Grid volatility: are batteries finally in the money?
UK power price volatility has exploded in 2021. The average daily range has risen 4x from 2019-20, to 35c/kWh in 3Q21. At this level, grid-scale batteries are strongly ‘in the…
Synchronous condensers: the economics?
This data-file captures the costs and the economics of installing a synchronous condenser, downstream of a renewable power facility, in order to emulate some of the inertia, reactive power and…
Wind power: energy costs, energy payback and EROEI?
Wind power energy paybacks? This data-file estimates 3MWH of energy is consumed in manufacturing and installing 1kW of offshore wind turbines, the energy payback time is usually around 1-year, and…
ESS: redox flow battery breakthrough?
ESS was established in 2011, incorporated in Oregon, and has c150 employees. The company went public in October-2021, via SPAC, raising $500M in new funds, valued at $1.1bn, and listing…
Glass fiber: what upside in the energy transition?
Glass fiber makes up 50% of a wind turbine blade, lightens vehicles and insulates homes for 30-70% energy savings. Hence we see demand rising 3.5x in the energy transition. To…
Wind turbines: screen of resin and polymer specialists?
This data-file tabulates details for 20 wind turbine resin companies, i.e., specialty chemicals companies that make epoxy- or polyurethane resins and adhesives, especially those that feed into the construction of…
Energy return on energy invested?
Energy return on energy invested is a horrible metric: calculated differently in almost every study on the topic, and fairly difficult to delimit conceptually. Despite this, we have made an…
Nuclear fusion: what are the challenges?
Nuclear fusion could provide a limitless supply of zero-carbon energy from the 2030s onwards. Thus 30 private companies have raised $4bn to progress new ideas. But the goal of this…
Energy development times: first consideration to full production?
This data-file assesses the development times of different energy resources, from their first consideration, through permitting, up to final investment decision (FID), across construction, and ultimately as they reach nameplate…
First Solar: thin film solar breakthrough?
First Solar Technology Review. This patent screenbreaks down First Solar technology efficiency. First Solar: a solar panel manufacturer, listed in the US, founded in 1999, employing 6,400 people. It has…