Home batteries to face off in ARENA-funded trial

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and ITP Renewables have opened a new IT Power Battery Test Centre in Canberra to evaluate the performance of home renewable energy battery storage products.

Home batteries are designed to store energy from solar panels or other renewable energy sources, or from the grid system during cheaper off-peak times, to provide power at night and during periods of peak use.

ITP Renewables’ Battery Trial will test eight different home batteries from eight vendors, including Tesla’s Powerwall as well as products from Samsung, Sony, LG, CALB, Ecoult, Kokam and GNB.

The batteries selected for testing comprise six lithium-ion batteries, one conventional lead acid battery and one advanced lead battery. Real-time performance data from the tests is being made available online through a dedicated website.

ARENA has committed $450,000 in funding for the $609,000 trial, which will span three years. Batteries will be tested in the Australian market under Australian conditions against claims made by the manufactures.

Information from the trial is expected to help energy system designers, suppliers and consumers to make informed decisions about the best renewable energy storage system for their needs.

Speaking at the launch of the new test centre, ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknect said Australia is on the cusp of a home energy storage revolution.

“While many Australians are currently hanging back waiting for prices to go down, it is expected they will soon be entering the market in rapidly growing numbers,” he said.

“The predicted rapid uptake of batteries promises to deliver real benefits not just to consumers but also to our electricity networks… by reducing the intermittency of renewable energy… an issue that has sparked much recent debate around the performance of South Australian electricity system.”

Image courtesy of Bryan Alexander under CC