Heat pumps bankable as incentive-free solutions in many applications
Two Italian experts on heat pumps and PV systems recently spoke to pv magazine about economies of scale, the European market, and the maturity of heating tech. The Eurac researchers said currently available heat pumps can run at -20 C and efficiently provide hot water up to 65 C.
NASA developing 10 kW movable PV array for moon mission
NASA plans to place a solar array on a tall mast to avoid lunar shading and capture uninterrupted light. It will hang a pair of PV cell blankets from a horizontal cross arm supported by the mast, anchored to a deployable tripod base.
Proposed 500 MW pumped storage project secures California state funding
A proposed 500 MW long-duration energy storage project in San Diego County has started a multi-year process to win federal and state approval. If built, it won’t enter into service before 2030.
Enel installs 6.1 MWh vanadium redox flow battery in Spain
The battery will be provided by Canadian vanadium mining company Largo Resources. It will come online in the third quarter of next year.
Longi claims 25.19% efficiency for p-type TOPCon solar cell
Longi’s 25.19% efficiency rating for its new p-type TOPCon solar cells, confirmed by the Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin, is reportedly a world record.
The Hydrogen Stream: new push from Italy, Uniper eyes Oman’s hydrogen potential
A working group including Italian energy transmission operator Snam has begun a collaboration aimed at using hydrogen to reduce emissions in the glass industry. Elsewhere, Italy-based technology provider Saipem has launched a solution for the production of green hydrogen and German energy company Uniper has signed a cooperation agreement with Oman’s green hydrogen project, Hyport.
New tech may bring heterojunction solar cells based on p-type wafers closer to mass production
An Australian-Russian research group has developed a silicon heterojunction solar cell based on p-type gallium-doped wafers with an efficiency of 22.6% and an improved stability. The scientists are convinced that these wafers may become a mainstream solution for the SHJ segment within the next decade.
Australian utility tests compressed air storage
Compressed air energy storage is not exactly a new technology, but recent months have seen it get a new lease on life, as intermittent renewable sources of energy come to the fore.
Mondragon Assembly launches new interconnection equipment for solar modules
The new machine is claimed to be suitable for the production of all kinds of PV module technologies currently available on the market.
Hold your breath for a better battery
Recent research has revealed a previously underestimated role for oxygen in limiting the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Newly published research from both Japan and the United States has sought to look deeper into the chemical reactions at the heart of lithium-ion storage; and to better characterize the cumulative effects that minuscule amounts of oxygen released during these reactions can have on battery performance and safety.
