Tag: grid edge

Battery Operating temperatures

Posted on by Linda

 

Most batteries will operate, with varying degrees of effectiveness in the 5- 35 °C range so are fine for the autumn and spring operating months, however if you want a battery that will also operate efficiently in winter and summer you need to understand how temperature has an effect on a batteries operating capabilities.

The ambient weather temperatures have a large impact on the performance and on the life of most batteries and unfortunately, it’s a characteristic that isn’t often talked about.

The optimum temperature for most batteries to operate at is around 25°C and this is the temperature all battery testing is performed at. When temperatures vary, either up or down there is an effect on the performance and life of most batteries. Continue reading “Battery Operating temperatures” →

Quoting for Storage and PV installations

Posted on by Linda

We often get enquiries about our sodium nickel chloride battery with invertor and all wiring and configuration in our plug and play Quantum Quantum-plug and play battery unitunit. It is the ideal battery for anyone looking for energy independence as it is much more reliable than many of the other current battery technologies available.  The SoNick battery does not have any toxic materials, either in its production or use. It does not have any of the safety concerns inherent in many other batteries as it is a sodium and nickel based battery which are both non-toxic, non-flammable and abundantly available. There is no possibility of thermal runaway with the SoNick battery due to its components being basically molten salt. This is particularly important in any areas that may be prone to bushfire risk.

 

We have several brochures that have some information about the sodium nickel chloride battery and the Quantum plug and play unit as well as a document showing some of the safety tests that have been performed on the battery. These are available in the download section from our website at http://quantum.gridedge.com.au. Continue reading “Quoting for Storage and PV installations” →

Why use a SoNick or heated salt Battery?

Posted on by Linda

Safety – No fire or explosion risk  FIAMM SoNick battery

There is no possibility of thermal runaway because of the SoNick battery characteristics and its chemistry is basically a non-flammable common salt.  Lithium ion batteries can catch fire if they get too hot. They must be kept air conditioned at all times (which adds to running costs). You can’t put water on a lithium ion fire or the battery will explode. Fire brigade currently have no means to extinguish a lithium ion battery fire.

No gas emissions

Lead acid batteries, in particular give off hydrogen and must be kept in a fireproof enclosure that will prevent any sparks from igniting the batteries. This also applies to lithium ion to a lesser extent. Redflow has the risk of a chemical spill (toxic bromine) although this is low. Continue reading “Why use a SoNick or heated salt Battery?” →

CSIRO sees $100bn savings in zero carbon grid by 2050

Posted on by Linda

csriro oz 2050A major new study by the CSIRO and the main networks lobby says a decarbonised energy grid by 2050, with half of generation produced and stored locally, will save billions in upfront capital costs and consumer bills, and deliver a secure electricity system.

(See also out story CSIRO, networks put lie to conservative campaign against wind and solar).

In a direct rebuff to the renewable energy scare campaign and myth-making being played out in the political arena, the premier scientific body and Energy Networks Australia say that wind and solar will provide nearly all our electricity needs by 2050, and the system will be cheaper for all customers. Continue reading “CSIRO sees $100bn savings in zero carbon grid by 2050” →

100 Ideas for a Sustainable Lifestyle

Posted on by Linda

There are lots of pieces in the puzzle of combating climate change and every little bit helps and most of the actions taken are by people taking a stand and taking action.

SAMSUNG

It goes beyond building environmentally friendly buildings with renewable energy, including storage to all aspects of your life including your diet.

There are so many great ways to contribute to a healthy planet. Some steps are larger than others; some are quick and some eco-friendly ideas take substantial planning. We’ll eventually talk about all these ideas at length but just to get you thinking here are 100 various ideas that can help your family go green.

  1. Buy less stuff. Continue reading “100 Ideas for a Sustainable Lifestyle” →

You think global warming is a sham because ‘climate has changed before?’

Posted on by Linda

A timeline of Earth’s average Temperature

since the last Ice Age glaciation.

Randall Munroe posted an XKCD comic  that so perfectly sums up the illogical nature of the most pervasive argument against the existence of man-made global warming: “The climate has changed before.”

Let me complete that fallacy with its obvious conclusion: The climate has changed before, therefore man cannot be causing the climate to change now. This is kind of like saying “Wildfires have happened naturally before, so man cannot cause a wildfire.”

Yes, Earth’s climate has waffled around for as long as the planet has existed. But it has happened slowly over the course of millennia. Right now, our climate is changing faster than it ever has in 22,000 years, and we know why: we’re pumping carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. We have known that these gases cause warming since the early 19th century. This is not a new science. But for some reason we’re still arguing about it.

Enough from me, though. Please just consider this comic. I hope you find it as funny and thoughtful as I did.

earth_temperature_timeline

Continue reading “You think global warming is a sham because ‘climate has changed before?’” →

We are on the crest of an unstoppable wave that will link renewable energy, batteries and smart energy systems.

Posted on by Linda

unstoppable_wave

 

It’s not technology or science that is going to save us on this planet.

What will save us is the ethical transformation of our societies.

This is so true and why we see so much interest in community power and so much other grassroots action. This is why, in Australia, domestic solar and energy storage is growing so much faster than government projects.

It’s time to transform energy generation in your society. Do your bit.

As Margaret Mead says “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”

Continue reading “We are on the crest of an unstoppable wave that will link renewable energy, batteries and smart energy systems.” →

Majority of Victorians support urgent shift to renewable energy, poll finds

Posted on by Linda

A ReachTEL poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth shows 68% of the state, including a majority of Liberal voters, want to see an end to reliance on coal.

Hazelwood power station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley is one of the dirtiest power generators in Australia. A majority of Victorians would now like to see a shift away from coal power towards solar, wind and other renewables. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP
Hazelwood power station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley is one of the dirtiest power generators in Australia. A majority of Victorians would now like to see a shift away from coal power towards solar, wind and other renewables. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

The vast majority of people in Victoria – and even a majority of Liberal voters – support the state moving towards 100% renewable energy “as a matter of urgency,” a new poll has found.

The polling comes as the state government works to rewrite the Climate Change Act, including pre-2050 emissions reduction targets.

More than 68% of Victorians said they agreed or strongly agreed that “Victoria needs to transition its energy use from coal to 100% renewables as a matter of urgency”, according to the ReachTEL poll of 1,137 people conducted on 4 August and commissioned by Friends of the Earth. Continue reading “Majority of Victorians support urgent shift to renewable energy, poll finds” →

Are batteries guilty as charged?

Posted on by Linda
Very interesting article from Ecogeneration based on CSIRO report that raises many of the questions about the lack of standards in the battery storage industry that we have been talking about. The lack of standards, particularly around fire risks of lithium ion batteries means safety can become a serious issue. It is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

 

TEMP-FOR-Teslar-and-SoNick

Batterycomparison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worldwide, the use of energy storage from renewable sources is rising, as more countries commit to renewable energy targets and attempt to reduce costs. As an example, Australia has experienced remarkable growth in installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in recent years. Energy storage technologies are the next logical step; once they are sufficiently available at the right price point, they are likely to have a similar market penetration to solar PV.

The present lag in scientific understanding of battery energy storage systems at the domestic and small commercial level is contributing to a clear gap in policy development for battery storage best practices. The difference in pace between the development of standards versus the technology is likely to be a significant policy issue on a global scale. Continue reading “Are batteries guilty as charged?” →

Posted on by Linda

CPat---Power-security

 

For many people the need to protect themselves from power outages is becoming a more and more common occurrence and it is not unusual for it to take days for the power to be reconnected, particularly if you are not on a main line and other lines take priority.

 

Sometimes people lose power due to storm damage to power lines but often it is power being cut off by power companies so that they can do maintenance on the lines. Continue reading →