Distributed Storage

After “bunkering down” in 2020, the Redflow’s CEO discusses major developments within the company, as well as its path towards mass manufacturing processes – which it sees as the key to slashing battery costs by a third and, in turn, solidifying Redflow as a major player in the increasingly sought-after flow battery storage market.

The Clean Energy Council has released its annual Clean Energy Australia report, revealing a string of smashed records, as states, territories and businesses continue to ramp up renewable ambitions.

AGL has announced a joint venture with the UK’s Ovo Energy for exclusive Australian rights to its Kaluza smart energy platform. The partnership comes at a time when grid stability is a hot topic and energy management systems are a key tool for owners of rooftop solar to optimise their investment.

A new type of carbon fibre and electrolyte matrix stunned scientists when they tested its properties. Their ‘structural’ battery could be used in electric vehicles and could even address the weight problems that bedevil devices planned for electric-powered flight.

Academics reviewed the historic price development of lithium-ion batteries and found the accepted model does not accurately reflect the full cost decline and technological improvement which has taken place. With more data points to compare, the team found batteries had improved even more than previously assumed.

As distributed PV grows, new grid codes have scared installers across some markets. Network operators want to gain control over grid export, even of smaller arrays. Additions of new array controllers and special gateways could be costly putting speedy development of PV at risk. Fret not, says Fimer, as the Italy-based power-electronics manufacturer has placed the solution to the problem already inside its latest inverter range.

The recharging station was designed by French automation group Sirea. It is powered by a solar carport and a small electrolyser.

The Australian Energy Market Commission, Australia’s energy rule maker, today released its draft determination on how to integrate energy technologies like solar and batteries into the electricity grid. In the draft, the Commission revived its proposal for a solar tax, immediately stirring backlash.

Queensland’s government will install five community batteries at regional substations across the state in a bid to time-shift its abundant solar resources.

Battery capacity in the distributed and large-scale sectors continues to grow, according the annual reckoning of the SunWiz oracle. Although still a complex proposition, for homeowners, battery potential is beginning to be utilised in the hundreds of megawatts by governments and utilities, with some interesting side hustles in the mid-sized energy-storage category.