Microgrids—distributed systems of localised generation, distribution network and load—are being increasingly deployed particularly in rural areas of emerging and under-developed countries to achieve energy access. However, a “fragmented and unorganised” sector still faces significant challenges, writes Harsh Thacker.
There is no shortage of vendors looking to offer batteries and energy storage for the residential market. Greg Wolfson of Enphase discusses AC- and DC- coupling of batteries and why his company felt AC is the way to go.
By combining PV with a storage solution, homeowners gain from a variety of possibilities to increase self-consumption, improve system profitability, and get backup power. However, it is important to know how to select the right kind of storage solution. Lior Handelsman of SolarEdge discusses some of the main factors involved.
New value propositions which will radically change the way energy is generated and used by end-customers are already accelerating energy storage market growth. Julian Jansen of Delta-ee takes a look at three distinctive types of business model which are taking shape.
From the outside, the VPP looks like a single power production facility that publishes one schedule of operation and can be optimised from a single remote site. From the inside, the VPP can combine a rich diversity of independent resources into a network via the sophisticated planning, scheduling, and bidding of DER-based services. Peter Asmus examines the role energy storage can play within this architecture.
Seeking to delve beyond headlines, hype and overarching market forecasts, renewable energy veteran and executive recruitment specialist David Hunt spoke with some of the energy storage industry’s leading figures to understand how the various market segments are growing and how things could develop from here.
After some hesitation, India’s energy storage market looks to be propelling itself into the big leagues with tenders and private projects on the way, Harsh Thacker of the India Energy Storage Alliance writes.
Utility and network needs are rapidly changing and some are adopting both batteries and ultracapacitors to meet these needs. David Lentsch of Maxwell Technologies looks at some of the various approaches.
It’s no surprise that Elon Musk’s announcement that he was working on Tesla’s second master plan was met with great anticipation. Lux Research’s Chris Robinson looks in depth at the new strategy, which included autonomy, solar power, some vehicles we expected, and some vehicles we didn’t.
Commercially viable energy storage has the potential to change the game by solving the energy trilemma. Arshad Saleem, from KIC InnoEnergy, which invests in and supports European sustainable energy, says marrying start-up innovation and big business experience could accelerate the journey to viability.
