Technology and R&D

The University of New South Wales (UNSW), the birthplace of pioneering PV technologies, is now developing another innovative solution: a large-scale hybrid energy storage that will combine lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. The first system will be installed at Risen Energy’s 121 MW Yarranlea Solar Farm in Queensland.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Adelaide-based laser supplier Lastek are developing equipment and procedures to accurately measure the performance of multi-junction solar cells with the help of an LED-based solar simulator.

Scientists at MIT have developed a new type of “hybrid” cathode for lithium batteries, which they say could increase their energy density beyond that of current commercial lithium-ion battery designs.

The study will evaluate the direct production of cathode powders from mica feed material sourced from mining operations, eliminating the need for cobalt and nickel.

Toyota Australia will transform its former manufacturing site in West Melbourne into a renewable energy hub to produce green hydrogen with the help of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). In other hydrogen-related news, researchers at UNSW Sydney with partners H2Store have received a $3.5 million investment from Providence Asset Group to develop a hydrogen residential storage.

Following months of uncertainty around its financial position, Carnegie Clean Energy and its fully owned subsidiaries went into voluntary administration last week. In its latest statement to ASX, the renewable energy developer says it has struck a deal with one of its directors to provide funding support while administrators attempt to recapitalize its wave power business.

After reporting a $45 million loss in its half year results, the troubled renewable energy developer has suffered a new blow. The Western Australia government has terminated the $16 million financial assistance agreement for the Albany wave energy project, noting that unexpected proposal to change Federal Government’s R&D tax incentive scheme contributed to destabilization of the company’s financial position. 

The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy has awarded $50,000 to 20 teams that advanced to the semifinal stage of the American Made Solar Prize. The teams will now have 90 days to design a proof of concept.

The Sydney-based developer is seeking $75 million to help finance a 50 MW hybrid project, following a successful 1 MW pilot. Vast Solar is looking to deploy its innovative CSP technology, which uses sodium as a heat transfer fluid to capture concentrated solar energy that can then be stored and used on demand, on the utility-scale.

Researchers want to better understand how hydrogen atoms may improve the performance of phosphorus-doped multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) films for passivating contact solar cells.