Batteries

Long-duration energy storage

The biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in Texas

Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale.

By Julian Spector . 21 November 2024

Startup Element Energy installed 53 megawatt-hours of used electric vehicle batteries in West Texas earlier this year, the largest project of its kind so far. (Element Energy)

Batteries

Redwood Materials wins $2B DOE loan to recycle EV batteries

The U.S. needs a robust domestic supply of recycled materials to get EVs on the road. Federal support will be a big help in kick-starting the nascent industry.

By Jeff St. John . 9 February 2023
Fun stuff

This billion-dollar-selling toy was inspired by heat pumps

Super Soaker inventor Lonnie Johnson talks to Canary Media about the toy's origin story and what he's working on now as a climatetech entrepreneur.

By Mike Munsell . 31 January 2023
Grid edge

Texans can now sign up for virtual power plant to help grid, make money

Tesla, Octopus Energy and other power retailers are offering customers compensation to use their solar and batteries to make the grid more efficient and clean.

By Julian Spector . 27 January 2023
Air travel

A giant solar microgrid is coming to New York City’s JFK airport

Some 13,000 solar panels will cover a new terminal being built at JFK, giving the airport a clean power supply that can keep operations running even in a blackout.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 January 2023
Batteries

Here's a plan for cutting US demand for lithium by up to 90%

A new report says smaller EV batteries, more battery recycling and less driving could curb the amount of lithium needed as the country shifts to clean energy.

By Lylla Younes, Blanca Begert . 26 January 2023
Batteries

Nevada lithium mine project gets $700M conditional loan offer from DOE

Federal loans for Ioneer's Rhyolite Ridge lithium mining project could expand domestic supplies of a key material for EVs and batteries.

By Jeff St. John . 13 January 2023
Energy storage

What's next for grid storage after a booming but chaotic year?

Grid-scale batteries are finally taking off — but now supply can't keep up with demand. Here's a recap of what went down in 2022 and a preview of the year ahead.

By Julian Spector . 3 January 2023
Solar

California slashes payments to new rooftop-solar customers

A controversial decision to cut the value of power that homes export to the grid by up to 75% could kneecap the nation's biggest rooftop-solar market, critics say.

By Jeff St. John . 15 December 2022
Batteries

Element Energy raises $28M for grid storage powered by used EV batteries

The startup's granular charging controls can get more energy out of second-life batteries while also detecting and preventing failures that could start fires.

By Julian Spector . 14 December 2022
Solar

As California guts solar net metering, batteries emerge as a moneymaker

Rooftop solar alone will earn less under new California policy, but firms are developing programs to make it lucrative to add home batteries that help the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 13 December 2022