Technology and R&D

Elsewhere, Chinese researchers have synthesised ultrafine Pd100-xCux nanodot-modified TiO2 photocatalysts that display optimised energy barrier for interfacial hydrogen desertion, which reportedly exhibits excellent H2-evolution activity and stability, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has presented its plans to establish the Takasago Hydrogen Park, calling it the world’s first centre for validation of hydrogen-related technologies, from hydrogen production to power generation.

What can wave energy converters do that no other form of renewable energy can? Well, they can remove waves’ energy. For a country like Australia, where much of our population and wealth is concentrated on coastlines evermore frequently battered by extreme weather, this proposition is particularly attractive. Especially if the technology is able to offer both protection and green electricity without radically altering marine ecosystems and aesthetics. “No one has looked at what we’re looking at before: combining power generation with coastal protection and trying to control it,” Professor Richard Manasseh told pv magazine Australia.

Australian maritime hydrogen company Poseidon Marine H2 says it expects to have a hydrogen-powered boat in Australian waters within the next 18 months after bringing on board the principal engineers from Dynamic Efficiency.

Scientists in Australia have developed an optimisation framework for building-integrated photovoltaics that allows the selection of design variables according to user preferences. Their model considers PV-related features such as tilt angle, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), PV placement, and PV product type, as well as objective functions and constraints such as the net present value and the payback period.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has promised inverter makers higher power density, higher efficiency, and a total bill of materials that comes in closer to its more established rival in silicon. Has SiC finally arrived? Tristan Rayner spoke to the people at the forefront of the wider-bandgap material to find out the back story and what’s next.

British start-up Gravitricity secured funds from the UK Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to build its second gravity-based storage project. The feasibility study is expected to be finalised by the end of this year.

Looking to deepen their hydrogen collaborations, the UK government last week spoke with Australian politicians. Meanwhile Australian engineer Worley has entered into an MoU with ABB and IBM to develop an “integrated, digitally enabled solution for facility owners to build green hydrogen assets more quickly, cheaply, and safely.”

BlueScope Steel, the country’s largest steelmaker, is refining and progressing its plans to decarbonise its steel making process – considered to be one of the greatest opportunities for green hydrogen use.

India and Australia have signed a letter of intent to cooperate on scaling up the manufacture and deployment of ultra-low-cost solar and “clean” hydrogen.

Australian concentrated solar thermal power company Vast Solar has been shortlisted as a finalist for BNEF’s Pioneers 2022 program.