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Articles on Energy storage

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A large-scale battery storage system in Long Beach, Calif., provides renewable electricity during peak demand periods. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

What is a virtual power plant? An energy expert explains

Some power plants don’t have massive smokestacks or cooling towers – or even a central site.
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Net zero by 2050? Too late. Australia must aim for 2035

We’ve wasted a lot of time delaying climate action. As the damage becomes ever clearer, it’s time to accelerate the transition.
A Northern Territory lithium mine. Fleet Space Technologies/AAP

We could need 6 times more of the minerals used for renewables and batteries. How can we avoid a huge increase in mining impacts?

Nearly 400 new mines could open by 2035 to meet demand for the minerals used in global electrification. Better recycling can help with supply, but mining’s impacts will have to be better managed.
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Community batteries are popular – but we have to make sure they actually help share power

Community batteries are popular. But that doesn’t mean they’re always the right tool for the job. We have to make sure they do what we want them to do
The control room of the California Independent System Operator, which manages the flow of electricity on the state’s power grid. Rolf Schulten/ullstein bild via Getty Images

What is curtailment? An electricity market expert explains

Sometimes wind and solar power produce more electricity than the local grid can handle. Better energy storage and transmission could move extra energy to where it’s needed instead of shutting it off.
By pairing solar power and battery storage, hybrids can keep providing electricity after dark. Petmal via Getty Images

Meet the power plant of the future: Solar + battery hybrids are poised for explosive growth

The largest category of power plants applying to connect to the US grid are now solar, and over a third of those are hybrids that include battery storage.
A pilot plant near the Salton Sea in California pairs lithium extraction with geothermal energy production. Michael McKibben

How a few geothermal plants could solve America’s lithium supply crunch and boost the EV battery industry

Lithium is essential for batteries that power electric vehicles and store energy from solar and wind farms. A new U.S. source could provide 10 times more lithium than the country uses today.

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