Energy storage nears its day in the sun

MONACO (Reuters) – Energy storage is an unglamorous pillar of an expected revolution to clean up the world’s energy supply but will soon vie for investors attention with more alluring sources of energy like solar panels, manufacturers say.

“It’s been in the background until now. It’s not sexy. It’s the enabler, not a source of energy,” said Tim Hennessy, chief executive of Canadian battery makers VRB Power, speaking on the sidelines of a “CleanEquity” technologies conference in Monaco.


VRB will start mass production this year of a longer-lasting rival to the lead acid battery currently used to store energy for example produced by solar panel, Hennessy said.

Low carbon-emitting renewable energy is in vogue, driven by fears over climate change, spiraling oil prices and fears over energy supply and security.

While the supply of the wind and sun far exceeds humanity’s needs it doesn’t necessarily match the time when people need it: the sun may not be shining nor the wind blowing when we need to cook dinner or have a shower.

Reuters