How Battery Storage is Surging in 2025 – TELF AG’s Stanislav Kondrashov

Introduction

The battery storage surge 2025 represents a pivotal moment in our global energy landscape. You're witnessing an unprecedented expansion of storage capacity that's fundamentally reshaping how we generate, distribute, and consume electricity. This isn't just about installing more batteries—it's about creating the infrastructure that makes our energy transition possible.

Battery storage solves one of renewable energy's most persistent challenges: intermittency. Solar panels don't generate power at night. Wind turbines sit idle when the air is still. Without effective storage solutions, these limitations would severely restrict how much renewable capacity we could add to the grid. Storage systems capture excess energy during peak production hours and release it precisely when demand spikes or generation drops. This capability stabilizes the energy supply, reduces reliance on fossil fuel backup plants, and accelerates our shift toward cleaner power sources.

TELF AG has positioned itself at the forefront of this transformation, with Stanislav Kondrashov leading strategic initiatives that advance battery storage technologies. Through targeted investments and partnerships, TELF AG is helping scale the innovations that will define energy storage for decades to come.

Kondrashov's vision extends beyond current lithium-ion dominance, exploring emerging chemistries and integration strategies that promise safer, more efficient, and more sustainable storage solutions. For instance, he emphasizes the importance of key minerals like chromium and zinc in powering these renewable innovations. Kazakhstan's rich reserves of these metals have positioned the country as a key player in the global supply chain.

Furthermore, Kondrashov acknowledges the significant roles that chromium and zinc will play in our transitioning world. These insights not only highlight TELF AG's commitment to advancing battery storage technology but also underline the broader implications for our global energy landscape as we continue to embrace renewable sources.

The Role of Battery Storage in the Energy Transition

Batteries play a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy. They do more than just store energy—they bridge the gap between renewable energy generation and a stable power grid.

How Battery Storage Works with Solar Energy

Solar panels generate electricity when the sun is shining, but they don't produce energy when it's dark outside. This creates a mismatch between when solar energy is generated and when it's needed most. Battery storage systems come into play here.

• During the day, when solar panels are generating excess electricity, battery storage systems capture that extra energy and store it for later use.
• In the evening, when solar production drops to zero and demand for electricity rises, the stored energy from the batteries can be discharged to meet that demand.

This way, battery storage ensures that the energy generated during peak sunlight hours is not wasted but instead used during times when it's needed the most.

The Role of Battery Storage in Wind Energy

Wind turbines also face similar challenges as solar panels. The amount of electricity generated by wind turbines depends on the strength and consistency of the wind, which can vary throughout the day and across seasons.

Battery installations help address this issue by:

1. Absorbing surplus generation during high-wind periods
2. Releasing stored energy when wind turbines are not producing power

By smoothing out these fluctuations in wind energy generation, battery storage provides a reliable source of power even when the wind isn't blowing consistently.

Overcoming Intermittency with Battery Storage

The biggest hurdle in achieving fully clean energy grids is the unpredictability of renewable energy sources. Unlike traditional fossil fuel plants that can quickly adjust their production based on demand, renewable energy sources like solar and wind cannot do so on their own.

Here's how battery storage helps overcome this challenge:

• Storing excess renewable generation during times of low demand
• Discharging stored energy during peak consumption periods
• Responding instantly to fluctuations in grid frequency
• Reducing dependence on fossil fuel "peaker" plants

By providing this stability to the power grid, battery storage transforms renewable energy from an inconsistent supplement into a reliable baseload power source. This shift is crucial for accelerating our transition towards sustainable energy independence.

Advancing Battery Storage Technologies: TELF AG's Vision

TELF AG is a leader in the energy transition, driving strategic initiatives that push the boundaries of battery storage innovation. The company's approach focuses on developing scalable solutions that meet the changing needs of modern energy infrastructure while being environmentally responsible.

Stanislav Kondrashov, an important leader at TELF AG, has a forward-thinking perspective on the industry. He believes in diversifying battery chemistries beyond traditional options because different applications require specific solutions. Kondrashov supports:

• Investment in research and development of next-generation storage technologies
• Collaboration with renewable energy developers to create integrated systems
• Implementation of sustainable manufacturing practices that reduce environmental impact
• Focus on lifecycle management, including recycling and material recovery

Kondrashov's insights also include rare earth extraction methods, which are essential for obtaining materials used in advanced batteries.

TELF AG's strategic plan addresses future trends in battery storage technology by prioritizing smart grid integration. The company understands that batteries need to do more than just store energy—they must communicate with grid operators, respond to demand changes instantly, and provide additional services like frequency regulation. This intelligent approach turns battery systems from passive storage devices into active participants in managing the grid.

The organization is also committed to forming partnerships throughout the entire process, from sourcing raw materials to handling end-of-life products. Their pilot projects show how advanced battery systems can help maintain grid stability while making the most of renewable energy resources.

1. Lithium-Ion Batteries: The Workhorse of Energy Storage Systems

Lithium-ion batteries dominate the energy storage market in 2025, powering everything from residential solar installations to utility-scale grid projects. You'll find these batteries deployed across both stationary and mobile applications, thanks to their exceptional energy density that allows for compact installations without sacrificing storage capacity. The technology has reached a level of maturity that makes it the default choice for many energy storage projects worldwide.

The advantages of lithium-ion batteries extend beyond their impressive energy density:

• Rapid charging capabilities enable quick energy absorption during peak solar production hours or low-demand periods
• Established supply chains ensure reliable availability and competitive pricing across global markets
• Widespread market acceptance means you benefit from proven performance data and standardized installation practices
• High round-trip efficiency typically exceeding 90%, minimizing energy losses during charge-discharge cycles
• Flexible scalability allows systems to expand from residential kilowatt-hour installations to multi-megawatt-hour utility projects

The maturity of lithium-ion technology translates into tangible benefits for your energy storage projects. Installers possess extensive experience with these systems, reducing deployment risks and installation timelines. You can access comprehensive performance data spanning years of real-world operations, providing confidence in long-term reliability projections.

Battery management systems for lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly sophisticated, optimizing charge-discharge cycles to extend lifespan while maintaining peak performance. These intelligent systems monitor cell temperatures, voltage levels, and state-of-charge parameters, automatically adjusting operations to prevent degradation and ensure safety.

The cost trajectory of lithium-ion batteries continues its downward trend, with 2025 prices representing a fraction of what they were a decade ago. This cost reduction has accelerated adoption across residential, commercial, and utility sectors, making energy storage economically viable for applications that were previously cost-prohibitive.

2. Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries: Safety First Approach to Energy Storage Solutions

Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are a specific type of lithium-ion battery that focuses on safety while still delivering high performance. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which can be prone to overheating and catching fire, LiFePO4 batteries have a unique chemical structure that makes them much more stable under extreme conditions.

How Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries Work

The key to the safety of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries lies in their chemistry. Instead of using cobalt or nickel like other lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4 batteries use iron phosphate as the cathode material. This not only makes them less expensive to produce but also gives them superior thermal stability.

When a battery experiences a fault or short circuit, it can sometimes lead to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This is where the battery's temperature rises uncontrollably, causing it to release flammable gases and potentially catch fire. However, with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, this risk is significantly reduced due to their ability to withstand higher temperatures without undergoing chemical reactions that could lead to thermal runaway.

Advantages of Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries

In addition to their enhanced safety features, lithium-iron-phosphate batteries offer several other advantages:

• Longer Lifespan: These batteries have an impressive cycle life of 3,000 to 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. This means they can be charged and discharged thousands of times without losing capacity or performance.
• Cost-Effective: Over the course of their lifetime, lithium-iron-phosphate batteries have a lower cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. This makes them an economically attractive option for large-scale energy storage projects.
• Wide Temperature Range: LiFePO4 batteries can operate efficiently in a wide range of temperatures without experiencing significant capacity degradation. This makes them suitable for use in various climates and environments.
• Environmentally Friendly: Unlike other types of lithium-ion batteries that contain cobalt and nickel—metals associated with environmental concerns—lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are free from these materials. This reduces their overall environmental impact.

Applications for Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries

Due to their unique combination of safety, longevity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness, lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are being recognized as ideal candidates for various applications:

• Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Projects: TELF AG and Stanislav Kondrashov see these batteries as perfect solutions for solar farms and wind installations where safety standards require the highest level of protection.
• Commercial Energy Storage Systems: Businesses looking to store excess energy generated from renewable sources can benefit from the long lifespan and stable performance characteristics of LiFePO4 batteries.
• Residential Energy Storage Solutions: Homeowners seeking reliable backup power systems or off-grid living solutions may find value in using lithium-iron-phosphate technology.

With ongoing advancements in manufacturing processes and economies of scale driving down costs further, it is expected that the adoption rate of lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery systems will continue to grow rapidly across various sectors globally.

3. Flow Batteries: Scaling Up Energy Storage Capacity with Innovative Design Concepts

Flow batteries represent a fundamentally different approach to energy storage compared to lithium-ion batteries and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. These systems store energy in liquid electrolytes contained in external tanks, with the electrolytes flowing through a central power stack separated by membranes. This unique architecture allows you to decouple power output from storage capacity—you can increase energy storage simply by adding larger tanks without modifying the power conversion system.

The modular design of flow batteries delivers exceptional flexibility for grid-scale applications. You can scale capacity independently based on your specific requirements, whether that's storing energy for 4 hours or 12 hours. The long-duration discharge capabilities make flow batteries particularly valuable for balancing intermittent renewable generation over extended periods, addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the energy transition.

Key advantages of flow batteries include:

• Minimal degradation over thousands of charge-discharge cycles
• Safe operation at ambient temperatures
• Ability to discharge completely without damaging the system
• Electrolyte reusability and recyclability

4. Sodium-Sulfur Batteries: Unlocking Long-Duration Energy Storage Potential with High Temperatures Operations

Sodium-sulfur (NaS) batteries are a new technology that work at high temperatures between 300-350°C, achieving efficiency levels over 90%. These systems are especially useful for situations where energy needs to be released steadily for a long time. The technology uses liquid sodium and sulfur as active materials, separated by a solid ceramic electrolyte that allows sodium ions to move during charging and discharging.

Why High-Temperature Operation is Beneficial

The high-temperature operation might seem like a disadvantage, but it actually allows for significant scalability options that make NaS batteries perfect for large-scale grid projects. Here are some reasons why this technology is suitable for such deployments:

• Grid support during peak demand hours: NaS batteries can provide additional power to the grid when electricity demand is at its highest.
• Seasonal load shifting in areas with variable renewable generation: These batteries can store excess energy generated by renewable sources during periods of low demand and release it during times of high demand.
• Backup power for critical infrastructure requiring multi-hour discharge durations: NaS batteries can serve as backup power sources for important facilities that need electricity for several hours.

Advantages of Sodium-Sulfur Batteries

Compared to other long-duration energy storage solutions, NaS batteries offer superior energy density. This means they can store more energy in a smaller space. Installations have the capability to hold hundreds of megawatt-hours of electricity.

Japanese utilities have successfully used NaS battery installations for over twenty years, proving the technology's dependability in stabilizing grids with a lot of renewable energy sources. You'll be pleased to know that these systems require very little maintenance and can go through thousands of charge-discharge cycles without losing much capacity.

Emerging Innovations Enhancing Performance and Sustainability Across Different Battery Chemistries

The world of energy storage batteries is changing quickly with new innovations that overcome the limitations of older technologies. Here are some of the most exciting developments:

1. Solid-state Batteries

Solid-state battery designs are one of the most promising advancements. They replace the liquid electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries with solid materials. This major change eliminates the fire hazards associated with conventional cells, making installations safer for homes and businesses. These solid electrolyte systems also provide higher energy storage capacity and longer lifespans compared to their liquid-based counterparts.

2. Sodium-based Batteries

Sodium-based battery systems are gaining popularity as viable alternatives that use widely available materials. Unlike lithium, which has supply chain issues and fluctuating prices, sodium resources are abundant and can be found in many places. These new technologies offer competitive costs while delivering performance similar to lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in specific cases. This chemistry is particularly effective for large-scale stationary energy storage where weight is less important than in mobile applications.

3. Flow Batteries

Research teams around the world are working on improving flow batteries through advanced membrane technologies and new electrolyte formulations. These enhancements increase discharge times and overall efficiency, making flow batteries more appealing for long-term energy storage solutions. The modular design of these systems allows for independent scaling of capacity and power output, providing flexibility in designing and deploying energy storage systems.

Harnessing Solar Battery Storage Benefits at Home Through Smart Energy Management Systems

Solar battery storage transforms how you interact with your home's energy ecosystem. When you pair solar panels with battery systems, you capture excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours and deploy it when the sun sets or during cloudy periods. This capability dramatically increases your self-consumption rate—often from 30% to 70% or higher—reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase from utility providers.

Home solar batteries deliver tangible advantages that extend beyond simple energy independence:

• Backup power during outages ensures your critical appliances remain operational when the grid fails, providing peace of mind during storms or infrastructure failures
• Time-of-use optimization allows you to store energy when electricity rates are low and use it during expensive peak hours, slashing your monthly utility bills
• Grid service participation enables you to sell surplus energy back to utilities through energy exchange programs, creating an additional revenue stream
• Enhanced grid resilience occurs when thousands of home batteries collectively support the broader electrical infrastructure during high-demand periods

Smart energy management systems integrate with your solar battery storage to automate these benefits. You can monitor real-time energy production, consumption patterns, and battery charge levels through intuitive mobile applications. The system learns your household's energy habits and optimizes charging and discharging cycles without requiring constant manual intervention, maximizing both your financial returns and environmental impact.

Overcoming Challenges of Renewable Energy Production with Advanced Battery Storage Solutions

One of the biggest challenges in creating a fully sustainable energy grid is the inconsistency of renewable energy sources. Solar panels can only produce electricity when it's sunny, and wind turbines rely completely on the presence of wind. This is where battery storage systems come in - they store excess energy generated during times of high production and release it when production decreases.

How Battery Storage Works

Modern battery installations serve as advanced intermediaries between renewable energy generation and grid demand. Here's how they operate:

1. Storing Excess Energy: When solar panels generate more electricity than needed during the day, batteries store this surplus energy instead of wasting it.
2. Meeting Evening Demand: In the evening, when solar power generation stops but households require more electricity, these batteries release their stored energy to ensure a steady supply.

The Role of Batteries in Grid Stability

Another crucial area where battery storage proves beneficial is in maintaining frequency regulation. Grid operators need to keep the frequency of electricity supply within specific limits—usually 50 or 60 Hz depending on your location. Here's how battery systems contribute to this:

• Rapid Response: Battery systems can react within seconds to any deviations in frequency by either injecting or absorbing power as necessary.
• Stabilizing the Grid: By promptly addressing these frequency fluctuations, batteries help maintain stability in the electrical grid.

Managing Peak Demand with Batteries

Battery storage also plays a significant role in efficiently managing peak demand periods. Here's how:

1. Reducing Reliance on Peaker Plants: Instead of relying on expensive natural gas peaker plants during times of high energy consumption, you can draw power from stored reserves.
2. Minimizing Blackout Risks: This capability directly decreases the chances of blackouts during critical moments when the electrical network is under strain, ensuring reliability even with increasing integration of renewable energy sources into smart grid systems.

Ensuring Safety Standards Compliance While Promoting Battery Recycling Initiatives For A Circular Economy In The Renewable Energy Sector

UL 9540 certification is the standard for large-scale battery installations. It provides thorough safety assessments that evaluate how well the system performs in different situations. This standard addresses critical concerns like thermal runaway, electrical faults, and fire propagation risks that can compromise battery storage systems. You need to understand that compliance with UL 9540 builds consumer confidence and accelerates market adoption across residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications.

How Battery Storage is Surging in 2025 – TELF AG's Stanislav Kondrashov emphasizes that safety protocols work hand-in-hand with sustainability initiatives. Battery recycling programs recover valuable materials:

• Lithium: Essential for future battery production
• Cobalt: High-value metal with limited global reserves
• Nickel: Critical component in high-energy-density cells

These recovery processes reduce the environmental impact of extracting raw materials while supporting a circular economy model. You'll find that recycling one metric ton of lithium-ion batteries can recover up to 95% of cobalt and nickel content, significantly decreasing dependency on virgin mining operations.

TELF AG's approach integrates safety compliance with end-of-life management strategies, creating closed-loop systems where retired batteries from grid applications enter secondary markets or recycling streams. This dual focus on operational safety and resource recovery positions battery storage as a truly sustainable technology driving the 2025 energy transition forward.