Japanese gas supplier buys stake in Vietnamese PV operator
Japanese energy producer Shizuoka Gas has jumped into Vietnam’s renewable energy sector with the acquisition of a 25% stake in My Son-Hoan Loc Viet Solar Energy JSC.
New research optimizes energy density in sodium-ion batteries
A machine learning model has identified Na[Mn0.36Ni0.44Ti0.15Fe0.05]O2 as the optimum composition to attain the highest energy density for sodium-ion (Na-ion) devices.
Hydrogen detection system for safety, quality control
Researchers in Japan have developed an optimized hydrogen gas measurement using TDLAS technique. It is reportedly able to achieve a detection range of hydrogen gas concentration of 0.01% to 100%. The group said that it can improve hydrogen safety and in turn, its adoption.
What happens when malware hits PV systems
A random malware variant affected about 800 remote monitoring devices at ground-mounted PV plants in Japan in May 2024. Tokyo-based cybersecurity firm Girasol Energy has told pv magazine what happened and how PV asset owners can protect themselves against such incidents.
Controlling grid fluctuations via solar module cooling
A research group has proposed a novel method to control ramp rates in power networks. Its control optimization is based on weather, load and production forecast data. The scientists simulated the operation of the proposed technique and reached a ramp rate reduction of up to 76.2%.
Softbank, Longi develop 665 g/m2 heterojunction solar modules with 22.2% efficiency
Researchers from the two companies have built a lightweight and flexible silicon heterojunction (HJT) PV panel that measures 563 mm x 584 mm and weighs just 218.5 g.
Japan’s oldest PV system gets refurbished
Tokyo-based startup Girasol Energy and the enterprise bureau of Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture have repowered Japan’s oldest PV system, a 100 kW array built in 1993. The project aimed to partially replace the original 13.3% efficient solar modules, offering an alternative to dismantling and recycling the system’s components.
The Hydrogen Stream: 20 GW of electrolysis project reached final investment decision
The IEA published its yearly hydrogen analysis reporting that of the 520 GW announced electrolysis projects, 20 GW reached final investment decision, with China leading the way.
Panasonic testing smart thermostats in residential heat pumps
Panasonic will integrate new smart thermostats and an energy management software in its Aquarea system from November. The new solutions are also designed to enable PV system owners to manage their heat pumps based on local weather forecasts.
EKO unveils new solar monitoring solution
The latest irradiance sensor solution from Japan-based EKO Instruments provides continuous measurements in the field. Well-suited for bifacial PV systems, it supports the measurement of global horizontal irradiance, diffuse horizontal irradiance and direct normal irradiance, even in reflective and cloudy conditions.
