Recovering waste heat from solar cells via a thermoelectric generator
Scientists in Italy have created a hybrid thermoelectric photovoltaic (HTEPV) system based on a thermoelectric generator and a wide-gap perovskite solar cell. The device is able to recover waste heat from the PV unit and produce additional power. According to its creators, this configuration needs large gap cells as these are less sensitive to temperature in terms of efficiency.
IIT Bombay researchers increase hydrogen yield three-fold using a 19% energy-efficient method
The researchers showed a premagnetized carbon-cobalt catalyst interface could deliver up to 650% enhancement in electrocatalytic kinetics of hydrogen evolution reaction. The synergistic interface was able to sustain magnetization, and thus rapid hydrogen evolution rate, for prolonged time periods.
Novel design for east-west solar parks reduces soil deterioration
Researchers from the TNO in the Netherlands have proposed two novel east-west PV plant designs that are claimed to increase soil quality underneath the solar panels. Both approaches are said to provide a 77% ground coverage ratio, which compares to a 90% ratio in conventional east-west oriented projects.
Hyundai and UL ally to give EV batteries a second life
The two agreed to advance safe deployment and use of second-life battery energy storage systems.
Reliance New Energy Solar to invest in US-based liquid metal battery firm
The clean energy arm of Reliance Industries Limited will invest US$ 50 million in MIT-incubated Ambri. As part of the transaction the two companies will also partner to develop and manufacture liquid metal batteries in India.
Sandia researchers develop new grid-scale energy storage battery
The battery operates at 230 degrees Fahrenheit, opening what researchers said could be “a whole cascading cost savings” including everything from less expensive materials to less insulation.
The long read: The effects of perovskite solar cell defects
Mónica LiraCantú leads a research group investigating nanostructured materials for photovoltaic energy at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2). Recently, her group led a project that looked deep into the crystalline structure of a perovskite solar cell, revealing new information about the formation of defects in the material and how they could be engineered to improve both efficiency and stability. pv magazine caught up with the Barcelona-based scientist to discuss the state of the art in perovskite solar cells and remaining challenges on the road to commercialization.
Crystal arrangement results in 1,000x more power from ferroelectric solar cells
German researchers developed a lattice arrangement of three different layers of ferroelectric crystals that created a powerful photovoltaic effect.
Indian scientists develop zinc-iron redox flow battery with zero dendrite growth
Scientists in India fabricated a redox flow battery based on zinc and iron that showed strong storage characteristics and no signs of degradation over 30 charge-discharge cycles. The battery also showed no signs of dendrite formation, overcoming one of the key hurdles for redox-flow batteries based on these low-cost, abundant materials.
A closer look at liquid air energy storage
A British-Australian research team has assessed the potential of liquid air energy storage (LAES) for large scale application. The scientists estimate that these systems may currently be built at a cost between €300 and €600 per kilowatt-hour and that a positive business case could be favored by certain conditions, including a determined price structure in the energy market and the presence of a grid unable to support high levels of renewable energy penetration.
