Storing renewables in soil mounds via water balloons
Scientists in Denmark have developed a storage technology that utilizes large underground water balloons and the pressure of the soil to activate a turbine to generate power. They are currently building a first 10 m x 10 m demonstrator to select critical technologies related to the membrane and to the construction of the “movable hill” that will form the terrain part of the battery.
Germany deployed 3.8 GW of PV in first half of 2022
In June alone, new PV systems totaling 612 MW were connected to the German grid. The country’s cumulative operational PV capacity reached 59.9 GW at the end of June.
Only one PV project to compete in Quebec’s 780 MW renewables tender
The 40 MW solar park is under development by Saint-Augustin Canada Electric Inc and planned to be located in Bas Saint Laurent, with completion scheduled for October 2026. Wind and hydropower were the prevailing sources in the procurement exercise.
Photovoltaic thermal panel with overall efficiency of 83% via MXenes nanofluid
UK researchers have demonstrated a photovoltaic thermal panel that utilizes an MXene/water nanofluid for heat transfer. They said the nanofluid is not only able to improve the thermal and electrical performance of the panel, but also to reduce its size by 14.5%.
Forecast methodology for photovoltaic power yield during solar eclipses
In October there will be a partial solar eclipse in Central Europe. The Fraunhofer IEE has developed a solution that reportedly enables the most accurate forecast possible of the photovoltaic feed-in power during the extreme event.
India’s cumulative installed PV capacity tops 57.7 GW
Rajasthan (14.4 GW), Gujarat (7.8 GW) and Karnataka (7.6 GW) are the Indian states with the largest amount of solar power.
The Hydrogen Stream: $8 billion green hydrogen facility near the Suez Canal
Egypt is taking several steps to support renewable and hydrogen projects, aiming to produce 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Meanwhile, a team of researchers led by UCLA developed a method for predicting platinum alloys’ potency and stability; Iberdrola and bp are working on strategic collaboration, including large-scale green hydrogen production hubs in Spain, Portugal and the UK.
Enel looks to sell major stake in Australian wind, solar portfolio
Italian utility Enel is reportedly looking to sell a substantial share in its renewable energy platform, Enel Green Power, to help fund an estimated 3.6 GW development pipeline in the country.
NGK Insulators links 200 kW/1,200 kWh NAS battery to 2.6 MW rooftop solar array at Japanese factory
Both the battery and the PV system are due to begin commercial operations in 2024.
US to extend Investment Tax Credit for solar at 30% to 2032
As written in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the tax credit will begin at 30% and step down to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034.
