Two potential game-changing developments for Brazil’s energy storage sector were announced this week by its regulator and its energy ministry.

The German network regulator’s decision to maintain grid fee exemptions for battery storage “ensures that billions in private investment remain directed” into the market, Energy-Storage.news has heard.

Germany’s energy system regulator has confirmed that BESS projects coming online by 4 August 2029 will be exempt from charging and discharging grid fees, opening up investment again after months of uncertainty.

Brazil’s national regulator, ANEEL, postponed an important decision on energy storage, days after approving the country’s first hybrid plant.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has approved a 200MW expansion of utility Xcel Energy’s Capacity*Connect virtual power plant (VPP) programme.

Germany’s energy storage market growth will be hampered by a regulatory decision to potentially charge utility-scale project operators fees for use of the grid, Energy-Storage.news has heard.

Capstone-Eurowind 3.2GWh BESS project is the latest to reach the final stage of the California Energy Commission opt-in process.

Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company (KU) have withdrawn plans to deploy a new 400MW/1,600MWh BESS.

Coval Infrastructure has become the latest developer to submit an application with the California Energy Commission (CEC), as part of the regulator’s opt-in certification scheme.

Cyprus’s electricity regulator has approved plans to install 400MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in the Mediterranean island country.