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)

Long-duration energy storage

Long-duration energy storage can help clean up the grid, but only if it's super cheap

To compete with clean firm generation, long-duration storage needs to come down massively in price.

By David Roberts . 10 June 2021
Batteries

A huge battery fleet is coming to the Philippines

Fluence is delivering 470 megawatts of grid batteries to bolster grid stability in just over a year's time.

By Julian Spector . 10 June 2021
Politics

Newsletter: Biden wants to build batteries better

Batteries are quickly becoming crucial to the future of the grid and the auto industry.

By Julian Spector . 10 June 2021
Batteries

Biden admin aims to make the US a world leader in lithium-ion batteries

The fast-growing lithium-ion battery sector is the key to powering EVs and decarbonizing the grid — and the U.S. doesn’t want to be left behind.

By Jeff St. John . 9 June 2021
Solar

Colorado is poised to give a new boost to distributed solar and battery systems

Pending legislation could expand scope of behind-the-meter and community solar and battery installations.

By Jeff St. John . 2 June 2021
Clean energy

ARPA-E’s new focus: Bridging the valleys of death for cleantech R&D

The nation's top energy research agency wants to scale up “high-risk and potentially disruptive” tech to meet urgent decarbonization goals.

By Jeff St. John . 1 June 2021
Solar

Why rooftop solar and home batteries make a clean grid vastly more affordable

Distributed energy is not an alternative to big power plants — it's a complement.

By David Roberts . 28 May 2021
Grid edge

Why LS Power is going big into microgrids with Endurant Energy

A major player in power plants, grid-scale batteries and transmission targets investments in distributed energy, from geothermal heat pumps and generators to solar and storage.

By Jeff St. John . 24 May 2021
Batteries

Newsletter: Vermont's home batteries take on gas power plants

Vermont utility Green Mountain Power uses Tesla Powerwall batteries for frequency regulation.

By Julian Spector . 24 May 2021
Batteries

Green Mountain Power and Tesla break grid barriers with behind-the-meter batteries

Internet-controlled home Powerwalls are providing second-by-second frequency regulation — a big step for proving distributed energy’s grid capabilities.

By Jeff St. John . 21 May 2021