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Europe to boost battery production as electric shift accelerates

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Europe to boost battery production as electric shift accelerates

As electric car sales take off and petrol engines face being phased out by 2035, Europe is looking to develop its own battery production base.

Far from being autonomous, Europe needs to accelerate domestic battery output as a national security issue as well as a boost for businesses and jobs.

Batteries that power electric cars and which weigh up to 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds), represent a considerable part of the vehicle’s value.

At the moment, they are mostly produced in Asia, with China, South Korea and Japan the leading manufacturers.

With a mid-July announcement that it intends to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, the European Commission has set a timetable for the bloc’s shift to electric cars.

Many carmakers, having sensed which way the wind is blowing with governments, have now announced plans to shift towards electric vehicles.

Germany’s Daimler was the latest, announcing last week that from 2025 it will launch only electric vehicle platforms as it gears up for a full shift to electric cars from 2030.

It is not only governments pushing the change, as the latest European data shows that electric cars doubled their market share in the second quarter of 2021.

– Giga plans –

If Europe is going to shift to electric cars, it will need lots of batteries.

After years of slow progress, there are now plans to invest 40 billion euros ($47 billion) in 38 European factories that could turn out 1,000 gigawatt hours of batteries per year, according to Transport & Environment, a non-governmental organisation.

With average battery capacity of 60 kilowatt hours, that would be enough to power 16.7 million vehicles, according to the group.

One initiative is Sweden’s Northvolt, which already has a factory under construction that is to produce batteries with total capacity of 150 gigawatt hours by 2030.

Volkswagen is a major partner, and the German carmaker is seeking to build five other factories as well.

Daimler, as part of its announcement this past week, said it would build eight battery factories worldwide for its Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars.

Stellantis, which includes 12 brands including Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Peugeot, plans to build five factories in Europe and North America.

Tesla expects to open its first European “gigafactory” near Berlin later this year, which it claims will be the world’s largest battery cell production site with 250 gigawatt hours of capacity in 2030.

EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic recently said the planned factories put the EU “well on track to achieve open strategic autonomy in this critical sector”.

– Partners needed –

That view is not shared by Olivier Montique, an automotive analyst at Fitch Solutions.

He said the planned facilities “will make the bloc a significant player in the space, but will not enable it to meet anywhere close to all of its internal demand for EV batteries.”

Montique said that is why automakers are still working with Asian battery makers.

China’s Envision AESC is partnering with Nissan and Renault to build factories in Britain and France.

South Korean firms LG Chem and SKI have plants in Poland and Hungary, while China’s CATL is building one in Germany.

– Lithium needed –

Raw materials are essential of course to manufacture batteries.

Car batteries currently use lithium-ion technology, similar to what powers most electronic devices today.

Unless there is a rapid breakthrough in solid-state batteries that could use other materials, huge amounts of lithium will be needed.

Europe has domestic sources of lithium, notably in the Czech Republic and Germany, but it will also probably have to depend on imports.

Montique said Europe would likely end up “developing supply agreements with markets where there are abundant resources, favourable diplomatic ties, and strong investment frameworks” to reduce the threat of shortages.

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency


Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In groundbreaking research published in Nano Energy, a team led by Prof. CHEN Chong at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has significantly improved the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By integrating inorganic nano-material tin sulfoxide (SnSO) as a dopant, they have boosted the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs to an impressive 24.5%.

Traditional methods of enhancing the charge transport in the critical hole transport layer (HTL) of PSCs involve the use of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide (Li-TFSI) to facilitate the oxidation of the HTL material spiro-OMeTAD. However, this method suffers from low doping efficiency and can leave excess Li-TFSI in the spiro-OMeTAD film, reducing its compactness and long-term conductivity. Additionally, the oxidation process typically requires 10-24 hours to achieve the desired electrical conductivity and work function.



The HFIPS team’s innovation lies in their development of a rapid and replicable method to control the oxidation of nanomaterials, using SnSO nanomaterial to pre-oxidize spiro-OMeTAD in precursor solutions. This novel approach not only enhances conductivity but also optimizes the energy level position of the HTL, culminating in a high PCE of 24.5%.



One of the key advantages of the SnSO-regulated spiro-OMeTAD HTL is its pinhole-free, uniform, and smooth morphology, which maintains its performance and physical integrity even under challenging conditions of high temperature and humidity. Additionally, the oxidation process facilitated by this method is significantly faster, taking only a few hours- a crucial factor in improving the commercial production efficiency of PSCs.



Prof. CHEN Chong highlighted the importance of this breakthrough, stating, “Also, the oxidation process only takes a few hours, which is good for improving the commercial preparation efficiency of PSCs.” This advancement not only marks a significant leap in the efficiency and stability of PSCs but also holds substantial implications for their commercial viability.



Research Report:A nanomaterial-regulated oxidation of hole transporting layer for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells


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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high


Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






Researchers at Tsinghua University have made a significant breakthrough in the efficiency of flexible solar cells, leveraging a novel fabrication technique to set a new efficiency record. This advancement addresses the longstanding challenge of the lower energy conversion efficiency in flexible solar cells compared to their rigid counterparts, offering promising implications for aerospace and flexible electronics applications.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs), despite their potential, have historically lagged in efficiency due to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based flexible substrate’s inherent softness and inhomogeneity. This limitation, coupled with durability issues arising from the substrate’s susceptibility to water and oxygen infiltration, has hindered the practical deployment of FPSCs.



The team from the State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control at Tsinghua University, alongside collaborators from the Center for Excellence in Nanoscience at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing, introduced a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. This method facilitates the deposition of tin oxide (SnO2) on flexible substrates without the need for strong acids, which are detrimental to such substrates. Tin oxide is essential for the FPSCs as it acts as an electron transport layer, crucial for the cells’ power conversion efficiency.



Associate Professor Chenyi Yi, a senior author of the study, explained, “Our method utilizes SnSO4 tin sulfate instead of SnCl2 tin chloride, making it suitable for acid-sensitive flexible substrates. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of FPSCs but also their durability, with a new power conversion efficiency benchmark set at 25.09%, certified at 24.90%.”



The novel fabrication technique also contributes to the FPSCs’ stability, as demonstrated by the cells maintaining 90% of their initial efficiency after being bent 10,000 times. The researchers noted an improved high-temperature stability in SnSO4-based FPSCs over those made with SnCl2, pointing towards the dual benefits of efficiency and durability enhancements.



The research signifies a leap towards industrial-scale production of high-efficiency FPSCs, with potential applications ranging from wearable technology and portable electronics to aerospace power sources and large-scale renewable energy solutions. The team’s findings, supported by Ningyu Ren, Liguo Tan, Minghao Li, Junjie Zhou, Yiran Ye, Boxin Jiao, and Liming Ding, mark a pivotal step in transitioning FPSCs from laboratory to commercial use.



Research Report:25% – Efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells via controllable growth of SnO2


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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells


KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

by Sophie Jenkins

London, UK (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In 2009, researchers introduced perovskite-based solar cells, highlighting the potential of methylammonium lead bromide and methylammonium lead iodide-known as lead halide perovskites-for photovoltaic research. These materials, notable for their excellent light-absorbing properties, marked the beginning of an innovative direction in solar energy generation. Since then, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells has significantly increased, indicating a future where they are used alongside traditional silicon in solar panels.

Erkan Aydin, Stefaan De Wolf, and their team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have explored how this tandem technology could transition from experimental stages to commercial production. Perovskites are lauded for their low-temperature production process and their flexibility in application, offering a lighter, more adaptable, and potentially cost-effective alternative to silicon-based panels.



Combining perovskite with silicon in a single solar cell leverages the strengths of both materials, enhancing sunlight utilization and reducing losses that aren’t converted into electrical energy. “The synergy between perovskite and silicon technologies in tandem cells captures a broader spectrum of sunlight, minimizing energy loss and significantly boosting efficiency,” Aydin notes.



However, Aydin and his colleagues acknowledge challenges in scaling tandem solar-cell fabrication for the marketplace. For instance, the process of depositing perovskite on silicon surfaces is complicated by the silicon’s texture. Traditional laboratory methods like spin coating are not feasible for large-scale production due to their inefficiency and material wastage. Alternatives such as slot-die coating and physical vapor deposition present their own set of advantages and challenges.



Moreover, the durability of perovskite components under environmental stressors such as moisture, heat, and light remains a critical concern. Aydin emphasizes the need for focused research to enhance the reliability and lifespan of perovskite/silicon tandem cells, especially in harsh conditions.



Although tandem modules have already been demonstrated in proof-of-concept stages, the timeline for their market readiness is uncertain. Nonetheless, the successful development of efficient, commercial-grade perovskite/silicon solar cells is essential for meeting global energy demands sustainably.



Research Report:Pathways toward commercial perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics


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All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com





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