Category: batteries

Storing electricity is coming into the mainstream

Many in Europe will have noticed how the European Commission’s recent “winter package” for sustainable energy has given increasing attention to energy storage. Now Diane Cardwell and Clifford Krauss write in the New York Times about recent developments in the US.   A Big Test for Big Batteries This idea has far-reaching potential. But the … Continue reading Storing electricity is coming into the mainstream →

The fast-shifting electric power landscape – a new cash crop

“Make hay while the sun shines" is an old saying that's considered a proverb. As Stanley Reed writes in the New York Times, batteries are now making use of solar power, even in the dark.   Batteries That Make Use of Solar Power, Even in the Dark A new cash crop has sprung up on … Continue reading The fast-shifting electric power landscape – a new cash crop →

Prototype battery mimics the structure of human intestine

The energy transition is bringing forth much innovation. The Science & Environment section of the BBC News website reports on some interesting developments in a lithium-sulphur battery. It takes inspiration from the human gut.   Gut instinct drives battery boost Scientists have designed a new prototype battery that mimics the structure of the human intestines. … Continue reading Prototype battery mimics the structure of human intestine →

Batteries could transform the face of UK’s electricity industry

EiD often provides news on recent developments in power storage systems. Pilita Clark writes in the Financial Times about the investments in storage systems that could help the wind industry solve their “key challenge” of not working on windless days.   Battery-power investments energise UK renewables sector Energy companies are pouring unprecedented sums of money … Continue reading Batteries could transform the face of UK’s electricity industry →

Reviewing the progress made in the market for lithium used for battery technology

Nick Butler writes in the Financial Times about the changes that are taking place in the market for lithium used in more effective, long-life batteries. Butler questions whether this market boom will last. What do you think?   Lithium: is the hype justified? After two years of unrelenting gloom it is good to see that … Continue reading Reviewing the progress made in the market for lithium used for battery technology →

Batteries are becoming an increasingly viable option for supporting the stability of power grids

EiD provides our readers with many posts on batteries and energy storage because the pace of development is increasing. Ed Crooks writes a good article in the Financial Times about some of those recent developments.   Batteries start to compete for power grid The cost of batteries is falling to the point that they are … Continue reading Batteries are becoming an increasingly viable option for supporting the stability of power grids →

Why not re-use old electric vehicle batteries?

We know about the problems of the life of electric vehicle batteries. It only makes sense to find another use for them, but this really has not been done – until now. Megan Geuss writes on the Ars Technica website about Daimler’s plan to have its stationary storage unit will come online in early 2016. … Continue reading Why not re-use old electric vehicle batteries? →

Overcoming technical challenges in the development of lithium-air batteries

We are always looking for technical breakthroughs. The latest news comes in electrochemistry. Clive Cookson writes in the Financial Times about latest developments at Cambridge University that have the potential for greatly extending the range of electric vehicles and potentially transforming the economics of electricity storage.   Cambridge chemists make super-battery breakthrough A breakthrough in … Continue reading Overcoming technical challenges in the development of lithium-air batteries →

Siting batteries “behind the meter” makes major economic sense

Every week there are more and more articles on the so-called “energy storage revolution.” Chris Mooney writes a good article in the Washington Post about the findings of a recent new study. What are your views?   How batteries for homes and businesses could already make economic sense Last week, a study in Energy Policy … Continue reading Siting batteries “behind the meter” makes major economic sense →