The role of new and market-defining technology in solar plus storage systems
Chris Larsen, Dynapower’s Sr. Director of Clean Energy, joined Ted Flanigan on his Flanigan’s Eco-Logic podcast. The podcast is available now at this link . Check out a few excerpts below then be sure to listen to the full 30-minute episode.
How has Dynapower managed growth and expanding into new markets?
We’ve managed to build a fantastic business supporting the power needs in clean energy but also maintaining the work that we do in high-efficiency power electronics for the industrial business – our core business is still there.
Why the interest in clean energy?
My family was involved in sugar-cane growth and production. Where I grew up in Florida, I witnessed the regular burning-off of sugar-cane and it opened my eyes to the environmental impact of actions like this. I’m sure these experiences engendered an interest in environmental stewardship and ultimately down the path of renewable energy research and support.
Speaking of batteries, are you optimistic that we’ll end up with a better chemistry for this application compared to what we have now?
In the battery space right now, we’re seeing a lot of emerging technologies. Currently, the space is dominated by lithium ion, a proven technology that will remain part of the cadre of battery solutions …the big transition that we are witnessing is in the growth in demand for long duration batteries – from four hours on up – and that’s when other chemistries become attractive. We’re seeing this increasing demand both domestically and globally, and it’s very exciting to see ideas from some really great companies taking shape. In the end, there’s a place in the market for multiple approaches depending on the application and the desired storage time.
