Utility Scale Storage

Japan’s Panasonic claims its new pilot solar-plus-hydrogen facility marks the first attempt to create a factory powered by 100% renewables, via the full-scale use of hydrogen.

Developed by an MIT spin-off, the device is based on a standard, two-electrode electrochemical cell containing conductive polymers, a carbon-graphene hybrid, and a non-flammable liquid electrolyte. The battery cells were tested to perform for 12,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge.

Global bids are invited to develop a cumulative 500MW of battery energy storage system facilities on a ‘build-own-operate-transfer’ (BOOT) basis in the Indian State of Rajasthan. The proposed plants can be set up in two projects of 250MW size, each with the capacity to store at least two hours of electricity. Bidding closes on June 10.

Indian renewable energy developer Greenko Group has partnered with Belgium’s John Cockerill to develop a green hydrogen electrolyzer factory with a capacity of 2GW per annum.  The partnership will also see the two companies jointly develop large-scale green hydrogen projects in India.

A new report by JMK Research and the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) says India is likely to miss its ‘100GW by 2022’ solar target by about 27GW, mainly due to the underwhelming growth of rooftop solar. While utility-scale solar is on track to achieve nearly 97% of the 60GW installed capacity targeted by 2022, rooftop solar will be 25GW short of the 40GW mark.

Based in Gurugram, the plant will produce customized lithium battery packs for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage applications, including solar. The production capacity will be scaled up to 200MWh/annum by December end.

Swiss Clean Battery is set to start commercial production of its pure solid state batteries in Switzerland. The batteries are based on a protected electrolyte made of a solid ion conductor, which helps to maintain internal resistance and capacity. The fixed ion conductor is formed in the battery cell itself, similar to a multi-component adhesive.

The global battery energy storage market will grow to $10.84 billion in 2026, with around two-thirds of the demand concentrated in the Asia Pacific region. 

Bosch’s new solid oxide fuel cell prototype has an electrical efficiency of more than 60% and an overall efficiency above 85%. It also has a targeted power output of 10 kW and can produce up to 3 kW of thermal energy.

The agreement will see Powin supply and commission its advanced Stacks battery storage product lines for round-the-clock renewable energy projects undertaken by O2 Power.