S&C Electric switches gears in the energy storage, microgrid space
The company will no longer make its Pure Wave inverters for battery storage, but instead is doubling down on its medium voltage switchgear and other offerings for microgrids.
Power, to the people
Puerto Rico: The devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria on the island of Puerto Rico was vast and indiscriminate. Reporter Daniella Cheslow visited some of the areas most badly affected and found a shredded grid, a rising demand for energy independence, solar and storage, and a heartening reminder of humankind’s capacity for kindness, endurance and determination.
Tesla shows interest in Chilean lithium
The head of the Chilean Economic Development Agency (Corfo), Eduardo Bitran said that Tesla may partner with local lithium manufacturer SQM in the construction of a factory. The Chilean government and SQM have recently settled a dispute that began in 2014.
Battery storage challenges: Materials, longevity and project management
An academic event held last week in the U.K. presenting the results of two major research projects on energy storage provided an update on the current and future directions of battery storage technology and development.
Hawaii legislature considers income tax credit for energy storage
For the third straight year, Hawaiian state legislators are trying to provide tax incentives for residents who install energy storage systems.
California sets rules for multiple uses of energy storage
A ruling by CPUC opens the door for “stacking” the services that batteries and other forms of energy storage can provide.
BNEF releases 2018 clean energy predictions
BNEF has released its top 10 clean energy predictions for 2018, including at least 107 GW of solar PV installs. China will lead, but Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East will notably up the ante. India will install less RE than in 2017, but will see fossils outpace RE for the last time; and China will see distributed grid connected solar leading the market. Li-ion prices are also declining, while EV sales grow.
California regulators choose clean energy and storage over existing gas plants
CPUC has turned down a request by Calpine for lucrative contracts for three gas plants and ordered PG&E to hold a solicitation for energy storage and/or “preferred resources” instead.
AES and Siemens launch energy storage platform with world’s largest li-ion battery
Collaboration between the U.S. energy firm and the German power electronics giant officially licensed on January 1, as details of a massive 100 MW/400 MWh lithium-ion battery storage project in California announced.
NV Energy issues RFP for 330 MW of large-scale renewable energy, battery projects
The company is looking for renewable energy projects at least 35 MW in capacity, as well as batteries with a minimum 25 MW, four-hour rating.
