Distributed Storage

French engineer André Buhart has published the plans and open-source software to create a DIY “solar energy router” to manage PV overproduction. Depending on the configuration, the device can direct excess photovoltaic energy to water heaters, pool motors, or underfloor heating, among others.

Scientists in Iran have developed a novel framework to optimize the capacity of PV and battery storage in smart homes, using a two-stage stochastic programming model. They considered the uncertainties in the grid, market price, and PV output, while also looking at different operation cases.

Envision recently completed a large-scale, CSA C800 witnessed burn test of its 5 MWh energy storage system, demonstrating robust thermal containment and adding to industry-wide safety efforts.

Deye has developed a new power conversion system (PCS) optimized for solar integration, with modules ranging from 100 kW to 125 kW. The Chinese manufacturer says the PCS supports flexible system design and targets commercial and industrial (C&I) applications.

Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL), Brazil’s electricity regulator, will publish initial energy storage regulations in the second half of 2025, with two additional consultation phases set to conclude by 2028, according to rapporteur Daniel Danna.

The Japanese conglomerate and the Osaka Metropolitan University are testing an aquifer thermal energy storage system that directly uses 10,000 m3 of groundwater stored at 5 C in a cooling well. It is intended to store renewable energy and produce cooling for air conditioning in the summer or heating for the winter.

Analyst Thema Consulting Group has calculated the impact of rapid expansion of battery storage systems in Germany and found they will help stabilize solar prices by reducing the number of negatively-priced-electricity hours – but will cannibalize their own revenue in doing so.

Yang Bao, Trinasolar’s president of global sales and marketing, recently spoke with pv magazine about the company’s strategy for the solar and energy storage business.

Oversupply of lithium-ion battery precursor and active materials – and of lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, especially in China – has driven energy storage system costs down, fueling a record 330 GWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) shipments in 2024. Edward Rackley, head of the energy storage team at Business intelligence specialist CRU, shares his analysis.

10 kWh sodium-metal-chloride batteries will be build at new site in Lancaster, England. Start-up LiNa is targeting markets with harsh climates during initial rollout and intends to produce 100 kWh systems following 10 kWh trial projects.