Energy Storage

Obama’s clean power plan angers the coal industry, Indian auction strikes another low solar price, further cost reductions are on the way, and SolarCity’s plans for world domination edge closer to reality.

A utility in northeastern Australia is rolling out a pilot solar+storage pilot project to create a ‘virtual power plant’ in areas where grid capacity is constrained. The 12-month project will allow for remote control of the residential solar+storage systems to provide grid support.

With 20.5% market share, Panasonic has emerged as the leading lithium ion battery cell supplier to the global market for the first half of the year. The data comes from Korean market research firm SNE Research, which found that East Asian manufacturers are dominating the space, with Samsung SDI, LG Chem, ATL and Sony rounding out the top five suppliers.

Apricum’s latest report based on its global market PV model shows continual growth in cumulative installations. Brazil looks set to possibly become the new PV darling.

Leclanché expands on its storage offerings with its acquisition of Trineuron, a company that designs and manufactures lithium ion storage systems.

Kaco and Ideal Power have come to an agreement where Kaco will now be able to resell Ideal Power’s products under the Kaco label. Kaco will also be able to design their own products using Ideal Power’s patented technology.

Eguana Technologies and German storage developer Sonnenbatterie have decided to part ways. Both companies previously collaborated on selling integrated Sonnenbatterie systems for residential applications globally.

Battery manufacturer Saft has reported sales growth for the first half of the year. This is despite a dip in sales year-on-year for lithium-ion batteries for the telecom and energy storage (ESS) segments.

Electricity consumers who respond to fluctuating price signals by means of smart meters can in turn cause mass blackouts. The researchers at the University of Bremen warn of the possibility of a “collective avalanche mechanism”.

France’s Langa Group has selected Schneider Electric and Saft to provide the power electronics and battery storage, respectively, for two 1 MW/1MWh solar+storage arrays on the island of Corsica. The plants are expected to be completed and grid connected by the end of the year.