Distributed Storage

The Canadian clean energy solutions provider will supply its fuel cell modules for use in Tata Motors’ 15 hydrogen-powered buses. The buses are planned for deployment in Faridabad, in the National Capital Region of Delhi.

Smart Power India (SPI), a subsidiary of US-based impact investor Rockefeller Foundation, has supported the setting up of more than 300 renewable energy mini-grids cumulating to 9.2 MW of capacity across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, the largest such cluster in India. Jaideep Mukherjee, chief executive officer at SPI, spoke to pv magazine about the role of mini-grids in rural upliftment and the barriers to overcome.

The installation of the DC fast charger is in sync with the Government’s move to make Kevadia the country’s first ‘only electric vehicle city.’ The charger is supported by Tata Power EZ Charge Mobile App that helps EV owners locate the station in real-time.

With many developers now working on solar+storage projects, it’s time to look more closely at specific business plans. Siobhán Green, lead on battery storage in continental Europe for Everoze, looks at three key questions.

The second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) subsidy scheme to promote electric mobility in India will now run until March 31, 2024. 

India’s energy transition will not succeed without rooftop PV and roll-out is hindered not only by a lack of household finance, but by the fact many of the nation’s flat roofs are enjoyed by residents. Germany’s international development agency has proposed a solution.

LNJ Bhilwara, a diversified business group with presence in graphite electrode manufacturing, has formed a joint venture with Pune-based Replus Engitech to create lithium battery solutions for both e-mobility and stationary applications. The JV aims to have 1 GWh capacity operational in Pune by mid-2022 and eventually scale it to 5 GWh by 2024. 

An international research team has designed a residential solar-plus-storage system based on gravity. The system was built with a solar power generator, a bulk booster charge controller, an inverter, a solenoid device, a deep cycle battery, a pulley block, a geared motor, a microcontroller, and wire ropes. Its creators said the system is ideal for regions with high solar radiation. They found that, due to its high electrical requirements, the system needs to rely on high-power solar modules with an output of over 500 W.

Telangana-based Visaka Industries will set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations powered by its ATUM integrated solar roof. According to the company, the ATUM solar roof, with PV panels integrated on cement boards, can generate 40% more clean power in the same given space than any other solar solution.

Separating generation from storage usually delivers higher value, but it may also deliver higher costs, the report said.