Gogoro, a well-funded Taiwanese start-up founded by big-hitting former HTC-execs with a name plucked out of the Tech industry’s random name generator has hit the headlines this week for raising a further $100m over an initial $50m in April 2011. Its broad aim, in rather fluffy terms is to “utilize the power of mobile connectivity and data analytics to transform energy distribution and management in the world’s cities.” Additionally, it is participating in the creation of a “more intelligent and adaptive energy network for consumers”. This sounds all rather prosaic, and its partnership with Tesla’s lithium ion facility, the Gigafactory, indicates some form of smart grid initiative.
However, it may also be a bit misleading. A well-argued article in SlashGear opines that Gogoro’s patent portfolio implies the creation of charging stations for electric vehicles that make use of interchangeable battery pack. While the benefits of switching batteries rather than waiting for your vehicle to charge has its obvious attractions, it remains to be seen as to seen how this ties into energy distribution. My hunch, for what it’s worth, is that Gogoro are building a system of movable energy packs to be used to power electric vehicles, as well as returning energy to the grid or to the user’s house when needed – effectively creating a massive energy storage network. Mobile connectivity will be used to track and predict both demand and supply of energy across the city. If this is not what they are building, then perhaps it is what they should be. We have only until CES to wait to find out.