The Global South’s solar e-waste problem
An international research group has examined the structural barriers to addressing the solar e-waste problem in the Global South. They argue that the focus should be on repairing devices, rather than recycling them.
The weekend read: Real barriers to virtual power plants
The technology is available for virtual power plants to be rolled out across the United States, argues Jigar Shah, the director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office. Their implementation would result in a cascade of benefits, including extending the adoption of distributed energy resources like rooftop PV and lowering electricity costs for consumers.
Saft unveils new modular battery for time-shifting applications
Saft, a unit of TotalEnergies, has launched a new LFP battery storage system that is optimized for time-shifting applications.
Australian state announces world’s ‘biggest pumped hydro scheme’
Annastacia Palaszczuk, the premier of the Australian state of Queensland, has launched a new plan to develop what could be the world’s biggest pumped hydro scheme.
The mobility rEVolution: Lightyear 0 makes history as the world’s most aerodynamic production car
In other news, Our Next Energy reveals 240-Ah anode-free cell with high energy density, ABB E-mobility expands its manufacturing footprint in the US, and Volvo’s parent company Geely unveils 600 kW supercharging technology.
Australian grid operator turns to Smart Wires technology to unlock renewables
Transmission network operator Transgrid is counting on technology developed in the United States to increase the capacity for the bidirectional flow of energy between Australia’s most populous states with works on the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector upgrade project nearing completion.
Greece readies €340 million grid-scale storage plan
Developers in Greece will bid to secure annual payments for large-scale storage facilities that must be operational before 2026.
Renewables and storage developers bid to offer new power in Ontario
The Canadian province needs to commission 5 GW of newly-built electricity generation capacity to cope with demand driven in part by electric vehicles and nuclear energy retirements.
The mobility rEVolution: New tech cuts risk of electrocution from EVs
UK researchers have found a way to reduce the risk of electrocution with electric vehicles, while US utility Duke Energy said it is exploring how the Ford F-150 Lightning can serve as a grid resource. Chinese carmaker Geely posted disappointing first-half results, while IHS Markit said it expects strong uptake of battery electric vehicles in Europe through to 2030.
Growing consensus on 100% renewables
An international group of researchers from 15 universities has said that there is growing consensus among scientists that an energy system based on 100% renewables could be achieved cost effectively by 2050.
