Energy storage already is one of the most important technologies to the deployment of energy management strategies-- from demand response to DERs to other demand side management strategies-- but undoubtedly the importance of storage markets, technologies, and policies will only increase as the industry evolves.

Keeping abreast of the developments in energy storage is thus of key importance to utilities and professionals looking to track the evolution of the industry. The news is happening fast, innovations are coming quicker, and it can be enough to make your head spin.

Hoping to help you keep pace with the latest and greatest in the energy storage world, I've collected in one place some of the hottest developments in the past week or two that span the technology, market, and policy sides of the equation:

New York's Green New Deal puts US $350m investment in energy storage

US$400 million of funding pledged by New York’s state Governor Andrew Cuomo last week towards his “comprehensive climate agenda” will include US$280 million in support for energy storage.

New York State Energy Research & Development Agency (NYSERDA) emailed Energy-Storage.news to highlight that last week’s investments into de-carbonisation included US$280 million available now from NYSERDA and a further US$70 million to be allocated “based on opportunities that have the greatest potential to support a self-sustaining storage market” in the future, the agency said.

Graphene sponge paves the way for future batteries

To meet the demands of an electric future, new battery technologies will be essential. One option is lithium sulphur batteries, which offer a theoretical energy density roughly five times that of lithium ion batteries. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, recently unveiled a promising breakthrough for this type of battery, using a catholyte with the help of a graphene sponge.

The researchers’ novel idea is a porous, sponge-like aerogel, made of reduced graphene oxide, that acts as a free-standing electrode in the battery cell and allows for better and higher utilisation of sulphur.

Tesvolt claims lead in race to build Europe's first Gigafactory

The race to build Europe’s first lithium-ion energy storage system ‘Gigafactory’ could be won by Tesvolt, as the German manufacturer announced a “multimillion-euro investment” in production lines this week.

Promising fully carbon neutral production of the company’s battery energy storage systems, which have been used both on and off-grid in more than 1,000 projects already, Tesvolt’s factory will be “fully supplied by solar energy”, the company claims.

This will include a 200kWp PV system to power offices and system production lines, paired with a 350kWh Tesvolt energy storage system. Heat pumps using a natural refrigerant will mean the facilities’ heating also comes from solar. Mechanical engineering company teamtechnik will fit out the factory’s semi-automated production line. The facility will have an annual production capacity of over 1GWh when completed.

Concord Monitor: Urge Support of energy storage bill

The N.H. House will be voting this week on Senate Bill 204, a bill that encourages the development of energy storage technology by both private companies and regulated electric utilities, in a way that minimizes financial and other risks.

Energy storage technology allows the electric grid to be more resilient. As a state representative on the Science, Technology and Energy Committee said this week in supporting the bill, it allows residences, businesses and utilities to save electricity for when it’s needed. This is as revolutionary as the refrigerator, which made it possible to store food for future use.

SB 204 recognizes that energy storage is transformational because a wide variety of technologies that can and will store energy will produce many benefits, including a reduction in electricity costs, energy security for retail and commercial electricity consumers, and many environmental and health benefits. Energy storage technology has a vital role to play in avoiding the need to expand carbon-based electricity generation in New Hampshire.