Energy storage: the next big thing for lead battery industry

DOE is a tremendous opportunity for the lead battery industry and several emerging technologies, including flow batteries. Seeing this opportunity, we formed a new entity to demonstrate the lead battery’s suitability for the LDES market.

Our new group, Holy Grail Industries (HGI), will be working with a regional utility NIPSCO and the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) to better understand the grid requirements and duty cycles necessary for 10 hours of continuous operation.

tencies of solar and wind absolutely require energy storage to make them a practical energy source. Energy storage also allows the arbitrage of cheap, baseload power generated during off-peak hours to be shifted to satisfy peak demand. Energy storage plays a critical role in grid stability, resiliency, and transmission deferral required in rural communities.

The most important requirement for LDES is to develop systems that are operationally compliant and sustainable.

The energy storage market needs alternatives to the current misapplication of lithium-ion batteries in stationary energy storage systems, as these materials are in short supply due to the massive push in electrifying our transportation systems.

The US Department of Energy has recognized the requirement for Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and has released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) specifically requesting non-lithium solutions.

We believe this recognition by the

HGI is a consortium of battery manufacturers, energy systems developers, and other stakeholders working to build a first-of-its-kind, multi-chemistry energy storage system and technology center to demonstrate the ability of non-lithium battery technologies to provide LDES.

The energy storage market is massive, far larger than markets lead batteries serve today.

The energy generation intermit-

The HGI team will be working with the DOE to develop systems that would be in front-of-the-meter and have a minimum of 5MW for 10 to 24 hours and as well as behindthe-meter systems of 500kW for a minimum of 10 hours.

The HGI hybrid system approach will show that lead and flow batteries are a timely and relevant solution for these energy storage applications. DOE awards are expected this summer.

The HGI team will be working with the DOE to develop systems that would be in front-of-the-meter and have a minimum of 5MW for 10 to 24 hours and as well as behind-the-meter systems of 500kW for a minimum of 10 hours.

I see five key trends for the coming year.

First, the public charging network will continue to expand. Charging as a Service (CaaS) is therefore expected to grow in 2023.

Second, technology will improve customer experience. One bugbear that is emerging is when EV users don’t move their cars once charging has finished.

For consumers, this leads to frustration and unnecessary delays. For providers, a clear loss of revenue. In 2023, we’re likely to see new and innovative solutions unveiled to tackle the challenge. From charging point sensors and a wealth of new apps, to charges/fines for malpractice.

Third domestic charging will become king. While the headlines often surround public charging, it’s important to remember that more than 85% of charging takes place at home. I’m confident that the domestic charging market will see the fastest growth in 2023.

Fourth, Eco-smart charging will become commonplace. Data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme suggests that more householders than ever are adopting renewables to offset their reliance on mains supply and reduce their carbon footprint.

Fifth, V2G technology will develop further.

In the same sentence as smart charging, you’ll often hear the terms V2H (vehicle to home), V2X (vehicle to everything), V2L (vehicle to load) and V2G (vehicle to grid). After all, EVs are basically just mobile batteries.

Scott Fink, president, Sorfin Yoshimura