Report on a Webinar Advancing Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

A webinar was conducted to address the modeling and realization of profits from Commercial & Industrial (C&I) battery storage, directly supporting the advancement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through Innovative Software

A central feature of the event was the introduction of Geli Predict, a simulation and modeling software developed by Qcells. This tool is designed to accelerate the adoption of clean energy by enabling users to accurately forecast the performance of energy storage projects. By providing reliable economic projections, the software supports confident investment in renewable energy infrastructure, a key target of SDG 7. A live demonstration illustrated the software’s capacity to streamline project evaluation and identify optimal system configurations, thereby reducing barriers to entry for clean energy solutions.

Contribution to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The Geli Predict software represents a significant innovation in the energy sector, aligning with SDG 9’s focus on building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation. By optimizing energy storage systems for both savings and revenue, the technology promotes sustainable industrial practices. The webinar’s focus on California’s C&I incentive programs highlights a pathway for developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure within urban and commercial environments, contributing to the goals of SDG 11.

Key Learning Objectives for Climate Action (SDG 13)

The session outlined several key learning objectives critical for taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as outlined in SDG 13.

1. Understanding and leveraging C&I incentive programs to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
2. Implementing best practices for the optimization of energy storage systems to maximize efficiency and promote renewable energy integration.
3. Utilizing advanced modeling tools like Geli Predict to validate investment decisions in sustainable energy infrastructure, ensuring financial viability and long-term performance.

Expert Panel and Knowledge Dissemination

The discussion was led by a panel of experts dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions:

• Jaspreet Singh, Director of Product Management & Applications Engineering, Qcells / Geli Energy Software
• Roberto Orendain, Grid Services Manager, Qcells / Geli Energy Software
• Brian Stevens, Senior ESS Solution Sales Manager, Qcells / Geli Energy Software
• Moderator: Andy Colthorpe, Editor, Energy-Storage.news

The proceedings are available for public access to ensure wide dissemination of knowledge, supporting global efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article focuses on energy storage, a critical technology for enabling the widespread use of renewable energy sources. By providing tools like “Geli Predict” to model and optimize battery storage systems, it directly supports the transition to more reliable, sustainable, and modern energy systems.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The development of “Geli Predict” software is a clear example of innovation in the energy sector. This technology helps upgrade energy infrastructure by making the deployment of advanced battery storage systems more efficient and economically viable for Commercial & Industrial (C&I) applications.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • By improving the feasibility of C&I battery storage, the technology discussed contributes to building more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure within urban and industrial areas. This enhances grid stability and supports the integration of clean energy, making cities more sustainable.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Energy storage is fundamental to climate change mitigation as it facilitates the replacement of fossil fuels with intermittent renewable energy. The article’s focus on tools that accelerate the adoption of battery storage directly supports efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The article discusses energy storage, which is an enabling technology for increasing the share of renewables. The “Geli Predict” software helps optimize and validate the financial performance of these systems, thereby encouraging their deployment and supporting the integration of more renewable energy.
2. Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
   • The software presented is a clean energy technology designed to “validate investment decisions.” By making it easier to model and realize profits, it directly promotes investment in clean energy infrastructure like C&I battery storage.
3. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
   • The article is centered on a tool that facilitates the adoption of battery storage—a clean technology—within the C&I sector. This directly relates to upgrading industrial infrastructure to be more sustainable and efficient.
4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The mention of “California’s latest C&I incentive programmes” shows the integration of climate-friendly policies to encourage the adoption of technologies like battery storage. The software helps businesses leverage these policies, linking technological solutions with governmental climate strategies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Investment in clean energy technology
   • The article implies this indicator through its focus on using the software to “validate investment decisions” and model “maximum profits.” The amount of capital invested in C&I battery storage projects is a measurable indicator of progress.
2. Adoption of energy storage systems
   • The entire purpose of the webinar and software is to increase the deployment of energy storage. Therefore, the number and total capacity (in MWh) of C&I battery storage systems installed can be seen as a key performance indicator.
3. Effectiveness of incentive programs
   • The article explicitly mentions learning how to “leverage” California’s incentive programs. The uptake and success of these government policies in stimulating the market for energy storage is an implied indicator of progress in integrating climate action into planning.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: energy-storage.news