Clean technology has come a long way in recent years and it’s now more affordable and efficient than ever. In fact, one fifth of the world’s electricity is now produced by renewable energy with numbers growing every day. We look at the developments that are shaping the industry today.
1. Energy Storage
Of course we’re putting this one at number one! The improved affordability, reliability, safety and longevity of battery energy storage has gone from strength to strength in recent years. That trend’s not about to change either as Century Yuasa’s one of many companies dedicated to ongoing research, development and innovation in the field.
2. Electric Cars
The falling price of reliable battery energy storage has driven this trend too! Global sales of electric vehicles went up by 57% in 2017. By May 2018 electric car sales saw an exceptional growth rate of 75% year-over-year. Some countries are even setting targets for electrification of their vehicular fleets. So you can expect to see more electric vehicles on the roads in future.
3. Community Big Batteries
Communities are banding together to pool their excess green power in bigger batteries than they could individually afford. So instead of each homeowner buying their own battery energy storage systems, communities are connecting all their solar panels to the one big BESS and sharing the excess power that’s generated by everyone.
4. Micro Grids
This one’s similar to number three, but instead of each person having their own solar panels on their home, a micro grid powers some communities. Micro grids generate power through a small to medium solar or wind farm and with back up power from a BESS. They’re also sometimes connected to the grid for additional back up power if needed.
5. Waste to Energy
Waste management is no laughing matter. Every year the waste we generate is growing at twice the rate of our population. Landfill is generating more greenhouse gas than the world’s third largest polluting nation. Now many countries are using landfill to create energy by building waste-to-energy facilities. Not only do they benefit from being able to manage the challenges of expanding landfill, they also generate useful power.