Downsizing gallium nitride inverters
A German consortium led by Fraunhofer IEE aims to bring gallium nitride inverters closer to commercial viability. The primary goal of the research project is the optimization and miniaturization of inverters, including passive components such as cooling systems, casings, and mounting structures.
The Hydrogen Stream: World’s first hydrogen-powered towboat
Shipbuilder Hermann Barthel has developed the world’s first push boat to combine battery-electric propulsion with hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Iberdrola and Fertiberia, meanwhile, have commissioned Europe’s largest green hydrogen production plant.
Germany deployed 553 MW of solar in April
Germany’s new solar additions for April included 517 MW under the country’s incentive scheme and 35 MW of unsubsidized installations.
Green hydrogen price may drop to €5 kg by 2025
Aurora Energy Research says in a new report that maximum green hydrogen project profitability could be achieved when solar and wind power plants are combined with electrolyzers.
Fraunhofer ISE achieves 47.6% efficiency with III-V four-junction CPV cell
Fraunhofer ISE have improved the performance of a cell structure originally developed by France’s Soitec in 2014. The German scientists managed to reduce resistance losses and the reflection on the cell front side.
The Hydrogen Stream: Novel tech for extracting hydrogen gas from liquid carriers
North Carolina State University (NCSU) has developed an energy-efficient strategy for room-temperature hydrogen release from liquid hydrogen carriers, which uses less rhodium. Elsewhere in the world, Airbus launched its Zero Emission Development Centre in the UK, Toshiba ESS teamed up with Fusion Fuel to target Australian and European markets, and Corfo signed agreements to finance three renewable hydrogen projects with GNL Quintero, iCAP, and Air Liquide in Chile.
Wacker to expand silicon metal production in Norway
Polysilicon manufacturer Wacker has launched a feasibility study for its expansion plans in Norway. It said its production capacity in the village of Holla could increase by 50% by 2025.
Analyst predicts extent of rise in this year’s solar capital costs
Wood Mackenzie this week made a slew of predictions for the industry in 2022 and noted the effects the US’ recently announced anti-circumvention investigation is already having on utility scale plans.
About 400 GW of solar, wind needed per year to keep mercury rise below 1.5 C
Academics in Denmark and Berlin have calculated Europe will need 400 GW of new solar and wind facilities per year from 2025 to 2035 to contribute to capping global temperature rises, in line with the Paris Agreement.
China dominates transport fuel-cell patents
The World Intellectual Property Organization says China accounted for 69% of the patents filed for transport-related fuel-cell tech in 2020, with road transport significantly dominating applications.
