Dive Brief:

• Hitachi has developed an energy storage system to help integrate renewable generation like wind and solar. The systems include telecommunications and 1-MW lithium-ion battery technology developed by Hitachi.
• The energy storage systems would be installed on high-voltage power lines to store excess generation and deliver it to the grid when needed.
• The company plans to test the system next year and begin selling it in 2015.

Dive Insight:

California could be a key market for Hitachi. Utilities will need to acquire at least 1,350 MW of energy storage by 2020 under a rule approved this fall by the California Public Utilities Commission. At the same time, California's utilities are on track to getting 33% of their power supply from renewable resources by 2020. As more renewable generation is added to the system, there may be periods when power production is higher than electric consumption. Storage should be able to absorb energy during times of overproduction and deliver it when it is needed.