Distributed Storage

Falling battery costs and “surging” renewables penetration make energy storage a “compelling flexible resource in many power systems.”

The International Energy Agency predicts that India will record the world’s fastest growth in energy consumption from buildings through 2040. The energy demand could create a big market for solar installers and equipment providers, particularly in the commercial and industrial sector. While building codes now include provisions for renewable energy integration, effective implementation will be key to ensuring compliance.

The US-based startup, which has a battery production plant in Greater Noida, has landed a deal to supply its swappable lithium-ion battery technology to Hyderabad-based Rap Eco Motors.

The two energy majors have come together for the generation and storage of renewable energy or other forms of energy, including gas-based power, primarily to power Indian Oil refineries or other installations.

The Sun Horizon consortium has started to collect performance data on two pilot projects that combine heat pumps with solar systems using hybrid panels on homes in Riga, Latvia. The solution features a heat pump for space heating and domestic hot water and PVT panels to produce power for heating and domestic appliances, with excess power fed to the grid.

A 60% reduction in building energy use will be key to achieving a low-cost, 100% renewable energy grid, according to a new study by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with over 150 charging points, is synced with the Magenta ChargeGrid Smart app that allows EV owners to check the real-time availability of charging stations and book slots.

Australian startup Gelion is seeking to commercialize a non-flow zinc-bromide battery based on a stable gel replacing a flowing electrolyte. According to the manufacturer, the device is safe, robust and recyclable.

The oil and gas major, with a current installed base of 448 EV charging stations and 30 battery swapping stations, plans to expand the charging station network in a phased manner over the next three years. The first phase will focus on nine cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, and Pune.

Israel-based Augwind has built its first 250 kW/1 MWh compressed air storage system for the collective community of Yahel, in the southern, desert part of the country. The commercial scale facility will be connected to a PV system and will be used for behind-the-meter services.