One of New Zealand’s main gas and electric distribution companies has turned to distributed energy storage systems as a cost-effective alternative to long-distance wires and related infrastructure.

An EV and stationary energy storage battery start-up headed by former SpaceX, Tesla, Apple, Amazon and Samsung designers and engineers has mobilised almost US$100 million of financing and contracts to kickstart manufacturing operations.

Regulations for the safe use of energy storage systems still need adaptation to “accommodate a broader use of energy storage with higher energy content like lithium-ion batteries in private homes”, experts at Fraunhofer ISE (Institute for Solar Energy Systems) have said.

Each battery storage system is a potential source of danger. An ingenious battery management system as well as high-quality cells are the key to a safe operation. For this you need a lot of know-how. Dr Olaf Wollersheim of Solarwatt talks through some of the main topics and solutions.

Simpliphi Power’s cobalt-free lithium-ion storage systems, which claim to eliminate the threat of thermal runaway, have been integrated into the Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES) inaugural solar mobile training courses in Australia.

SimpliPhi Power will enter the residential and light-commercial storage market with its non-toxic lithium ferrous phosphate battery.