Energy Storage Interview: How to make energy storage projects bankable?

We are pleased to share our Energy Storage interview with Bono Ge, Senior Sales Manager of BYD Energy storage team, BYD. Mr. Ge was a speaker at the 10th Energy Storage World Forum in May 2017 in BerlinLearn more about the 11th Energy Storage World Forum and the 5th Residential Energy Storage Forum 2018 in Berlin by downloading the program.

How to make energy storage projects bankable?
First of all, the profitability of all energy storage projects is the most important factor to manufacturers, developers, operators, investors and so on. To make the energy storage projects bankable, I believe joint efforts from the industry are desired. Manufacturers need to control the cost and quality and prolong the duration of operation life of products, this will give other players in the chain more flexibility. Developers need to make a clearer definition of the project and well budget the project at the beginning. Operators shall operate the system as pre-defined and try to search for more revenue streams for energy storage systems. Investors shall do their best to provide less expensive funding. At the same time, regulators need to initiate and create better policies for the market.

How to best reduce the costs of energy storage?
At the right moment, energy storage price is mainly based on the battery price. And battery cost down is primarily driven by the automotive industry. For example, 95% of BYD’s battery production has been utilised on the vehicles while only 5% has been used for stationary energy storage. So to increase the energy storage market size is the key point to reduce the cost. The other way is standardisation, market players need to make clearer on the product definition and figure out specifications within the industry. This will help to reduce the production and maintenance cost.

How to create more standardisation and clearer specifications?
Regulators need to be clear about what are desired and make clear about the revenue streams for energy storage users. Based on the policies and revenue streams, manufacturers can figure out the specifications with other players in the chain to work out the specifications and the produce standard products for the market. Like in the UK, FFR, EFR are the main opportunities for energy storage, and people can forecast that that market will last for some time, then they will be encouraged to design and accept standard products.

How to bring alternative energy storage technologies (other than Li-ion batteries) to market?
There are so many fantastic technologies available in the market at the moment. But for some reasons, they are either not commercially viable or the technologies themselves are not mature enough. I believe the statement is the Li-ion battery based energy storage still play a key role, at the same time, we should make some hybrid systems like flywheel with battery energy storage, fuel cell with battery storage and so on. From these combination, we will help the technologies to get even mature and at the same time, we can get more experience for the break even point.

Can you please share your most recent interesting and challenging project that you have worked on?
We recently secured an utility-scaled energy storage project in the UK, those systems will be used for FFR, EFR and Triad. We certainly can feel the hockey stick point of energy storage in the UK is coming up. BYD is ready for any opportunities in the market with our 16 GWh battery production capacity.

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BYD was the Golden Sponsor at the 4th Residential Energy Storage Forum in Berlin, May 2017 and had the unique opportunity to share its Energy Storage success story and meet other top international market players – potential business partners and clients.

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest privately owned enterprises. Since its inception in 1995, the company quickly developed solid expertise in rechargeable batteries and became a relentless advocate of sustainable development, successfully expanding its renewable energy solutions globally with operations in over 50 countries and regions. Its creation of a Zero Emissions Energy Ecosystem – comprising affordable solar power generation, reliable energy storage and cutting-edge electrified transportation – has made it an industry leader in the energy and transportation sectors.

Would you like to be part of the 11th Energy Storage World Forum and the 5th Residential Energy Storage Forum in Berlin, May 14-18, 2018 and play a key role in shaping the industry future with your insights and company’s latest solutions? Learn more about our Speak and Sponsor opportunities.

 

If you want to know more about this and other topics directly from end users of energy storage technologies join us at one of these annual events: The Energy Storage World Forum (Grid Scale Applications), or The Residential Energy Storage Forum, or one of our Training Courses.

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