Israel: Hydrogen-bromine flow battery goes online
EnStorage Inc. has developed the first ever grid-connected hydrogen-bromine (HBr) flow battery with its 50 kW battery connection at the company’s test site in southern Israel. The battery is said to provide up to 100 kWh of storage capacity.
Australia: Research shows fully renewable system possible
New research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia has drawn the conclusion that a fully renewable electricity system could not only be possible but cost effective. Key to the research, is that the study factors in a carbon price between AUD50 AUD100/ton, which would make even the most efficient coal-fired plants cost uncompetitive.
Organic solar substrate that literally grows on trees
Researchers have published results showing that organic solar cells can be produced on cellulose nanocrystal substrates (CNC). The cells are easily recyclable and are being touted as the first solar cells from materials that literally grow on trees.
Singulus Technologies and M-Cells to cooperate on cell production
PV equipment producer Singulus Technologies and solar cell manufacturer M-Cells have signed a letter of intent to expand technological cooperation for commercial production of crystalline silicon cells.
Solar fire and theft protection
Fires and theft have become growing problems for the solar industry. Leto Solar is now waiting for a patent for its H?MOS technology which, the company claims, enables the development of solar panels with capabilities to combat these problems.
$50m for US electric vehicle development projects
The U.S. Department of Energy is funding research into battery development and more efficient convertors and capacitors for use in advanced electric vehicles.
Dyesol secures $4 million from Saudi firm
Dyesol Limited has secured strategic investment from The National Industrialization Company of Saudi Arabia, or Tasnee, worth AU$4 million. Potential to expand this investment to $20 million exists. Meanwhile, R&D collaboration and demonstration projects in the Middle East are up for discussion.
Panasonic hits 24.7% cell efficiency
The Panasonic Corporation has claimed what it says is a world record for a crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic cell of a “practical size” with an efficiency of 24.7%. Japans Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology has evaluated the efficiency.
SunShot initiative funds $9m of solar data projects
The U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot solar initiative has awarded another $9 million of funding to seven data projects.
Solar Bankers plans 300 MW production of its new concentrated solar module
U.S.-based Solar Bankers LLC and Germanys Apollon GmbH & Co. KG have unveiled a new concentrated solar module using holographic foil, which they claim can be produced at costs lower than other manufacturers. They aim to establish 300 MW of production capacity in 2013.
