Megabatteries and renewables.

[david_42]

Most people understand the intermittent nature of solar and wind being a big problem. Obviously, large battery installations can help stabilize the grid (looking at you Texas). A much less well known problem is the lack of investment in transmission lines. Power demand continues to grow, but in locations far from the best locations for solar and wind. The solution is to place the batteries near the points of demand, not near the renewables. They can be installed quickly, have far fewer problems with permitting compared to gas-powered peaking systems, and can charge at night when demand is typically low and the grid isn't overloaded.

I think this will be a much larger market than home systems.

 

[trace]

What you've described is the home systems. Powerwalls are decentralized large battery installations.

 

[Big Earl]

I think utility-scale battery storage projects will definitely be a key ingredient in a more resilient and efficient energy grid. Distributed solar and local battery storage will also be critical to a smarter grid. Local storage and generation also reduce transmission losses, increasing grid efficiency.

Here’s an example of the small town of Glacier, WA installing a 2MW/4.4MWh battery bank at the town’s substation to improve grid reliability. This system should ultimately allow the local 2MW hydroelectric plant to be a part of the town island during a grid outage rather than the plant tripping offline. Glacier battery storage project