Masked surprises
Energy storage is a highly dynamic market. Nevertheless, it is not always easy to pick out the most interesting news from developments that have not been widely reported. In the pv magazine roundtable discussion, we found three of the major themes: They are dealing with business models beyond frequency regulation.
10 MW-storage plant with black start capability
Northern German utility Wemag made headlines several years ago with what was then the largest battery storage power plant in the country. In 2014, 5 MW went online for marketing in the primary control energy market. In 2017, this battery storage power value was extended to 14 MW and made black start capable. Now it has a […]
Adjustable water heater with further functionality
A solution that allows homeowners to use excess solar power via a heating element does not seem like big news at first glance. Such devices have been available for some years, controlling residential rooftop solar so that no current flows into the grid, but surplus is used to warm up the hot water boiler with […]
The water battery
Max Bögl has built wind turbines with embedded tanks for a water reservoir. The wind turbines are located on a hill about 80 km from Stuttgart. The lower reservoir is down in the valley. One reason to build hydro storage co-located with wind is, according to Max Bögl, that spatial demand for the upper reservoirs is […]
Organic redox flow battery
Jena Batteries is developing a redox flow battery that uses organic electrolytes instead of vanadium-containing electrolytes. It is more environmentally friendly, because it is free of heavy metals and hazardous acids, the company says. In addition, there is no fire risk. One of the big questions facing redox flow technology is how it can be […]
A new concept gains traction
Flexible sector coupling: To date, the energy transition has unfolded primarily in the electricity sector. This limitation should be overcome by sector coupling, which is basically electrification of the mobility and heat sectors. But this alone does not offer a complete solution. Sector coupling must be flexible. To this end, a Berlin-based startup is developing a colossal steel storage tank, and battery storage facilities are being built in Canada along a highway.
Don’t worry, but keep asking
As both energy storage makers and car manufacturers keep close track of the prices of key raw materials for lithium-ion batteries, the question of their availability is thrust into the limelight. Meanwhile, the recycling industry is gearing up to provide alternative supply chains.
Flow battery breakthrough?
Lithium alternatives: Redox flow technologies have grown quite mature, but despite some big letters of intent, the industry is still waiting for the technology’s major breakthrough. Experts who will present at Energy Storage Europe address the big questions the technology must answer as it flows into the mainstream of energy storage.
Driving long-term growth
IHS Markit Senior Market Analyst, Solar & Energy Storage, Julian Jansen notes that 40% of the total energy storage pipeline aims at solar plus storage projects. He explains how this combination is developing into a surprisingly good working business model for storage. It can radically change the energy supply landscape for good.
