Off Grid Electric, a company specialising in providing electrification to rural communities, has created a US$45 million investment vehicle, bringing its total raised this year in equity and debt financing to US$70 million.

News in brief: UK pro-solar Conservative politician Gregory Barker and film star Leonardo DiCaprio have joined the advisory board of Powerhive; Ireland’s government has become the latest to recognise the potential of energy storage in its national low carbon transition; and flow battery maker has supplied systems to projects in Europe that demonstrate the technology’s strengths in integrating PV generation.

A new report from Australia identifying gaps in safety practices for energy storage technologies has recommended that improving knowledge of safety hazards and renovating standards is essential to the storage industry’s integrity and future growth.

While lithium-ion is expected to hold its leading position as the battery chemistry of choice for at least the next decade, it would be wise to consider investing in its possible successors, according to Lux Research.

Renewables with energy storage can help build low carbon energy networks in the developing world – but the twin technologies still face competition from natural gas while they gradually mature, according to an electric power systems maker and integrator.

Aquion Energy’s non-toxic ‘saltwater’ batteries will be used to illuminate a dedicated bicycle lane at an airport in Thailand.

Tesla batteries in microgrids will be deployed to help integrate renewable energy into California’s interdependent “water-energy nexus”, as the state faces it worst drought on record.

John Grimes of Australia’s Energy Storage Council writes a summary of the recent Global Energy Storage Market Overview & Regional Summary Report which was issued to his group’s members in October. The report looks at many of the big trends and activities driving the space forward.

Investment giant Goldman Sachs will invest US$150 billion in renewables by 2025, including energy storage as a key part of this commitment, it has said.