Technology

Researchers in Finland say that decentralized heat pumps could provide significant cost savings when selling surplus heat into district networks. However, they warned that capital expenditure remains high.

Brazilian scientists have created a new hybrid converter topology based on differential power processing (DPP) that can help reduce power losses in PV systems under permanent mismatch conditions, as well as temporary ones caused by partial shading, dirt and snow. The converter consists of a hybrid topology that combines the PV-to-PV and PV-to-Bus architectures and reportedly solve some of the issues presented by both configurations.

Form Energy has released a white paper that provides further evidence that multi-day energy storage, like its iron-air technology, can substantially reduce the costs for New York to achieve its ambitious decarbonization targets.

Scientists in China have fabricated an organic solar cell based on an indium tin oxide hole transport layer modified with an interfacial layer made of recycled indium chloride (InCl3).

Switzerland’s Dhp Technology AG says it plans to deploy new retractable PV systems at 45 motorway service areas in the Swiss cantons of Valais and Bern. The foldable arrays can be retracted and protected during extreme weather conditions or hail storms.

Scientists in South Korea have created an algorithm that reportedly prevents oversizing of power-to-gas systems located in areas with large shares of solar and renewable energy capacities. The algorithm calculates saturation points for both PV and power-to-gas facilities.

Chelion Australia, an energy storage solutions specialist, has developed a new all-in-one lithium iron phosphate battery cabinet for commercial applications.

Dutch scientists have developed a perovskite-PERC tandem solar cell based on a new type of tunnel recombination junction that reportedly offers an improved device efficiency distribution. The cell uses a nickel(II) oxide layer that is intended to reduce electrical shunts in the perovskite top cell.

New research shows that hybrid heat pumps combining an electric heat pump and a gas boiler represent a technically feasible and economically viable solution to partially decarbonize heat supply in older dwellings. Gas and electricity prices, however, are crucial factors in real scenarios.

The Southern California Gas Company has agreed to a settlement of $175,000, without admitting fault, to cease claims that their gas is ‘renewable’. The company will also update its website to clarify that only 5% of its gas comes from renewable sources.