FERC accepted PJM’s request to revise its market tariff and allow “rapid-response energy storage resources,” including flywheels, to compete in PJM’s ancillary services market on an equal basis with conventional storage resources. Beacon Power is currently developing three 20 MW flywheel plants in the U.S., including one that will be located within the PJM Interconnection.

[Source & read more: MarketWatch]

Experts agree that none of the “20:20:20″ goals are achievable without a functional smart grid that ultimately optimizes energy generation.

That’s because simply building more wind plants and solar collectors won’t be enough, as renewable energy is hampered by the fact that it’s not constantly available – after all, if the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine, wind turbines or solar cells don’t generate energy.

[Source & read more: DW World]

Xtensible will be included as part of ESCO’s Utility Solutions Group and will be closely aligned with Aclara Software in providing best-in-class software services and products. Xtensible is expected to leverage Aclara’s operational infrastructure as it continues its rapid growth, thereby positioning the Company to efficiently expand its service offerings.

[Source & read more: MarketWatch]

“Energy storage on the grid addresses several pressing market needs,” says senior analyst David Link. “Today, applications for energy storage include load following, renewable energy grid integration, and renewable energy time shifting. In the coming years, the number of applications for energy storage on the grid will expand to include the opportunity for utilities to defer transmission and distribution (T&D) capital upgrades, time of use energy cost management for the commercial and industrial (C&I) segments, and conventional energy time shifting.”

[Source & read more: Reuters]

Integrating variable wind and solar power production with the needs of the power grid is an ongoing issue for the utility industry. In October 2008, Xcel Energy began testing a one-megawatt battery-storage technology to demonstrate its ability to store wind energy and move it to the electricity grid when needed. It is first use of the technology in the United States for direct wind energy storage.

Here are the results.

[Source & read more: Transmission & Distribution World]

Achieving greater energy efficiency has become a top priority of China’s leaders. According to China Daily, China’s state-owned State Grid Corp. plans to invest $586 million constructing smart grids that incorporate wind and solar energy, energy storage, energy transmission monitoring, intelligent substations, and smart meters.

[Source & read more: Forbes]

Global X Funds has launched the first ever Lithium exchange traded fund on the NYSE Arca (ticker: LIT), which will passively track the Solactive Global Lithium Index. Inclusion within the Solactive Global Lithium Index is based on strict requirements of market capitalization, liquidity, and lithium production and/or battery manufacturing focus. At launch, LIT’s basket was split nearly 50-50 between lithium producers and battery makers in seven different countries.

[Source & read more: MarketWatch]

Protecting servers against power problems is common in large data centers, however being able to do this in a more reliable and environmentally friendly way is getting the attention of organizations that want to institute green initiatives without sacrificing dependability. Traditionally, UPSs rely on lead-acid batteries to provide temporary power to keep servers running during a power disturbance. However, batteries can be problematic when it comes to reliability and require frequent testing, maintenance and replacement — not to mention that they contain toxic chemicals and lead, which require special handling and disposal.

[Source & read more: Marketwire]

During the three-week offer period, which closed today, shareholders of ABB India tendered approximately 23 per cent of the outstanding shares, a press statement said.

The Swiss engineering firm ABB will acquire the shares on a proportionate basis since the offer has been oversubscribed by approximately 1.5 per cent, it said.

[Source & read more: Economic Times]

Xtreme Power’s energy storage technology was originally developed at Ford Motor for use in automobiles, but was shelved there. Xtreme picked up where the Ford engineers left off and has developed what is in essence a large-scale battery that can store energy from renewable sources like wind –which usually blows most at night when electricity needs are lowest. The intermittent nature of wind and solar power creates challenges for electric grid operators; these storage units can smooth the delivery of the energy to the grid.

[Source & read more: Forbes]