Technology and R&D

Ionblox says it will use $32 million of series B funding to support the buildout of a novel silicon anode electric vehicle battery.

IIT Madras Research Park and US-based First Solar will cooperate on a range of research and development (R&D) activities including the localization of thin film and other next-generation PV technology supply chains in India, high-volume manufacturing, PV module testing, and high-value recycling.

The Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland has published the initial results of a survey on the durability and performance of residential PV inverters and power optimizers over a 15-year period. They found that more than 65% of the inverters did not present yield-relevant faults by their 15th year of operation.

US researchers have designed a molten salt that could potentially reach an energy density of up to 100 Wh/kg at a cost of $7.02/ kWh. The battery uses an aluminum cathode that charges quickly and reportedly enables longer-duration discharge.

Solyx Energy has developed a device to maximize solar self-consumption in residential homes. The sensor measures how much solar power can be fed back into the grid at different times, while a controller redirects that excess energy into an electric water heater.

Oil India Ltd (OIL) indigenously developed this hydrogen fuel cell-based bus under its Startup incubation program SNEH. The bus is powered by a 60 kW PEM fuel cell.

Scientists in Sweden have compared AC and DC topologies in PV-powered buildings using battery storage. They have found that DC distribution systems can achieve energy savings when they are combined with solar-plus-storage systems.

Enphase’s new bidirectional EV charger enables vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid applications, and can be integrated with its home energy systems.

Germany-based Solmax has developed a reflective membrane made of polyethylene resins and coated with a thin white polyethylene layer that reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays. The company claims the membrane can increase the energy yield of a bifacial PV project by between 5% and 20%, depending on the plant configuration.

Reliance Industries Ltd developed the hydrogen internal combustion engine technology solution for heavy-duty trucks together with Ashok Leyland and other technical partners. It plans the technology’s first commercial deployment at scale initially across its captive fleet following extensive test and validation.