Energy storage technology will have a significant role to play in Asia's future, particularly in complementing programmes for renewable energy such as wind and solar, an Asia Future Energy Forum panel concluded at SIEW 2012.
In particular, remote areas which depend on expensive diesel can look forward to new storage technologies being developed and costs continuing to fall, the audience heard.
Ms Sandra Retzer, Managing Director of Germany's Younicos AG, said current research is focused on enhancing storage efficiencies, improving integration with high levels of renewables, and lowering costs. If these barriers are removed, she said, there will be tremendous potential in Asia to move away from diesel and consider renewables and energy storage technologies.
Ms Retzer spoke of the particular impact this could have because many offshore islands in Asia are not yet electrified. Brian Warshay, Research Associate of Lux Research, pointed out that the intermittent nature of renewables places demands on energy systems to respond to rapid fluctuations in supply and to balance demand accordingly. During periods of low demand, there is a need to store excess energy supply effectively and efficiently.
Louis Liu, Vice President & General Manager Asia of China's Xtreme Power Inc, highlighted the need for increased awareness and education of energy storage solutions if market penetration of these technologies is going to rise.
By :Koh Hui Shan, EMA