Technology and R&D

As rising renewables penetration and electrification place ever more strain on the world’s grids, the use of grid-forming inverters, rather than grid-following models, will play a vital role in network stability.

Two Korean research institutes are designing a space solar power satellite project with the aim of providing approximately 1 TWh of electricity to the Earth per year. The proposed system would use 4,000 sub-solar arrays measuring 10 metres × 270 metres and comprising thin film roll-out, with a system power efficiency of 13.5%.

The Chinese manufacturer said Germany’s TÜV SUD has confirmed the results.

Australian National University researchers will put their heads together with Queensland tech company CQSola to find ways to accelerate commercialisation of a direct solar-to-hydrogen system as part of a newly funded project.

Australian battery materials technology company Sicona has confirmed it will develop its first commercial manufacturing facility in the United States as part of its ambition to become the biggest producer of silicon-carbon battery materials in the world.

Spanish manufacturer Soltec has developed a new dual-row, single-axis tracker with a tracking range of up to 60 degrees, offering compatibility with 60-cell, 72-cell and 78-cell modules.

What is being touted as Australia’s largest floating solar system has been activated with water utility Gippsland Water flicking the switch on a 350 kW array deployed atop a wastewater treatment plant in Victoria’s southeast.

Australian solar and storage technology firm RayGen has secured more than $51 million in new funding to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of its concentrated PV and thermal hydro long-duration energy storage technology.

A smart phone, an app and new fleet management system are tools of choice for Queensland clean tech startup Evos Energy which has evolved its electric vehicle charging solutions to enable businesses to transition work and staff vehicles to electric.

New Zealand battery technology company ArcActive is planning to establish a manufacturing plant in Australia within 18 months that will be capable of producing 30,000 lead acid-based residential energy storage systems per year.