Managing your battery energy storage system (BESS) supply chain is a complex issue with no easy fixes, according to leading developers, system integrators and investors.

The impact on supply chains during China’s most intense period of stopping the coronavirus (COVID19) from spreading had been “substantial”, contributing to a “pretty tough time,” for Oregon, USA-headquartered energy storage system maker Powin Energy.

Providers of solar-plus-storage into the continent of Africa have said that it is a misconception that lead acid batteries used in off-grid systems are recycled efficiently back into the supply chain.

The huge increase in demand for safe and reliable batteries to store energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind heralds a new lease of life for advanced lead batteries, argues Dr Andy Bush of the International Lead Association.

The sale of an NEC Corporation business division involved in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries will have no material impact on the group’s activities in energy storage, according to a company spokesman.