Energy Storage

Romanian developer Monsson has installed a 24 MWh battery storage system as the first stage of a 216 MWh project. The storage unit forms part of Romania’s first hybrid PV-wind-battery system.

New research from Germany showed that PV-powered heat pumps could require less surface than their solar thermal-driven counterparts in district heating networks. The scientists also found that increasing energy prices would have a minimal impact on the viability of both concepts.

A coalition of organizations are working to position battery-powered vessels on the River Thames to store and feed electricity back into the grid. They say the approach will increase London’s flexible energy capacity and reduce peak electricity demand.

Researchers in the United Kingdom have analyzed lithium-ion battery thermal runaway off-gas and have found that nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries generate larger specific off-gas volumes, while lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are a greater flammability hazard and show greater toxicity, depending on relative state of charge (SOC).

The German manufacturer said PV system owners can connect up to four units in parallel for a storage capacity of up to 106.8 kWh. The battery reportedly has a lifecycle of more than 6,000 cycles and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Firefighters in Italy have recovered three casualties following an explosion at a hydropower plant owned by Italian utility Enel. Rescue workers are currently searching for four missing employees who were in the facility when the incident occurred.

Livoltek has developed an all-in-one storage system for residential applications, featuring a storage capacity of up to 25 kWh and compatibility with five different inverter models, as well as the option to integrate with electric-vehicle (EV) chargers.

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is considered a mature form of deep storage due to its components being firmly “de-risked” but few projects are operating in the Western world. A project in the remote New South Wales town of Broken Hill promises to lead the way.

Vantaa Energy plans to construct a 90 GWh thermal energy storage facility in underground caverns in Vantaa, near Helsinki. It says it will be the world’s largest seasonal energy storage site by all standards upon completion in 2028.

With ambitious decarbonization targets and a favourable regulatory landscape, Portugal is an appealing market for renewable energy developers and producers. Like other European markets, however, Portugal’s clean energy industry faces challenges related to permitting, grid connection, and the availability of remuneration schemes – hurdles which threaten to slow the country’s energy transition.