If they used ZEBRA batteries from FIAM or Durathon ones from GE the batteries could last even 40 years and batteries with failed cells could have such replaced. Nickel Iron cells which still work after a hundred years are known but have low efficiency.

New FIREFLY negative foam electrode cells may be lower in cost and become even more interesting with the final development of positive and negative electrode foam cells. It is not widely known that the water solution in such cells is chemically required to be seven times the volume of the actual active solid materials of such cells and this solution can reside in the open space of the cells right next to the thin coating of active material.

Vanadium ion flow batteries can have infinite energy but very low power, and are much more energy efficient than generating hydrogen for use in fuel cells. In principle all could have their own Stirling isotope powered electric generator. But first every dwelling, factory, office building and shop which now burns any fuel should have a combined electric and heat and/or heat generator required and installed. (CHCP or Cogeneration) Most of these could use long life Stirling machines. Other could use combustion micro-turbines. This would supply more electricity to the grid than all the wind machines yet proposed, and would supply lower cost electricity with lower CO2 release at less cost than wind turbines.

Someone should invent a sodium-chlorine fuel cell. They could be used in submarines for many thousands of underwater miles at far less cost and worry than nuclear subs. Sodium Chloride is already in the ocean. Chlorine can be added to water in such a way that oxygen can be produced for breathing too. ..HG..

Hats off to Germany and specifically Daimler Benz for moving quickly to recycle traction batteries for grid storage. No doubt Germany will lead the World in creating a renewable energy economy, an economy that is independent of other countries for energy, i.e., Russia and Ukraine. I envy their resolve. We don't seem to be able to get past the petty partisan politics of a Congress that works for only the 1% and themselves and not for the good of the American people. Time to throw out all the incumbents rascals and vote in new people, seriously, they did it in Canada, and we can do it here.

In related news; Tesla is building grid and home storage units in their new Gigafactory starting now, two months ahead of schedule. They claim they have back orders that total 1 billion dollars. I see Tesla's future bread and butter product as Grid and Traction Batteries, eventually outselling their cars. Grid and Home storages systems are a very big deal and the key component in our transition to renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel usage.

Is that how you read that E-P?

I read it as Henry saying "In principle" everyone "could have their own" IPSG. "But first" every building and which is now burning fuel should be doing it with a combined electric and heat and/or heat generator and that most of these could be long life Stirling machines.

@ Mannstein

And yet their economy hasn't suffer for it. In fact when the great recession hit Germany and its "highest electric rates" kept the rest of Europe afloat. High commodity prices drive innovation in industry.

Oh. OK then, but still even if it is just the public that pays the higher rates the facts still remain 'when the great recession hit and Germany & its highest electric rates kept the rest of Europe afloat.' How can that be so? Isn't high energy prices suppose to be the big bad boogeyman? Or maybe it's not and we should stop harping on it.

The same mis-logics are used not to buy more Alberta Oil @ under $28 to $30 USD/barrel.