Oceania

A team of scientists from the CSIRO have demonstrated a flexible perovskite solar cell using roll-to-roll compatible “printing” type processes, which could potentially be applied in large-scale manufacturing. Of particular note is the development of a viable roll-to-roll process to deposit the electrode layer, which has thus far been a major challenge. Cells fabricated by the group achieved a maximum efficiency of 16.7%.

Solar capacity in the United States is expected to grow from 129 GW today to 336 GW by 2027, according to the country’s Solar Energy Industries Association and research firm Wood Mackenzie.

German investment management company Aquila Capital has expanded its Antipodean asset base, inking a deal to buy a 220 MW/440 MWh portfolio of battery energy storage projects in South Australia from Spanish renewables developed Gransolar Group.

Transmission network operator Transgrid is counting on technology developed in the United States to increase the capacity for the bidirectional flow of energy between Australia’s most populous states with works on the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector upgrade project nearing completion.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries continues its campaign to be one of the world’s largest clean energy companies, announcing plans to develop a 9.2 GW wind and solar facility in Egypt that will power green hydrogen production in the Arab republic.

The developer of a planned 1.3 GW renewable energy hub in South Australia has agreed to partner with India-based PV solar cell and module manufacturer Websol Energy to produce up to 1.2 GW of cells and modules to help it to better control the supply chain of critical components.

Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States have made a breakthrough in high efficiency and stability for perovskite solar cells.

Solar-wind hybrid plants are rapidly becoming mainstream, and in booming markets like India and the US these hybrids are increasingly preferred to singular projects despite the higher installation cost. There is no shortage to the benefits of hybridisation, from a smoother power output profile to the cost saving of grid connection. But getting the balance right for new projects and retrofits remains a challenge. Blake Matich reports on this growing trend.

The Australian Energy Market Commission has called for changes to be made to the national energy rules to allow for the injection of hydrogen into the existing gas distribution grid to support the needs of a transitioning energy market.

Perth-based battery technology company Lithium Australia’s 100%-owned subsidiary Envirostream has ramped up its battery recycling efforts, signing an agreement with South Korean manufacturer LG Energy Solutions to process at least 250 tonnes of its lithium-ion batteries over the next year.