Technology and R&D

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a thermoacoustic Stirling heat pump prototype that offers high thermal performance, a peak coefficient of performance of 1.68, and potential applications in high-temperature industrial processes, enabling zero-carbon heating for sectors like petrochemicals and metallurgy.

An Oxford researcher has found that transparent conducting electrodes can reduce perovskite–silicon tandem solar cell efficiency by over 2%, with losses linked to electrical resistance, optical effects, and geometric trade-offs. Using a unified optical–electrical model, the scientist showed how careful optimization of TCE stacks, coatings, and cell design is critical to closing the gap toward the 37%–38% efficiency frontier.

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has powered up the world’s largest battery-electric ship – and the largest electric vehicle of any type on the planet – and successfully completed its first e-motor trial in Hobart.

UNSW and Jolywood studied the thermal stability of laser-assisted fired TOPCon solar cells during module fabrication and high-temperature stress, identifying hydrogen-related defect dynamics as the key factor behind degradation and recovery. They found lamination causes temporary efficiency losses that self-recover under light exposure, while optimized LAF can restore degraded contacts, providing practical guidance for reliable module manufacturing and testing.

The Chinese manufacturer has launched a new series of three-phase hybrid inverters ranging from 80 kW to 100 kW. They new products feature eight MPPTs with up to 42 A input current.

US researchers say a deep-learning framework provides the most detailed picture yet of how utility-scale solar uses land, revealing unexpected efficiency gaps and clearer pathways for agrivoltaics and brownfield development.

Chinese battery maker Hithium unveils 1300Ah cell, integrated long-duration system, and lithium-sodium LDES solution for AI data centers.

The battery is rated at a nominal 48 V and 314 Ah, with an ingress protection level of IP20.

Gokin has launched back-contact solar modules ranging from 480 W to 780 W for residential, C&I and utility-scale projects. The series supports 1,500 V systems and reaches efficiencies of up to 24.8%.

Germany has connected the world’s first supercapacitor-based STATCOM to the grid, with Siemens Energy and transmission system operator TenneT positioning it as a blueprint to replace fossil-fuel generators in providing instantaneous reserve and reactive power.