Panasonic launches new domestic hot water heat pump
The Aquarea DHW Heat Pump utilizes propane as the refrigerant and is reportedly able to reach maximum temperatures of 65 C. The standalone unit supports PV contact and is compatible with external recirculation pumps.
Japan’s 24th solar auction concludes with average final price of $0.028/kWh
Japan has allocated 79 MW of PV capacity in its latest procurement exercise. The highest price in the auction was JPY 7.79 ($0.054) /kWh.
Mitsubishi testing aquifer thermal energy storage for renewables
The Japanese conglomerate and the Osaka Metropolitan University are testing an aquifer thermal energy storage system that directly uses 10,000 m3 of groundwater stored at 5 C in a cooling well. It is intended to store renewable energy and produce cooling for air conditioning in the summer or heating for the winter.
British and Irish BESS investors make big moves in Japan
Gore Street Capital’s Japanese fund buys its first battery energy storage system (BESS) project, while Ireland’s GridBeyond begins energy trading in Japan with front-of-the-meter asset.
New device could pave way for magnetic controllable photovoltaic devices
Scientists in Japan have developed a device that enables external magnetic field control of magnetic injection current in the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a phenomenon not yet used in commercial solar cells. The research suggests a potential path toward regulating photocurrent in next-generation photovoltaic applications.
The Hydrogen Stream: FAW Hongqi advances fuel cell vehicle development
FAW Group’s Hongqi hydrogen fuel cell vehicle program has passed official range and hydrogen consumption tests, achieving 15% lower hydrogen use than competitors, according to the China State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC).
Daikin launches new single-zone heat pumps for residential use
The new Oterra 115V heat pumps use difluoromethane (R32) as the refrigerant and have a heating capacity of 9,000 BTU/h to 12,000 BTU/h.
The Hydrogen Stream: UK researching hydrogen storage nodes
Ofgem has awarded GBP 500,000 ($677,000) to a consortium led by National Gas and Gravitricity to develop a lined shaft system for storing up to 100 tons of green hydrogen underground. The six-month project aims to assess feasibility ahead of a potential demonstration in 2026.
Sojitz, Kansai Electric sign 20-year PPA to power titanium plant in Japan
Sojitz has signed a 20-year corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kansai Electric Power and Osaka Titanium Technologies to deliver solar energy from hundreds of distributed-generation sites.
The Hydrogen Stream: HDF signs deal for 23 projects in Indonesia
HDF Energy (Hydrogène de France) has signed a tripartite agreement with Indonesia’s PLN and PT SMI to fund €2.3 billion ($2.6 billion) of hydrogen projects, while Thyssenkrupp Nucera says it will conduct a front-end engineering design [FEED] study for a 600 MW hydrogen electrolysis plant in Europe.
