Tandem PV cells present potential for residential applications, MIT scientists say
Four different thin film solar PV technologies were tested by the MIT experts across three types of environment in the U.S.: Arid (Arizona); temperate (South Dakota); and humid (Florida). The research found that despite high costs, tandem cells may become viable in rooftop applications.
ARENA study to bring blockchain energy trading to dairy farmers
Through a study funded by ARENA, the distributed database platform blockchain will be used by Latrobe Valley dairy farmers to buy and sell locally generated renewable energy.
Power Ledger: “Japan is a really good market”
Blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading will be trialed by Japanese utility KEPCO, under a new agreement with Power Ledger announced this week. Meagan Cojocar, an analyst with the Perth-based company says Japan is the ideal location for the Power Ledger as the country’s energy drive self sufficiently and its “crypto friendly” attitude.
ABB launches what it says is world’s fastest EV charger
The Terra High Power charger can charge an electric vehicle (EV) in just eight minutes, thus adding up to 200 km of range, says ABB, which launched the new model at this year’s Hannover Messe.
EU grants €5 million to perovskite research consortium
Belgian institute Imec will be the coordinator of a project involving many of Europe’s leading research organizations, which will focus on developing stable, scalable, low cost PV modules based on perovskite technology. The project, named ‘ESPResSo’ has received more than €5 million in funding from the European Union.
Fraunhofer ISE, Schmid develop production line concept for custom design modules
German research institute Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and equipment supplier Schmid have jointly developed a production for customizable modules for building-integrated projects. According to Fraunhofer ISE, the concepts developed by joint study could reduce the production cost for BIPV modules as much as 35%.
Solliance achieves 14.5% cell efficiency on perovskite module
Scientists at European solar research organization, Solliance have announced the achievement of 14.5% conversion efficiency on a perovskite module. The module uses a glass substrate, and the efficiency was measured on an aperture area of 144 cm².
University of Wollongong researchers unveil new sodium-ion battery design
Scientists from the University of Wollongong have developed prototype battery cells based on sodium-ion technology, which the university says can achieve excellent cycling stability and easily be scaled up to mass production.
Power Ledger, Greenwood Solution to deploy P2P energy trading platform in Melbourne
The first commercial deployment of Power Ledger’s P2P energy trading platform will take place in partnership with energy solutions business Greenwood Solutions, which will be in charge of installing solar across strata units.
Adelaide to get 8MW virtual power plant
A $7.7 million funding initiative for energy retailer Simply Energy to build a second virtual power plant across Adelaide was announced by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
