PODCAST: Green recovery policy picks, ESS providers that aren’t Tesla, the solar panel arms race
Solar Media's Liam Stoker and Andy Colthorpe return for the July 2020 episode of the Solar Media Podcast.
European Union to end ‘double charging’ of grid fees on energy storage
The European Union (EU) has just published its Strategy for Energy System Integration, including pledges to support renewables and energy storage as the continent targets carbon neutrality by 2050.
Financing secured to ‘enable rapid development’ of Norway’s first lithium battery cell gigafactory
The company behind what looks set to be Norway’s first gigawatt-scale manufacturing facility for lithium-ion battery cells has secured pre-construction financing of NOK130 million (US$13.85 million) which it said will “enable rapid development” of the plant.
Australia’s shortened electricity market settlement period to open up opportunities for batteries
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) announced today that five minute settlement windows for spot prices in the National Electricity Market (NEM) will be implemented from 21 October 2021.
Eos to take aqueous zinc battery into Africa mini-grid market, beginning with Nigeria
Zinc-based battery energy storage manufacturer Eos Energy Storage has signed an agreement with an EPC partner to deploy systems based on its devices at rural microgrids, beginning with projects in Nigeria.
US$1.3 billion funding proposed for US energy storage R&D, demonstrations, manufacturing
A subcommittee of the US House Committee on Appropriations has approved more than a billion dollars in support for developing energy storage deployment, research and manufacturing in a funding bill for the 2021 Fiscal Year.
Feature
Analysis
VIDEO: Global energy storage market forecast with Guidehouse Insights
What are the biggest market segments by region, application and opportunity today in energy storage? Guidehouse Insights senior research analyst Alex Eller takes us through the present and emerging hotspots of the global energy storage industry. Taken from the Energy Storage Digital Series online conference held earlier this year.
‘Batteries cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels’, UK grid operator flexibility project finds
Batteries can offer a cost-effective option for upward and downward reserve to the UK grid, a project run by AI and automation tech firm Arenko with transmission network operator National Grid ESO has found.
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Analysis
Energy storage in a post-pandemic world: Taking stock and preparing for future success – Part One
What will the impact of COVID-19 be on the energy storage market? And how best to learn to adapt to whatever the 'next normal' will be? Florian Mayr at cleantech advisory and consultancy group Apricum examines the bigger picture of “energy storage vs the virus”.
Solar farm fitted with batteries to meet grid output control requirements goes online in Japan
One of the first large-scale solar farms in Japan so far to be equipped with battery storage in order to meet the requirements of a local grid operator and utility, has been completed on the island of Hokkaido.
Solar-plus-storage with smart controls could cut 97% of evening peak, UK study finds
A combination of residential solar, storage and smart controls could "dramatically reduce" evening peak grid usage at homes in Britain.
European Parliament committee keen to boost role of energy storage in climate targets
A key committee of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has voted overwhelmingly to thrust energy storage into the heart of the continent’s decarbonisation agenda, while trade group EASE has urged the EU to raise its targets on 2030 emissions reduction.
Feature
Analysis
Building battery storage systems to meet changing market requirements
Battery system integrators must navigate a broad array of technologies and varying market drivers when putting systems together. Andy Colthorpe speaks to Powin Energy and Sungrow about the engineering challenges involved in building lithium-ion battery storage.
Rely on FFR revenues alone and miss out big on revenues, UK asset owners warned
UK aggregator Kiwi Power is launching a ‘co-optimisation’ offering as it warns that relying on fast frequency response (FFR) could risk half of potential revenues.
Varta receives €300m funding to pilot large format Li-ion cells
Germany-headquartered battery manufacturer Varta will receive €300 million (US$338 million) of government funding to develop large format lithium-ion cells, which has been deemed a project of potentially strategic interest for Europe.
Energy storage ‘vital for carbon neutral Europe and Germany’s Green Deal’
Calls have been made across Europe for recognition and support for the vital role that energy storage can play in decarbonisation, reducing air pollution and contributing to a ‘green recovery’, both through legislation and industry sector activity.