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Energy Storage: Costly but Key to Power Production

Forbes -- Ever wish you could just bottle up those beautiful sun shinny days? Well, some companies are trying to do just — in the context of “energy storage.” Simply, that’s a technology that allows batteries or other devices to harness the wind and sun when they are abundant and to release that energy when they are not.

That would certainly help green energy make headway into markets, overcoming the argument that they are too unreliable. However, energy storage has other assets: If proven and cost effective, it would allow utilities to avoid investments in power plants as well as in transmission and distribution. It would also permit generators to operate more efficiently because they would run closer to full capacity for longer periods of time.

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Submitted Apr 30, 2012 By: eromitlab

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 5, 2012 5:06:46 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse finding better and longer energy storage solutions is the key to the future.
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:9,511 Points:3,075,985 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 12:14:18 AM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Even today, we are still light years ahead of where we were even 20 years ago.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:2,981 Points:594,810 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 1:26:21 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
Blismo Champion Author Arizona Posts:2,124 Points:401,310 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 8:13:28 AM Ignore Blismo Report Abuse something needs to be done about the cost
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,707 Points:1,658,865 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:03:02 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Yes, it is costly.
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,346 Points:2,105,960 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 1:31:34 AM Ignore tobasco Report Abuse That is why gas is so good...energy dense and transportable.
Garyallman Veteran Author Honolulu Posts:308 Points:6,705 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:41:48 AM Ignore Garyallman Report Abuse I have already ordered a set of them, when they arrive, I will mix my electrolyte, fill the batteries, do a couple 100% depth of discharge cycles and then I will say goodbye to Hawaiian Electric co.
Garyallman Veteran Author Honolulu Posts:308 Points:6,705 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:36:02 AM Ignore Garyallman Report Abuse I do know of a source here in America, but they're extremely expensive! But your grand children will inherit them!
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:553,230 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:31:31 AM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Hmm
Garyallman Veteran Author Honolulu Posts:308 Points:6,705 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:28:20 AM Ignore Garyallman Report Abuse Yeah, they're called nickel iron batteries, and were invented by Thomas Alva Edison in the late 1800's, yeah too bad though, you can't buy them in America anymore. Exide bought the Edison battery company out and then they shelved the technology. Now they are discovering that they are ideal for solar electric and wind power buffering. Sort of like a chemical flywheel. They are bigger and less efficient than lead acid, but they're non toxic, and you can kill them door nail dead and they will charge back up with no damage to 100% capacity. Try that with lead acid batteries and you'll ruin your battery bank.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,114 Points:1,352,710 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:27:03 AM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse Giant storage batteries or storage cells of all type are very expensive.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,469,370 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:22:25 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse There are also some very innovative, inexpensive was to store energy. They don't all have to be expensive unless you are trying to get rich off of any idea that you might have.
frostyWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,339 Points:519,235 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:22:07 AM Ignore frostyWV Report Abuse ok
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,529,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:19:44 AM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Bigger and longer lasting storage batteries are part of the plan.
miser709 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,268 Points:1,067,300 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:18:13 AM Ignore miser709 Report Abuse Costly, that's everything these days.
Garyallman Veteran Author Honolulu Posts:308 Points:6,705 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:18:10 AM Ignore Garyallman Report Abuse Sounds like electric companies want you to not have access to these great batteries, however I know for a fact that you can buy them outside the U.S. you will never be able to purchase them here in the U.S. battery companies don't like batteries that have a 25+ year longevity, and neither do the electric companies. I don't think they are concerned though because the majority of Americans are not thinking in that direction, and could care less.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,697,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:17:40 AM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse You have to put it somewhere (have to save for the "rainy day").
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,935 Points:828,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:16:33 AM Ignore regout Report Abuse OK.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,605 Points:3,491,680 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:16:31 AM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Better capacitors would help.
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,773 Points:2,370,350 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:15:27 AM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Guess we'll see
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,069 Points:1,099,855 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:15:16 AM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse Creation of hydrogen gas would be one way to store energy.
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,295 Points:478,440 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:12:42 AM Ignore millerin Report Abuse hmmm....
jem069 Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,523 Points:684,155 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:12:10 AM Ignore jem069 Report Abuse Ok
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,997 Points:2,467,770 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:09:52 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Sounds impressive...
shores4now Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,391 Points:520,875 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:09:34 AM Ignore shores4now Report Abuse ok
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,329 Points:894,610 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:06:05 AM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse ok.
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,635 Points:2,078,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:05:41 AM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse that was a real interesting story.
Matt G Champion Author Boston Posts:4,518 Points:2,770,115 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:05:23 AM Ignore Matt G Report Abuse Ok
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,522 Points:1,855,445 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:04:29 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Interesting
DriverofRed Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,158 Points:408,860 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:01:22 AM Ignore DriverofRed Report Abuse ok
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,879 Points:3,100,750 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:00:42 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse need better batteries
Shakleelady31 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:571 Points:399,350 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:00:32 AM Ignore Shakleelady31 Report Abuse Interesting information.
WinderGuy Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,849 Points:929,355 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:00:10 AM Ignore WinderGuy Report Abuse Ok
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,193 Points:514,850 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:58:34 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Why do taxpayers need to pony up to make this work. Someone will get rich without taking a risk. If taxpayers are footing the bill, developers have no incentive to succeed. Just walk away when it becomes difficult.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,976 Points:1,109,385 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:58:18 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse "Consider Celgard, a Charlotte, NC-based maker of a critical Component of lithium-ion batteries for the automotive sector: The Company, which is expanding production, received a visit from President Obama in April 2010 along with a $49 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy." Stop with the GRANTS (free money) maybe a loan that they pay back... Everyone put Solar panels on your roof and unused Volt battery for back up at night, no need for big Electric Co.... Maybe Uncle Sam will give us all a grant???
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:56:05 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse Just do it without subsidies.
mgune9 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:914 Points:200,395 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:54:37 PM Ignore mgune9 Report Abuse someday some researcher will stumble onto a major discovery
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,492 Points:600,445 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:50:08 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse Energy storage is costly but necessary. Wouldn't it be great to be able to share your excess? It would reduce the need for storage.
whaboush Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,233 Points:728,410 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:49:36 PM Ignore whaboush Report Abuse Like a bunch of batteries.
GLCSHADOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,616 Points:1,883,710 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:47:14 PM Ignore GLCSHADOW Report Abuse A long way to go to be cost effective...
browning305 Rookie Author Miami Posts:7 Points:16,180 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:45:48 PM Ignore browning305 Report Abuse you right too costly power supplier
DCbeachbum Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,642 Points:901,490 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:43:16 PM Ignore DCbeachbum Report Abuse "By most accounts, however, energy storage is still too expensive and too untested. But some power suppliers are saying that with a little help from the federal government, the tools might make their way into the mainstream." Again with asking the Government for help. These are our tax dollars they are wanting. Lets try letting the free market work for a change.
danol43 Champion Author Modesto Posts:1,697 Points:585,930 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:42:57 PM Ignore danol43 Report Abuse Walk before you run.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,244 Points:584,445 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:42:46 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Interesting....
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,048 Points:1,728,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:40:31 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse that and a president who wants us to produce power
Tiernan Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,464 Points:816,330 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:39:21 PM Ignore Tiernan Report Abuse Not ready for prime time
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,059 Points:1,624,400 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:37:52 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse still a long way from batteries being a bargain
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,062 Points:797,360 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:36:27 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Don't rush it, let the technology mature.
feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:875 Points:191,420 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:36:23 PM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse OK.
bdlewis Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,384 Points:382,905 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:34:55 PM Ignore bdlewis Report Abuse duh