World’s fastest supercomputers probing future of sodium-ion batteries
Japanese researchers used supercomputer simulations to reveal how sodium ions form clusters and move within hard carbon anodes, identifying nanopore sizes and transition regions that control diffusion and rate performance in sodium-ion batteries. Their findings offer design guidelines for optimizing hard-carbon anodes to improve energy density, cycling, and commercialization prospects.
Can sodium-ion beat Li-ion in portable power? Bluetti Pioneer Na gives it a try
The world of batteries needs alternative chemistries to skirt weaknesses with lithium-ion. Sodium-ion is a big hope, and in portable power, Bluetti’s new product shows promise, and limitations.
Private 660 MWh solar-storage project closes financing in South Africa
Naos‑1 is described as South Africa’s biggest private utility‑scale solar and battery storage project, designed to wheel power to industrial customers.
World’s first 628 Ah grid-scale battery enters operation
EVE Energy says a 200 MW/400 MWh battery energy storage project in China has entered operation, which it describes as the world’s first utility-scale deployment of 628 Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells.
Beyond first-time installations: How Europe’s residential solar Market is shifting toward upgrades and intelligent energy systems
Europe’s residential solar market is shifting from rapid rooftop PV growth to a more selective phase, with declining new installations but rising demand for upgrades like storage, smart energy management, EV integration, and balcony systems. Rather than retreating, households are reinvesting in complementary technologies that enhance flexibility, reliability, and self-consumption, redefining residential demand around integrated, intelligent energy solutions.
Long-duration storage as an antidote to grid congestion, renewables curtailment
RenewaFLEXNL, a three-year Dutch initiative led by TNO, aims to accelerate long‑duration energy storage (8–100 h) to reduce grid congestion and better integrate renewable energy. pv magazine spoke with the project coordinator, Iraxte Gonzalez Aparicio, about diverse storage technologies, real-world applications, regulatory guidance, and energy management system tools to support large-scale solar‑plus‑storage deployment in the Netherlands and beyond.
Comparing safety profiles of lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state batteries
New research finds that battery safety rankings are not universal but highly dependent on application scenarios, and shows that LFP batteries can emit high levels of hydrogen fluoride, challenging their reputation as the “safest” chemistry.
Brazil reserve battery auction rules near finalization with 20 GW lined up
Brazil’s electricity regulator has approved March reserve capacity auctions for thermal and hydro plants with more than 125 GW registered, while guidelines for a separate battery storage auction remain pending even as over 20 GW of projects are under development.
Pace Digitek secures 250 MW of solar and 1.1 GWh of storage in India
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL)) has issued a letter of award to Pace Digitek for a 250 MW solar project with a 250 MW, 1.1 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka, India, with an interim tariff of INR 5.51 ($0.061)/kWh adopted by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission.
French startup launches app to boost collective self-consumption
French startup Jane Energie has introduced a software platform to automate and manage collective self-consumption projects, targeting 100 kWp to 500 kWp installations as the segment moves from feed-in tariffs toward shared local consumption models.
