Energy Storage Ascendant: Investing in Tomorrow's Power

In the first quarter of this year, the United States alone deployed 233.7 megawatts per hour (MWh) of storage capacity. This was a staggering increase from the 22.4 MWh deployed in the same quarter of the previous year - a remarkable 944 percent rise.

To keep up with the rapid adoption of renewable energy, the GTM report predicts that the energy storage market will grow more than 100-fold in the next eight years. It's an astonishing forecast that sets us on a trajectory to deploy over 35 GW of energy storage by 2025, according to Matt Roberts, the Executive Director.

The projected expansion of the energy storage market not only signifies its lucrative potential but also catalyzes innovation. The growing demand for storage solutions will undoubtedly lead to advancements in efficiency throughout the production chain. This, in turn, will make renewable energy more cost-effective and profitable.

With such remarkable growth and promising prospects, it's clear that energy storage is set to become a major player in its own right. Experts estimate that it will surpass $3 billion in annual revenue within the next decade.

The future of energy storage is bright, bringing us closer to a more sustainable and renewable-driven world.

The incredible growth we're seeing in the energy storage market is largely driven by one technology: lithium-ion batteries. They have been dominating the industry for the past ten quarters, holding an impressive 96.5% market share in Q1 of 2017. Not only are these batteries used in utility-scale projects, but they are also the preferred choice for behind-the-meter applications. It's safe to say that lithium-ion batteries are here to stay and will continue to be the dominant force in the coming years. 

While some brilliant minds are working on alternative solutions, it's unlikely that any discoveries will replace lithium-ion batteries anytime soon. So, it's essential to focus on addressing the current challenges they present, particularly in terms of heat generation. This is a significant issue that affects their overall efficiency.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles or consumer electronics, weight is not a concern for energy storage batteries. This means that they can incorporate active cooling solutions like water pumps and cooling fans. Although these solutions help reduce heat, they also require energy to operate, which ultimately affects efficiency. Some active battery cooling systems can even reduce overall energy capacity by up to 15%.

When you factor in transmission losses, which can range from 8 to 15%, power generators with inefficient active cooling systems in their storage facilities can lose up to 30% of their energy even before it reaches the consumer. This highlights the importance of finding more efficient cooling solutions to maximize energy utilization.

In conclusion, while lithium-ion batteries are undeniably the driving force behind energy storage, it's crucial to address their current drawbacks, particularly in terms of heat generation. By improving cooling systems, we can minimize energy losses and create a more efficient and sustainable energy storage industry.

That's harsh. 

But there's a silver lining! With ongoing investment in passive cooling systems, originally developed for space exploration batteries, we can now replace the less efficient active cooling systems used throughout various industries.

Thanks to the collaboration with NASA, we now have carbon-fiber cooling systems that are incredibly effective and efficient at managing the temperature of lithium-ion batteries. They even outperform traditional metal and liquid cooling systems in many applications. And the best part is, these systems are entirely passive, meaning they don't drain any storage capacity from the batteries.

Just imagine what a 15 percent increase in energy storage efficiency could do. We could move 15 percent more energy from production to consumers without increasing production. And this isn't just a theoretical concept - these new, passive carbon fiber solutions are making it a reality.

The booming growth and investment in renewable energy have expanded the storage market to a level where innovation can truly thrive. As these innovative solutions are adopted, they have the power to make the renewable market even bigger, stronger, and more dynamic. And since the growth of renewable energy has been the driving force behind the explosive growth of the storage market, it's like we're simply returning the favor.