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01 / 05
What If You Never Had to Charge Your Gadgets Again?

Wall Street Journal | Science & Technology

What If You Never Had to Charge Your Gadgets Again?

“After decades of trying, consumer electronics companies are rolling out a solar technology that mimics photosynthesis in plants. It lets devices charge indoors and, in some cases, can eliminate batteries entirely.

This new light-harvesting tech is fundamentally different from the crystalline silicon-based panels on rooftops and in solar farms, and also from the amorphous silicon cells on the kind of solar-powered calculators that were once ubiquitous. This new tech is based on principles first explored by chemists in the 1960s and turned into workable solar cells in the 1980s. It’s taken until now for versions of these cells tough enough for consumer applications to be manufactured on the scale required for mainstream adoption.”

From Wall Street Journal.

Interesting Engineering | Energy Production

Pods That Convert Aircraft Wind Into Energy Installed at US Airport

“JetWind Power Corporation, a company based in the United States, has installed first-of-its-kind Energy Capturing Pods (ECPs) at Dallas Love Field Airport. 

This technology is designed to capture aircraft-generated wind and transform it into renewable energy, marking a significant step forward in sustainable energy solutions for transportation infrastructures worldwide.

Dr. T.O. Souryal, the founder and president of JetWind, highlighted the potential impact of this system, which has been operational at the airport. 

‘The main goal of our project is to harness the consistent wind created by jets and convert it into an eco-friendly energy source,’ he explained. ‘What was once considered wasted energy can now benefit energy grids, ultimately promoting smarter and more sustainable infrastructure across the globe.'”

From Interesting Engineering.

pv magazine | Energy Production

Australian Researchers Set World Record with Kesterite Solar Cell

“UNSW researchers have achieved a world record energy conversion efficiency of 13.2% for high-bandgap kesterite (CZTS) solar cells with a laboratory scale cell that had been enhanced with hydrogen.

CZTS, a compound of copper, zinc, tin and sulfur, is a high-bandgap thin film, flexible material suitable that offers a promising alternative to the more widely studied perovskite as a tandem top-cell candidate because it is environmentally friendly, cost-effective to manufacture, and is known to maintain its performance over a long period.”

From pv magazine.

BBC | Energy Production

Japan to Increase Reliance on Nuclear Energy

“Japan says it will increase its reliance on nuclear energy in a major policy shift as it seeks to meet growing demand from power-hungry sectors like AI and semiconductors.

An energy plan approved by the cabinet on Tuesday called for ‘maximising the use of nuclear energy’ and dropped reference to ‘reducing reliance on nuclear energy’.

The energy plan, written by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry says that by 2040, nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s grid supply in 2040, more than double the 8.5% share in 2023.”

From BBC.

pv magazine | Energy Production

India Adds Record 24.5 GW of Solar in 2024

“India added 24.5 GW of solar and 3.4 GW of wind capacity in 2024, doubling solar installations and increasing wind capacity by 21% from 2023, according to JMK Research & Analytics. These additions brought India’s total renewable energy capacity to 209.44 GW, with solar accounting for 47% of the total.

The nation’s 24.5 GW of solar capacity additions included 18.5 GW of utility-scale PV, 4.59 GW of rooftop systems, and 1.48 GW of off-grid installations.”

From pv magazine.