Can renewables curtailment be rethought as a good thing?
While curtailing solar and wind energy production can be viewed as a lost opportunity, NREL argues that it may be an important feature in the future energy grid dominated by low-cost renewable energy.
New kind of black silicon shows improved light-trapping properties
Scientists in Russia have developed a new wide-band optical absorber called ‘black silicide’ which they claim is more adjusted to match AM-1.5 solar spectrum with theoretically higher photogenerated current density. It could be used for tandem operation in photovoltaic devices.
Portable flexible PV systems for off-grid, residential applications
US startup New Use Energy Solutions has launched a new line of portable PV systems built with a module technology relying on Sunpower’s solar cells. The modules are assembled in the system via a custom vinyl tarp.
JA Solar test reveals n-type panels outperform p-type counterparts
Chinese manufacturer JA Solar said that tests have shown that n-type modules have a 3.9% higher power yield than their p-type counterparts. Germany-headquartered technical service provider TÜV Nord has confirmed the results.
Transgrid delivers $235 million Powering Sydney’s Future project
New South Wales network operator TransGrid has completed a critical transmission upgrade designed to future proof the electricity grid in Australia’s largest city, securing the energy needs of more than 800,000 people living and working in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding areas.
Small cracks have negligible effect on solar cell performance
A team of researchers from the United Kingdom have found that crack percentages of up to 11% have a very limited impact on solar cell performance. They also ascertained that hotspots are likely to arise when the crack percentage is in the range of 11 to 34%.
Gas from Sydney’s wastewater soon to hit the city’s network
Sydney is close to having its first ‘renewable’ gas – converted from wastewater’s raw biogas into biomethane. The gas is to be produced at the Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant, with the trial the result of partnerships between ARENA, the NSW government, Sydney Water and Jemena.
Novel method to turn existing solar parks into agrivoltaic facilities
An international research team has developed a new methodology to increase levels of pollination at ground-mounted solar plants. It involves the development of new vegetated land cover below and around solar parks.
Sodium-ion batteries for EVs, renewables storage
US scientist have developed a new electrolyte design for sodium-ion batteries to improve their long cycling performance. The low-solvation electrolyte was designed for high-voltage sodium-ion batteries, which retained 90% of their capacity after 300 cycles.
‘Entirely novel’ mechanochemical breakthrough for storing hydrogen
Researchers at Melbourne’s Deakin University have discovered a novel way to separate, store and transport large amounts of gas. The method, they say, is efficient, affordable and creates no waste – carrying huge implications for the burgeoning green hydrogen industry and for the energy transition at large.
