ROUNDUP: Rio Tinto seeks Serbia lithium, Shell 759MW wind farm tech trial, NRStor C&I reborn as Aypa
News in brief from around the world of energy storage.
Off Grid
‘World’s only’ home vanadium battery storage provider Voltstorage nets €6 million funding
Germany company Voltstorage, claiming to be the only developer and maker of home solar energy storage systems using vanadium flow batteries, raised €6 million (US$7.1 million) in July.
Western Australia puts battery storage, solar at heart of economic recovery stimulus package
Western Australia will invest AU$56.3 million (US$40.11 million) in solar power as part of a new renewable energy plan designed to kickstart the state’s economy following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feature
Guest blog
Realising the transition to green energy, through renewables and the vanadium redox flow battery
While we do acknowledge the challenges faced as a result of COVID-19, we cannot afford to lose sight of the opportunity renewable energy and energy storage solutions, such as the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) present, argues Paul Vollant, Director of Sales and Trading at vanadium supplier Largo Resources.
Feature
Editor's blog
Finding the right role for battery storage in the Middle East
Based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dr Imran Syed is head of industrial power for Enerwhere, designing and implementing hybrid systems that use energy storage. Dr Syed spoke to Andy Colthorpe about some recent project case studies.
Mercom: Corporate, VC funding in battery storage dropped back down to pre-pandemic levels in H1 2020
Funding into battery storage companies fell dramatically in the first half of 2020 compared to last year’s equivalent period, according to the latest reporting from Mercom Capital.
Wärtsilä sells first gas engine-battery storage hybrid power plant to utility in US Virgin Islands
Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver a hybrid solution combining battery energy storage with liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and light fuel oil (LFO) engines on the US Virgin Islands.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Feature
Guest blog
Think zinc: Another metal that can transform the energy storage sector
When most people think of the metals that power today’s energy storage systems, vanadium and lithium are at front of mind. Ron MacDonald, president and CEO of Zinc8, argues the case for another metal playing an important role.
Feature
Guest blog
Build back circular: Economic recovery and a sustainable lithium battery storage ecosystem
Global disruptions have always fostered booms in innovation and COVID-19 is no different. Now, the innovators at the forefront of energy and green technologies must create solutions faster than ever to help to solve this monumental global challenge and Build Back Better.
Lithium batteries for solar under the quality spotlight with PI Berlin’s new service
A new service from Photovoltaik Institut Berlin (PI Berlin) looks to solve a pitfall that often awaits solar industry stakeholders when adding energy storage to their projects: making sure the production quality of the batteries they choose meets their requirements.
ROUNDUP: Sonnen’s 30kWh ecoLinx, BYD’s low-voltage plug ’n play Box, KORE Power’s initial shipments
News in brief from around the world in energy storage.
‘Temporary mobile generation’: PG&E’s 450MW microgrid plan approved
With the continuing threat of wildfires in California, the state’s regulator has approved a plan to deploy distributed microgrids proposed by investor-owned utility (IOU) Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).