2016 ENERGY SPECIAL ..................Energy - Big Moves in Batteries, Solar to Shine

Energy - Big Moves in Batteries, Solar to Shine





WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT

Solar energy capacity is expected to grow relentlessly, and so a growth of nearly 30% does not look overly significant. But reach ing a major milestone needs to be recorded.

This growth in capacity will someday be slowed down if storage technologies do not advance, as the grid can become unstable if it depends too much on solar energy. This year has seen some break throughs that could make good grid storage possible soon. Finally, advances in fusion power also brought some cheer, although this technology is still a long way off from being commercial. But thinking long term is the basis of the Paris agreement.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016

Solar power will continue to advance, and we could also see more efficient solar cells in the market. Panasonic, for example, is preparing to launch a solar panel of efficiencies in excess of 22%. Solar microgrids will increase in number, especially in India. Wind power capacity is also expected to increase, as wind turbines start moving higher, although no major technical breakthrough is expected in this sector. The most interesting development of the year, however, could be in batteries. Labs around the world are developing batteries using aluminium instead of lithium, a material that is known to be a fire hazard. Fuji Pigment, for example, is expected to launch an aluminium air battery soon. Tesla's big battery factory is also expected to start production this year.Apart from all these, considering the gamut of research happening in this sector, we could hope for a pleasant surprise as well.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2015

Several interesting results from nuclear fusion experiments, some from privatelyfunded companies

Solar energy installations grew between 25% and 30%, supposedly taking the global capacity above 200 gigwatts

New kinds of batteries were made in the lab, including aluminium ion and lithium air that look promising

The world's first commercial wave energy project was launched off the coast of Australia

ET5JAN16