Energy Storage

Transgrid, Australia’s major grid operator, plans to launch a competitive process to procure grid support services from third-party battery operators. It aims to maintain reliable electricity supply in two growth regions in New South Wales by looking beyond traditional network infrastructure.

Researchers in Spain have studied the impact of hydrogen production and storage technologies in risk management for energy communities with internal price-tariff systems. They found that the optimal involvement in futures markets and spot markets will depend on a community’s risk aversion and self-sufficiency.

US researchers have developed new integrated halide perovskite photoelectrochemical cells, while Fortescue Future Industries has revealed plans to acquire a hydrogen project from Nikola in Arizona.

Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) has developed an ultra-efficient circuit topology for voltage converters with an electrical efficiency of 99.74%. The tech could considerably raise the coefficient of performance for electrocaloric heat pumps and the scientists are now considering components based on semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) for higher power density and efficiency.

Tesla owners can select a feature in an app to set their Powerwall batteries to solely charge their vehicles on excess stored PV capacity.

An international research group has proposed to build a Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) central grid across 12 countries in order to reduce energy poverty. The proposed transmission line would touch Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Nuvola Technology says it has developed a direct deposition polymer separator technology that can eliminate the primary cause of lithium-ion battery fires.

China-based GoodWe has developed two new solutions – the ETC 100 kW hybrid inverter and the BTC 100 kW retrofit battery inverter – for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar applications.

Evos, an Australian startup specializing in electric-vehicle charging technology, has unveiled its first home chargers. The 7 kW wall-mounted devices are designed to add driving range to EVs for every hour they are plugged in.

Ambri has advanced its collaboration with Xcel Energy for a long-duration energy storage project.