crtoca

Energy Storage Opportunities After the Market Carnage

VRB is excluded? In favor of "developing" technology? The technology and promise of the VRB technology won't go away because the company ran out of money. I thought with your "carnage" and "blood in the streets" lead in, you would be saying that an IP like the VRB would be a great opportunity. The manufacturing facility is established and the technology is mature. Much missionary work has been done to position the technology for energy storage sales. Which is a better opportunity, a developing company or an established technology? The problem with VRB is not the tech or the company, the problem is the market - which is the same for all the advanced energy companies - the market has not yet been ready for the technology. VRB just needs a White Knight with deep pockets to keep it afloat until the $100 billion in annual revenues you predict happen. An established company that just ran out of capital is a better bet than an R&D - IMHO.

Grid-based Energy Storage: Birth of a Giant

Contrary to some posters, the Beacon flywheel has not been approved for regulation services in three regional power grids. Those grids have tested the ability of the small prototype flywheels to follow the regulation signal. However, the tariffs require systems to provide much more energy than the flywheel has stored. Beacon is currently trying to change those rules. Beacon has not yet demonstrated its large, grid application, flywheel.

I also encourage a look at the VRB Flow Battery. It is one of the few advanced energy systems that are commercially available. It's as fast or faster than a flywheel, has an indefinite life - it can be refurbished, similar to a diesel engine overhaul - and can provide megawatts of capacity with hours of storage and with unlimited cycling.