IndianOil turns to gas, not green hydrogen, to reduce Delhi bus emissions
The public sector energy company has opened a compact reformer plant at Delhi Transport Corporation’s Rajghat bus depot. The facility will produce hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas as a bus fuel. A trial period will see 50 gas-powered buses run on the blended fuel with fuel economy and emissions monitored.
Indian-led start-up raises Swiss funding for solar diagnostic tool
Swiss-based SmartHelio claims to have witnessed a near 200% jump in demand for its deep-data driven solar asset management solution, which plugs into solar panels or energy storage systems. Sales of the internet-of-things enabled, cloud product have leapt in the last six months.
Government to fund innovations in solar and battery storage waste management
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) under India’s Ministry Of Science & Technology seeks to fund promising R&D projects in solar panel and battery storage waste disposal and recycling. Call for proposals closes on November 15.
Over 26,000 register for World Solar Technology Summit tomorrow
The Summit will see the signing of four partnership agreements, including one between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, World Bank, and International Solar Alliance.
New cathode for sustainable, high-density lithium-sulfur batteries
Shiv Nadar University researchers have synthesized sulfur-rich copolymers from petroleum and agricultural waste as cathode materials for Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries. IIT-Bombay, which is developing a Li-S battery prototype based on the technology, recorded an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.3% after 500 cycles at 1C, one hour rate of charge and discharge, for the cardanol/sulfur copolymer cathode containing 2.5wt% reduced graphene oxide (rGO).
The long read: The state of solid-state batteries
Solid-state batteries hold the potential to overcome many of the limitations of today’s lithium-ion storage technologies. Though they have been a research topic for more than 30 years, and more recently have seen billions of dollars poured into their development by leading carmakers and electronics giants, commercial development is still extremely limited. Major roadblocks remain in the way of both device performance and industrial-scale processing. pv magazine recently caught up with solid-state’s research community for a look at where the technology stands.
Keltron to set up a supercapacitor manufacturing unit in Kannur
The state-owned electronics manufacturer has signed a memorandum of understanding for technology transfer with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation.
ISA to hold World Solar Technology Summit next month
The inaugural event will be attended by prime minister Narendra Modi, ministers from all the International Solar Alliance member countries and high-level dignitaries from global R&D institutions.
Sona Comstar, IIT Delhi launch incubation program for EV startups
The program aims at supporting the development of innovative electric vehicle (EV) solutions like extending range through battery capacity improvements, and battery management, fast charging infrastructure, and mobile charging solutions for emergencies. Two startups shall be supported each year with up to INR 80 lakh each to complete proof of concept and develop prototypes.
India to add 15 GW of wind-solar hybrid capacity in five years
Almost 10 GW of hybrid generation capacity is already under implementation despite India having only 100 MW of combined wind and PV projects at present, according to analyst Crisil.
