Planned German storage incentive criticized
The Energy Storage conference in Düsseldorf, Germany, began with more than 500 visitors. Project examples show the conditions under which storage systems pay off and make sense.
EU energy infrastructure budget halved by austerity drive
Documentation relating to the new EU energy infrastructure guidelines has laid bare just how savagely austerity-driven leaders cut the funds available to upgrade grids to harness renewables.
Inverter buyer survey: Storage seen as key
An inverter buyers survey conducted by IHS Inc. revealed that there is a growing need for energy storage in PV systems. More than 400 global PV inverter customers responded to the survey, of which a third expect to be using energy storage in over 40% of the PV systems they install by 2015.
EPIA: Self-consumption can drive PV storage
The European PV Industry Association (EPIA) has endorsed the recent European Commission (EC) working paper on PV storage and says more must be done to encourage storage systems at a consumer, as well as distribution, level.
Germanys PV storage program on hold
Germanys support program for photovoltaic battery storage systems is currently on hold, due to lost revenues from emissions trading. The framework for the program had already largely been agreed upon by the Federal Environment Ministry and KfW state bank.
Germany: PV storage subsidies expected in May
The new subsidies for battery storage systems will apply retroactively to all photovoltaic systems installed this year and have a maximum capacity of 30 kW. The German Environment Ministry and KfW state bank have not made any official announcements, however, the program is expected to be introduced in the coming week.
Power-One and Panasonic unveil energy storage collaboration
U.S.-based Power-One, Inc. and Japans Panasonic Corporation have announced that they will work together on the development of energy storage systems and the large-scale utility and commercial photovoltaic inverter business.
Global smart grid investment to double by 2018
Global smart grid investment grew 7% in 2012 to US$13.9 billion, according to figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Upgrading grids "our lifeline" TÜV Rheinland chief
The CEO of solar testing company TÜV Rheinland has called on politicians in Germany and the European Union to make a huge effort to upgrade grids because, he told an audience at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, “our current network is our lifeline”.
Global fuel cells market to reach US$910.3 million in 2018
Transparency Market Research has released a new market report that states that global fuel cells demand is estimated to reach US$910.3 million in 2018. In 2011 the demand was worth US$355.3 million.
