Australia’s increasingly turbulent irradiance laid bare in decade of mapping
Solar data company Solargis has released 10-year solar performance maps showing Australia’s massive variations in irradiance and the impacts of extreme weather patterns and events.
Green alumina processing pilot in WA receives major backing from ARENA
Western Australia’s Pinjarra alumina refinery, run by US giant Alcoa and Alumina Ltd, has been granted $8.6 million to test electric calcination, a process which could significantly reduce refineries’ footprints. The grants awarded add up to almost half of the pilot’s costs.
Australia’s first hydrogen storage tank manufacturing facility in planning, enabled through US partnership
Sydney company CST Composites is seeking to establish Australia’s first hydrogen vessel manufacturing facility, looking to secure its position in the rapidly growing industry through a joint venture with a US-based hydrogen storage tank manufacturer.
Zinc-based battery tech for stationary applications unveiled by Indian startup
A startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has introduced ZincGel battery tech, which could offer significant savings for owners of two-wheel electric vehicles.
Radiative cooling for PV modules – challenges and prospects
A group of international scientists has investigated the potential use of radiative cooling in PV systems, in a newly published review focusing on challenges and opportunities for the passive cooling technology.
CSIRO to invest $50 million in storage tech of tomorrow
The CSIRO will invest $50 million in four new programs to drive critical breakthroughs in electric vehicle batteries and creating storage solution which could “mimic pumped hydro.”
Mobility rEVolution: Nissan moves forward with in-house all-solid-state battery production
In other news, GM and Honda are jointly developing affordable EVs, the Biden administration holds an EV industry meeting, and Mercedes-Benz Energy agrees to supply EV batteries to BatteryLoop for its scalable, circular energy storage products.
How climate-friendly is an electric car? It all comes down to where you live
If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, whether due to soaring fuel prices or to lower your greenhouse gas emissions, where you live can make a huge difference to how climate-friendly your car is.
Bosch unveils hydrogen-compatible stationary fuel cell system
Bosch’s new solid oxide fuel cell prototype has an electrical efficiency of more than 60% and an overall efficiency above 85%. It also has a targeted power output of 10 kW and can produce up to 3 kW of thermal energy.
Weekend read: Big battery breach
In September 2021, not long after a fire at the Victorian Big Battery made international headlines, Neoen’s original “Big Battery” – the Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia – was sued by the Australian Energy Regulator for failing to provide all of the frequency control ancillary services it had agreed to offer. The case is now before Australia’s Federal Court, where the judgement could set an important precedent for network operations in Australia, as well as the transition to large-scale batteries.
