Author: Anela Dokso

LeydenJar Technologies, a Dutch spin-out of the applied research institute TNO, has developed a new anode that could drastically change the battery industry. For the first time, anodes in lithium-ion batteries can be made from 100% silicon. This breakthrough offers two key benefits: batteries with a 70% higher energy density (1350 Wh/L) and 62% less CO2 emissions. The anode is ready for production and LeydenJar is preparing to massively scale-up its production capacity in the coming years. A 70% higher energy density will have an impact on various sectors: consumer electronics, electric vehicles and the storage of renewable energy. So…

Rovco has chartered the 66.44 meters DP2 vessel, Glomar Wave, from vessel owners Glomar Offshore. The vessel will provide the ideal platform to support Rovco’s campaign of secured remotely operated vehicles (ROV) projects. This includes operational offshore wind farms in both UK and German waters during the coming months. On the vessel, the company will mobilize a dedicated offshore team, to operate recently purchased Seaeye Leopard work-class ROV system and a second observation class ROV. “The charter of the Glomar Wave puts us in a very good position to deliver our booked projects successfully through the UK and Germany. We…

SSE Renewables has hired a consortium led by Partrac, to deliver a detailed assessment of the geomorphology of Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 project. The consortium consists of Partrac, MetOceanWorks and Cooper Marine Advisors. An understanding of the geomorphology and potential changes arising over the lifetime of an offshore wind farm is an important consideration for project design. Stage 1 of the study was delivered at the end of 2019 providing a comprehensive literature review, an initial phase of numerical modelling and recommendations for detailed site investigations, including metocean and geophysical surveys. Stage 2 is now ongoing and involves…

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised a group of investors led by Arenko Cleantech on the sale of a 41MW Bloxwich operational battery storage project in the West Midlands (Bloxwich) to Gresham House Energy Storage Fund for £20.1 million, with further potential earnout payments. Commissioned in July 2019, Bloxwich operates in the Balancing Mechanism, European Power Exchange (EPEX) and other ancillary services markets, such as frequency response. In mid-May 2020, it was used to provide upward and downward reserve flexibility to National Grid in the UK’s first of its kind trial using a battery. “We are delighted to have…

GameChange Solar has received a broadly encompassing patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent covers the entire design of the GameChange Solar Genius Tracker. “We are excited to grow our IP library. Receiving this powerful and broad-reaching patent covering single-axis solar trackers is a significant recognition of GameChange Solar’s design innovation.”Andrew Worden, CEO at GameChange Solar.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $118 million in funding to support the Coal FIRST (Flexible, Innovative, Resilient, Small, Transformative) Initiative. Under this cost shared research and development (R&D), DOE is awarding a total of $37 million to seven projects and releasing a new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for $81 million. Coal FIRST power plants will convert coal, biomass, and waste plastics to generate clean and affordable carbon-neutral electricity and hydrogen. Coal FIRST power plants will be capable of flexible operations to meet the needs of the grid; use innovative components that improve efficiency and reduce emissions; provide resilient…

EnTech Solutions has introduced the Xcape microgrid, a resilient energy and battery storage solution which can provide a back-up power supply to avoid disruptions in power. To maximize and optimize renewable energy consumption, Xcape operates on power generated from solar panels and stores excess energy in its battery system. “Many businesses are interested in microgrid technology in theory, but do not know where to start and can’t afford the cost of engineering, procuring and constructing one from scratch. We’ve taken our extensive research and development in microgrid technology and created a product that we know works and can be scaled…

EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has approved the CCS Full-Scale project, which represents a central part of Norway’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and meet the European goal of climate-neutrality by 2050. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has been recognized by the European Union as key to reducing the harmful environmental effects of carbon-intensive sectors where emissions are difficult to avoid. By supporting the project, the Norwegian government aims to facilitate further scaling up of CCS globally, by sharing knowledge and experience. The project will establish infrastructure for capture, transport and storage of CO2 emissions that can pave the way…

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has revealed seven companies that have been shortlisted and invited to submit a full application for the next stage of the Agency’s $70 million hydrogen funding round. In April, ARENA opened the $70 million Renewable Hydrogen Deployment Funding Round to help fast track the development of renewable hydrogen in Australia. The funding round is expected to play a significant role in supporting commercial-scale deployments of renewable hydrogen in Australia and begin the pathway to achieving the Australian Government’s goal of ‘H2 under $2’. The shortlisted applicants are: APT Management Services,ATCO Australia,Australian Gas Networks,BHP Billiton Nickel…

CIT Group’s Power and Energy unit has served as lead arranger, on behalf of Pine Gate Renewables, on a $126 million financing for the 108-megawatt (MW) direct current Trent River Solar project in Pollocksville, North Carolina. The Trent River Solar project will sell power to Duke Energy Progress under a 20-year power purchase agreement. “We’re excited about this new project that was developed with Silver Pine Energy in our home state of North Carolina as it continues our mission to grow renewable energy nationwide. After the successful launch of our largest solar partnership last year in South Carolina with Bowman…