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.

Geothermal power and renewable energy developer Ormat Technologies has signalled its intent to join demand response and energy storage markets with the purchase of Viridity Energy.

Every year sees energy storage build on the success of the preceding one, it seems, and this year we were able to carry insights and opinions from some of the best placed participants and observers. Here’s our picks for the content most representative of the year it’s been, as well as the 10 most read news stories on the site.

German utility SWW Wunsiedel has ordered a large-scale battery storage system from engineering and technology giant Siemens, which will participate in weekly tenders to help balance the local grid.

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.

Turnkey energy storage system provider Demand Energy has commissioned a solar-plus-storage microgrid in Costa Rica at a medical manufacturing facility.

Property and infrastructure group Lendlease has signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) to deliver solar, battery storage and microgrid projects across Australia with Carnegie Clean Energy.

Software for energy storage systems will be a mixture of in-house solutions by integrator/ developers and third-party providers, in an industry segment set for a steep rise in value, according to one expert.

Battery storage specialist Younicos has been selected by Centrica to design the 49MW battery storage project that was last week awarded a 15-year Capacity Market contract.

US energy storage inverter manufacturer Dynapower has partnered with South Korea’s Samsung SDI to launch an integrated behind-the-meter energy storage system, featuring Dynapower’s Generation 2 MPS inverters and Samsung SDI’s E2 batteries.