Technology

While most long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies are still early stage and costly compared to lithium-ion batteries, some have already, or are, set to achieve lower costs for longer durations, finds BloombergNEF.

Scientists in China have tested the influence of panel row spacing in increasing a PV system performance in a full-scale outdoor PV array experimental platform. They found that larger row spacing plays a limited role in improving thermal convection, observing that solar irradiance and wind speed are the key parameters for optimal PV system design.

A solar-powered microgrid has been launched in the Victorian town of Monbulk as part of a $7.5 million state government program designed to better protect communities in fire and storm-prone areas against prolonged blackouts caused by extreme weather events.

Construction of Australia’s largest energy transmission project is progressing with Transgrid announcing that the first of four lines has been completed as part of the 900-kilometre EnergyConnect infrastructure project that will link power grids across three states.

The federal government has been urged to pick up the pace after the Clean Energy Finance Corporation opened the purse strings on a $1 billion fund that is to support cheaper finance for rooftop solar, home batteries and other energy efficiency upgrades for Australian homes.

Australian renewable gen-tailer Zen Energy has officially broken ground on its first utility-scale battery project, the 111 MW / 290 MWh Templers energy storage system being built near Gawler in South Australia.

Chinese manufacturer Longi says its new Hi-MO X6 Scientist series has a temperature coefficient of -0.28%/C and a power output ranging from 620 W to 630 W. They rely on the company’s proprietary hybrid passivated back contact cell technology.

The deployment of community batteries rolls on in New South Wales with network operators Endeavour Energy and Ausgrid both launching new energy storage systems on their networks.

Lithium-ion batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail but they can catch fire if they are damaged or stored or operated incorrectly. There is a tremendous amount of research and engineering effort going into making batteries safer but are technological advancements being rolled out quickly enough?

A team of researchers from the University of Queensland has detailed five key recommendations needed to accelerate Australia’s transition to electric vehicles and ready the country’s infrastructure for an ‘influx’ of EVs.