Duke Energy's Large-Scale Battery Storage Project

[Nathanael]

Duke Energy is testing new battery technology on wind turbines at two of its wind farms in Texas. The purpose behind installing these new batteries is to help solve wind power's problem with intermittent energy production. Check it out:


A new project from Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) proposes the installation of large-scale batteries that store excess wind energy and discharge it during times of peak demand--not just when the turbines are in action.

Partially funded by the U.S. DOE for about $22 million, Duke plans to match this funding with its own money and begin installations at its Notrees Windpower Projects in Ector and Winkler counties, Texas.


Link: http://www.energyboom.com/wind/duke-energys-large-scale-battery-storage-project

[madokie]

1. Any steps in this direction is good steps

I really liked this part.
If successful, Duke Energy stands to set a precedence by potentially eliminating one of the key obstacles to wind-energy implementation. Such a benchmark will put other utilities on notice, showing again how the constant evolution of technology is making clean-energy possible.

[Nathanael]

2. One Truth

If there is one thing that is true about clean energy, it is that the technology is not the problem. The technologies just continue to develop and evolve. The issue is the politics, obviously. However, even the politics are starting to shift a little as evidenced by this maneuver by a big utility company. Hopefully the trend continues, and we can step out of the way and allow for the development of new ways to generate and use energy.

[madokie]

3. Very true

Money, it's that bottom line short term thinking that is screwing us big time, pretty much every time on most things. As I've gone through life the times I let money make the decision for me It has turned out to be the wrong one. Mind you I know I'm not on the level of a power company or anything like that but

[Nathanael]

5. I Agree

Changing power sources has to be a huge decision for a utility company. But, at the same time, any good business person has to look at the long-term as well as short-term prospects. And, with the science pointing in the direction of anthropogenic global warming, and a massive increase in global awareness of the benefits and availability of clean technologies, the energy business is starting to shift.

Somebody has to recognize this, take the plunge, and make some moves. I think, as I said before, we are starting to see it. Business is business, and if there is money to be made, utility companies will invest in clean energy.

[kristopher]

6. One of our rare points of agreement. nt

[Nihil]

4. K & R (n/t)

:applause: