State-of-the-art assessment of batteries
Batteries are set to drive the energy and mobility transitions. Worryingly, when they degrade early or excessively – particularly because of misuse – it can be costly. Claudius Jehle, the CEO of volytica, explains how a better understanding of batteries can prevent expensive mistakes.
Opportunity in crisis
The developed world is facing scenarios of zero economic growth or even recessions, as inflation, energy costs, interest-rate rises, and tougher lending criteria makes life tough for business. But money is flowing into the energy transition by scaling and commercializing existing technologies, reports pv magazine’s Tristan Rayner.
pv magazine test, October 2022 results
We are pleased to present the October 2022 batch of energy yield results from the outdoor test field in Xi’an, China, with additional analysis from George Touloupas, senior director of technology and quality at CEA.
Market turmoil drives change in PPAs
Utilities are reshaping their PPA strategies as hungry corporates twist what we thought we knew about procurement approaches. All the while, project owners and operators are seeking an answer to the lingering question: After the 10-year PPA, what next? Luca Pedretti, chief operating officer at Pexapark, reads the market and predicts how we can move forward.
Back to the future with BESS
Bearing witness during battery energy storage system manufacturing can reveal potential failure points and is crucial given the industry’s relative immaturity, argues Frédéric Dross, the vice-president of strategic development for quality assurance provider STS. And much can be learned from the early days of solar.
Sustainable security with EU manufacturing
The role of sustainability in plans for European PV production is not merely significant – it’s existential. The raison d’être of a reborn manufacturing sector will rest on demand for products at a premium price point, given the pressures of environmental, social and governance standards on the global solar value chain. The industry must offer higher efficiency at a lower carbon footprint, while reducing reliance on foreign markets to provide regional security, reports pv magazine’s Blake Matich.
Batteries are getting better
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are getting better, according to the Energy Storage Inspection 2022 report by the University of Applied Sciences, HTW Berlin. The fifth edition of the study assessed 21 storage systems and found that while only two of the BESS studied were categorized as being efficiency class “A” in 2020, that number grew to six in 2022.
ESG in action
The 2022 pv magazine Roundtables Europe focused on decarbonization throughout the continent. Linking sustainability to financial performance is a big part of this goal, as the second session, “Sustainability in action, raising the corporate bar,” attested to. During the panel discussion, four experts discussed end of life, circularity, material supply, project development, and the social community, as we approach terawatt solar scale.
Acceleration across the EV value chain
Indonesian efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and develop domestic production of battery energy storage materials and components are picking up pace, despite a slow start. And as Sorta Caroline reports, some of the raw materials are in place for success in Southeast Asia.
The hydrogen policy pipeline
Though large-scale projects are still somewhat thin on the ground, policymakers in the EU and elsewhere are boosting their expectations for the role of green hydrogen. Building on discussions held at pv magazine’s Roundtables Europe event earlier in the year, Christian Pho Duc, CTO and managing director H2 & PtL projects at Smartenergy Group, told pv magazine that the right set of regulations will be crucial in maintaining momentum.
