Solar for extreme Arctic conditions
US researchers have installed a pilot 4.3 kW solar system at Oliktok Point, Alaska, north of the Arctic Circle. They want to determine which PV system designs and technologies are most efficient in extremely cold climates with limited sunlight.
US startup raises $120 million to expand deployment of VPPs
Swell Energy has raised funds to support the development of virtual power plants (VPP) and the deployment of 200 MWh of additional contracted capacity.
The Hydrogen Stream: Egypt to host 3.6 GW of electrolyzers at Suez Canal
Globeleq has revealed plans to build a green hydrogen facility in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and Air Liquide has agreed to run a hydrogen production unit for TotalEnergies in France. Doosan Fuel Cell, meanwhile, has said it will export 105 MW of hydrogen fuel cells to China by 2026.
NREL updates interactive chart of solar cell efficiency
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a new, interactive version of its research cell efficiency chart for a range of PV technologies.
Powin, BlackRock start working on world’s largest battery
US battery specialist Powin and US investment firm BlackRock have started work on a 909 MW/1,915 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Australia. Construction is set to begin in 2023 and will finish by mid-2025.
Solar windows cut emissions, energy use by 40% in glass skyscrapers
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has modeled the benefits of PV in highly glazed skyscrapers.
Enel Green Power confirms plans to build 3 GW solar module factory in US
Enel, which already runs a solar factory on the Italian island of Sicily, said its new US plant with be its second global PV manufacturing facility.
The Hydrogen Stream: Germany to import green ammonia from Saudi Arabia from 2026
Germany has decided to build its first green ammonia import terminal in Hamburg, in collaboration with Air Products. Egypt, meanwhile, has signed $85 billion of hydrogen framework agreements.
Proposed HVDC ‘macrogrid’ to transmit low-cost, renewable power in US
A grid-modeling company has proposed an underground high-voltage DC transmission overlay for the continental United States. It could potentially help to reduce climate pollutants and electricity costs, in addition to facilitating solar and wind deployment.
Taiwanese consortium develops easily recyclable solar module
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and United Renewable Energy (URE) have developed a solar panel that can be easily dismantled to simplify the recycling process. They claim that 96% of the materials in the panel can be recovered, including all of the solar cells and front glass.
