All articles tagged with #battery storage
China's energy storage sector is experiencing a boom driven by market reforms, domestic demand from data centers and renewables, and international exports, with Chinese firms dominating global lithium-ion battery cell shipments and exports expected to surge by 75% this year.
California has undergone a significant transformation into a clean energy powerhouse, with substantial investments in solar, wind, and battery storage, aiming for an emission-free grid by 2045, positioning itself as a global climate leader despite federal opposition under the Trump administration.
Ford is shifting its strategy from fully electric vehicles to focus more on hybrids and energy storage, dropping the all-electric F-150 Lightning and reassigning its EV investments, resulting in nearly $20 billion in charges through 2027. The move aims to align with customer demand for affordable, versatile vehicles and adapt to changing regulations, with plans to make 50% of its global volume hybrids or extended-range EVs by 2030, and to profitably develop its EV business by 2029.
Despite efforts by the Trump administration to slow renewable energy development through policy and permit restrictions, the sector is experiencing a surge in installations driven by companies rushing to utilize expiring federal tax credits, leading to a record pipeline of solar, wind, and battery projects in the US, although future growth may slow down post-2027 and could result in higher energy prices.
As power outages become more frequent due to extreme weather, experts recommend using solar and battery technology over fossil-fuel generators. Solar-powered batteries and rooftop solar panels offer a cleaner, more sustainable backup power solution that can also reduce utility costs year-round. While the initial investment is higher, these systems provide long-term savings and avoid the harmful pollutants associated with traditional generators.
Green Mountain Power (GMP), Vermont's largest utility, has filed a proposal to install battery storage for all 270,000 of its customers by 2030 as part of its Zero Outages Initiative. The plan includes making existing power lines more resilient, burying power lines, and providing residential battery storage. GMP has already installed underground lines and spacer cables, reducing tree-caused outages. The initiative aims to provide residential batteries to customers in remote locations first and then expand to all customers. GMP also offers a home battery program, allowing customers to lease Tesla Powerwalls. The utility's proactive approach aims to prevent future outages and reduce repair costs.
Tesla has submitted a proposal to Indian officials to build a battery storage factory in India, as part of its broader plans to expand its presence in the country. The proposal includes the introduction of Tesla's Powerwall, a system that can store power from solar panels or the grid for use during outages or at night. While the Indian government has conveyed that incentives for the factory may not be available, they could offer subsidies to customers purchasing Tesla's battery storage systems. The plan is still under review, and Tesla is keen to find residential and industrial customers for its products in India.
Dulles International Airport in Virginia is set to become the site of the largest clean energy project at an airport in the US. The $200 million project will include a 100 MW solar farm with 200,000 solar panels and 50 MW of battery storage, providing power to the grid and supplying 37,500 households. In exchange for land use, Dominion Energy will provide Dulles with 50 electric vehicles, 18 electric buses, EV charging stations, and 1 MW solar carports for the airport's operations. Construction will begin later this year, with completion expected in late 2026, creating 300 construction jobs and $200 million in economic activity.
Most grid-connected solar systems are programmed to switch off during power outages to prevent unexpected energy from being sent to the power line. Therefore, solar panels alone cannot power homes and businesses during grid shutdowns unless paired with a battery. While rooftop solar is considered the cheapest form of solar energy, going off-grid entirely requires expensive batteries capable of powering a home through the night or on cloudy days. Hurricane Hilary's potential power outages have prompted San Diego Gas and Electric to increase field crews and staged equipment for a quick response.
Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) a year ago, solar and storage companies in the US have announced over $100 billion in private sector investments, with 51 solar factories being announced or expanded. These factories will invest nearly $20 billion and add 155 gigawatts (GW) of new production capacity across the solar supply chain. The announcements include significant capacity for solar panels, cells, silicon ingots and wafers, and inverters. The solar factories are expected to employ over 20,000 Americans and will increase the US manufacturing capacity by over 17 times by 2026. Additionally, 65 GWh of battery storage manufacturing capacity has been announced, along with the deployment of over 3 GW of new large-scale energy storage projects in the past year. The surge in demand for American-made clean energy is attributed to the clean energy incentives enacted by Congress.
As Texas faces a historic heat wave, big battery storage is playing a crucial role in keeping the grid online. The recent scaling of renewable energy and energy storage has prevented blackouts by providing clean power as gas and coal plants were taken offline. Long-duration energy storage (LDES) paired with renewable energy ensures critical applications stay online during extreme strain on the grid. However, there is currently limited LDES deployment at scale in Texas, highlighting the need for policy and regulation to support its expansion. The LDES market has significant growth potential and can provide relief to congested transmission and distribution lines while ensuring 24/7 clean power and cost reductions.
Despite sweltering heat waves, California's power grid remains strong due to the presence of stronger hydropower and increased battery storage, ensuring that the lights stay on in the state.
Extreme heat can strain the power grid, impair the efficiency of power generation and transmission, and increase the risk of wildfires, leading to power outages. Solar panels' output efficiency can decline by 10-25% in high temperatures, while wind power generation can be reduced due to calm conditions. Excessive heat can also degrade battery storage systems and increase the risk of battery failure. Innovations such as thermophotovoltaics, advanced solar panel designs, predictive weather models, and robust thermal management systems are being explored to counteract the negative effects of extreme heat on renewables and battery storage. A healthy mix of renewables and energy storage systems, along with energy conservation efforts, is crucial for a reliable energy supply during severe heat waves.
Texas is facing an unprecedented heat wave that is putting a strain on its electricity system, leaving officials scrambling to keep the lights on and the air conditioners running. The state is turning to giant batteries to help stabilize the grid, which played a crucial role in avoiding outages over the past week. Battery storage is a boon to wind and solar, as it allows them to capture and store the energy created at times when it may not be needed and then make it available to ratepayers at peak hours. Texas plans to nearly double the amount of battery storage on its grid within the next year.
Texas is facing an unprecedented heat wave that is putting a strain on its electricity system, leaving officials scrambling to keep the lights on and air conditioners running. The state is turning to giant batteries to avoid outages, which played a crucial role in avoiding outages over the past week. The batteries are renewing debate about the role of clean energy in stabilizing the Texas grid, as they are ideal for harnessing wind and solar energy. Battery storage is a boon to wind and solar, as it allows them to capture and store the energy created at times when it may not be needed and then make it available to ratepayers at peak hours.