Sodium aluminum battery for renewables storage
US researchers have designed a molten salt that could potentially reach an energy density of up to 100 Wh/kg at a cost of $7.02/ kWh. The battery uses an aluminum cathode that charges quickly and reportedly enables longer-duration discharge.
Solar microgrid to support critical water infrastructure
A US water station will enhance its ability to deliver safe, clean water during extended grid outages.
The Hydrogen Stream: Bismuth-based catalyst for efficient OER in electrolysis
South Korean researchers have reported higher performance with a newly proposed BM/BiFeOxHy electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), due to higher lattice vacancies and the amorphous structure. Institutions in the EU, the UK, and Canada, meanwhile, have announced new plans to provide funds for hydrogen projects.
Vanadium’s role in a just transition
The deployment of a vanadium flow battery at a fire station run by Native Americans illustrates the role that the energy storage technology can play in ensuring that nobody is disadvantaged by the shift away from fossil fuels.
Growing US microgrid market hits 10 GW in 2022
Wood Mackenzie estimates that the US microgrid market has seen a 47% increase in solar and storage capacity in 2022 compared to 2017 levels, driven by rising demand for uninterrupted services, military resilience plans, and corporate environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals.
US to add 29.1 GW of large-scale solar in 2023
The US solar market is set to add 29.1 GW of new utility-scale PV and 9.4 GW of storage in 2023, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). If that new capacity goes online as planned, 2023 will have the most new utility-scale PV capacity added in a single year.
New lithium iron phosphate battery for residential, off-grid PV
Discovery Battery’s new lithium iron phosphate battery system has a nominal voltage of 51.2 V and a capacity of 100 Ah. Up to six 5.12 kWh battery modules can be stacked in a single enclosure, and up to four enclosures can be connected in parallel for a total capacity of 120 kWh.
US startup secures funding for window mini-split air conditioner
Gradient’s first-generation heat pump heating and cooling system is available for preorder, and ships this summer.
The Hydrogen Stream: Honda reveals plans to halve fuel cell costs by 2030
Honda has revealed a new hydrogen strategy, while Air Liquide and TotalEnergies have announced a new hydrogen joint venture.
Only5mins! – Sunnova’s micro-utility model challenging California utilities
US residential solar specialist Sunnova is seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for its micro-utility business model, which could potentially disrupt the state’s energy landscape. pv magazine speaks to CEO John Berger about plans to develop self-sustaining microgrids by equipping new homes and communities with solar and storage.
