Batteries set new output record in California
Amid industry turmoil, California has been setting new benchmarks for the volume of instantaneous electricity injected into the grid by the state’s battery and solar sites.
New control strategy for PV-driven air source heat pumps
Researchers in China have developed a new methodology to improve the performance of solar-powered air source heat pumps. The proposed approach reportedly increases the energy efficiency of optimized building systems by 18%, with solar energy potentially reducing their carbon content by 37.78%.
India awards 420 MW in renewables render with storage
Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has awarded 420 MW of renewable-plus-storage capacity in its 1.2 GW round-the-clock (RTC) power tender. The winning developers will set up renewable energy projects backed with energy storage systems to supply RTC power.
Hard times for pay-as-you-go model
While sales of off-grid solar kits increased slightly in 2024, the market has not regained the momentum seen before 2022. The latest report from the industry’s professional association, Gogla, includes data for the first time on solar generators (38,000 units sold in 2024) and walk-in solar cold rooms (578 units).
Water isn’t always the best answer to BESS fires
Fire protection engineers urge a defensive approach to battery fires, focusing on preventing thermal runaway from spreading rather than putting flames out directly.
New research shows viability of residential ice-source heat pumps
Scientists in the United Kingdom have demonstrated the feasibility of residential ice-source heat pumps in cold climates and densely populated areas. They designed a heat pump system that utilizes existing gas pipelines to transport water.
Bulgaria inaugurates 496 MWh battery system
Bulgaria has completed a 496 MWh battery energy storage system, billed as the largest in the European Union. Crews completed the project in six months with backing from local authorities.
Cyprus switches on first significant battery system
The Apollon PV Park has commissioned a 3.3 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and solar project, in a milestone for Cyprus.
Swiss developer breaks ground on 800 MW/1.6 GWh redox flow storage project
Flexbase Group has broken ground on an 800 MW/1.6 GWh redox flow battery project in Laufenburg, Switzerland, in what could become one of Europe’s largest flow storage systems. The multi-use site will integrate utility-scale storage, an AI data center, and district heating.
Utility-scale batteries show exponential growth in Italy
The development of bigger battery energy storage systems (BESS) is booming in Italy, but deployment of residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) equipment fell in 2024.
