Energy Storage

Scientists in Russia introduce a promising new material for battery energy storage, the product of more than three years of research. Incorporating a nickel-salen polymer into the cathode, the group demonstrated a battery that can charge and discharge ten times faster than today’s lithium-ion batteries. And though the battery still lags in terms of overall capacity, the group is confident that its discovery will lead to big improvements for lithium batteries.

The energy storage manufacturer will use the funds to expand its manufacturing capabilities, and aid product development with emphasis on smart Internet of Things (IOT) based batteries and telematics.

Global and Indian industry players have created an India hydrogen alliance committed to building a hydrogen economy and supply chain in India. NYSE-listed hydrogen solutions provider Chart Industries and India’s Reliance Industries will act as co-leads of the coalition that aims to help develop hydrogen production and storage, industrial and transport use-cases.

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited has installed a 150 kW/528 kWh battery energy storage system at Ranibagh Substation in New Delhi. The system will support the utility in managing the peak load, voltage regulation, power factor improvement, frequency regulation, and deviation settlement mechanism at the substation level. Besides, it will provide a power backup of 150 kW for 4 hours duration to preferential consumers in case of a grid outage.

When coupled to gigawatt-scale solar and wind generation, green hydrogen could be the clean fuel to unlock hard-to-electrify sectors of the economy. But first it must be transported cost-effectively to where it’s needed.

U.S.-based researchers have modeled the costs of achieving 200 GW, 400 GW and 600 GW of renewables capacity in India this decade and concluded PV should supply no more than half of the generation facilities and policymakers should shift their focus to wind power.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has set up a solar-powered charging station to conduct the system’s impact assessment. The system—designed by UK-based renewable energy advisor GreenEnco—uses Vikram Solar’s 16 mono PERC solar modules of 400 Wp each, a hybrid inverter, and battery storage.

In India, the lack of suitable fiscal incentives and relevant experience, combined with high upfront capital costs, has hindered the adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in comparison to other developed countries. However, there is potential for the country to take the lead.

Scientists in China and the United States investigated the inner workings of aluminum-ion batteries. With new insights into mechanisms at work within the battery during cycling, the group was able to demonstrate a battery capable of ultrafast charging, with the highest capacity so far reported for an aluminum battery.

The Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) plans to develop 77 MW solar capacity on its own land and 16 MW on land owned by village councils.