly Energy’s carbon-graphite foam prototype batteries in a “Silent Watch” program, which allows the military to perform reconnaissance in ground combat vehicles without being detected by the enemy.

The goal of the program is to have enough electricity stored in a vehicle, so that it can run on silent watch for four to 72 hours, while providing continuous power to operate equipment without rapidly degrading the life span for the battery, and leaving enough battery power to re-start the vehicle. Firefly Energy will initiate the prototype battery development program at its facilities in Peoria, where it currently employs 26 people, with plans to add staff throughout the year.

“The porous and conductive nature of the battery enables faster, deeper and more reliable discharges and recharges; battery life is extended since sulfation is reduced; and the carbon-graphite foam makes the battery more environmentally friendly, and less expensive than lithium and nickel battery chemistries,” says Firefly co-founder Mil Ovan.