Episode 101 | Storage Solutions | PowerGen+ Series (Live)

I have covered energy storage solutions extensively on this show, but this was my first opportunity to host a panel to drill down on the correct application for the massive number of solutions out there.

In October, I hosted a panel called "Next-gen Tools: Building an Energy Storage Ecosystem" for the PowerGen Plus Series.

My panelists included:

• Ken-Ichi Hino; Director-Energy Storage, National Grid Renewables. Formerly Geronimo Energy, they specialize in matching storage with renewable energy.
• Salvatore Minopoli; Vice President, Highview Power. They have a liquefied air technology.
• Erik Steimle; Vice President, Rye Development. They specialize in electrifying dams, and have recently moved into the hydro pumped storage space.
• Kurt Waldner; Director, Product Management & Strategic Marketing, GE Energy Storage, an industry leader focusing on battery storage.

The biggest issue involved the need for more storage, particularly as both utilities and the public demand more "green energy." This usually means a greater percentage of renewable energy.

Batteries, particularly lithium ion, are good in applications where about 4 hours is needed. This can cover daily intermittencies and the peak demand hours in the evenings. Yet as the renewable share rises above 20%, the need increases for more long-term storage. In Episodes 57 and 60 we discussed some of those solutions.

"Customers realize the need longer duration," says Sal. "It was easy to open the doors, because [utilities] need products."

Erik, whose company is developing two pumped hydro projects in the Pacific Northwest, believes these projects are perfect for this region because they are the right mix of geology, geography, and transmission access. These areas also have a high level of conventional hydroelectric in their "resource stack," making pumped hydro a natural progression.

Ken-Ichi also brought up the transmission component in these decisions as it relates to storage + renewables projects. For them, it makes better sense to co-locate the two because transmission is a "scare resource." Storage is also co-located with renewables because there are renewable tax credits available that can be extended to storage.

I asked Kurt if he's seeing batteries in particular as more of a transmission resource, as opposed to generation. Fans of the show know I've complained in the past about not being able to add batteries to my transmission projects at work.

Kurt believes we need to "break down the wall" between transmission and generation. The same battery resource could both do peak shifting and transmission deferral on the transmission side, while providing conventional generation as well.

For storage developers both large and small, the future looks bright for technologies that can address both short-term and long-term power needs for the grid.

Useful Links:

• PowerGen Plus Series - Official Site
• National Grid Renewables - Official Site
• Highview Power - Official Site
• Rye Development - Official Site
• GE Energy Storage - Official Site