Distributed Storage

LNJ Bhilwara, a diversified business group with presence in graphite electrode manufacturing, has formed a joint venture with Pune-based Replus Engitech to create lithium battery solutions for both e-mobility and stationary applications. The JV aims to have 1 GWh capacity operational in Pune by mid-2022 and eventually scale it to 5 GWh by 2024. 

An international research team has designed a residential solar-plus-storage system based on gravity. The system was built with a solar power generator, a bulk booster charge controller, an inverter, a solenoid device, a deep cycle battery, a pulley block, a geared motor, a microcontroller, and wire ropes. Its creators said the system is ideal for regions with high solar radiation. They found that, due to its high electrical requirements, the system needs to rely on high-power solar modules with an output of over 500 W.

Telangana-based Visaka Industries will set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations powered by its ATUM integrated solar roof. According to the company, the ATUM solar roof, with PV panels integrated on cement boards, can generate 40% more clean power in the same given space than any other solar solution.

Separating generation from storage usually delivers higher value, but it may also deliver higher costs, the report said.

A prototype of a cement-based battery has been developed in Sweden for potential applications in buildings. Its creators claim it could become a solution to store electricity from rooftop PV and they do not exclude that it could also be used for the storage of large-scale renewables.

US scientists have created a new design for lithium-metal, solid-state batteries that should avoid the formation of dendrites that grow into the electrolyte. Their multilayered battery could potentially recharge electric vehicles within 10 to 20 minutes.

American Resources Corporation is developing a process to separate pure rare earth metals from lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles or power plants based on renewable energy. The technique is described as a two-zone ligand-assisted displacement chromatography (LAD) that is able to produce metals with high yields and purity of over 99%.

Scientists investigating the aging mechanisms affecting today’s lithium-ion batteries observed that the loss of lithium over time is one of the main causes of performance loss. With this in mind, they developed and tested a “relithiation” process that promises to eliminate much of the cost and complexity from recycling battery components and materials.

The “graphene revolution” is almost here. Australian scientists specializing in aluminum-ion batteries are now working with Brisbane-based Graphene Manufacturing Group to commercialize a technology that could transform energy storage.

Ola has announced it will set up a Hypercharger Network for its electric two-wheeler customers. The company claims the charging network would be the world’s largest and densest, spread over 400 cities with more than 100,000 charging points.