Hydrogen storage in salt caverns in France
Hydrogène de France and gas grid company Teréga plan to launch a feasibility study for a 1.5 GWh pilot hydrogen storage project in caverns in the southwest of the country.
Microsoft trials hydrogen-powered data centers
The software giant has begun testing hydrogen fuel cells as a back-up power source at one of its U.S. data centers. A 250 kW pilot system successfully powered part of the facility for 48 hours and the company is now eyeing 3 MW systems to replace back-up diesel generators.
Grid constraints threaten to curtail more than 1 GW of solar projects in North Queensland
The northern Australian region this week added nine solar plants to the two already threatened – along with a wind farm – with having their output halted under certain conditions.
New solar+storage converter for greater grid stability
Scientists from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers have presented research suggesting a new topology for residential solar+storage inverters.
Remote operation for 900 MW fifth phase of Dubai solar field
Saudi developer ACWA Power has announced One Belt, One Road Chinese infrastructure partner Shanghai Electric will offer engineering, procurement and construction services on the next phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar field in Dubai.
Floating PV gains ground in Iberia
Spanish renewables company Acciona has commissioned Spain’s first floating installation and utility EDP has finalized the first, 1 MW phase of a 4 MW project at the Alqueva water reservoir in southern Portugal.
How much vertical BIPV is too much?
A French-Italian research group has shown that BIPV facades on buildings can cause a ‘darkening’ effect by reducing light reflectance on nearby installations, dragging down energy production by 11%. The ‘urban heat island effect’ can also weigh on PV system performance, the researchers said.
Temperature and the case for bifacial
U.S. scientists have developed a model to predict the performance of bifacial PV at project level. Their results show that when improved temperature sensitivity is properly taken into account, the advantage of bifacial modules could be even larger than previously thought. And for upcoming module technologies like heterojunction in particular, it could mean bifacial is viable in even more parts of the globe.
US startup unveils solid-state AC/DC enabler, AC switch
Amber Solutions has developed a solid-state AC/DC enabler, as well as an AC switch, with the aim of “disrupting the global electrical and powered products industries.” It claims the new tech provides greater reliability and control than ever before.
Bosch, IBC Solar combine smart heating production with PV
The German companies are developing an intelligent energy solution for heating, hot water, energy management and solar power generation in a single coordinated system.
