The mobility rEVolution: Carmakers set to make more ICE cars than sustainable
Global production of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is on track to far exceed sustainable levels from a climate perspective, according to a new German-Australian study. Foxconn, meanwhile, has started building an EV factory in Thailand.
Floating ‘artificial leaf’ for solar-to-hydrogen production
University of Cambridge scientists have developed lightweight floating photocatalyst devices that produce green hydrogen and syngas. The leaf-like photoelectrochemical devices show potential for scalability.
TÜV Rheinland offers certification for building-integrated PV
Germany’s TÜV Rheinland has defined safety and quality guidelines for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules to bring more transparency to the market.
All-perovskite two-terminal tandem solar cell tech with 32.3% efficiency
Indian scientists have designed a new all-perovskite tandem solar cell configuration that can reportedly achieve higher efficiencies than similar devices built with the same materials. The top perovskite cell has a wide bandgap of 1.75 eV and the bottom perovskite cell has a bandgap of 1.25 eV.
Swiss startup builds ground-mounted solar thermal power plant in Netherlands
Switzerland-based TVP Solar is applying the typical business model of utility-scale PV plants to its new project in the Netherlands. The project will inject heat into the Dutch heating network at temperatures ranging from 69 C to 93 C and under a 30-year heat purchase agreement.
The Hydrogen Stream: Africa could become key green hydrogen market by 2050, says Masdar
Masdar says Africa’s annual hydrogen exports could hit 40 million tons by 2050, while Israeli researchers have published a new study on the discharge characteristics of oxidized intermediates formed under water photo-oxidation conditions.
World’s first utility-scale, rock-based storage facility goes online in Italy
Enel is testing a 24 MWh thermal energy storage system that could be used for seasonal renewables storage. The facility uses rocks that store excess energy as heat, then releases that heat to generate steam for electricity.
Sun-tracking mounting structure for agrivoltaics
Italy’s Rem Tec has developed a rotating mounting structure for agrivoltaics. It is reportedly ideal for flat surfaces with a maximum slope of 3%, and is designed to produce a dynamic, controlled shadow on the ground.
Wärtsilä releases 12.4 MW grid-balancing engine
Finland’s Wärtsilä has unveiled its next-generation grid balancing technology. It has an efficiency of 52.3% and can be used for baseload production. It connects to the grid in 30 seconds and operates on natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen blends.
Ultra-thin, radiation-resistant solar cells for new space applications
UK scientists have developed a solar cell based on a layer of gallium-arsenide just 80 nanometers thick, with similar performance to much thicker devices. It showed excellent resistance to damage from radiation exposure, making it ideal for high-radiation satellite/space applications.
