Weekend read: Pathfinders for grid stability
Non-synchronous renewable energy affects grid stability but storage-as-transmission (SAT) assets offer grid companies a trump card. Whether it’s “virtual transmission” in Australia, Germany’s “Grid Booster” program, or the giga-scale pipeline of projects emerging in the United Kingdom, energy storage is finding a way.
LevelTen’s European solar PPA index fell to €73.2/MWh in Q1
US energy consultancy LevelTen Energy said in a recent report on solar and wind power purchase agreements in Europe that the prices of wind and solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the European markets increased by 56% year-on-year to reach €88.88 ($97.40)/MWh in the first quarter of this year.
India’s NTPC launches 1.5 GW/9 GWh energy storage tender
NTPC Renewable Energy is accepting bids to develop 1.5 GW/9 GWh of cumulative energy storage capacity on a build-own-operate basis anywhere in India. It will use the storage capacity to ensure round-the-clock renewable and/or peak power supplies. Bidding closes on June 16.
Austria accepts 100,000 applications in solar rebate scheme
Around 90,000 of the accepted applications in the latest round of Austria’s rebate scheme came from homeowners, and approximately 30,000 include the installation of battery storage.
Brazil hits 20 GW of distributed solar capacity
Brazil’s distributed-generation solar capacity has hit 20.186 GW, with more than 10.204 GW of residential rooftop installations.
US government commits $250 million to domestic heat pump production
The US authorities will offer new funds under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to build a clean energy economy, create new manufacturing jobs, and help families to save money on their energy bills.
Polysilicon prices fall 1.33% to six-week low of $37.218/kg
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Installed heat pump costs to fall by 20% by 2030, says UK research institute
The UK Energy Research Center says that the total installed cost of air-source heat pumps could fall by 20% by 2030. Non-equipment costs may decline by 30%, while equipment costs alone could drop by 17%.
Germany hits 70 GW milestone
Germany added 2.65 GW of new PV capacity in the first three months of this year. In March alone, the nation’s new PV additions hit 944 MW.
New selenization process paves way for 14%-efficient kesterite solar cells
Scientists in China claim to have gauged the selenization annealing process for kesterite solar cells, in order to achieve a kesterite absorber with low defects. They have developed a device with a certified efficiency of 13.8%.
