New technology for storing electricity on the rise – Aftonbladet

Solar and wind power are placing new demands on the ability to store energy.

Several new technologies are in the pipeline. But today get energy stocks only used in emergencies.

– The Electricity Act needs to be reviewed, says Anna Nordling, project manager for a new report from the IVA.

During the summer, the solar energy set new records. In Germany, photovoltaic plants in July more electricity than nuclear power plants.

But with more renewable energy is needed ways to store electricity, writes the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA, in a new report.

– Hydro and nuclear power, we can control to a large extent. But we can not control when the wind and solar energy will produce electricity. Therefore, we must be able to store electricity and use it whenever we need, says project manager Anna Nordling.

Faster than expected

The development could go faster than previously thought. In recent years, prices of batteries crumbled. Still, many were surprised to Tesla’s new battery for home use, Power Wall, which can be used in conjunction with photovoltaic cells or to store cheap electricity at a later date, just costs around 28,000 kronor for 10kWh. The battery was a huge success when it was released in May.

– No one believed that it would become so cheap. This means that there is now a better market for batteries. That in turn means more money for further development. It becomes a virtuous cycle, says Anna Nordling.

Several other technologies for energy storage are in the pipeline, including plans for a demonstration plant for converting electricity to natural gas on the island.

Rules destroying development

But progress slowed by ambiguities in the regulations in how energy stocks to be used, type IVA. The electricity network companies may own energy stocks, but they may only use them to cover network losses or to replace the power cuts. For energy storage to be used on a large scale requires an amendment of the law.

– We must review the regulations to make it easier for network operators, says Anna Nordling.

Technically speaking, would Sweden able to switch completely to renewable energy.

– The technology, along with storage, available but it is about cost and space. Right now missing people looking to invest in the energy industry. It’s about creating a good deal about the energy issue.