Perovskite solar cells

ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science prints solar cells to generate cheap power.

A simple and versatile nanoparticle ink could help next-generation perovskite solar cells to be printed at scale and become the dominant force in commercial photovoltaics. Made from tin oxide, the ink is created with just one key step at relatively low temperature using microwave technology, and without any need for further purification. It’s then used in solar cells to help selectively transport electrons, which is crucial to generating electricity. Prototype devices built with this method have recorded power-conversion efficiencies of 18%, which is among the best efficiencies for a planar-structured perovskite solar cell processed at low temperatures. The ink is suitable for making different types of perovskite solar cells, including with glass and for printing onto plastic, which can be done cheaply at high volumes. This technique, called roll-to-roll coating, is similar to the way newspapers are printed. Within the ink product, the average size of each particle can be controlled to remain between just five and 10 nanometres. To put that in context, a sheet of paper is 100,000 nanometres thick, and your fingernails grow one nanometre every second. Perovskite solar cells already rival the efficiency of their established silicon counterparts, and they are also more flexible and require less energy to make. Problems with long-term durability and some hurdles in the manufacturing process have so far prevented these exciting materials from overtaking silicon. Now, though, researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, working with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, may have found an answer to some of these challenges with their tin oxide nanoparticle ink. “Perovskite solar cells can be manufactured by industrial printing,” CSIRO principal research scientist Dr Doojin Vak. “While the process is inherently low-cost, the cost of every component still counts. This work demonstrates a great way to contribute to ultra-low-cost manufacturing of perovskite solar cells in the future.” It’s important the nanoparticle ink can be made with microwaves, because direct high-temperature processing methods of flexible solar cell substrates causes degradation, limiting the commercial potential of printable perovskite solar cells. “The use of microwaves to synthesise suitable nanoparticle inks provides a major step forward towards achieving high efficiency perovskite solar cells that can be reproducibly printed while also minimising fabrication costs,” said the senior author of the paper, Monash University’s Professor Jacek Jasieniak. Other synthetic approaches for tin oxide require high pressure, high boiling points and may also need multiple processing steps, ruling them out of contention for cost-effective manufacturing at industrial and commercial scale. Using metal oxides rather than organic ingredients, which get negatively impacted by air and moisture, also extends the lifespan of the final perovskite solar cell devices. Not only is tin oxide more durable than comparable organic ingredients, it also has a wide band gap and encourages efficient electron transport, characteristics that make it suitable for various types of solar cells and other optoelectronic applications.

arena.gov.au

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Schneider Switchgear

Schneider Electric launches SM AirSeT in Australia, the green digital Switchgear with no SF6 greenhouse gas.

Schneider Electric has launched its new green and digital Medium Voltage Switchgear range in Australia. SM AirSeT is a leap forward for sustainability, using pure air and vacuum interruption instead of SF6 gas and allowing users to take full advantage of digital features to unlock the value of data. The new and improved offer is a continuation of one of Schneider Electric’s most popular product ranges for secondary electrical distribution, SM6. Since the announcement of the company’s innovative Shunt Vacuum Interruption (SVI) technology associated with pure air insulation during the CIRED and European Utility Week events in 2019, the company continues to report successful projects of the SF6-free medium voltage range at both utility and private customer sites. This new green digital switchgear is designed for secondary electrical distribution markets. The combination of Shunt Vacuum Interruption (SVI) and pure air insulation enables the avoidance of SF6 while maintaining the advantages of the compact physical footprint. It offers a comprehensive suite of functionalities, including the SF6-free switchfuse, which is often the preferred solution for building installations. It also retains the trusted operating mode of traditional SF6-based equipment. "At Schneider Electric, we believe the best gas is air,” said Power Systems Senior Solution Architect Steve Trainer. “We are pleased to share that SM AirSeT - our green and digital SF6-free switchgear - is now available in Australia. This is the most exciting leap forward for medium voltage in many years and will play an important role in decarbonising electricity.” Unlike other switchgears, SM AirSeT offers numerous digital technologies that can equip the new product with many benefits for users. For example, sensors for condition monitoring can unlock predictive and preventive asset management strategies by feeding data to sophisticated analytics tools such as those offered by Schneider Electric’s robust EcoStruxure architecture and platform. Schneider Electric has reported successful pilot projects of its new SF6-free medium voltage switchgear at numerous electric utilities, including E.ON in Sweden, GreenAlp in France, and EEC Engie in New Caledonia. “We care about environmental responsibility and so do our customers. Transitioning away from greenhouse gases is easy with the launch of SM AirSeT and retains all the benefits that classic SF6 equipment has historically given us,” added Trainer. SM AirSeT - which officially launched in Australia during the Brisbane EN2022 conference in March and will be showcased again at a launch event on the 17th August in Adelaide, South Australia - was honoured by Hannover Messe with the Industrial Energy Efficiency Award, which showcases companies’ outstanding commitment to investing in and applying energy-efficient solutions. Additionally, SM AirSeT was nominated by Deutsche Messe, the HERMES Award, where it placed among the three finalists and was recognised by iF, with an IF Design Award. To complement the SM AirSet range, the RM AirSeT Ring Main Units (RMUs) and GM AirSeT Primary switchgear will be available soon, expanding Schneider Electric’s SF6-Free Medium Voltage Switchgear offer. se.com

National Electric Vehicle Strategy

Consultation is now open to shape Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, designed to improve the affordability, supply and uptake of electric vehicles.

The Albanese Government is working with state and territory Governments, industry, unions and consumers to provide Australians better access to modern road transport technology and ensure infrastructure and industries are ready to support the transition. Australia is significantly behind when it comes to Electric Vehicles - only 2% of new vehicle sales are EVs and our uptake of new lowemissions vehicles is nearly five times lower than the global average. This means Australians are missing out on the benefits of EVs, which are cleaner and cheaper to run. Excluding COVID-19’s impact, transport is Australia’s second largest source of national emissions. Reducing emissions by boosting EV uptake will be critical to Australia reaching net zero by 2050. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the EV revolution is advancing under the Albanese Government. “At the heart of the national strategy will be a plan to improve affordability and choice for consumers by growing the Australian EV market,” Minister Bowen said. “This is a genuine consultation to inform the right policy settings so we can see more affordable electric vehicles on our roads.” “Right now, Australians miss out on a wider choice of affordable EVs because our policy settings are outdated. It's time for Australians to get a fair go when they're deciding on their next car.” The market is showing Australians want EVs but supply is currently constrained. Well-designed national policies will secure affordable zero emissions cars for Australians. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the consultation will ensure people are heard to make EVs more accessible to Australians. “Part of the consultation is about the Government seeking stakeholder views on vehicle fuel efficiency standards, including their application, design and implementation," she said. “Our cars are less fuel efficient on average than Europe and the US. Now is the time for Australia to join the rest of the world and electrify our road transport.” “That is why our Government is taking this critical step to ensure Australian households and businesses reap the benefits of transport that is fit for the 21st century – being both cheaper to run and lower emitting.” The consultation paper is seeking views on issues including: • making EVs more affordable, encouraging uptake and choice; • increasing charging infrastructure; • reducing road transport emissions; • introducing fuel efficiency standards; • saving Australians money on fuel; and • increasing local manufacturing.

consult.industry.gov.au/national-electric-vehicle-strategy

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