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November 3, 2009
Cambridge,
MA, USA: Total Signs Research Agreement for Solar Power Storage
Total
has signed a research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) to develop new stationary batteries that are
designed to enable the storage of solar power.
This
agreement valued at $4 million over five years is part of the
MIT Energy Initiative, which Total joined as a member in November
2008. The Total-MIT research project is primarily focused on development
of a low-cost, long-life battery suited to store the power generated
by solar panels.
The
ability to store power is a major challenge and an essential ingredient
for the scale up and widespread deployment of affordable solar
power. This research agreement marks a significant step forward
in Total’s research and development of alternative energies, particularly
in accelerating the development and deployment of solar power.
At
the signing of this agreement, Philippe Boisseau, Total’s President
of Gas & Power, stated, “This research partnership with MIT, one
of the world’s leading research and academic institutions, is
a major step forward in Total’s R&D commitment to developing alternative
energy sources. Our partnership with MIT and its Energy Initiative
will support groundbreaking research, designed to meet the needs
of energy consumers.”
Ernest
Moniz, Director of the MIT Energy Initiative program said: “Total’s
support for research in the storage of solar energy has the potential
to be a game-changer. We applaud their commitment and look forward
to working with them to develop low-cost storage options that
could enable affordable, reliable energy from renewable sources.”
Further details about: Total
and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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