Growing Global BESS Chorus follows Tesla Announcement

Taking advantage of the strong interest generated by Tesla's introduction last week of a battery energy storage system for residential and commercial customers, a growing number of companies around the world are making BESS announcements. 

For example, today AGL Energy Limited (AGL) is launching a battery energy storage system (BESS) into the Australian market, making it the first energy retailer to do so. The initial offering will be for residential and small business, giving consumers more control over managing their energy consumption. AGL's Power Advantage proposition, will include a range of battery storage devices based on lithium-ion technology, making them clean, compact and reliable.

Also today, ONEnergy Inc. and Ideal Power Inc. announced that the Sunwave Energy Efficiency division of ONEnergy has selected Ideal Power's power conversion systems (PCS) for use in its line of energy storage solutions to be launched in Canada and select U.S. states beginning in mid-2015. Ideal Power's products will be included in certain Sunwave new energy storage solutions that address multiple commercial and industrial applications including demand charge management, peak shaving, off-peak energy storage, renewables integration, power quality and emergency backup systems. This follows a similar announcement yesterday by Ideal Power.

Commenting from Australia, AGL’s Energy Storage Lead, Ed Lynch-Bell said, energy storage is still an emerging technology but is moving very quickly. As such AGL is focused on providing new, innovative and integrated offerings to meet consumers changing energy needs. "The launch of Power Advantage is another pillar of AGL’s multi-pronged strategy of being a leader in the evolving new energy and disruptive technology space.

"The first device will be capable of storing 6kWh of solar energy and will suit an average family home with 3-4.5kW of solar PV. The battery storage device however could be used in a home without solar PV. The battery will be the size of a large suitcase and will provide consumers with backup for essential home services such as lighting, refrigeration and communications, a welcome peace of mind for potential disruptions of energy supply,” Lynch-Bell continued.

AGL’s aim is to provide tailored energy solutions for consumers which integrate energy generation and storage. For example, with real time monitoring of a home’s solar power system and the right storage device to suit a consumer’s needs, AGL energy storage devices will enable a consumer to store power and use it when they want.