Ryan Pollin, ERS, for Zondits. April 27, 2016. Image credit: Foundry Energy storage is getting simpler, and Advanced Rail Energy Storage (ARES) is well on the way to its first full-scale deployment. The most basic energy storage system thus far is probably pumped hydro storage: push water uphill to “charge the battery,” and let it flow … Read more
As Renewables Boom, Companies Explore Energy Storage Technology NPR, April 4, 2016 Batteries can store energy for later, but companies are looking for cheaper alternatives. Three reporters examine technologies that employ air, salt and ice. ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Renewable energy like solar and wind is finally coming of age. Costs are way down. Of course, … Read more
Jesse Remillard, ERS, for Zondits. April 5, 2016. Image credit: ColiN00B Zondits spoke with Michael Hopkins, the CEO of Ice Energy, a Santa Barbara energy storage company which makes smart ice batteries called Ice Bears. These specially designed storage systems are equipped with a reservoir for storing thermal energy in the form of ice, which is … Read more
Compressed air sustained pumped hydraulic storage Intelligent Utility, March 15, 2016. Image credit: gr8effect The development of deep water compressed air energy storage (DW CAES) involves placing weight ballasted inflatable bags on the seafloor or submerged on a lake bed, with an air pipe connecting between ground level and submerged bags. It is a variation of … Read more
US agency reaches ‘holy grail’ of battery storage sought by Elon Musk and Gates The Guardian, March 3, 2016. Image credit: A US government agency says it has attained the “holy grail” of energy – the next-generation system of battery storage, that has has been hotly pursued by the likes of Bill Gates and Elon … Read more
Boston Identifies Dozens of Potential Microgrid Sites in Major Community Energy Study Microgrid Knowledge, February 17, 2016. Image credit: skeeze Boston has identified dozens of potential microgrid sites that together with other community energy projects could save as much as $1.7 billion, according to a new report issued by the city. The Boston Community Energy Study … Read more