United Kingdom

An international group of researchers has developed an electronic device that is said to effectively mitigate hotspots in PV modules. It uses two current comparators, two NPN transistors, and a current mirror circuit to identify anomalies in the current flow and enable precise control of the input and output current via a purely resistive element.

As electrolysis is gaining traction in the markets, European and US companies announce new hydrogen projects in the heavy mobility sector. Meanwhile, UK-based solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) tech developer Ceres Power signed a global long-term agreement with Delta Electronics.

Scientists in the United Kingdom have proposed to combine residential thermoelectric heat pumps with heat storage tanks and have found this solution offers a higher heat output, a higher coefficient of performance, and shorter heating time. They stressed that thermoelectric heat pumps are easily combinable with DC photovoltaic energy.

UK researchers have evaluated the impact that heat pumps could have on fuel poverty in England and Scotland. They have found that the benefits heat pumps can provide exist in both scenarios.

Aerosolar, a spinoff from the Queen Mary University of London, has created a novel aerosol method that it claims boosts efficiency and stability of metal halide perovskite solar cells.

In November 2022, Germany’s Energie Baden Württemberg and steelmaker Salzgitter Group signed one of Europe’s first power purchase agreements (PPAs) for hydrogen production. More have followed and with the European Union introducing rules to govern green hydrogen, an industry is planning for its future.

Downing Street is inviting stakeholder feedback into a “cap and floor mechanism” of long duration electricity storage (LDES) systems, and the move has been “warmly welcomed” by one of the country’s renewable groups, the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA). The organization says the consultation signals the government’s intention for implementation.

Onerous permits, a deficit of skilled workers, unclear information and expensive retrofitting costs are some of the difficulties that heritage-listed homeowners and building owners in the United Kingdom face when transitioning toward low-carbon heating and energy efficiency technologies, according to a recent government report.

UK government statistics show that the country added 871 MW of solar capacity in the first 11 months of 2023. However, the Solar Energy UK trade association says that more than 1 GW of solar was deployed last year.

Thresholding methods have commonly been used to characterize the soiling accumulated on glass coupons. Researchers led by the Sapienza University of Rome have identified 16 automatic thresholding methods that may be used for analyzing soiling on PV panels.