Combining PV with pumped hydro storage in open-cast coal mines
Indian scientists have suggested building pumped-hydro storage systems connected to solar plants using mines as the lower reservoir and nearby rivers as the upper reservoir. They claim that the proposed combination may reach a levelized cost of energy of $0.2693/kWh.
Pacific flicks switch on 6 MW solar farm as hybrid plant powers up
Australian renewables company Pacific Energy has powered up the first of four solar-fuelled hybrid power plants being rolled out at Westgold Resources’ mining operations in Western Australia.
The Hydrogen Stream: ITM Power shifts business focus to PEM electrolysis
ITM Power says it has restructured its business to shift its focus from hydrogen refueling to PEM electrolysis tech, while Stahlwerk Thüringen and gas network operator Ferngas have agreed to connect the Unterwellenborn steel mill in Germany to a hydrogen network by 2027.
Iberdrola starts filling Portugal’s largest pumping station
Iberdrola has started filling the reservoir for the Alto Tâmega reservoir, which is part of the largest pumped hydroelectric storage project in Portugal.
Argentinian lithium miner sourcing electricity from 100 MW solar farm
Minera Exar has started to extract lithium from the Salar Cauchari-Olaroz mine in Argentina, with part of its energy supply coming from the 100 MW Zonda solar farm, which is owned by oil producer YPF Luz.
The Hydrogen Stream: Perovskites-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting
A research team has developed OHP-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, minimizing the usual limitations. Meanwhile, China released its first hydrogen guideline, and Germany announced €18.6 billion for the hydrogen industry. Finally, a German company finds out that hydrogen trains are more expensive than battery-operated vehicles.
Biwatt unveils new residential sodium-ion batteries
Biwatt Power, a Chinese manufacturer, has developed new residential sodium-ion batteries with an efficiency rate of 97% and a projected lifespan of more than 3,000 cycles.
Green hydrogen offtakers can shape the industry’s development
With strong government backing; a systems approach to development that views each component of hydrogen production and delivery as a whole; and growing demand, Australia could be on track for a commercially viable green hydrogen industry by 2030.
Saudi Arabia to power green hydrogen project with 2.2 GW of solar
Sungrow has agreed to supply inverter technology for a 2.2 GW solar plant under development in Oxagon, Saudi Arabia. The PV installation, which will be the largest in the Middle East upon completion, will provide power for Neom Green Hydrogen Co.’s (NGHC) $8.7 billion green hydrogen project.
European heat pump businesses secure funding
Octopus Energy has agreed to invest $89 million to scale up Kensa Group, a ground-source heat pump business, while KfW IPEX-Bank has agreed to provide $129.6 million of financing to German heat pump manufacturer Valliant.
