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)

Clean energy supply chain

New South Carolina plant could process enough lithium for 2.4M EVs a year

Chemicals giant Albemarle said it will build a $1.3B lithium plant — a big step toward the Biden admin goal of beefing up the domestic supply chain.

By Julian Spector . 23 March 2023
Clean energy

Puerto Rico's first community-led microgrid is ready to launch

The Adjuntas microgrid project is a high-profile example of how Puerto Ricans are devising solutions to the island's fragile and unreliable electricity system.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 March 2023
Clean energy

La primera microrred comunitaria de Puerto Rico está lista para conectarse

El proyecto en Adjuntas es un ejemplo de cómo los puertorriqueños están ideando sus propias alternativas al frágil sistema eléctrico de la isla.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 March 2023
Batteries

Itochu quietly assembled a gigantic home battery network in Japan

The conglomerate controls a 36,000-unit virtual power plant. Up next? Unleashing it to help the national grid decarbonize.

By Julian Spector . 9 March 2023
Batteries

More money for US battery recycling: DOE offers $375M loan to Li-Cycle

It's the second big federal loan this month to help build American facilities that process hard-to-recycle materials — and deal with the future flood of used EV batteries.

By Jeff St. John . 27 February 2023
Electric vehicles

How can we get enough minerals for EVs without trashing the planet?

Electric vehicle sales are ramping up — and so are bitter battles over the environmental impact of mining the minerals and metals needed to make them.

By Tim Lydon . 27 February 2023
Batteries

This EV battery recycling plant in Ohio is planning a huge expansion

Bolstered by federal funds, Cirba Solutions is growing fast to meet rising demand for recycled metals and minerals. Canary Media gets a firsthand look.

By Maria Gallucci . 22 February 2023
Grid edge

Inside the software running Sunrun's home solar-battery fleets

Virtual power plants are only as good as the software that controls them. Here's how Lunar Energy is making the most of Sunrun's grid potential.

By Jeff St. John . 21 February 2023
Grid edge

PG&E is testing different flavors of virtual power plant

What's the best way for home batteries to help ease summer grid stress? This California utility is trying out two different models with Tesla and Sunrun.

By Jeff St. John . 20 February 2023
Batteries

Nomad's mobile batteries deliver utility-scale power where it's needed

The company sources lithium-ion batteries from parent Kore Power, then stacks them in reinforced truck beds for portable grid storage.

By Julian Spector . 16 February 2023