As part of the efforts to fulfil our function as a regional centre of excellence that builds a coherent, coordinated, focused and robust energy policy agenda and strategy for ASEAN, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) regularly conducts joint studies, among others in collaboration with Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).  The joint study with the two organisation is titled Assessment of Electricity Storage Technology for Solar PV. The study aims to explore the most suitable energy storage in tackling the intermittency of solar photovoltaic (PV) output, considering its potential and ASEAN’s needs for energy.

As part of the study’s development process, the first workshop was held on 23 February 2018 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, to convey the methodology of the study and seek input from ASEAN Member States (AMS)’ experts. ACE attended the meeting together with experts from AMS, IEEJ, ERIA, and NEC battery company. During the meeting, ACE shared the updates on solar PV development in each AMS, in terms of installed capacity and supporting policies. The discussion was followed by a session from IEEJ explaining the methodology and how AMS experts can contribute to the study by sharing the related data and information to enhance the results. Representatives from NEC battery company also shared about battery technology and its application in tackling the intermittency of solar PV output.

In the last session, AMS’ experts were given a chance to share their perspectives on the main challenges in developing solar PV in the region, and on what they think to be the most suitable storage technology to accommodate  ASEAN’s need in relations to the fluctuating output of solar PV. To summarise, ACE highlighted the different potentials and stages of PV development among AMS. The second meeting to refine the study is planned to be tentatively held in April, to discuss the study’s results with the AMS’ experts. The study is planned to be finished in May 2018. (NS. Featured photo credit:  IEEJ)