The new solar revolution – battery storage – needs close cooperation between Australia’s home battery system sector and governments says the Clean Energy Council.
The body says a collaborative partnership would accelerate cost reductions in energy storage and provide other benefits for Australians.
The CEC believes battery storage is one of the biggest innovations in the energy sector “since the invention of electricity”.
“Battery storage has massive potential in Australia to help Australian consumers better manage their own electricity use, alleviate the pressures on the electricity network, and maximise the advantage of the more than 1.5 million solar systems already installed on homes,” said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
The CEC published its blueprint, “Accelerating The Uptake Of Battery Storage”, yesterday.
The blueprint states given the commercial case for battery storage is already compelling, subsidies are not required. However, it does require electricity tariffs that enable consumers to reap the full financial benefits of acquiring a battery system.
The document also stresses the importance of a focus and quality and safety of products: minimum standards that need to be adhered to, installation by competent and accredited parties, sufficient maintenance and issues relating to end-of-life disposal of components.
Additionally, consumers should have easy access to quality information on which to base a purchase decision.
“It is crucial that consumers have access to this information to empower them to make decisions that best meet their circumstance, and to guide the appropriate installation and ongoing operation of battery systems,” states the CEC.
Finally, the CEC believes government needs to step up to the plate and support more demonstration battery storage projects. Such projects can identify barriers, promote confidence, trigger innovation in business and financing models; plus build capability and capacity within the sector.
Mr. Thornton said race is on around the world to lure investors and technology innovation – and that Australia can’t afford to be complacent.
The “Accelerating The Uptake Of Battery Storage” blueprint can be viewed in full here (PDF). In May last year, the Clean Energy Council also released the Energy Storage Roadmap; designed to assist in unlocking opportunities in storage technology in Australia.
