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1. Vertical PV Systems Could Significantly Impact the European Energy Market by 2040

An international research team has investigated the potential impact of deploying large-scale vertical bifacial agrivoltaic systems in Europe and found that they could play a significant role in achieving a more balanced and integrated continental power system by 2040.

Key Findings

• Vertical PV systems, particularly east-west oriented ones, extend generation time to dawn and dusk, which are more valuable periods for consumers.

• Such systems typically produce 30% of their output in the midday hours, compared to nearly 70% for south-facing PV. This helps maintain higher market value for solar-based production.

• Solar PV capacity in Europe is expected to reach 649 GW to 1,178 GW by 2040, up from around 240 GW currently. In the best-case scenario, vertical PV could reach a 50% share.

• Increased vertical PV utilization may lead to a 2% and 3.6% increase in solar generation by 2030 and 2040, respectively, replacing gas and nuclear generation.

• Lower power prices are expected due to reduced system costs, lower curtailment, and the replacement of expensive conventional power generation assets.

 Potential Benefits

• The European power system becomes more sustainable economically and environmentally, with lower CO2 emissions and reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels.

• Total system costs decrease, and wholesale electricity prices are reduced over the longer term.

 The findings suggest that vertical bifacial PV systems could significantly reshape the European energy market by 2040, leading to a more balanced and integrated power system with increased solar generation and lower prices.

2. Third Battery Fire at Suncycle Facility in Germany Raises Safety Concerns

A third battery fire occurred at Suncycle, a solar and storage service company in Thuringia, Germany, on August 11. This incident marks the third fire at the site in just two months, with police suspecting a technical defect as the cause.

Incident Details

 Previous Fires: The site experienced two prior fires on June 7 and June 30, with the first causing damages estimated at around €700,000. The second fire involved a battery container that was allowed to burn down in a controlled manner due to the hazardous materials produced.

 Latest Fire: The recent fire affected a group of batteries temporarily stored for disposal, resulting in significantly less damage compared to previous incidents. An employee was slightly injured while attempting to move the burning storage unit to prevent further spread.

Damage and Response: The estimated damage from the latest fire is around €30,000. Due to heavy smoke, local residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed until the situation was under control.

Safety Concerns: The repeated incidents have raised safety concerns regarding the storage and handling of lithium batteries at the facility. The managing director of Suncycle, Christian Straub, indicated that the company works with multiple manufacturers, complicating the identification of specific issues related to the fires.

3. Vestas Cuts Profit Outlook as Service Costs Surge

Vestas, one of the world's largest wind turbine manufacturers, has lowered its profit forecast for the year due to higher than anticipated service costs. The company cited increased expenses related to maintaining its installed fleet of wind turbines as the primary reason for the reduced profit outlook.

 Key Highlights:

•  Vestas has revised its profit outlook downward due to unexpectedly high service costs.

• The increased expenses are primarily associated with servicing its existing fleet of wind turbines.

• This adjustment reflects challenges in maintaining profitability amidst rising operational costs.

• The service cost surge has impacted Vestas' financial performance and future projections.

 The company's decision to adjust its profit outlook underscores the challenges faced by wind turbine manufacturers in managing operational costs while maintaining profitability. As the industry continues to evolve, companies like Vestas must find ways to optimize their service and maintenance operations to remain competitive and financially stable.

4. Siemens Energy CEO Raises Concerns Over Chinese Wind Terms

Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch has voiced significant concerns regarding the terms and conditions presented by Chinese wind turbine manufacturers. He supports the European Union's investigation into these practices, advocating for fair competition in the wind energy sector.

Key Highlights:

Complex Terms: Bruch described the terms offered by Chinese wind turbine manufacturers as "hard to understand," indicating potential challenges for European competitors.

 Support for EU Probe: He backed the European Union's investigation into Chinese practices, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the market.

 Call for Fair Competition: Bruch highlighted the importance of establishing a "level playing field" for all manufacturers, particularly as Chinese turbine OEMs expand their presence in Europe.

 Strategic Importance: The comments reflect broader concerns about the competitive landscape in the renewable energy sector, especially amid rising global trade tensions.

Bruch's statements underscore the complexities of international trade in renewable energy and the need for regulatory frameworks that ensure fair competition for all players in the market.

1. Masdar Partners with Endesa in €1.7 Billion Spanish Renewable Energy Deal

Masdar has partnered with Endesa in a significant €1.7 billion renewable energy transaction in Spain, marking one of the largest deals in the country's renewable sector.

Key Highlights:

Investment Details: Masdar will invest €817 million to acquire a 49.99% stake in 2 GW of solar energy plants, with plans to hybridize the projects with a battery energy storage system (BESS) of up to 0.5 GW.

Project Scope: The partnership encompasses 48 operational solar plants with an aggregated capacity of 2 GW, reinforcing Masdar's position in Spain, one of the EU's largest solar markets.

 Strategic Goals: This collaboration aims to support Spain's National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the EU's net zero by 2050 targets, contributing to Masdar's goal of reaching 100 GW of global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

 Memorandum of Understanding: In addition to the acquisition, Masdar and Endesa have signed an MoU to explore future renewable energy projects in Spain, solidifying their strategic partnership.

 Leadership Statements: HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Masdar, emphasized the partnership's role in accelerating clean energy capacity, while Flavio Cattaneo, CEO of Enel Group, expressed optimism for future collaborations in other regions.

 This partnership not only enhances Masdar's portfolio but also positions it as a key player in Europe's renewable energy landscape.

 2. UK Installers Partner with British Gas for Residential Solar Push

Two of the UK's largest solar installation companies, Effective Energy Group and Forster Group, have joined forces with British Gas to exclusively roll out the energy retailer's Hive Solar product to the residential market.

 Key Highlights:

• Effective Energy Group is the exclusive installer for Hive Solar in England and Wales, while Forster Group covers Scotland.

• The partnership aims to drive more customers to adopt rooftop solar, especially with the growing popularity of electric vehicles and smart tariffs for domestic charging and batteries.

•  Hive Solar is an all-in-one residential solar solution that integrates with the Hive smart home app, allowing customers to monitor solar generation, energy consumption, and battery storage in real-time.

•  Typical installations include 8-12 panels (430-450 W each) and a 5.32 kW battery. Hybrid inverters (3.6-5 kW) with dual MPPTs are commonly used.

• Hive Solar customers can sell excess electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.

 The partnership follows the announcement of a heat pump trial integrating Daikin Altherma 3 heat pumps with the Hive energy management system, scheduled for later in 2024.

 The collaboration aims to make solar energy more accessible and engaging for UK homeowners, contributing to the country's renewable energy goals.

3. Spain Launches €1.2 Billion Support Scheme for Renewable Hydrogen Valleys

 Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has launched a new subsidy program aimed at establishing renewable hydrogen "valleys" or clusters, with a total funding of €1.2 billion.

 Key Highlights:

Funding Criteria: The program will support projects that secure a prior commitment from customers to purchase at least 60% of hydrogen production. The hydrogen produced must meet EU guidelines for renewable electrolysis, with a minimum electrolysis capacity of 100 MW (or 50 MW for grouped projects).

 Maximum Funding: Each applicant can receive up to €400 million, focusing on projects that demonstrate technical feasibility, environmental benefits, and positive local socioeconomic impacts.

Investment Coverage: Subsidies will cover investment costs related to hydrogen production, storage, and renewable electricity generation.

 Competitive Bidding Process: A competitive bidding process will be launched later this year, managed by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving, with winners expected to be announced in 2025 and 2026.

This initiative is part of Spain's broader strategy to enhance its renewable hydrogen capabilities and align with EU sustainability goals.

1. Ørsted Launches World’s First Heavy-Lift Cargo Drone Operations

Ørsted has initiated the world's first operational campaign using heavy-lift cargo drones at the Borssele 1&2 Offshore Wind Farm. These drones, capable of transporting cargo up to 100 kg, are set to revolutionize logistics in offshore wind operations.

Key Highlights:

 Drone Specifications: The drones have a weight capacity of 70 kg and a wingspan of 2.6 meters, designed for efficient cargo transport.

 Operational Efficiency: The drone flight from an offshore supply vessel to the turbine takes approximately four minutes, significantly reducing the time compared to traditional methods, which can take up to six hours.

 Safety and Cost Benefits: Utilizing drones enhances safety by minimizing the need for personnel to operate in hazardous conditions and reduces carbon emissions by decreasing the number of vessel trips required for cargo delivery.

 Innovation Leadership: Ørsted is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology in offshore wind, aiming to improve operational safety and efficiency while lowering costs.

 Future Collaborations: The company is actively seeking partnerships with leading cargo drone operators to expand its supply chain capabilities.

 This initiative exemplifies Ørsted's commitment to innovation and sustainability in the renewable energy sector, further advancing the efficiency and safety of offshore wind farm operations.

 2. KAUST Achieves with Innovative Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cell

A team of researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has unveiled a highly efficient perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, achieving a record efficiency of 33.7%. This advancement, announced in May 2023, utilizes a novel perovskite additive called tetrahydrotriazinium, which enhances the performance and stability of the solar cell.

Key Highlights:

Innovative Additive: The new additive was synthesized in combination with methylenediammonium dichloride, significantly improving the efficiency of the cell architecture.

 Performance Metrics: The tandem cell features an open-circuit voltage of 1.985 V, a short-circuit density of 21.02 mA/cm², and a fill factor of 81.6%. In comparison, a reference device without the additive achieved a power conversion efficiency of 32.8%.

 Stability Improvements: The treated device demonstrated enhanced stability, retaining over 82% of its initial performance after 300 minutes of maximum power point tracking under continuous illumination at 75°C, compared to 80% for the control device.

 Industry Collaboration: Researchers emphasize the need for industry partnerships to transition their laboratory findings to commercial applications, focusing on scaling up the manufacturing process.

 Long-term Goals: KAUST aims to develop high-efficiency photovoltaic solutions suitable for sunny and hot climates, with an emphasis on long-term operational stability.

This breakthrough positions KAUST at the forefront of solar technology innovation, potentially transforming the efficiency landscape of solar energy in the future.