A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data newly released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that during the first two-thirds of 2024, solar remained the nation’s fastest growing source of electricity as the mix of all renewables increased their output by nearly 9%. Moreover, for the second month in a row, solar surpassed wind to be the largest generator of electricity among renewable energy sources. Key Year-to-Date ....
According to Climate.gov, 2023 was a historic year for unprecedented and costly damage caused by natural disasters. In fact, the U.S. experienced 28 weather and climate disasters that each cost at least 1 billion dollars. In addition, in the US alone, the likelihood of a power outage due to extreme weather has doubled over the last two decades. And at a global scale, increasingly severe weather coupled with aging grid infrastructure is expos....
Battery shipping delays and supply-chain shortages can shut down your company, hurt your bottom line and reputation, and harm your customers’ operations. This was a key lesson learned during COVID and, more recently, the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse. If you’re powered by or sell batteries, you need a reliable supply chain to keep a tight schedule — or you can’t deliver. And no matter what, you still have fixed labor costs and overhead. T....
The possibility of working remotely has opened opportunities for millions of people. As an avid outdoorsman, I have been building a retreat in western Montana. In this case, the word “remote” is an understatement; there is no electricity, cell phone service, or internet access — it’s entirely off the grid. But I need those things to live and work here, so I had to build my own. Here’s how I did it. People have historically moved ....
Alternative Energies
Keith Lambert
Energy Storage
DEPCOM Power
Wind
Jerry Burhans
The residential solar energy storage market will witness significant growth from 2023 to 2032. The rising government incentives and favorable policies to encourage residential solar energy storage will lead to market expansion. The California Energy Commission released new data on May 25, 2023, stating that More than 37% of the state's electricity in 2021 came from sources that qualified for the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), like solar and wind, an increase of 2.7% from 2020.
The growing awareness of environmental concerns prompts homeowners to adopt sustainable energy solutions. Advancements in battery technologies enhance the efficiency and affordability of energy storage systems, making them more appealing. Fluctuating electricity prices encourage consumers to seek energy independence through stored solar power. Additionally, as grid resilience becomes crucial, energy storage mitigates power outages. Therefore, the residential solar energy storage market is empowering homeowners with clean energy and autonomy over their electricity consumption.
The overall Residential Solar Energy Storage Market is classified based on power rating, technology, and region.
The > 6 kW segment will amass sizeable revenue from 2023 to 2032. These higher-capacity systems enable homeowners to store surplus solar energy for later use, increasing self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on the grid. As electricity needs grow and individuals aim to maximize their solar investments, these systems provide ample energy storage to meet household demands during peak hours or cloudy periods. The market's shift towards larger power ratings reflects a desire for comprehensive energy solutions that ensure sustainable and cost-effective residential power consumption.
The lead acid segment of the residential solar energy storage industry will exhibit a noteworthy CAGR over 2023-2032. Despite newer battery technologies, lead-acid batteries remain popular due to their affordability and reliability. These systems efficiently store excess solar energy for nighttime or cloudy days, increasing energy self-sufficiency. While lithium-ion batteries often dominate discussions, lead-acid's cost-effectiveness appeals to budget-conscious homeowners seeking sustainable energy solutions. As the market accommodates various preferences, lead-acid systems play a pivotal role in expanding the residential solar energy storage market.
The Asia-Pacific residential solar energy storage Market share will expand appreciably through 2032 due to the region's rising energy costs, coupled with the region's increasing energy consumption and environmental concerns, which are driving homeowners to seek sustainable alternatives. Government incentives and favorable policies further accelerate adoption. As countries like China, Japan, and Australia embrace renewable energy, residential solar energy storage systems provide a way to harness abundant sunlight and secure a stable power supply. The residential solar energy storage market growth in the Asia-Pacific underscores the region's commitment to a greener future.
GMI Insights | https://www.gminsights.com
Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. (TSXV: VCT) (OTCQB: TORVF) ("Volt Carbon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its last update on May 8, 2024, the Company has now reached 1,100 cycles in the testing of its proprietary Lithium Iron Phosphate / Li-metal (LFP) battery using its internally developed electrolyte.
Highlights
These batteries, manufactured at Volt Carbon's subsidiary, Solid Ultra Battery's ("SUB") facility in Guelph, Ontario, continue to show excellent performance, retaining 80% of their capacity after 1,100 cycles as show in Figure 1 below.
These results represent significant progress from the 800 cycles reported earlier this year and demonstrates the ongoing advancement of Solid Ultra Battery's high-energy LFP technology, positioning Volt Carbon to commercialize its innovative energy storage solutions.
Volt Carbon's high-energy LFP / Li-metal battery technology continues to address the industry-wide challenge of balancing cost-effectiveness with high performance. The breakthrough in cycle life further enhances the competitiveness of LFP / Li-metal chemistries for use in electric vehicles, aerospace, and battery-powered devices by eliminating the need for expensive nickel and cobalt materials.
Fig. 1: Li-Metal LFP Coin Cell, Charge/Discharge data, 2.5-4.0V, C/3, 25 °C
Volt Carbon's CEO, V-Bond Lee, commented, "Our latest results mark a major milestone in our journey to revolutionize energy storage. Reaching 1,100 cycles reflects our team's commitment to pushing the boundaries of LFP / Li-metal battery technology. Our specially developed electrolyte has played a crucial role in ensuring the success of these results, and we look forward to advancing our technology even further in the coming months."
Next Steps
Volt Carbon will continue to enhance its LFP / Li-metal technology, with a goal of achieving 80% capacity retention and even higher cycle life in the next phase of development. Additionally, the Company is focused on scaling its battery production at the Guelph facility to meet increasing demand for its advanced energy storage solutions.
Volt Carbon Technologies I http://voltcarbontech.com/
Terrasmart, the renewable energy arm of Gibraltar Industries, and Melink Solar, a commercial solar engineering, procurement, and construction company (EPC), proudly announces the completion of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s new solar carport. At 2.8 megawatts (MWs), the photovoltaic (PV) parking canopy addition is currently the largest publicly accessible urban solar array in the country. Terrasmart designed and manufactured the project’s racking system, performing the mechanical installation in partnership with lead EPC Melink Solar.
With this solar carport, the Zoo’s 4.55 MWs total of on-site solar capacity meets two-thirds of its power needs and supports its goal to be net zero by 2025.
“Executing this project for the Cincinnati Zoo aligns deeply with our mission to build sustainability for our clients,” says Melink Solar CEO Seth Parker. “We are honored to support the zoo’s commitment to environmental stewardship and proud to have collaborated with all of our partners on this project.”
The system integrated nearly 5,000 bifacial modules connected via string inverter technology. The new carport will provide shade for about 800 vehicles as it eliminates 1,775 tons of CO2 emissions. According to zoo officials, the solar systems collectively will reduce the facility’s annual power bill to around $300,000 by 2030 to 2032, down from $1.6 million in 2005.
“Solar technology, and our understanding of how to use it, has evolved dramatically since we erected our first solar array in 2006 on the Zoo’s education building,” states Mark Fisher, Vice President of Facilities, Planning, and Sustainability for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. “This new array is a good example of that. It occupies less physical space but will generate almost twice as much power as the current array. Now online, two-thirds of the Zoo’s electrical needs will come from our parking lots.”
To help offset energy poverty in the neighborhood, the zoo also has financed an additional 165 kilowatts of solar panels through its Community Solar Resiliency Program to support smaller installations at local churches, community centers, and schools.
With more than 270 MWs of solar carports deployed since 2008, Terrasmart’s deep manufacturing and installation experience delivered smart scheduling, shorter lead times, and fewer disruptions for zoo employees and visitors.
“Completing this milestone project for the Cincinnati Zoo is a significant achievement for all of us at Terrasmart,” said Terrasmart Chief Sales Officer Yury Reznikov. “Not only did we deliver our canopy solution on time and within budget, we are also excited about the meaningful impact this project will have for the zoo and its neighboring communities.”
Terrasmart | https://www.terrasmart.com/
Melink Solar | https://www.melinksolar.com/
The EU, USA, Japan, and numerous other regions identify rare earth elements as critical materials due to growing supply risks and their increasing economic importance in the green transition. Although critical rare earth elements have diverse technology applications - including in lighting, catalysis, and batteries - permanent magnets have become central to rare earth supply and demand challenges.
Permanent magnets, which contain critical neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium elements, are widely used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbine energy generators. As rare earth element use consolidates in these magnet applications, end-of-life magnets are set to become a key alternative source of critical rare earth materials to primary mineral sources. IDTechEx predicts that US$1.2B of critical rare earth elements may be recovered from secondary sources such as permanent magnet motors by 2045.
Why rare earth magnets are important
In 2023, magnet applications represented 29% of global rare earth demand by weight. Rare earth permanent magnets, namely neodymium (NdFeB) and samarium-cobalt magnets, are used to interconvert electrical and kinetic energy. As such, rare earth magnets are commonly employed in electric vehicle motors and wind turbine energy generators. Other common applications include hard disk drive actuators, medical equipment such as MRI instruments, and audio speaker equipment.
Global rare earth demand by application and common magnet uses. Source: IDTechEx
Impending international climate targets reliant on decarbonized energy and transport technology are driving demand for rare earth permanent magnets. Rare earth permanent magnet motors used in electric vehicles typically provide the highest power, torque density, and efficiency, with low associated manufacturing costs, compared to competing motor technologies. As such, rare earth magnet motors have maintained over 77% of the electric car motor market for the last 9 years. IDTechEx predicts that the number of electric motors deployed is set to double by 2035.
The impact of rare earth supply challenges on magnets
The high regional concentration of rare earth supply and refining capacity poses a persistent risk to the magnet market. China processes over 90% of rare earth elements globally each year - in the case of heavy rare earth elements, such as dysprosium and terbium, this number is nearly 100%. Regional supply concentration also extends downstream, where 92% of the highest value-add magnet alloy production (e.g., NdPr and NdFeB) and magnet manufacturing stages occur in China.
The price of key magnet materials has been volatile in recent years as a result of rare earth supply challenges. In 2011, rare earth export restrictions imposed in China drove an over 7-fold increase in the price of neodymium, while the price of dysprosium rose by approximately 2000%. More recently, rare earth prices peaked in 2022 at around 4 times its average over the previous 8 years. The potential for further price volatility continues to present considerable risk to rare earth magnet markets in the face of growing demand.
China's latest export ban on rare earth extraction and separation technologies has increased the market pull for alternative magnet precursor sources. In September 2024, New Zealand became the latest nation to identify rare earths as critical materials, joining the EU, USA, UK, Japan, and more. The emergence of critical material lists worldwide underscores the growing demand to develop domestic supply and processing capacity of critical rare earth materials.
How rare earths can be recovered from end-of-life magnets
The limited availability of primary rare earth mineral supply in many regions positions end-of-life magnets as a key alternative source of critical rare earth elements. Permanent magnets can contain greater rare earth content than many primary mineral sources. For example, a NdFeB magnet contains approximately 33% by weight of rare earths, including up to 31% of neodymium. In contrast, low rare earth content minerals typically mined contain around 1% by weight.
Emerging players are taking different approaches to recover neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium from end-of-life magnets.
Long-loop recovery processes extract, separate, and recover critical rare earths from magnets into isolated rare earth oxides. Conventional solvent extraction technologies are being developed by companies like Ionic Technologies, Carester, and Shin-Etsu Chemical, while ReElement uses a chromatographic separation process to recover rare earth elements from magnets with reduced solvent usage.
An advantage of long-loop rare earth recovery is that processes can be supplemented with primary mineral feedstocks if needed. Moreover, the ability to sell isolated, rare earth oxides into a variety of application markets (beyond magnets) helps to sustain business models in the early stages while magnet recycling streams become established.
Long- and short-loop critical rare earth recovery from end-of-life magnets. Source: IDTechEx
Short-loop recovery directly processes rare earth magnets into pure recycled magnet material. Noveon Magnetics uses powder metallurgy, a high-temperature sintering process, to recycle end-of-life magnets into new magnets that retain 84% of their original magnetic strength. Alternatively, HyProMag employs a hydrogen decrepitation process (reaction with hydrogen gas) to extract pure NdFeB alloy from end-of-life rare earth magnets.
IDTechEx estimates that 195 tonnes of rare earth magnets will be recycled in 2024 using short-loop processes. As rare earth element use consolidates in magnet applications, short-loop processes are expected to become increasingly compelling recovery strategies due to their improved energy and chemical efficiencies over long-loop solutions.
Conclusions and market outlook
The electrification of vehicle fleets globally continues to create demand for rare earth magnets. This demand is unlikely to waver - with China being the largest electric vehicle market, rare earth permanent magnet motors are expected to retain the majority of the electric motor market share. While critical rare earth refining and magnet processing capacity will remain consolidated in China for the foreseeable future, this presents a clear opportunity for the development of alternative rare earth sources, in particular, recovery from magnets themselves.
IDTechEx forecasts that US$1.2B worth of critical rare earth elements can be recovered annually from secondary sources by 2045, with the value of rare earth elements recoverable expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9%. The jury is out on whether long-loop or short-loop recovery strategies are most suitable. A current focus of emerging rare earth recyclers is developing sustainable business models until significant volumes of end-of-life material become available for recovery. In this respect, long-loop processers are well positioned, with key players currently supplementing feedstocks with mining tailings and other primary mineral supply from junior mines in North America, Australia, and central Africa.
IDTechEx | www.idtechex.com
Bridge Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Bridge Investment Group Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BRDG) (“Bridge”) and WATTMORE, an energy storage energy management system (“EMS”) software and service provider, announced they have signed an agreement with Nebraska utility Lincoln Electric System to develop and build a 3 MW/12 MWh energy storage project that will strengthen the local electric grid, support an existing community microgrid, and help Lincoln Electric System develop knowledge and hands-on experience with battery storage.
“As we look for new ways to provide reliable, affordable clean energy to our customers, we’re pleased to partner with Bridge and WATTMORE on a state-of-the-art energy storage system that opens the door to understanding the important role such assets will play in the future of the grid,” said Emeka Anyanwu, Chief Executive Officer, Lincoln Electric System.
“WATTMORE is excited to partner with LES, Bridge, and Eos, on Lincoln’s first utility-scale energy storage project,” said Jonathan W. Postal, Founder and CEO of WATTMORE. “We believe WATTMORE’s Intellect Operate EMS and battery control technology is a great fit for municipal utility energy storage and their specific needs.”
The energy storage system, located near an electric substation in Lincoln, Nebraska, will support the reliability of the local transmission and distribution grid, while also supporting LES’ community microgrid, which provides grid services and resiliency in the event of an outage in the downtown area.
“We are excited to partner with LES on this project and for our continued relationship with the WATTMORE team,” said Bridge Renewable Energy’s Adam Haughton. “We look forward to working with our partners to deliver a customized energy storage project that will increase the reliability, resilience and flexibility of LES’ system.”
In addition to co-developing the project, WATTMORE will deploy its patented Intellect Operate EMS and battery control and monitoring software, which use machine learning and analytics to dispatch power from the batteries, control charging and discharging, and monitor battery health and performance. The platform monitors battery state of health at the string level and creates a battery dispatch schedule to maximize grid support, cost savings and revenue for the operator.
Eos will supply 12 MWh of energy storage using its third-generation Eos Znyth technology, powered by zinc aqueous batteries. Entirely made in the USA, these systems are engineered for long-duration, non-flammable energy storage.
“We are honored to provide our U.S. made battery technology to this innovative project, which will provide numerous benefits to LES and the surrounding community,” said Justin Vagnozzi, Senior Vice President Global Sales at Eos. “This project demonstrates the critical role energy storage plays in powering our economy, enhancing the reliability and security of our energy systems, and driving us towards our clean energy goals.”
Lincoln Electric System | https://www.les.com/
WATTMORE | https://www.wattmore.com/
Bridge Investment Group | https://www.bridgeig.com/
Eos Energy Enterprises | https://www.eose.com/
Representatives from Middlebury College, Encore Renewable Energy, and Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company came together on October 24th for a ribbon-cutting event celebrating the activation of a five-megawatt solar array that provides the College with 40 percent of its total electricity.
The solar array is one of the largest in the state with 15,348 solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers that follow the sun east to west throughout the day—efficiently providing renewable energy to the College.
“It has been a truly cooperative effort to make the solar array fully energized and ready to provide renewable clean energy to the College,” said Middlebury College President Laurie L. Patton, noting that Middlebury’s students played an important role in bringing the project to fruition, through a collaboration in support of climate justice.
The partnership allows the College to retain renewable energy credits and moves it closer to meeting the climate goals in its Energy2028 initiative, which in part calls for the use of 100 percent renewable energy by 2028.
Middlebury, Encore, and Green Mountain Power (GMP) formed an agreement that allows the College to purchase credits for the energy created from the solar array in support of its goal to use 100 percent renewable energy. The energy produced comprises about 40 percent of the College’s needs for electricity. The other 60 percent comes from its biomass plant, other local solar energy sites, and Green Mountain Power’s grid, which is 100 percent carbon-free and 68 percent renewable.
Chad Farrell, founder and co-chief executive officer of Encore, said the project is the first of its kind in Vermont, “bringing a new model of customer-driven, low-cost clean energy without negative economic impact to other ratepayers.”
Located about two miles from the Middlebury campus at 1342 South Street Extension, the solar array was developed and constructed by Encore and is now owned and operated by Greenbacker—an independent power producer and energy transition-focused investment manager.
“This solar powerplant is one of the first in Vermont that actually tracks the sun from east to west allowing us to generate between 15 and 20 percent more energy, which provides a cheaper cost of electricity for Middlebury,” said Matt Murphy, chief operations officer of Greenbacker.
Also part of the project, South Street Storage—a battery energy storage system constructed next to the solar array—will provide the ability to store excess energy that might otherwise be lost in the middle of the day when electricity demand is lower and the sun is brightest.
Encore | https://encorerenewableenergy.com/
Greenbacker | https://greenbackercapital.com/
Green Mountain Power | https://greenmountainpower.com/
Solis, a global leader in advanced solar energy solutions, proudly announces that its S6 Home Hybrid Energy Storage String Inverter and 25-100K 1000V Commercial String Inverters have achieved LUMA certification in Puerto Rico. This significant milestone underscores a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and efficient solar energy solutions to the Puerto Rican market.
LUMA Energy, a pivotal player in Puerto Rico’s energy sector, ensures that all energy equipment meets rigorous standards for performance and safety. The LUMA certification is a mark of excellence that guarantees products meet the highest industry standards and are well-suited for the unique demands of the Puerto Rican energy landscape.
Key highlights of the certified products include:
“Achieving LUMA certification for both our home and commercial string inverters is a testament to our dedication to excellence and our commitment to the Puerto Rican market,” said James Qiao at Solis. “We are excited to provide our advanced solar technology to support Puerto Rico’s energy goals and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
The LUMA certification process involves a thorough evaluation of equipment performance, safety, and compliance with local regulations. By meeting these stringent criteria, Solis’s inverters are now officially recognized as top-tier solutions for Puerto Rico’s diverse energy needs.
Solis | solisinverters.com
Solar Nov 15, 2023
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