Author: solarenergy

RheEnergise has reached full capacity at its first High-Density Hydro energy storage project near Plymouth, Devon. The 500 kW demonstrator marks a breakthrough for long-duration energy storage technology that can operate on hills rather than requiring mountainous terrain.The system uses a fluid that is 2.5 times denser than water, allowing smaller installations with the same energy output as traditional hydro pump systems. The breakthrough opens up thousands of potential sites in Britain that were previously unsuitable for hydropower storage.The Cornwood project, built at Sibelco’s kaolin mine, received £8.25 million in government funding through the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio programme. RheEnergise…

Researchers in Hong Kong have developed a hybrid energy heat pump that seamlessly combines absorption and compression cycles using crystallization-free ionic liquids, improving efficiency and reliability under different solar conditions. Simulations in multiple Chinese cities show that the system can significantly reduce electricity consumption and cooling costs, making it promising for sustainable building cooling and future commercial scale-up. January 27, 2026 Lior Kahana A research team from the City University of Hong Kong has designed a new hybrid energy heat pump (HEHP) system that enables a gradual transition from an absorption cycle to a compression cycle. In addition, the new…

UK independent power producer (IPP) Voltwise Power has raised £153.9 million (US$211.4 million) in funding to support its acquisition of a 460MW battery energy storage system (BESS), which was completed last year.The deal, which closed in June 2025, saw the IPP acquire a BESS portfolio from UK energy infrastructure company Smart Metering Systems (SMS), which at the time was spread across seven 320 MW/250 MWh operating assets and a further four 140 MW/280 MWh assets under development.However, the deal also included the acquisition of SMS’s entire battery business, and Voltwise said the portfolio includes “a number of development assets” in…

Medium-voltage power stations are often more flexible, cost-effective and easier to integrate into local grids than high-voltage power stations, making them ideal for distributed solar projects or regions without easy access to high-voltage transmission infrastructure. High-voltage power plants are more suitable for utility-scale generation for long-distance transmission, but are more sensitive to transmission losses and require significant upfront planning and investment. In addition, high-voltage installations require stricter safety measures, more complex protection systems and specialized personnel. With these benefits in mind, a team of researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE are currently planning to build what they describe as the world’s…

Pilot project for long-term energy storage (LDES) uses fluid with a low viscosity and a higher density than water. RheEnergise is looking for future projects in the range of 10 MW to 100 MW, with a storage capacity of six to twenty hours. January 27, 2026 Matthew Lynas RheEnergise’s High-Density Hydro project has secured investment from the UK government’s GBP 1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio fund Image: RheEnergise By ESS news A British startup has commissioned a pilot energy storage project designed to allow smaller, flexible hydropower plants to be built in hills rather than mountains. RheEnergise received a…

pv magazine has spoken with silver analysts from Bloomberg and StoneX in recent weeks about the dizzying growth of the silver price. They both agree that when prices rise too quickly, investor behavior can quickly change. Meanwhile, the price of the precious metal reached another record high today, at $110 per ounce. January 27, 2026 Lior Kahana and Emiliano Bellini The price of silver has risen dramatically in recent months and today surpassed an all-time high of $110 per ounce (oz). However, according to two leading analysts, this upward trend could reverse sharply in the coming days or weeks. “I…

According to market data from SunWiz, the manufacturer is the largest supplier of energy storage in Australia, Ireland and South Africa. January 27, 2026 According to recent market data from independent solar and energy storage consultancy SunWiz, Sigenergy has become the number one energy storage provider in several international markets, including Australia, Ireland and South Africa. In these regions, SunWiz figures show that Sigenergy has the highest market share for energy storage systems, reflecting widespread adoption by installers and growing demand downstream. Data shows that the manufacturer has the largest installer reach and installer depth in Australia, Ireland and South…

Serbia had a record year for solar energy additions in 2025, led by the deployment of large-scale power stations. The country has a gigawatt-sized project pipeline, although most are still in earlier stages of development and are not expected to come online this year. January 27, 2026 Patrick Jowett Serbia added 134.3 MW of solar power last year, according to data shared by the Association Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia (RES Serbia). This figure is a record for a calendar year in Serbia, building on the 80 MW added in 2024, and bringing the country’s cumulative solar capacity to 318.3…

A coalition of unions, including construction industry unions and the Oregon AFL-CIO, has launched Climate Jobs Oregon this week. Climate Jobs Oregon is a new labor-led organization dedicated to ensuring that Oregon’s transition to a clean energy future is one that puts working people and the communities in which they live at the center. Union members hold signs during a press conference announcing the launch of Climate Jobs Oregon. Oregon AFL CIO “All working families deserve a safe, healthy and prosperous future,” said Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO. “Climate Jobs Oregon meets the needs of the working class…

The Volta Foundation’s 2025 Battery Report shows that deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) exceeded 100 GW for the first time, as costs for off-the-shelf systems fell sharply and long-term storage and service agreements continued to evolve. January 27, 2026 Tristan Rayner By ESS news The Volta Foundation has published its annual battery report for 2025, which now runs to a whopping 750 pages, with data and work from 120 battery experts from more than 90 institutions. The report includes coverage of the global battery industry for electric vehicles, stationary storage and multiple other battery use cases, from supply…