Ecobuild 2014 - anyone going?

[Worcester]

All the PVT guys are hoping that the amendments to the Domestic RHI already scheduled for September will include an allowance for PVT, don't hold your breath though.

 

[BruceB]

Energy storage solutions were being promoted (eg by power one and sma whose offerings are due "soon"). For the domestic market a capacity of 2 kWh does not seem much, but their modelling shows it is enough to make a difference and will keep the price affordable.

 

[The Solar King]

Most interesting thing on Energy Storage was from a company called Moixa Technology. Product is called Maslow. This was not specifically aimed at PV but was more to do with Grid balancing. Each property has a 2kWh pack as mentioned by BruceB. Again modelling has shown this to be a useful size as it can accommodate up to half peak load.

The system can be charged from the grid at times of low demand and this time shifted to peak periods. The concept is to have many thousands of these with central control of charging. Within the hierachy of charging, your own PV could be part of it. This could help deal with intermittency from renewables.

The company are hoping for some kind of 'Storage Feed In Tariff'. In my opinion there is no chance of anything like this until well after the next election - I would think 2017-2018 at the earliest if at all.

What was more interesting is proposed houshold use of energy. Lighting ciruits are moved from the CU and run directly out of the battery controller in low voltage DC to LEDs. More interesting still is a standard creaping up already agreed which is a bus system using USB supplying up to 35v. As it is a bus, devices of differing voltage can be connected. All new consumer goods such as TVs, consoles, laptops etc will come with a suitable USB port instead of the current charger point or in addition to the mains voltage connection. In time the idea is to phase out the PSU in a lot of these devices, saving on manufacturing costs (and saving energy). This could be used with other storage methods.

The outcome of all this is that householders save on their electricity bill. The 2kW kit is £1600.00, but in a number of their business models it may even be free.

This has already been piloted in 200 homes as part of a DECC pilot scheme. The company are looking for more opportunities both at home and overseas to use the technology.

One aspect I was uncomfortable with is that part of the business model is predicated on the use of smart meters. This in itself is not an issue. It is how smart meters may be used to vary tariff prices though out the day in relation to demand. This could have serious implications for the fuel poor and those who have little choice in when they use electricity due to social circumstances or age. I doubt the politicians have even the slightest concept of this or the possible consequences. You can just see the spin that will accompany this in terms of householders saving money due to lower prices when they are not at home or asleep.

Smart metering could also adversely effect future export tariffs for PV if used in the same way.

More information here: www.meetmalsow.com