Utility Scale Storage

Thermal energy storage is dense, efficient, and suitable for greenfield and brownfield projects, with a potentially long lifespan. It can also be built with recyclable or low-impact storage materials. So why is it taking so long to achieve widespread commercial success? Tristan Rayner explores the latest developments.

Currently, the cost of producing green hydrogen ranges from 3.6 to 5.8 USD/kg depending on the renewable energy mix and electrolyzer technology. Scaling the electrolyzer production globally will help drive down green hydrogen costs. 

Scientists in Bangladesh have evaluated how a 50 MW floating PV plant could be integrated with the 230 MW Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, located at the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River. They found that the two energy sources can be perfectly optimized and that PV can compensate for the reservoir’s shortage of water storage during the winter season while hydropower can compensate for the poor yields of the floating array during the monsoon season.

Energy Vault secured $100 million in Series C funding for its EVx tower, which stores gravitational potential energy for grid dispatch.

A new study provides a first-of-its-kind assessment of grid-scale energy storage deployment in India both in the near term and the long term. The researchers conducted scenarios-based capacity expansion modeling to assess when, where and how much energy storage can be cost-effectively deployed in India through 2050. In all scenarios, energy storage was found to play a significant role in India’s power system.

The switch from fossil fuels and nuclear will bring a jobs dividend thanks to the greater labor-intensity of renewables plants, according to a paper published by Finland’s LUT. However, the jobs dividend is unlikely to be evenly spread around the world, with Europe set to be a big winner.

The prime minister said green hydrogen would play a significant role in achieving India’s decarbonization goals. He also announced the nation’s ambitions to become a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.  

India’s solar module makers have built a strong track record, and now the country is set to see vast battery facilities developed. A look into ambitious manufacturing projects and the wider enabled ecosystem.

Japanese scientists have developed a new lithium-sulfur battery by using titanium oxide and titanium nitride to prevent the formation of polysulfides during the fabrication process. This allows the battery to retain 85% of its capacity after 500 cycles at 2 C.

The company’s arm Tata Power Solar has received the notice of award to build a 50 MW (DC) solar plant integrated with a 50 MWh battery energy storage system at Phyang village in the Leh district. The project’s order value is approximately ÌNR 386 crore (US$ 52 million).