Solar, Wind Energy Storage May Save Power and Money
From Sun Pluggers
Large-scale energy storage, which is especially useful for incorporating significant amounts of variable solar- and wind-generated electricity into utility grid systems, is becoming a hot topic.
Projects in several states are examining a variety of energy storage technologies under development by private companies. Among them are:
* In New York state, Beacon Power Co. is developing a 20-megawatt project that uses flywheel technology to store electricity.
* In Minnesota, the company Xcel Energy has reported success with a 1-megawatt battery storage system it is testing.
* In Wisconsin, President Obama recently visited a small company called ZBB Energy that plans to add workers as it develops large-format batteries that the company says will allow inexpensive, cost-effective storage of solar and wind energy.
* In California, the mayor of Los Angeles recently announced that the city’s municipal utility would work with one of China’s largest companies, BYD, to develop a 5- to 10-megawatt renewable-energy storage station in the mountains about 100 miles north of the city.
