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https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/roseworthy-solar-storage-mb2008/
The University of Adelaide officially opened a $7 million solar and energy storage project at its Roseworthy campus last week.
Located 50 kilometres north of its Adelaide CBD campus and 7 kilometres west of Roseworthy, the campus is located on a 1,600 hectare property and is the major centre for animal and veterinary science research in South Australia.
The biggest PV facility for the University to date, work on the Roseworthy Solar and Energy Storage Project commenced in August 2019 and was partly funded by a $778,500 grant from the South Australian Government’s $150M Renewable Technology Fund.
The project incorporated:
A 1.2MW solar farm consisting of 3,200 solar panels.
Campus internal power network upgrade – from low-voltage to high-voltage support.
Integration of digital twin microgrid infrastructure.
420kW/1200kWh of battery storage, made up of Tesla Powerpack lithium-ion and UniEnergy Technologies (UET) vanadium flow batteries.
While officially opened last Thursday, the project has been operational since late April. On its first full day of operation, solar energy offset nearly 90% of the Roseworthy campus’s electrical load – but this occurred during mid-semester break. The system is expected to generate an average of 42% of the campus’s energy needs.
There’s a lot to power at Roseworthy – including animal hospitals, teaching labs, lecture theatres and offices, research facilities and student housing. A generation forecast wasn’t provided, but at a rough estimate a 1.2MW PV system installed in Roseworthy could crank around 5,130 kilowatt-hours a day; or 1,873,125 kilowatt-hours annually.
A “Living Laboratory”
In addition to supporting the goals of the University’s Campus Sustainability Plan, there will also be a wide range of research opportunities associated with the project.
Among them is observing how the two battery technologies perform in very hot conditions. It’s the perfect spot to do so as it can get rather toasty at Roseworthy during the summer months – on January 24 2019, the temperature reached 48.3°C. Tesla says its Powerpack (and also Powerwall) battery system is designed to withstand operating ambient temperatures up to 50°C.
Other research opportunities include energy management, grid segregation, low-cost fault detection systems, system resilience and cybersecurity. Professor Wayne Hein, Dean of the Roseworthy campus, said different aspects of the project could be incorporated into many courses – everything from engineering and space through to environmental science.
https://mg.co.za/business/2021-05-23-sa-needs-to-gear-up-for-clean-energy/
The demand for minerals needed for clean energy technology has increased, as countries worldwide shift towards low-carbon energy. Blessed with an abundance of raw materials that have been at the centre of global industrialisation, South African geologists will have to dust off their boots and find these minerals.
Michael Cronwright, principal battery metals consultant for CSA Global, an international mining consultancy, said that the country needs to think creatively about how to achieve the renewable goals with the minerals it doesn’t have and look at what is does have, for example platinum and vanadium which can be used in hydrogen fuel cells and vanadium redox flow batteries....
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/05/21/pairing-a-battery-with-solar-could-cut-its-overall-value-berkeley-lab-report-says/
New research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory looks at where to locate battery energy storage to provide the highest value.
The study finds that adding four-hour-duration batteries sized to 50% of the capacity of a solar or wind project raises the value by $3–$22/MWh depending on the year and region, with an average value of $10/MWh. The highest boost was found in California ($15/MWh), where the value of adding storage to solar rises in tandem with increased solar penetration.
The study said an even higher value comes from siting the same batteries separately, in a nearby high-value location.
It said this strategy results in higher value than co-located projects in nearly all markets and years. Values ranged from $2–$50/MWh, with an average value boost of $12.50/MWh. The highest values were found in constrained regions, like New York’s Long Island. Lower values occurred in Texas in certain years of the study period.
Reducing the “value penalty”
The report said that the “value penalty” of co-located projects can be reduced through a number of strategies, including recharging batteries from the grid during low-price hours, or sizing the interconnection capacity so both the generator and the battery can deliver power to the grid at the same time.
Separating generation from storage usually delivers higher value, but it may also lead to higher costs, the report said. That’s because a project developer will need multiple sites and grid interconnections, and may lose construction cost savings. A rough estimate found about $15/MWh in cost savings could be realized from using a single location.
The report said that a big part of the savings stems from the federal tax credit for renewable energy production that can also be applied to batteries, so long as the batteries are directly charged by the renewable generator. The tax credit, worth as much as $10/MWh, can tip the scale toward co-location, making coupled projects more attractive to a developer than separate locations.
The report said that at the end of 2020, 34% of solar and 6% of wind capacity were being developed in the U.S. with co-located batteries. In the West, 70%–90% of proposed solar is paired with storage, including almost all grid-scale solar projects in California. Almost two-thirds of all grid-connected batteries in California are part of hybrid solar + storage systems, rather than in potentially higher-value locations. In other regions, the share is typically less than 40%.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210520005350/en/Largo-Resources-to-Host-its-Battery-Day-on-June-9-2021
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Largo Resources Ltd. ("Largo" or the "Company") (TSX: LGO) (NASDAQ: LGO) is pleased to announce that it will host a virtual Battery Day webcast on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The event will highlight Largo’s sizable growth opportunity in the long-duration battery market, our comprehensive development strategy and showcase the key technological advantages of our VCHARGE± battery system as we position ourselves towards a sustainable future.
Paulo Misk, Largo’s President and Chief Executive Officer stated: “Through our unique vertical vanadium integration, Largo has a powerful opportunity to provide potential customers with a competitive and commercial solution to the growing need for long-duration energy storage with its vanadium redox flow battery system. Largo has developed a truly disruptive business model that we believe will create a competitive moat around our business.” He continued: “The need to accelerate the transition to clean energy integration is one of the top global priorities, and Largo intends on being a leader in advancing this mission through the deployment of its safe and sustainable VCHARGE± battery system. Importantly, we also believe this crucial transformation will create long-term shareholder value at Largo. We look forward to showcasing our competitive strategy during this event and encourage everyone interested to register in advance.”
Key non-executive directors and management from Largo will present a complete overview of the business opportunity during a presentation and Q&A session. The agenda for the event is listed below:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/20/dogs-can-better-detect-covid-in-humans-than-lateral-flow-tests-finds-study
Dogs are better at detecting Covid-19 in humans than many fast lateral flow tests (LFTs), according to a French study which could see canines more widely deployed for mass virus screening in crowded places including airports.
The trial, conducted in March and April by France’s national veterinary school and the clinical research unit of Paris’s Necker-Cochin hospital, showed dogs were able to detect the presence of the virus with 97% accuracy.
The dogs were also 91% correct in identifying negative samples, the study showed. A recent review of 64 studies found LFTs correctly identify on average 72% of people infected with the virus who have symptoms, and 58% who do not.
“These results are scientific confirmation of dogs’ capacity to detect the olfactory signature of Covid-19,” the Paris hospital board said, adding that the study – which is due to be published in a scientific review – was the first of its kind.
“These are excellent results, comparable with those of a PCR test,” Prof Jean-Marc Tréluyer told Agence-France Presse. Tréluyer said dogs would not replace polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are significantly more reliable than LFT tests.
But, he said, “they could help identify those people who should undergo a full viral test and – because the dogs’ response is so quick – facilitate mass testing” in places such as airports, train stations and concert venues.
In the French study, researchers collected samples – cotton pads pressed for two minutes under participants’ armpits – from 335 people aged between six and 76 who presented themselves for a PCR test at testing centres in Paris.
The pads were then sealed in jars and given to at least two of the nine dogs used in the trial – none of whom came into contact with the volunteers – to be sniffed. The dogs’ handlers did not know in advance which samples were positive.
The dogs detected 97% of the 109 people whose PCR test subsequently proved positive, and 91% of those whose PCR test was negative.
Researchers in countries including Australia, Germany and Britain have experimented with dogs to detect Covid, while Finland and the United Arab Emirates last year launched trials with sniffer dogs at Helsinki and Dubai international airports.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/wastewater-monitoring-being-used-to-track-india-variant-says-han****
Wastewater monitoring is being used to identify cases of the India variant and track its spread, the health secretary, Matt Han****, has said.
Although coronavirus predominantly infects cells lining the respiratory tract, it is also shed in the faeces of some infected individuals. By collecting sewage samples from wastewater treatment plants, scientists can use PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) machines to detect and quantify the amount of RNA from Sars-CoV-2 in different areas – including new variants, such as the B.1.617.2 variant first detected in India, which is now spreading across the UK.
The wastewater scheme was piloted last summer, and has since been expanded to include hundreds of sites across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Speaking during the Queen’s speech debate earlier on Wednesday, Han**** told MPs that testing and vaccinations were being surged in six areas because wastewater analysis had identified places where the India variant was being transmitted.
He said: “Mobility data shows how often people travel from one area to another, and we look at this in deciding where the virus is likely to spread. And we analyse now wastewater, in 70% of the country, and we can spot the virus, and the variants in the water, to identify communities where there is spread.”
Although wastewater monitoring is not accurate enough to tell us how many individuals are infected with Covid in any given area at any given time, it can be used to understand where specific variants are circulating, and to provide an early warning of escalating cases in specific geographical areas.
This can be followed up with additional community testing and messaging, or the sewage equivalent of surge testing – where manhole covers are lifted up and samples taken from sewers in specific areas to try to narrow down the source of the outbreak
https://wap.eastmoney.com/a/202105191927898246.html
Today, the domestic vanadium market maintains a high and strong operation. The quotations of various vanadium products are strong, and the prices of raw materials continue to rise. The retail vanadium quotations are in cash of 121-122 million yuan/ton, and the actual transaction is 120,000 yuan/ton. The current vanadium nitrogen alloy factory accepts The highest is this. Some holders are bullish on the market outlook and will not offer prices temporarily.
Ammonium metavanadate has risen slightly, and the quotation has reached RMB 115-116 million per ton in cash, and the transaction has gradually followed up. The alloy market is firm and strong. Vanadium-nitrogen alloy transactions are relatively active. Intermediaries are hesitant to purchase.
Vanadium prices are rising rapidly, steel bidding is slow to follow up, and the profit margins for intermediaries are small. Manufacturers' quotations were adjusted to RMB 1.8-183,000 per ton in cash with the price of raw materials, and the steel bidding price rose slightly to RMB 179,300 per ton including tax of acceptance. The quotation of ferrovanadium remained stable, and the transaction follow-up was slow. Ferrovanadium plants were wary of production upside down and purchased high-priced raw materials according to orders. Bulk ferro-vanadium quoted cash of 125--126,000 yuan/ton, and the transaction situation was average.
https://twitter.com/Dominic2306/status/1394598167652585476?s=19
10/ I think we’ll conclude we shd have done Human Challenge trials immediately & cd have got jabs in arms summer. This is not criticism of the VTF which has been constrained in ways they shdnt be. It’s cnctd to b/ where is the public plan for how the VTF will deal with variants?
https://www.argusmedia.com/metals-platform/metal/ferro-alloys-vanadium
https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2215361-investigation-brings-us-closer-to-vanadium-premium
Market participants expect a decision on the Section 232 investigation regarding vanadium by 23 May, with most predicating an affirmative determination will make the US fully a premium market.
The US Commerce Department initiated the 232 investigation on 28 May 2020 in response to a petition filed by AMG Vanadium and US Vanadium. Section 232 investigations determine the effect of imports on national security. Previous 232 investigations on steel and aluminum products resulted in 25pc and 10pc tariffs, respectively. No action was taken after a 232 investigation on titanium sponge.
The petition proposed two courses of action regarding vanadium oxides, vanadium carbonitrides, ferro-vanadium, and vanadates if the request was granted. One proposal was that the US impose a 40pc tariff on vanadium imports ad valorem. The other proposed recommendation would impose separate quota volumes with a 20pc tariff placed on shipments below a specified annual import volume and a 40pc tariff on volumes above that specified volume, with the quota declining 10pc points each subsequent year for three years.
The US consumes about 94pc of its vanadium for metallurgical purposes, mostly an alloying agent in the steel and iron industry, according to the US Geological Survey.
Most market participants expect a decision one way or the other, even though its possible the US administration avoids a determination altogether. But a slight majority of participants surveyed by Argus expect tariffs to be put in place. Depending on the magnitude of tariffs placed on vanadium products, it will likely make the US a consistent premium market in the global trade, which in recent history was not always the case despite the country's heavy reliance on imports...
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-05/14/c_139945838.htm
Xi Focus: China's water diversion project promotes green developmen
"There are 13 automatic water quality monitoring stations along the middle route. Underwater robots are widely used for monitoring aquatic organism and sediment levels, and checking water gates."
https://stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2021/05/12/vanadium-one-and-glencore-enjoin-to-support-development-of-the-mont-sorcier
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 12, 2021 / Vanadium One Iron Corp. ("Vanadium One" or the "Company") (TSXV:VONE), is very pleased to announce that it has entered into a long-term arrangement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Glencore plc ("Glencore") to support the development of the Mont Sorcier Iron and Vanadium project located in Chibougamau, Quebec. The parties have entered into a Finance Raising Assistance Agreement ("FR Agreement") and a separate Concentrate Offtake Agreement "Offtake Agreement") to support the ongoing development and the eventual construction and production of the Mont Sorcier iron and vanadium project.
Under the terms of the FR Agreement, Glencore will undertake to assist Vanadium One in raising not less than US$10 million, either directly or indirectly, in project financing to support the completion of a Bankable Feasibility study on the Mont Sorcier project. Such funding is to be secured no later than year end 2021. Glencore is expected to facilitate the arrangement of at least US$8MM of this funding requirement. The structure of such financing remains to be determined through negotiations and on terms acceptable to Vanadium One. The use of proceeds will be used to deliver the feasibility study, upgrading the classification of the resource, enhanced metallurgical test work and project engineering. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be dedicated for community agreements, related environmental studies and the initiation of the permitting process.
Upon the successful fulfillment of the FR Agreement, Vanadium One will grant to Glencore an eight (8) year Offtake Agreement for 100% of the annual production from the Mont Sorcier iron and vanadium project..
https://investingnews.com/news/vanadium-investing/largo-resources-secures-the-advisory-services-of-energy-industry-experts-dr.bart-riley-and-dr.jeffrey-chamberlain/
Largo Resources Ltd. (” Largo ” or the ” Company “) (TSX: LGO) (NASDAQ: LGO) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement for the strategic advisory services of Dr. Bart Riley and Dr. Jeffrey Chamberlain (the “ Advisors ”). The Advisors will provide advice to the Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) to accelerate the development of its Largo Clean Energy business.
Dr. Bart Riley:
Dr. Riley is a global leader with over 30 years of experience advancing new materials, launching disruptive products and building innovative companies in energy storage. Dr. Riley has a track record for solving complex technical and business problems to launch products in multiple verticals, including industrial equipment, consumer electronics, automotive, and grid services. Dr. Riley was a co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of A123 Systems from its startup through a $2 billion market cap as a publicly listed company. Dr. Riley was also the former Chief Development/Strategy Officer at Quantumscape from 2012 through 2016, an $18 billion U.S. based company that produces solid state lithium metal batteries for electric cars. More recently, Dr. Riley has provided strategic guidance to companies and non-profit organizations across various industries including energy storage, packaging, aerospace, and chemicals. Dr. Riley has a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Cornell University, 85 publications, and 62 U.S. patents.
Dr. Jeffrey Chamberlain:
Dr. Chamberlain is a proven leader with a long record of industrial product R&D and commercialization success in energy, integrated circuit, and water treatment technology for mining and mineral processing applications. Dr. Chamberlain’s industrial experience is complemented by his ten years’ of leadership of energy storage initiatives at Argonne National Laboratory. In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Chamberlain led the effort to successfully transfer advanced battery technology from Argonne to LG Chem, BASF, General Motors, Toda Kogyo, General Electric, and others. Dr. Chamberlain also led the team that was awarded $120 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop advanced energy storage technologies for transportation and the grid, through a U.S. consortium of innovators including MIT, Berkeley and Stanford. Dr. Chamberlain received his Ph.D. in the Physical Chemistry of Surfaces from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01234-1
The myriad ways sewage surveillance is helping fight COVID around the world
Wastewater tracking was used before the pandemic to monitor for polio and illicit drug use, but interest in the field and its applications has now ballooned...
https://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/3988332/Mineral-demand-from-energy-sector-could-increase-sixfold-by-2040-IEA-says.html
Mineral demand from energy sector could increase sixfold by 2040, IEA says
The global mineral industry will have to rapidly scale up production to meet surging demand from the new energy sector, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned.
To reach the target of net-zero emissions by 2050, the energy sector will be consuming minerals at six times the current rate by 2040, the IEA forecast in a special report on Wednesday May 5.
“Today, the data shows a looming mismatch between the world’s strengthened climate ambitions and the availability of critical minerals that are essential to realizing those ambitions,” Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, said.
“The challenges are not insurmountable, but governments must give clear signals about how they plan to turn their climate pledges into action. By acting now and acting together, they can significantly reduce the risks of price volatility and supply disruptions.”
The global drive in new energy is spurring...
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/05/10/large-scale-vanadium-redox-flow-battery-takes-shape-in-australia/
Engineering groundwork for the AUD 20.3 million ($15.9 million) Yadlamalka vanadium flow battery near Hawker, South Australia, is now moving toward completion. With production of the 41 Invinity VS3 battery modules now ramping up for delivery later this year, pv magazine Australia recently caught up with Matt Harper, chief commercial officer of Invinity Energy Systems, to talk tech...
https://www.bestmag.co.uk/indnews/sixteen-companies-form-european-association-drive-flow-battery-deployment
international not-for-profit association has been formed by 16 companies with the goal of accelerating the deployment of energy storage and flexibility solutions through flow battery technology.
Flow Batteries Europe (FBE) represents flow battery stakeholders with the goal of shaping a long-term strategy for the flow battery sector.
This will include helping structure the legal framework for flow batteries at the EU level, contribute to the EU decision-making process, and help define R&D priorities.
The organisation was formed on 28 April.
Its main objectives are: to promote the advantages of flow battery technologies and support the European supply chain, to accelerate the development and deployment of the flow battery value chain, and scale up the technology via EU legislation, funding and energy storage projects.
FBE’s members include: five research centres, five industry players, five start-ups and one association.
Kees van de Kerk, managing director at German redox flow battery maker Volterion, was named the FBE’s first president during the first Statutory General Assembly.
Kees said: “I am looking forward to working with the members to share with the European Institutions the benefits of flow batteries and how a strong flow battery industry can contribute to Europe’s climate goals”.
The organisation’s three vice-presidents are: Tobias Janoschka (JenaBatteries), Alexander Schönfeldt (CellCube) and Paul Vollant (Largo Resources). Guillaume Chazalet (Kemiwatt) was named as the treasurer.
Anthony Price, the secretary general of FBE, said: “Between 2010 and 2019, only 7% of the world’s flow battery projects were installed in Europe, with much more R&D and commercial support taking place in North America and Asia.
"Forming FBE is a great opportunity to ensure that Europe takes full advantage of this exciting, safe and efficient battery energy storage technology.”
FBE invites all European industrial and institutional organisations interested in actively promoting flow battery technologies to join.
The founding members are: (Industry) CellCube, InEnergy, Largo Clean Energy, Voith, and W.L. Gore & Associates; (start-up) JenaBatteries, Kemiwatt, Pinflow energy storage, Vanevo, and Volterion; (research) CIC energiGUNE, Cenelest, Tekniker, University of Padua, and Zhaw; and (association member) Vanitec.
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/china-s-emissions-exceed-developed-countries-b1843466.html
China’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 exceeded the combined total of all developed countries, a think tank report published on Thursday revealed.
The new research from Rhodium Group found that in that year, the superpower produced carbon emissions that were more than triple its 1990 levels, and had increased by 25 per cent that decade..
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/663-tsx/lgo/98515-largo-secures-1-4-gwh-nameplate-capacity-stack-manufacturing-facility-and-product-development-center-appoints-energy-executive-as-vp-of-operations.html
TORONTO / May 05, 2021 / Business Wire / Largo Resources Ltd. ("Largo" or the "Company") (TSX: LGO) (NASDAQ: LGO) is pleased to announce key developments in its clean energy division to scale up manufacturing capacity of its VCHARGE± vanadium redox flow battery (“VRFB”) system to meet expected deployment targets.
The Company is also pleased to announce that Mr. Salvatore Minopoli has been appointed as Vice President of Operations of Largo Clean Energy with overall responsibility for commercial development and implementation of the strategic business growth plan.
VCHARGE± Manufacturing Strategy Developed
During Q1 2021, the Company finalized the manufacturing strategy for its clean energy division and began to establish the supply chain required to deliver on its targeted deployment timelines and cost structure. In April 2021, the Company secured a location for its stack manufacturing and product development center in Massachusetts, U.S. with an expected nameplate manufacturing capacity of 1.4 GWh per year. This facility will be the global headquarters of Company’s clean energy division. The Company also approved a location in New Hampshire, U.S. for its clean energy division’s electrolyte production and manufacturing of containerized VRFB systems.
Paulo Misk, President and CEO of Largo, stated: “We continued to make considerable progress in advancing our clean energy division with the view of becoming a leading player in the long-duration energy storage sector with our superior VRFB technology. I am pleased to report that the Company secured its U.S. based stack manufacturing facility and product development center, which is expected to have an annual manufacturing capacity of 1.4 GWh.”
He continued: “Supported by robust sector demand and global carbon reduction targets, we continue to view the strategic growth opportunity associated with our clean energy division as a strong source of value creation for the Company. We are planning Largo’s Battery Day to highlight our development strategy, showcase the VCHARGE± system technological differentiations and detail the Company's sizable growth opportunity in the long-duration energy sector as we position ourselves toward a sustainable future. We will provide a date for this event soon.”
The Company is progressing with the certification of its VCHARGE± system under UL1973 and UL9540 requirements and expects to conclude this process shortly. Hiring of additional personnel to support the Company’s anticipated targets continues.
Be good to get it past the 30k barrier this weekend.