$4 Billion and 1-Gigawatt NaS Energy Warehouse From Rubenius : Greentech Media. Los Angeles, California -- In his first interview with the American press on this topic, Claus Rubenius, founder and inventor of Denmark's Amplex, spoke to me about his company's massive and audacious plans for a first-of-its-kind energy storage warehouse in Mexico. It's a big deal. This is a bold plan, and the company will require billions of dollars, hundreds of acres of land, the alignment of regulatory stars and not a little bit of luck to pull this off. But if it becomes reality, it could make fundamental changes in the way renewable energy (and conventional energy) is generated, transmitted and valued. Rubenius refers to the concept as an "energy warehouse" and the plan is to use 1,000 megawatts of sodium sulfur (NaS) batteries funded with the help of Japan's Export/Import bank.
Rubenius has already purchased the 350 acres of land in Baja California, Mexico and looks to install one fat gigawatt of NaS batteries at a fully commissioned cost of over $4 billion. Mr. Print Me. $1B Market for Wind Energy Storage By 2015 10/21/2010SustainableBusiness.com News The market for wind power energy storage systems will reach $1.1 billion by 2015, according to a new analysis. Analyst firm NanoMarkets states that growth in the wind industry will not be sustainable unless the matter of cost-effective energy storage is addressed. The intermittent nature of wind energy generation leads to situations where power is created at times when demand is low resulting in reduced revenue generation or outright wasted. Unpredictable wind power also tends to disrupt conventional electricity grids which are not built to accommodate highly varying energy sources.
China is likely to account for over one-third of all the revenues from energy storage systems sold to the wind power industry. The Chinese government plans to increase wind generation capacity in the country ten-fold in the next decade and will spend billions of dollars on storage facilities as part of its grid upgrade process. Xtreme Power founder to lead wind power startup - Austin Business Journal. A wind power systems manufacturer has emerged from The University of Texas Clean Energy Incubator with a CEO and chairman. K Power, a manufacturer of low-altitude, tethered wind power systems, named Xtreme Power Inc. founder Michael Breen its top executive and board leader.
He will lead the company as it perfects its technology and heads to commercialization. K Power was hatched in 2007 and entered the UT incubator in 2008. It is currently in the demonstration phase of its wind power capture system. The company said the low altitude systems generate more consistent power than traditional turbine systems and can be installed in more places. The tethered airfoils capture winds at between 700 and 1,200 feet and allow for rapid, cost-effective installation. "Low-altitude wind is poised to be the next growth sector in renewable energy," Breen said.
Breen will continue to sit on Kyle-based Xtreme Power's board. Utility Scale Energy Storage According to Maurice Gunderson of CMEA, et al. : Greentech Media. Update: September 29, 5:30pm PT California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger just signed AB 2514, an energy storage bill, into law. This is promising news -- but don't expect batteries and flywheels in every backyard and solar farm just yet. What happens next? The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) is to "open a proceeding to determine appropriate targets, if any, for each load-serving entity to procure viable and cost-effective energy storage systems.
" I recently spoke to a CPUC representative who suggested that that storage target could be zero if the CPUC decides it should not set a mandate. Stay tuned. Update August 27: AB 2514 was just voted out of the Assembly (concurrence with Senate amendments) 44 ayes -25 noes. Utility-scale energy storage is a game-changer but it can't happen without the proper regulatory environment. A step in that direction was taken today. The Senate floor analysis is here. Here's a brief excerpt from the bill: We spoke to Mr. Other Storage Technologies. The Storage Act: Putting Energy Storage on a Level Playing Field. Given the intermittent nature of wind and solar, it is becoming increasingly clear that these technologies need a side-kick known as energy storage in order to get the full value of these renewable sources. Energy storage allows electricity produced by wind and solar, during off peak demand times, to be better matched when the electricity is needed.
A major driver of growth of both the wind and solar industries has been favorable tax credit treatment. Acknowledging this fact, Congress has been working on game changing legislation aimed at the energy storage industry. On July 20, U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced The Storage Technology of Renewable and Green Energy Act of 2010 Act (STORAGE Act 2010 – S. 3617) revision to the Storage Act introduced in 2009. There are three broad categories of storage covered by the proposed law are: 1) Utility-scale bulk storage. 2) Commercial business on-site storage. 3) Residential on-site storage. Clean Batteries and Dirty Coal: Your Tax Dollars at Work | Business. How would you like to invest in a start-up that makes advance renewable energy storage systems?
Before investing, you should know that this particular company has: Never made a profit. Piled up losses of $44 million since going public in 2007. Replaced its CEO because he was paid both as an employee and independent contractor. Seen its stock tumble from $6 to 70 cents a share since going public in 2007 Actually, you've already invested. ZBB Energy Corporation is using $1.3 million in Recovery Act State Energy Program loans to fund a $4.5 million factory renovation to triple their capacity to manufacture flow batteries and power systems. "Companies like this," the president said, "are showing us how manufacturing can come back right here in the United States of America, right back here to Wisconsin. " Well, maybe -- but the company will have to find some customers and generate some profits for its comeback to be meaningful. But jobs at what price? Venture capital for energy innovation.
Untitled. Ice Energy: Discover the Power of Ice! (Energy Storage) Intermittant Renewables + Energy Storage = Base Load Power. August 12, 2010 – Vol.15 No.21 INTERMITTENT RENEWABLES + ENERGY STORAGE = BASE LOAD POWER.by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News Power grid-scale mass storage of electricity from intermittent renewable energy, such as wind or solar energy, is in its infancy. But it’s vital that energy storage technologies be developed if these renewables are to compete with base load electricity supply that churns out power 24/7.
Intermittent renewables are not the only place where energy storage can be utilized: Unsold power from base load conventional generation plants, such as coal, generated at off-peak times can be stored to sell during peak periods. Energy storage technologies to be employed for stationary applications are quite different than those used in mobile applications such as a car or cell phone. Mobile applications need storage devices that are energy packed, yet small and light weight. Here are some of the latest projects in energy storage: Links: Xtreme. Sustainable Housing and Green Building News: There are signs that 2010 could be the coming out party for Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES). With the onslaught of large wind and solar deployments that will be added to the grid to meet state renewable portfolio standards requirements, there is a lot of buzz about the need for energy storage systems, particularly bulk energy storage.
Bulk systems can store megawatt-scale amounts of energy produced during off peak times. They then discharge that energy during peak times, when prices are higher, and over many hours. With so much attention and investment paid to lithium ion batteries, it is easy to forget that advanced batteries are not true bulk storage technologies. However, CAES is. Historically, CAES projects have faced an uphill climb in terms of site selection and permitting. However, there is now tangible evidence of market momentum and validation.
Link to original article: A123 Spins Off Energy Storage Venture, Drops Chrysler Project. Lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems quietly cultivated a new energy storage venture and set it loose as an independent company. A123 CEO and President David Vieau and Chief Financial Officer Michael Rubino revealed in a call with shareholders late Tuesday that the startup, dubbed 24M Technologies Inc., was recently spun out of A123 with venture capital financing and a plan to develop what Vieau called advanced non-traditional lithium-ion based storage technology. A123 has high hopes for the new firm as a “very significant long term play,” with a system that combines aspects of lithium-ion and flow battery tech. Flow batteries are similar to large fuel cells but generally use large storage tanks full of electrolytes and pumps that circulate the solution through the system.
Vieau did say that 24M’s early development work was completed within A123, and “subsequently improved upon at MIT” (where A123 got its start). Cleantech Financing Trends: 2010 & Beyond. Politics Verbatim | Excerpt detail. Jerry Brown Aug. 9, 2010 3. Reduce Peak Energy Demands and Develop Energy Storage * The reliability of our energy system depends on the ability to meet peak power demand (usually summer afternoons when air conditioning use is highest). California funds many “peaker” natural gas plants that run for just a few hours a year, usually on hot summer afternoons. These plants pollute more and are less efficient than other power plants.
Source: Jerry Brown campaign Tags: Environment , Jobs , Specific policy point or details. Zen and the Art of Smart Grid Development - AltaTerra Research. In a recent miniseminar, a panel discussed energy storage. I may report on that session later, but for now I’ll share two pieces of interesting information. One is that AB 2514 is to mandate the development of energy storage for utilities, which I’ve written about before.
The other piece is 17 applications for energy storage listed on the Electricity Storage Association (ESA) website. They are pretty comprehensive: Clicking on each item will take you to a short explanation, but here are shorter descriptions for busy people: Arbitrage: Buy electricity when it is inexpensive and sell it when it is expensive by exploiting large storage like pumped hydro and compressed air. Spinning Reserve: Utilities need to reserve extra power capacity in case of the loss of generators and for other reasons. Transmission and Distribution Deferral: Capital investment in transmission infrastructure is very high. Load Following: Acting as a buffer, electricity could be routed to where more loads are.
Content / Projects & Contracts / ABB Retrofits AmerenUE Taum Sauk Pumped-Storage Facility. Content / Projects & Contracts / Princeton Power Developing Large-Scale Energy-Storage System. HOME. The Bullish Case for Energy Storage. **Editor's Note Update: Be sure to read Energy and Capital's up-to-date resource page on energy storage companies. We have I've said it before. Energy storage is the Holy Grail of the energy market. Batteries are already a booming market, supplying juice for everything from power tools to smart phones to Kindles. And that trend will accelerate. But we're also going to start using batteries — and other forms of energy storage — to power the grid and even our cars. Here are the top four reasons you should be buying energy storage companies right now. 1. There's a reason Obama has made four highly publicized visits to battery factories since being elected.
The stimulus awarded $2.4 billion to advanced batteries, and the administration has given an additional $2.6 billion in technology loans to Nissan, Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Fisker to establish electric vehicle manufacturing facilities. Which leads us to reason number two... 2. The top auto news this year has been all electric. 3. 4. Electricity Storage Association - power quality, power supply.
Energy Storage: Making It Work with Generation Applications. By Rick Fioravanti We now have an influx of variables weighing on the grid, as deployment of renewable energy technologies escalate, renewable portfolio standards grow, and electric vehicle demand increases. We also still have an electric system that operates by just-in-time delivery. In its quest to help develop the Utility of the Future, KEMA has been studying energy storage – a key component to reinvent our electric system infrastructure.
Large renewables and other new technologies supply energy to the grid at varying capacities and spontaneous times, not necessarily aligned with energy demand. In the Utility of the Future guidebook, The promise of energy storage, KEMA discusses how grid-connected energy storage may be used to complement generation applications (chapter 2), if obstacles are overcome. Examples of generation applications, which are based on varying degrees of time, include: 2) California would benefit from deploying fast-response electricity storage. DOE Gives Kahuku Loan Guarantee For Wind Project With Xtreme Energy Storage System :: Energy regulation | Clean energy news | The Energy Daily Network.
No More Foot Dragging for Energy Storage? | Intelligent Utility. Grid storage. You're going to be hearing those words with increasing frequency in the weeks and months to come. Yesterday, I had a conversation with David Nemtzow, Ice Energy's new vice president and chief policy officer, about the Storage Technology of Renewable and Green Energy Act of 2010 Act (S. 3617) introduced last week by U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). You may remember that Senator Wyden introduced S. 1091, The STORAGE Act, in Congress last session-S. 3617 is a revision of the earlier Act.
Simply put, STORAGE 2010 would offer up to $1.5 billion in tax credits to storage projects connected to the U.S. electric grid. The legislation offers an investment tax credit for three categories of energy storage facilities that temporarily store energy for delivery or use at a later time. Obviously, Nemtzow is pleased with the proposed legislation, as it brings grid storage to the forefront and offers new opportunities for his company. ZBB Energy Delivers ZESS 50 Energy Storage Systems to Support Powertech Labs' Micro-Grid Project. Solar Report | Energy Storage and Solar Power In the mid to late 1970's, the increase in the cost of oil and gas spurred the development of pumped hydro reserves, which grew to 20GW of capacity in the United States; however after gas costs dropped again in the 1980's natural gas combined-cycle units became the preferred way to meet many types of electricity demand.
Globally, only three technologies other than pumped hydro are at used in a total quantity greater than 100MW: sodium-sulfur batteries, compressed air storage, and thermal storage. In the United States, the only other large energy storage project besides pumped hydroelectricity is a single 110MW compressed air storage system; the nation uses slightly more than 1GW total power storage.
Many existing concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, also use energy storage in the from of heated fluids that are stored in tanks, to be released later. In some cases, the heat that is generated is transferred to another medium, such as molten salt, for storage. Energy Storage Player Xtreme Power Pulls In $29 Million « Velocity - Forbes.com.
Untitled. Energy Storage Needs Better Utility Policy, Language, Culture to Succeed : Greentech Media. Pushed Along by Wind, Power Storage Grows. No More Foot Dragging for Energy Storage? Xtreme Power gets $29.5 million boost. WHITEPAPERS. Senators Say Investments in Renewable Energy Must be Backed by the Capacity to Store It | Newsroom | Senator Ron Wyden | Standing Up for All of Oregon. Grid Battery Maker Xtreme Power to Unfurl More Funding : Greentech Media. Twitter Directory and Search, Find Twitter Followers. Hawaii wind project includes battery storage : Wind power design, wind turbine construction, renewable energy news | Windpower Engineering. Insight Analysis and Commentary on the Global Power Industry. Medley: Hydrogen, CAES, Li-ion, NaS, NiCad... : G. Reducing the cost of wind on the grid. Energy Storage Ancillary Services Market to Reach $6.6 Billion b. Energy Storage Breakthrough Only a ‘Couple Years Away’ | CleanTe.
FIAMM bringing energy storage sodium batteries to North America. International Battery expands for utility storage | Green Tech - Eco Investor Guide | Energy Storage: Is the Sector Gaining Momen. More Common Sense in Energy Storage Investing - Secretary Locke Kicks Off Business Development Trade Mission in.
NYSERDA Awards $11.3 Million for 25 Innovative Renewable Energy. Untitled. ZBB Energy Reports Third Quarter Results. In Granite Falls, plans to harness 'quiet renewable' | Minnesota. Renewable Energy Storage. Transportation and grid markets will more than double in the nex. Choose or Lose: Utilities Can’t Ignore Electricity Storage | Bus. Peak Day Pricing Begins for Large Commercial PG&E Customers : Cl. One Coast to the Other, Electricity Storage Going Mainstream | C.
One Coast to the Other, Electricity Storage Going Mainstream | G. AB 2514 - Skinner | TotalCapitol. Balancing the Grid with Renewables Storage | Renewable Energy Wo. Energy Storage and the Demise of Gasoline : Greentech Media. Untitled. Firms paid to shut down wind farms when the wind is blowing - Te. Untitled. The Week In Green Energy: Go for Broke. Untitled. Energy Storage: McPhy's Hope for Hydrogen : Greentech Media.