A cloud-based system developed by Washington State University allows for local energy trading and sharing within neighborhoods, resulting in potential cost savings of up to 12% over a five-day test period. The system, tested in collaboration with a local utility network, highlights the importance of coordinated operation at the distribution level in the changing electricity industry landscape. Published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, the research paper presents a community-based transactive coordination mechanism for enabling grid-edge systems, with the ability to reduce energy costs by up to 12% in communities with solar and battery energy storage systems.
Category: Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Production
– Improve Electrical System
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Longi achieves 33.35% efficiency for flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell
Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 33.35% for a 1 cm2 flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by the US Department of Energy's NREL. The tandem device utilized a dual-buffer layer strategy to enhance interfacial adhesion and charge extraction, with the top cell incorporating layers such as a perovskite absorber and a self-assembled monolayer hole transport layer. Testing showed the cell design's durability, retaining over 97% of its initial efficiency after bending and thermal cycling tests. These findings were detailed in a study published in Nature, showcasing advancements in flexible solar cell technology.
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Big batteries hit world-leading 40 pct share of evening demand in stunning new record for South Australia
South Australia's big battery fleet achieved a world-leading 40% share of instantaneous demand during the evening peak, delivering a record 611 MW, surpassing California's recent peak. The state leads in wind and solar energy, aiming for 100% net renewables by 2027. The batteries provide grid stability, allow for time shifting of excess renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The addition of a new transmission link to NSW will further support the state's transition to cleaner energy sources, with synchronous condensers and large batteries ensuring grid stability and steady power feeds for industrial operations. The increasing share of battery discharge and integration of large scale solar-battery hybrids are key steps towards a more renewable energy future.
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Wind-PV-powered heat pump for low-energy residential buildings
Researchers from China have developed an optimized energy management strategy for a hybrid wind-PV heat pump system with thermal and electric energy storage. The study found that adopting seasonal interaction management strategies improved power-to-load interaction and enabled zero-energy performance. The optimal system configuration includes PV modules, wind turbines, batteries, and heat pumps. The research showed significant improvements in system performance and cost savings with the implementation of the optimized energy management strategy, resulting in a reduction in system integration factor, levelized cost of electricity, and carbon emissions, while increasing self-consumption ratio.
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COP30 and the Just Clean Energy Transition
The COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil highlighted efforts to implement the Paris Agreement by transitioning from coal to clean energy in developing countries. The Kinetic Coalition, led by C2ES, is driving investment in clean energy systems in emerging economies through energy transition credits, with a focus on affordable, reliable, and secure electricity to meet Paris Agreement goals. The Final Report of the Transition Credits Coalition (TRACTION), led by MAS, aims to establish integrity and demand for energy transition credits, emphasizing a just transition for coal plant workers and communities. The partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation and the signing of a Statement of Support for Energy Transition Credits by various sectors demonstrate a commitment to advancing energy prosperity and accelerating the clean energy transition.
https://www.c2es.org/2025/11/cop30-and-the-just-clean-energy-transition/
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When solar meets next-gen nuclear
Researchers in China have proposed a scheduling framework for microgrids that integrates solar power with small modular nuclear reactors to improve short-term dispatch capability and long-term economic viability. The framework utilizes multi-objective distributionally robust optimization and real-time reinforcement learning to co-optimize photovoltaic and SMR generation. The system includes a generator, battery, electrolyzers for hydrogen production, and an energy management system to make decisions based on forecasts and real-time data. The proposed optimization framework reduces operational costs by 18.7% and carbon emission intensity by 37.1% compared to conventional fossil-dominated microgrids, while enhancing critical load supply reliability to above 98% across all uncertainty scenarios. Researchers have developed a new operational strategy for microgrids that combines demand response optimization with reinforcement learning to adapt to real-time environmental changes, allowing for flexibility in managing energy imbalances and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive backup generation. The coordination between short-term battery storage and long-term hydrogen storage enhances cost-effectiveness and reliability.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/25/when-solar-meets-next-gen-nuclear/
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New transmission towers are crucial for renewables – but contentious. Here’s where they should go
Solar and wind provide 99% of new generating capacity in Australia, with renewables supplying over 40% of power to the main grid. Australia will need six times as much solar and wind to reach net zero through electrification. Building new transmission corridors is necessary, but existing lines are not sufficient. The grid operator plans to build 10,000 km of new transmission lines, with a focus on high-voltage direct current lines to unlock renewable resources. Optimizing new transmission corridors is crucial for Australia's future grid. A study has identified potential high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line corridors in Australia to connect renewable resources in northern regions to population centers in the southeast. These corridors could significantly reduce wholesale electricity costs by 8-18%. Energy storage schemes like Snowy 2.0 could also help cover seasonal gaps locally. Community buy-in is crucial for such projects, and the benefits of unlocking renewables can be quantified for each local government area. Policymakers should prioritize building these transmission corridors to meet new demand and consider pairing them with pumped-hydro schemes. The article discusses the importance of energy storage in balancing variable renewable generation and maximizing the use of transmission lines. Cheng Cheng, a Senior Research Officer at the Australian National University, highlights the role of energy storage in the transition to a more sustainable energy system. This technology helps to ensure a reliable and stable energy supply while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy storage is a key component in achieving climate solutions and increasing the efficiency of renewable energy integration.
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New England kicks off $450M plan to supercharge heat pump adoption
Five New England states have launched the $450 million New England Heat Pump Accelerator initiative to promote energy-efficient, low-emission heat pumps as an alternative to fossil fuels for heating. The goal is to increase adoption of heat pumps in the region, reduce carbon emissions by 2.5 million metric tons by 2030, and support the installation of 580,000 residential heat pumps. Contractors are being incentivized to keep cold-climate air-source heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters in stock, which will lower upfront costs for consumers by $500 to $700 per unit for heat pumps and $200 to $300 per unit for water heaters. These incentives aim to simplify the purchasing process and help lower residents' energy bills while cutting emissions.
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Big solar grabs record 30.6 pct share of Australia’s main grid, before being shunted aside by rooftop PV
Large scale solar farms in Australia have reached record shares on the main grid, but are now being overshadowed by rooftop PV causing curtailment during the day. To address this issue, new large scale solar projects are incorporating integrated batteries to store excess energy for evening peaks. Australia's first solar hybrid plant in Cunderdin is feeding power into the grid during evening peaks, with more solar-hybrid projects to follow. Large scale solar in NSW reached record shares, marking progress towards a cleaner energy grid.
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Blue State Steps Up To Save Farmers With Solar Power
New Jersey has launched a Dual-Use Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of agrivoltaics, combining solar power and farming to maximize land use efficiency and provide new revenue streams for farmers. Rutgers University is leading the initiative, aiming to install 200 megawatts of solar power on farmland. Despite challenges like navigating state incentives and land conservation regulations, the program could lead to more farms adopting solar power in New Jersey. The state's innovative approach to solar development, including rooftop capacity and emerging trends like gas station and balcony solar, is helping progress towards renewable energy goals. Dual-use solar power offers a promising solution to support farmers and generate additional revenue while addressing the shrinking farm size in New Jersey.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/23/blue-state-steps-up-to-save-us-farms-with-solar-power/