Batteries

A Massachusetts town uses batteries to help its grid — and its schools

Batteries can serve double-duty, shoring up the grid and providing backup to buildings when the power goes out. This project shows how.

By Jeff St. John . 7 October 2024

A computer rendering of Wakfield Municipal Light & Gas Department's battery and generator 'energy park' — A computer rendering of the Energy Park battery-and-generator project being built in Wakefield, Massachusetts, to provide grid services and backup power for two local high schools. (Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department)

Energy storage

Long-duration storage firm Energy Vault pivots to short-term batteries

The startup pulled in millions for its novel gravity-based storage design, but most of its deal flow these days comes from garden-variety lithium-ion batteries.

By Julian Spector . 18 November 2022
Electrification

This startup is adding a battery to induction stoves

Impulse's innovation allows induction stoves to plug into regular outlets so buyers can avoid expensive electrical upgrades.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 17 November 2022
Batteries

The used EV market can't thrive without accurate battery-health data

Batteries are the most expensive part of an EV. They’re also a black box. These companies are finding ways to diagnose their health and value.

By Jeff St. John . 16 November 2022
Solar

New California rooftop-solar plan drops ‘solar tax,’ but fears remain

California regulators want to promote equity and boost batteries to shore up the grid. Critics on both sides say the latest net-metering plan misses the mark.

By Jeff St. John . 10 November 2022
Solar

7.000 sistemas solares vinculados van a ayudar a la red central en Puerto Rico

Sunrun está desarrollando la primera planta de energía virtual en la isla utilizando sistemas solares y de baterías ya instalados.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 November 2022
Solar

Puerto Rico will link up 7,000 solar systems to help its shaky grid

Sunrun is developing Puerto Rico's first virtual power plant using rooftop solar and battery systems across the island.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 November 2022
Energy storage

Australia to replace coal plant with record-busting 850MW battery

Newcomer Akaysha Energy won backing from investment giant BlackRock and now will build a gargantuan battery in New South Wales.

By Julian Spector . 20 October 2022
Batteries

Can electric buses serve as backup batteries on wheels?

A California pilot project is testing transit buses as a source of mobile backup power. If it works, they could replace dirty diesel generators during blackouts.

By Jeff St. John . 18 October 2022
Solar

How to make sure your solar-plus-battery system works in a blackout

After disasters like Hurricane Fiona, solar panels and batteries can be a lifeline. Energy experts offer some do's and don'ts to help make the most of backup systems during outages.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 October 2022
Batteries

Hawaii is paying home-battery owners to help the grid. How's that going?

Hawaii's main utility reached a deal with pro-solar groups to reward households for sharing their clean energy. We check in on the results at the six-month mark.

By Julian Spector . 6 October 2022