South Australia trials energy-smart homes to ease pressure on grid
An ‘Australian first’ demonstration of aggregated flexible demand in residential settings will be rolled out in South Australia with the state’s principle electricity distributor to deliver smart energy upgrades for 500 households as part of a pilot program that aims to coordinate power usage to better support the grid.
Flexible demand trials in Victoria aim for better integration of renewables
Two Victorian energy companies are putting their know-how to the test by using technology to solve flexible demand issues for residential, commercial, and industrial customers, with the aim of matching variable energy sources like rooftop solar, to supply and demand.
Researchers roll out algorithms to target underperforming panels
A team of Australian researchers has developed multi-stage algorithms they say can remotely detect and accurately diagnose underperforming solar panels in residential and commercial PV systems.
Sunrise briefs: Microsoft announces largest PPA of renewables
Also on the rise: California crosses 10 GW battery storage threshold; Philippines set to add almost 2 GW of new solar in 2024; CATL unveils Ev with 1,000km range; and more.
Silicone composite coating promises to douse pole-top fire risk
A group of Australian engineers claim to have discovered a new material to make power-pole insulators resistant to electrical sparking and fire, promising to prevent dangerous pole-top fires, reduce blackouts and lower maintenance costs.
Lithium-sulphur battery player claims to have nailed safety standards
Queensland battery tech company Li-S Energy claims to have taken a significant step towards proving the safety of its semi-solid-state lithium sulfur batteries with the third-generation technology successfully passing a series of nail penetration tests.
Winaico launches new series of n-type TOPCon solar modules
Taiwanese manufacturer Winaico says its new 430 W glass-glass tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules have a power conversion efficiency of 22.02%.
Australian researchers reveal new quality monitoring method for rooftop and large-scale PV
An Australian research group has used an SMA inverter to switch the operating point of a PV array and has demonstrated its ability to create photoluminescence images for both rooftop and large-scale solar installations.
UNSW researchers warn of surprising TOPCon solar module vulnerabilities
Researchers at the University of New South Wales claim to have identified three TOPCon panel failure types that are absent in PERC products. They explained that these failures may occur when the modules are exposed to high humidity and contaminants before encapsulation.
Weekend read: It’s time to form, not follow
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.
