Articles tagged with "battery-storage"
Solar Is Powering Our Lives In More Ways Than You Might Know - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the rapid and transformative growth of solar energy, emphasizing its expanding role in powering homes, businesses, and entire regions. Solar power is now growing faster than any other energy source in history, with the installation of solar panels generating about one gigawatt every 15 hours—equivalent to the output of a typical coal-fired power plant. This shift represents a major systemic change comparable to the Industrial and Computer Revolutions, as noted by climate activist Bill McKibben. In the U.S., renewables, including solar and wind, have recently surpassed fossil fuels in electricity generation, with states like Texas leading in renewable energy and battery deployment. McKibben underscores the advantages of solar and wind energy as ubiquitous, complementary sources that can mitigate intermittency issues when paired with battery storage. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy cannot be stockpiled, which reduces geopolitical conflicts over energy resources. However, despite the declining costs of solar technology, policy and infrastructure barriers—such
energysolar-energyrenewable-energyclean-energysolar-powerenergy-transitionbattery-storageRenewable-Powered Battery Swaps: Unlocking Ship Electrification At Global Canals - CleanTechnica
The Maersk McKinney Moller Institute's late 2024 analysis affirmed that battery-electric ships are increasingly viable and competitive due to declining battery costs, improved energy density, and ease of integrating battery containers on vessels. However, the study underestimated the pace of battery price reductions, using outdated figures ($300 per kWh) compared to recent prices as low as $51 per kWh in China. This highlights the accelerating economic feasibility of electrified shipping. A recurring suggestion in discussions is mid-ocean recharging or "electron bunkering," where ships could recharge at offshore stations during long voyages, reducing the need for large onboard batteries. Despite the conceptual appeal of mid-ocean charging—potentially supported by offshore wind farms with battery storage—the article argues that practical and economic realities make such infrastructure unlikely. Offshore facilities are exponentially more expensive than onshore ones due to engineering complexity, maintenance challenges, and remote logistics, with costs increasing roughly tenfold offshore and even more subsea. Even the well-funded
energyrenewable-energybattery-electric-shippingoffshore-wind-farmsship-electrificationbattery-storagemaritime-emissionsBig Solar & Battery News From Egypt & South Africa - CleanTechnica
The article highlights significant advancements in large-scale solar and battery storage projects in Africa, underscoring a growing momentum in the continent’s renewable energy sector. Egypt is set to inaugurate its first major integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage plant in the Nagaa Hammadi region, featuring 1.1 GW of solar capacity paired with a 200 MWh battery energy storage system. This project, developed by Scatec ASA and backed by a $479.1 million financing package from institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), African Development Bank (AfDB), and British International Investment (BII), aims to provide dispatchable clean energy, enhance grid stability, and manage peak electricity demand. The plant will be built in two phases, with operations expected to begin in 2026, and energy sold under a 25-year power purchase agreement guaranteed by the Egyptian government. In South Africa, JUWI has secured a deal with JA Solar to supply 420,000
energysolar-powerbattery-storagerenewable-energyenergy-storage-systemclean-energysolar-PVAnti-ESG Policy Is, Actually, One More Way To Fund Fossil Fuels - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the contradiction and consequences of anti-ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies, particularly their role in perpetuating fossil fuel financing despite the urgent need for a clean energy transition. It underscores that clean energy, including solar and wind supported by battery storage, is now the most cost-effective and essential solution to meet growing energy demands in North America and Europe. However, fossil fuel interests—including think tanks, trade associations, and dark money groups—continue to resist this shift by promoting misinformation and lobbying aggressively to protect their profits, risking the creation of stranded assets. The article references Elisa Morgera, UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, who argues that wealthy fossil fuel nations are legally obligated to phase out fossil fuels by 2030 and compensate affected communities, while also calling for bans on fossil fuel advertising, lobbying, and greenwashing. The piece further details how anti-ESG legislation—106 bills introduced in 2025 alone—has slowed
energyclean-energyfossil-fuelsclimate-changeenergy-transitionrenewable-energybattery-storageWhy engineers are turning to virtual power plants to stabilize the grid
Virtual power plants (VPPs) represent a transformative shift in electricity grid management by aggregating distributed energy resources (DERs) such as rooftop solar panels, home batteries, electric vehicles, and smart appliances into a coordinated, software-driven network. Unlike traditional centralized power plants, VPPs operate without physical infrastructure, instead relying on real-time communication and control software to balance supply and demand dynamically across thousands of devices. This decentralized approach allows VPPs to perform essential grid functions like peak shaving, demand response, and load balancing, effectively stabilizing the grid without building new generation facilities. The rise of VPPs is driven by the rapid adoption of DERs and advances in grid control technology, enabling faster deployment and greater scalability compared to conventional power plants. VPPs can span large geographic areas and integrate diverse energy assets, distinguishing them from microgrids, which are localized and capable of islanded operation. Engineers favor VPPs for their reliability, flexibility, and cost efficiency, as they reduce
energyvirtual-power-plantsdistributed-energy-resourcessmart-gridbattery-storagerooftop-solardemand-responseIsland Community Explores Pathways To Strengthen Energy Reliability - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Edgartown, a town on Martha’s Vineyard island, and its efforts to enhance energy reliability and resilience through microgrid development. Due to the island’s isolation—accessible only by ferry or plane—power outages caused by storms like hurricanes and nor’easters pose significant challenges. To address this, Edgartown aims to create microgrids capable of independently powering municipal buildings for up to seven days during emergencies, using a combination of solar photovoltaics, battery storage, grid power, and backup generators. This initiative is driven by the Edgartown Energy Committee, which has been working since 2017 to improve energy efficiency and resilience. To support this goal, Edgartown partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy to Communities (E2C) program, which connects communities with national laboratory researchers for technical assistance. Through E2C’s Expert Match program, researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory helped analyze the energy needs and generation options for the Edgartown Highway Department campus
energymicrogridrenewable-energyenergy-resiliencesolar-photovoltaicsbattery-storageenergy-efficiency90% diesel cut drives Norway fish farm to scale floating solar energy
Norwegian fish farm Emilsen Fisk has significantly reduced its diesel consumption by over 90% through the installation of a floating solar power plant developed by Ålesund-based company Alotta. The Alotta Circle Mc120 system, installed at Emilsen Fisk’s Båfjordstranda site in Trøndelag, combines high-efficiency photovoltaic panels with onboard battery storage to meet nearly all of the farm’s energy needs without relying on the grid or diesel generators. This installation is notable for being the world’s northernmost floating solar plant and has prompted Emilsen Fisk to order a second unit, which will initially be deployed at a different site before supporting the farm’s goal of full renewable energy coverage. The floating solar solution has delivered multiple benefits, including cost savings, reduced emissions, and improved operational conditions, marking a shift in aquaculture energy use from diesel to renewable sources. The Norwegian solar government agency partially funded the project, covering 45% of the initial system cost, aiming to encourage wider adoption of clean energy in
energyrenewable-energysolar-powerfloating-solarbattery-storageaquaculture-energyclean-energy-solutionsNew Transportable Off-Grid EV Charging Stations Are Coming
The article discusses recent developments in off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations amid regulatory and infrastructure challenges. Despite the temporary suspension of the US NEVI program by President Trump, a judge has mandated its continuation. Meanwhile, startups like California-based L-Charge, in partnership with Epic Charging, are innovating by deploying transportable, off-grid EV chargers that do not rely on traditional electrical grid connections. These chargers use generators fueled by renewable natural gas (RNG) or flare gas, enabling rapid installation at locations such as motels, restaurants, and retail outlets without the need for extensive electrical infrastructure upgrades. L-Charge’s off-grid charging stations offer a practical solution especially for heavy-duty fleet vehicles, providing a faster pathway to electrification and reducing reliance on diesel fuel. The company targets both public use and fleet owners, allowing a single installation to serve multiple needs and reduce tailpipe emissions in communities. This approach, while not a complete decarbonization solution, helps mitigate diesel pollution and supports zero
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-charging-stationsoff-grid-energyrenewable-energybattery-storagehydrogen-fuel-cells200MW US battery to power 200,000 homes during grid stress
The Peregrine Energy Storage Project, launched by Arevon Energy in San Diego’s Barrio Logan community, is one of the largest battery storage facilities in the region, featuring a 200 MW/400 MWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system. This $300 million project can supply power to 200,000 homes for two hours during peak demand periods, helping to stabilize California’s grid amid increasing challenges from hot summers and fluctuating renewable energy generation. The system stores excess energy generated during low-demand periods, particularly from solar and wind sources, and discharges it during peak hours to reduce blackout risks and price spikes. The use of LFP batteries enhances safety and durability due to their thermal stability and slower degradation compared to other lithium-ion chemistries, ensuring long-term reliability. The Peregrine project not only supports California’s renewable energy goals by facilitating smoother integration of intermittent green power but also contributes economically by creating over 90 local construction jobs and generating more than $28 million in property
energybattery-storagelithium-iron-phosphaterenewable-energygrid-stabilityenergy-storage-systemsclean-energy-transitionEmber Claims Battery Storage And Solar Can (Almost) Do It All - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights a recent Ember report that emphasizes the growing capability and cost-effectiveness of combining solar power with battery storage to provide nearly continuous electricity supply. In the sunniest regions, such as Las Vegas, pairing 5 kW of solar panels with a 17 kWh battery can deliver a stable 1 kW of power 24/7 throughout the year, covering about 97% of constant electricity needs cost-effectively. While this example is based on a modest power demand, the key takeaway is that the levelized cost of solar-plus-storage electricity has become the lowest among energy sources, making solar increasingly dispatchable and reliable beyond daylight hours. This development marks a significant shift in the energy landscape, enabling solar power to support continuous power contracts for industries requiring 24/7 electricity, especially in emerging economies and remote areas lacking grid infrastructure. Solar-plus-storage can also reduce grid expansion costs by maximizing existing grid connections and deferring upgrades. With battery storage capacity in the US
energysolar-powerbattery-storageclean-energyrenewable-energyenergy-policysolar-energy-storageTesla to build China’s biggest grid battery plant in $556M deal
Tesla has entered a $556 million agreement to build China’s largest grid-scale battery storage facility, marking its first utility-scale energy storage project in the country. The deal, signed with the Shanghai municipal government and China Kangfu International Leasing, comes amid ongoing U.S.–China trade tensions and reflects Tesla’s strategic push into China’s rapidly growing energy storage market. The new facility will use Tesla’s Megapack battery systems, industrial-scale units capable of delivering up to one megawatt of power for four hours, and is expected to act as a “smart regulator” to stabilize urban electricity supply, addressing peak demand and ensuring grid reliability. This move intensifies Tesla’s competition with dominant Chinese battery manufacturers like CATL and BYD, with CATL currently holding a 40% market share and supplying cells for Tesla’s Megapacks. China is aggressively expanding its grid-scale battery capacity, having raised its target for battery-powered electricity storage to 40 gigawatts by 2025, driven by the
energybattery-storageTeslagrid-scale-energyMegapackrenewable-energyChina-energy-marketHungary powers up largest battery storage system near Budapest
Hungary has commissioned its largest battery energy storage system (BESS) to date, a 40 MW / 80 MWh facility located at the Dunamenti gas power plant near Budapest. Installed by MET Group using Tesla Megapack 2 units and Huawei battery technology, this system builds on a smaller 4 MW / 8 MWh pilot from 2022. The BESS can power all of Budapest’s public and decorative lighting for four hours, providing critical grid stability and flexibility as Hungary accelerates its green energy transition. The project, supported by 4 billion forints in state funding, exemplifies Hungary’s commitment to integrating more renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, into its grid. This development aligns with a broader regional trend in Central and Eastern Europe, where countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia are also expanding large-scale battery storage to support renewable energy integration and grid modernization. Bulgaria recently launched a 124 MW / 496 MWh system, Romania completed a 24 M
energybattery-storagerenewable-energygrid-scale-energyenergy-transitionTesla-MegapackHungary-energy-infrastructureHaven Energy & Clean Energy Alliance Launch Free Battery Storage Program For Eligible California Homeowners - CleanTechnica
Haven Energy and the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) have launched the Battery Bonus Connect program, offering free home battery storage systems to income-eligible homeowners in San Diego County, including cities like Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Solana Beach. Funded by California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program, the initiative targets homeowners who participate in CEA’s PeakSmart Savers virtual power plant program and meet income criteria (generally 80% or less of area median income or enrollment in assistance programs). The program covers full installation, ten years of maintenance, and support with no upfront costs, credit checks, or long-term contracts. After ten years, homeowners can keep the system at no cost or purchase it at fair market value. The installed batteries will be integrated into a virtual power plant managed by Haven Energy, which uses stored energy during peak grid demand to ease grid pressure while reserving at least 20% capacity for homeowners’ personal use. This approach enhances energy reliability, reduces reliance on
energybattery-storageclean-energyvirtual-power-plantrenewable-energyenergy-resiliencehome-energy-systemsLarge-Scale V2G Systems Coming To Utrecht & Sweden - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the implementation and challenges of large-scale vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, focusing on recent developments in Utrecht, Netherlands, and plans in Sweden. V2G technology enables electric vehicles (EVs) to both draw electricity from and feed electricity back into the grid, effectively turning EV batteries into distributed energy storage. This system can help balance renewable energy supply fluctuations without utilities needing to install dedicated grid-scale batteries, while EV owners receive compensation. However, managing V2G is complex due to the need for coordination among diverse stakeholders—drivers, renewable energy suppliers, charging networks, and utilities—and the variability in EV models, battery management systems, and renewable energy availability. Utrecht has become Europe’s first city to implement a large-scale V2G system, called “Utrecht Energized,” through a collaboration involving Renault Group, We Drive Solar, and the carsharing service MyWheels. The initiative has installed 50 bidirectional chargers and integrated 50 Renault 5 E-Tech
energyvehicle-to-gridelectric-vehiclesrenewable-energysmart-gridbidirectional-chargingbattery-storageRepurposed EV battery packs to power industries, supply 1.25 MW energy
energybattery-storagerenewable-energygrid-resiliencedecarbonisationEV-battery-packsclean-energyUnlocking Value From Existing Solar: SolMicroGrid’s Array-to-Microgrid Program - CleanTechnica
energysolarmicrogridenergy-managementbattery-storageEV-chargingrenewable-energyHouse GOP wants to cut parts of the Inflation Reduction Act while sparing others
energyclean-energyelectric-vehiclescarbon-capturebattery-storageInflation-Reduction-Actsustainable-aviation-fuelEcoFlow STREAM Ultra: A Game-Changer For Plug-&-Play Home Solar Systems
energysolarbattery-storageclean-technologyresidential-energymodular-designrenewable-energyBlink Charging & Create Energy Team Up To Offer Solar-Powered EV Charging Solution
energysolar-powerelectric-vehiclesEV-chargingrenewable-energybattery-storageenergy-managementPanasonic Steps Away From Solar & Storage, Ends EverVolt Line
energysolarbattery-storagePanasonicrenewable-energyclean-technologyresidential-energy