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					</table>Material scientists at the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Columbia University</a>, combined potassium (K) and sodium (Na) with Sulfur (S) to create a high-energy, low-cost solution for storing energy for longer durations.
The report, &#8216;Designing electrolytes with high solubility of sulfides/disulfides for high-energy-density and low-cost K-Na/S batteries,&#8217; was published in Nature Communications.
Storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind has always been a significant challenge due to production fluctuations based on sunlight and wind conditions.
Columbia University&#8217;s research focuses on finding low-cost and high-energy battery storage solutions to address the issue of long-duration energy storage.
The Na/S batteries utilize advanced electrolytes that dissolve polysulfides and sulfides, significantly enhancing reaction kinetics, specific capacity, and energy density.
The report said these batteries operate at nearly the theoretical capacity (1655 mAh g⁻¹ sulfur) at 75 °C with a 1 M sulfur concentration. When the sulfur concentration is increased to 4 M, they provide 830 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 2 mA cm⁻², maintaining 71% of their capacity after 1000 charge-discharge cycles.
The K-Na/S battery, with an energy density of 150-250 Wh kg⁻¹, uses only earth-abundant materials, making it a promising solution for long-duration energy storage.
Headed by Yuan Yang, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the Department of Applied Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University, the scientists have developed a new acetamide or CPL-based eutectic solvent electrolyte. This electrolyte can dissolve K2S2 and K2S to enhance the energy density and power density of K/S batteries. It also enables the batteries to operate at much lower temperatures of about 75°C.
The report said that experimentally, a nearly theoretical discharge capacity of 1655 mAh g−1 is achieved with 1 M sulfur in the catholyte at 75°C, 2.6 times that with conventional TEGDME electrolytes.
The researchers are now focused on small, coin-sized batteries, but they eventually plan to scale up the technology to store large amounts of energy.
Universities worldwide have been researching potential breakthrough battery solutions and energy storage. Recently, <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MIT</a> scientists <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/can-mits-breakthrough-material-be-the-future-of-battery-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> a potential cathode material that can disrupt the future of battery technology. The study reveals a new class of partially disordered rock salt cathode, integrated with polyanions —disordered rock salt-polyanionic spinel that delivers high energy density at high voltages with significantly improved cycling stability.
Another study by Stanford University <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/stanford-scientists-liquid-battery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> that they have made progress on an emerging technology that uses liquid organic hydrogen carriers to essentially create a &#8216;liquid battery&#8217; for storing renewable energy from wind and solar power.

Researchers Develop Low-Cost Battery Energy Storage Solution

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					</table>The fourth edition of Mercom India’s flagship event, the Mercom India Renewables Summit, is scheduled for July 25 and 26, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi.
Renewable energy technologies are rapidly evolving, fueled by advancements in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and efficiency enhancements.
Amidst this technology evolution, the critical question is how stakeholders across the private sector, policy arena, and investment community can collaborate to foster an ecosystem that accelerates innovation and attracts capital to support developing and deploying cutting-edge clean energy technologies.
During the summit, the session, “Exploring Next-Generation Technologies Driving the Clean Energy Market,” on July 25, will delve into the transformative technologies currently reshaping the energy landscape and explore upcoming innovations poised to revolutionize the industry.
The panel of distinguished experts will include Mehul Sharma, CEO of India <a href="https://en.sunpuretech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunpure Technology</a>, Manish Narula, Executive Vice President for South Asia at <a href="https://www.jinkosolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jinko Solar</a>, and Mayank Mishra, Senior Sales Director for India at <a href="https://www.nextracker.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANFHI2L5ilMf8d8iQ44DgApULfZYhrmlVvMoFnuI5pdv2k3NgeD0eWRoCSCMQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextracker</a>.
Sishir Garemella, Head of International Business Development at <a href="https://scorecard.pvel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiwa PVEL</a> will moderate the session.
The discussion will highlight strategies for creating a supportive environment that nurtures innovation, attracts investment, and accelerates the adoption of next-generation clean energy solutions.
The 2024 Summit will also host two celebrated side events: the fourth Mercom India Awards and the second edition of the Cleantech Startup Pitch Competition.
The <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Awards</a>, recognized as one of the solar industry’s most prestigious accolades, will honor outstanding achievements and spotlight the sector’s transformation.
The <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/renewables-summit-2024/startup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleantech Startup Pitch Competition</a> will showcase innovative startups, allowing them to present their novel technologies and solutions to potential investors, fostering further innovation and growth.
<a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/event/renewables-summit-2024/register" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register now</a> to attend the event and contribute to shaping the future of India’s vibrant renewable energy landscape.

Advancing Clean Energy Innovation with Next-Generation Technologies

Scientists at the <a href="https://www.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">University of Southern California</a> have demonstrated a version of the redox flow type battery using low-cost and readily available materials, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.
The study said that the new redox flow battery based on iron sulfate and anthraquinone disulfonic acid (AQDS) showed excellent electrical performance, capacity retention, and chemical durability. This was the first time this particular combination was used to provide unique benefits for large-scale energy storage.
Redox flow batteries, or flow batteries, are a type of electrochemical energy storage devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The term “redox” refers to the chemical reduction and oxidation reactions within the battery that help it store energy in liquid electrolyte solutions that flow through the battery.
The study noted that based on iron sulfate, a waste product of the steel industry and the material cost of the battery was expected to be around $66 (~₹4,953)/kWh. The study noted that studies involving over 500 charge cycles showed a negligible capacity fade rate of 7.6 × 10−5% per cycle.
According to the findings that the voltage of this system was relatively lower compared to mainstream vanadium flow batteries, but the new iron-AQDS flow battery system was a good balance of cost, durability, and scalability for large-scale sustainable energy storage.
Recently, researchers at Purdue University, in collaboration with researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Tufts University, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/researchers-develop-new-way-turn-polymers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> a technique to turn polymers into components for batteries using microwave radiation.
Japanese researchers have <a href="https://mercomindia.com/researchers-electrode-material-lithium-batteries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">developed</a> a new electrode material that they claim would make lithium batteries cheaper, more stable, and capable of holding more charge for more extended periods. The team was led by Naoaki Yabuuchi, a professor at Yokohama National University. He explained that while researchers have previously managed to improve the charge-holding capacity of lithium batteries, they have not been able to improve the amount of charge the batteries can disperse in a useful way.
Image credit: Radiotrefoil / CC BY-SA (<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Vanadium_Redox_flow_battery.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4.0</a>)

Scientists Demonstrate a Cheaper, More Accessible Redox Flow Batteries

Australian scientists, led by members of the <a href="https://excitonscience.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ARC Center of Excellence in Exciton Science</a>, have published a research paper stating that they have succeeded in producing semi-transparent perovskite solar cells that generate electricity.
This breakthrough could allow for windows in buildings and automobiles to generate electricity. The ability to achieve both high efficiency and stability in the photovoltaic performance in these cells is critical and has not been previously achieved using existing device architectures.
These semi-transparent perovskite solar cells with cross-linked hole transport layers were also found to have better long-term stability compared to their predecessors. If successfully implemented, this technology could turn windows into active power generators and would revolutionize the way buildings and automobiles are designed.
In their paper, the team said they explored the use of a solution-processed cross-linked hole transportation layer (HTL) from N4,N4′-di(naphthalen-1-yl)-N4,N4′-bis (4-vinylphenyl)biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (VNPB) molecules as an alternative to the conventional Spiro-OMeTAD within an FTO/SnO2/C60-SAM/Perovskite/HTL/MoOx/ultra-thin gold/MoOx ST-PeSC device architecture.
According to the paper, through an optimized multi-step thermal treatment process that maximizes charge extraction and reduces recombination, power conversion efficiencies between 10 and 30% for Spiro-OMeTAD-free devices can be achieved.
The team is currently looking into integrating this new technology into commercial products with Australian glass maker Viridian Glass.
Earlier, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) <a href="https://mercomindia.com/lead-absorbing-technology-solar-perovskite-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">developed</a> technology that could sequester the minuscule quantity of lead used in developing perovskite solar cells. This development might mark the beginning of an efficient emerging photovoltaic technology.
Previously, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/canadian-solar-achieved-solar-cell-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> that Canadian Solar, a global solar module supplier, and project developer, has announced that its team of researchers has set a world record of 23.81% conversion efficiency using the n-type large area multicrystalline silicon solar cell. This is the third time in nine months that the company has announced a new world record, beating its own record of 22.8% and 22.28% for p-type multicrystalline cells.

Semi-Transparent Perovskite Solar Cells Could Turn Windows into Power Generators

<a href="https://www.trinasolar.com/us">Trina Solar</a> has announced that its State Key Laboratory (SKL) of photovoltaic (PV) science and technology (PVST) has fabricated Passivated Emitter Rear Cells (PERC) with a 23.39% power conversion efficiency rate by using only standard manufacturing equipment.
The China-based solar cell and module manufacturer said that to the best of their knowledge, this was the highest conversion efficiency confirmed by ISO/IEC 17025 certified calibration laboratory for such an industrial cell.
“Our aim is to develop processes that can be transferred to production; therefore, we decided to fabricate such champion PERC cells purely on equipment that is part of standard manufacturing lines, like metallization with standard screen-printers,” said Yang Yang, director of the PERC research group at SKL.
Trina Solar said that the bifacial cell, with an area of 252 cm^2 and 9 busbars, was calibrated at ISFH CaLTeC in Germany under full area illumination (with full front metallization taken into account) on a brass chuck contacting the whole rear area.
It added that the only way the process differed from standard mass-production methods was that during deposition of the antireflection coating, parameters were adjusted as slightly as possible, so the cell has the improved light trapping properties during calibration in the air as the cell has when encapsulated in a module
Previously, Trina Solar <a href="https://mercomindia.com/trina-and-canadian-solar-record-efficiencies/">announced</a> that its state key laboratory of PV science and technology in China had set a new world record of achieving high efficiency of 24.58% for n-type monocrystalline silicon (c-Si, i-TOPCon solar cell (Industrial Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact). The bifacial solar cell reached a total-area front side efficiency of 24.58%, without using any dedicated aperture during the illumination, a result independently confirmed by the ISFH Cal Tec in Germany, the company has said in a statement.
According to Mercom’s recently released <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercom-india-solar-market-leaderboard-1h-2019/">India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2019</a>, in the first half of this year (1H 2019), Trina Solar, Adani, and Risen Energy were the top three suppliers of solar modules in India in terms of shipments.

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