Exploring the Legacy of Energy Storage Conference 2019 in San Diego
Why the 2019 Conference Still Matters Today
While energy storage conferences happen annually, the 2019 edition in San Diego became a turning point for industry professionals. solar executives nibbling avocado toast while debating lithium-ion vs. flow batteries, all against California's sunny backdrop. Little did they know, these discussions would become crucial armor against today's policy challenges.
Key Themes That Predicted Current Trends
- Grid-scale storage integration challenges
- Residential solar-storage hybrid systems
- Emerging battery chemistries beyond lithium
- Utility rate structure impacts on ROI
Tom Starrs, VP at EDP Renewables, famously quipped during a panel: "We're not just storing electrons – we're storing economic resilience." This foreshadowed today's market turbulence where energy storage systems buffer against policy shifts.
Policy Crossroads: Then vs. Now
The 2019 conference occurred during relative policy stability, unlike today's climate. Recent developments show:
| 2019 Context | 2025 Reality |
|---|---|
| Federal tax incentives expanding | IRA provisions under scrutiny |
| State-level mandates driving adoption | Permitting bottlenecks increasing |
| Utility pilot programs proliferating | Interconnection queues clogged |
Case Study: From Theory to Turbulence
Sunrun's 2019 presentation on virtual power plants now reads like tragic irony. Their projected 300% growth collided with 2025's installation stagnation – proof that even the best energy storage solutions need favorable regulatory winds.
Technological Seeds Planted in 2019
Several 2019 exhibitors showcased prototypes now dominating markets:
- Second-life EV battery systems
- AI-driven storage optimization software
- Non-lithium alternatives for long-duration storage
One startup's graffiti-style booth slogan – "Your electrons deserve better retirement plans" – became an industry meme, symbolizing creative approaches to energy storage challenges.
Networking Ripples Through Time
The conference's matchmaking app data reveals:
- 47% of 2019 connections led to 2020-2024 collaborations
- 12% of seed-stage presenters became 2025 market leaders
- 8 policy frameworks drafted in conference workshops became state legislation
As solar stocks fluctuate wildly in 2025, veterans recall 2019's hallway conversations about "political risk hedging" – advice that's now worth its weight in battery-grade lithium.
The Hydrogen Wild Card
While most 2019 discussions focused on electrochemical storage, a lone hydrogen storage presentation drew skeptical crowds. Fast forward to 2025: that presenter's company now leads three DOE-funded green hydrogen initiatives.
Architecture Meets Energy Innovation
San Diego's venue choice proved prophetic. The convention center's own 2MWh storage system, showcased in 2019, became:
- A resilience model during 2023 grid emergencies
- A testbed for frequency regulation algorithms
- Proof point for municipal storage mandates
Conference organizers didn't just talk about energy storage technology – they literally powered their event with it. The 14% cost savings became a standard conference ROI metric.
- Pre: National Grid Energy Storage: Powering the Future with Gravity, Water, and Retired Batteries
- Next: Hithium Energy Storage Technology Deutschland GmbH: Powering Europe's Green Transition
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