Report outlines potential for consumer storage in New Zealand
A report published by New Zealand national grid operator Transpower offers a mixed outlook for energy storage in the south pacific nation.
Report: Energy storage is starting to become standard for US utilities
The Smart Electric Power Alliance said the vast majority of the utilities they surveyed plan to offer behind-the-meter storage programs for their residential and commercial customers.
European Commission releases dataset of solar generation time series
In order to help policymakers come up with an energy framework that would better reflect the solar power generation potential across Europe, the European Commission’s science and knowledge service Joint Research Center (JRC) has produced a dataset of solar energy production at national, regional and local level, by the hour for the last 30 years, based on the existing PV fleet at the end of 2015.
Standards Australia to consult industry on proposed storage rules
Standards Australia wrapped up public consultation last week on a draft standard for battery storage, setting the stage for the development of a comprehensive framework for future deployment.
Organic electrode material could boost lithium ion capacity
Researchers at Germany’s Helmholtz Institute have developed a new electrode material which could improve the capacity and charge/discharge speed of lithium-ion technology, as well as reducing for costly cobalt in the batteries.
Austria provides a further €30 million for PV and storage incentives
The Austrian Parliament has approved a new renewable energy law. For the first time, storage combined with PV will receive support. The local association Photovoltaic Austria expects a 25% growth for PV in 2018.
Italy simplifies rules for PV storage
The rules were harmonized with the regulation for revamping and repowering of PV systems issued by the GSE in March.
ABB microgrid control system poised for UK university campus deployment
Swiss power electronics firm to install its state-of-the-art microgrid solution at the University of Chester’s new Energy Centre, in what will be the first energy management system of its kind in the U.K.
BNEF: Coal to fade as cost of renewables falls even faster
The latest long-term forecast from analysts Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predicts solar energy costs to drop a further 66% by 2040, and onshore wind by 47%. Given these predictions, BNEF expect that renewables will undercut the majority of fossil based generation by 2030, even in India and China.
Solar leads the way in record-breaking renewable capacity additions, REN21 report says
With 161 GW installed, last year was a record 12 months for global renewable additions, finds the annual overview of the state of renewable energy drafted by REN21. Solar PV accounted for around 47% of the capacity added.
