German manufacturer achieves 80% overall efficiency with new PVT solar module
Sunmaxx says Fraunhofer ISE has confirmed the 80% efficiency of its new photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module. It consists of 108 PERC half-cells in M10 format, with 400 W of electrical output and 1,200 W of thermal output.
Silicon anode lithium-ion battery cell with 500 Wh/kg density
Amprius has obtained third-party performance verification for a battery cell that offers high power density in a lightweight package.
Greens claims Safeguard deal delivers ‘huge hit’ for new coal and gas
The Greens and Labor have reached a deal over the proposed Safeguard Mechanism amendments with the scheme to now include a “hard cap” on emissions and a “safeguard trigger” for ministerial intervention.
Sparc reports ‘exceptional’ results in sodium-ion battery project
Australian battery technology innovator Sparc Technologies is reporting “exceptional” results in its campaign to develop sustainably sourced hard carbon material for the production of anodes for the nascent sodium-ion battery market.
CS Energy formalises plans for Queensland green hydrogen project
The Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, which is expected to produce approximately 75 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from behind-the-meter solar energy, is nearing reality after CS Energy formalised its joint venture arrangements with ASX-listed gas company Senex Energy.
Viability of ‘direct’ green hydrogen fuel production evaluated by US researchers
Rather than using solar or wind to power electrolysis, researchers are testing the competitiveness of photoelectrochemical cells to produce emissions-free hydrogen fuels.
Solar curtailment vs. storage
Swiss researchers have looked at whether storage could be cheaper than curtailment in medium-voltage distribution networks with significant amounts of PV capacity. They considered storage costs, operational costs, grid constraints, electricity costs, PV generation models, and loads.
Weekend read: As simple as IBC
The search for ever higher conversion efficiency has driven solar researchers to focus on back-contact cell approaches, and efforts to devise more cost-effective manufacturing are bringing technologies such as interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar into the mainstream, as Mark Hutchins reports.
Researchers investigate impact of charging EVs on power grid under strain
With the roll out of electric vehicles in Australia accelerating, a team of researchers from the University of Queensland explore what the impact is of charging them on a power grid under strain.
MPower teams with Ampyr to accelerate mid-scale solar strategy
Australian renewable energy developer MPower plans to step up its activities after establishing a funding relationship with international investment firm Singapore outfit Ampyr Energy that will help finance the growth of its portfolio of mid-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects.
