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Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Breaking: Xiaomi recently unveiled its 120W HyperCharge technology in March 2022, capable of fully charging a 4,500mAh battery in just 19 minutes. This technology, initially showcased with the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, represents a meaningful leap in mobile charging speeds and highlights the growing demand for faster power solutions.This development underscores a broader trend in the smartphone industry towards prioritizing rapid charging capabilities.
The advent of fast charging has fundamentally altered the smartphone user experience. Where once users routinely factored in hours of charging time, modern fast-charging technologies have dramatically reduced this wait. The shift mirrors the evolution of internet connectivity, transitioning from the frustratingly slow speeds of early EDGE and 3G networks to the near-instantaneous access provided by broadband and 5G. Just as the patience required for loading webpages diminished with faster connections, the need to remain tethered to a wall outlet for extended periods is becoming a relic of the past.
The impact of fast charging extends beyond mere convenience. Previously, a depleted battery on a standard-charging phone could necessitate a 30-60 minute wait before being usable for essential tasks. Now, a 10-15 minute charge can often provide sufficient power to alleviate battery anxiety and maintain productivity. This has proven notably appealing to individuals initially uninterested in the technology, demonstrating its broad appeal.Companies like Oppo, with their SuperVOOC charging, and OnePlus, utilizing warp Charge (based on Oppo’s technology), have also been key players in pushing the boundaries of charging speed. Qualcomm’s Fast charge technology, while an earlier standard, continues to be widely supported across numerous Android devices.
While fast charging offers significant benefits, some users still prefer slower charging methods due to concerns about long-term battery health or personal routines. This preference is valid, and the choice remains with the individual. However, for those who haven’t experienced the advantages of fast charging, it’s a technology worth exploring. The convenience and time savings it provides can be ample, and the benefits will likely become increasingly apparent as reliance on mobile devices continues to grow. The impact of charging speed is also becoming a key differentiator in the competitive smartphone market, influencing purchasing decisions for a growing number of consumers.
Bali Villas: Immigration Probes Ex-IDF Soldiers Allegedly Running Luxury Business
Officials Investigate Foreign Nationals Suspected of Military Ties
Indonesian immigration authorities are actively investigating claims that two foreign nationals, believed to be former members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), are operating upscale villas on the popular tourist island of Bali.
Ongoing Investigation Underway
Minister of Immigration and Penitentiary, Agus Andrianto, confirmed that a dedicated team is on the ground in Bali revisiting the alleged presence of these individuals. The Minister stated, “This is again checked now. The team is there again, again.”
During a recent sweep in Bali, immigration officials apprehended approximately 100 foreign nationals. However, the specific immigration violations committed by these individuals were not detailed.
Suspects Identified via Social Media
The two Israelis in question include a man reportedly named Shahar Gornen, who presents himself as a traveler and content creator. Social media analysis suggests Gornen managed an Instagram account, @gonenvillasbali, which showcased luxurious, modern tropical villas.
At the time of reporting, both the @gonenvillasbali account and Shahar Gornen‘s personal Instagram profile were set to private, limiting access to their content. However, cached versions of posts featuring the Bali villas remain accessible through search engines.
Entry and Visa Status Under Scrutiny
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Shahar Gornen entered Indonesia using documentation from Germany, leading immigration officials to initially identify him as a German national. He is believed to have entered on an investor Kitas (limited stay permit), valid until March 2026.
Gornen is reportedly residing in the Pererenan area of Badung Regency, Bali. His investor Kitas is sponsored by an Indonesian company, which acts as his guarantor. The Bali Regional Police have indicated their willingness to investigate any potential criminal violations associated with these individuals.
Immigration’s scrutiny comes as concerns mount over foreign nationals exploiting visa regulations. For instance, in 2023, the UK’s Office for National Statistics reported a significant increase in illegal working, with over 147,000 people identified as working without the correct permissions, highlighting broader challenges in border control and enforcement (Source: Office for National Statistics, 2023).
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Electric vehicle Battery Repair: A Cost-Effective Choice to Replacement?
Published: October 26,2023
A recent case highlights the potential for repairing electric vehicle (EV) batteries instead of automatically replacing them, offering a more economical solution for owners. The incident, documented in a video circulating online, involved an EV with a battery issue that initially appeared to require a full replacement. However,a skilled mechanic identified the problem as a fault within a single cell of the battery pack.
The vehicle’s warranty coverage was initially deemed invalid due to evidence of maintenance performed outside of authorized service centers. The owner’s driving habits, indicated by a remaining range of approximately 20-30 miles (32-48 kilometers) and the use of the heated reserve function, suggested a driver accustomed to operating the vehicle close to its range limit. This practice, while not inherently damaging, can contribute to increased battery stress and potential issues.
Despite the warranty implications, the mechanic’s approach of pinpointing and replacing the faulty cell demonstrates a valuable alternative to the often-expensive full battery replacement. Replacing a single cell is significantly less costly than replacing the entire battery pack,which can range from $5,000 to $20,000 USD depending on the vehicle model and battery capacity.
This case underscores the growing need for specialized EV repair expertise. While manufacturers often prioritize full battery replacements, self-reliant mechanics with the necessary training and equipment can offer viable repair options. The long-term benefits of cell-level repair extend beyond cost savings, perhaps reducing electronic waste and promoting a more sustainable approach to EV ownership.
See the detailed repair process in the video below.
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Grid-Forming Inverter Successfully Delivers Critical Short-Circuit Current, But Long-Term Grid Stability Questions Remain
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Blackhillock, scotland – In a landmark presentation of grid-forming inverter technology, a system deployed by Zenobē at the Blackhillock substation in Scotland successfully delivered a 140-millisecond high-current pulse required by National Grid Electricity System Operator (NESO) during a simulated grid fault. This marks a significant step forward in the potential for power electronics to replace customary synchronous generators in providing essential grid stability services, but concerns about long-term reliability and system response persist.
The Challenge: Replacing Mechanical Stability with Electronics
Historically,large rotating generators – notably synchronous generators – have been the backbone of grid stability.These machines inherently respond to fluctuations in grid frequency and voltage.When demand increases, the generator naturally slows slightly, releasing more steam or water to maintain speed and deliver increased current. This inherent inertia and responsiveness provide a crucial buffer against disruptions.
Though, the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which rely on power electronic inverters to connect to the grid, presents a challenge. Unlike synchronous generators, inverters don’t possess this natural inertia. Traditional inverters follow the grid frequency and voltage; they don’t form them.
Grid-forming inverters are designed to overcome this limitation.They actively create their own voltage and frequency, delivering whatever current is needed to maintain stability.While conceptually similar to a synchronous generatorS response – increasing current output when voltage dips – inverters face a critical physical limitation.
High currents generate significant heat within the transistors that comprise the inverter. Synchronous generators can handle current increases of up to 700% during a fault, while conventional inverters are typically limited to 10-20% above their rated current to avoid overheating and failure. This disparity has been a major obstacle to widespread inverter adoption for grid stabilization.
A Novel Solution: Short-Burst Capacity
SMA Solar Technology, the German inverter manufacturer supplying Zenobē’s Blackhillock system, addressed this challenge by exploiting the short duration of fault events. Rather than redesigning the entire inverter for continuous high-current operation,they programmed the system to briefly exceed it’s nominal current capacity.
According to Aaron Gerdemann,a business development manager at SMA,the Blackhillock inverter is capable of delivering 250% above its normal current for the 140-millisecond pulse required by NESO.Following the pulse, the inverter reduces output to allow components to cool. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to adding more expensive transistors to increase continuous current capacity.
The Future of Grid Stability: Batteries vs. Synchronous Condensers
Zenobē believes grid-forming batteries are poised to become the dominant technology for grid stability services.Their global director of network infrastructure, Semih Oztreves, highlights the “multifunctionality” of these systems.Unlike synchronous condensers, which primarily remain idle until a fault occurs, grid-forming batteries can simultaneously provide services like energy arbitrage – buying power when its cheap and selling when demand is high – generating revenue daily.
Though,the technology remains largely untested in real-world,large-scale grid disturbances. A key concern revolves around how traditional transmission relays, designed to respond to the characteristics of synchronous generators, will react to the digitally-defined current surges produced by inverters.
A recent report commissioned by Australian grid operator Transgrid cautioned against over-reliance on grid-forming inverters for short-circuit current, citing “high to very high risk.” Transgrid subsequently announced a plan to deploy a mix of both synchronous condensers and grid-forming batteries to enhance grid resilience.
“It might not be the cost-optimal solution, but it may be the wise solution,” says Hoke, reflecting the current cautious approach.
While the Blackhillock demonstration represents a significant milestone, further testing and refinement are crucial to fully understand the capabilities and limitations of grid-forming inverters and their role in securing a stable and reliable grid powered by renewable energy. The triumphant delivery of short-circuit current is a promising sign, but the long-term integration of this technology requires careful consideration and a balanced approach.
Toyota’s Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell truck Prioritizes hybrid Approach Over Full Electrification – toyota Motor Corporation has opted for a hybrid diesel-electric configuration for its recently unveiled heavy-duty fuel cell truck, despite having the capacity to fully electrify the vehicle. The decision, revealed by industry sources, highlights a pragmatic approach to decarbonizing long-haul transportation.
The truck, designed for port operations and potentially long-distance freight, weighs 11,747 kg (approximately 25,898 lbs) including onboard fluids. Analysis indicates that replacing the existing engine with batteries would have allowed for the installation of up to 11.5 tons (11,500 kg) of battery capacity without exceeding the vehicle’s weight limit. This potential battery weight could have yielded approximately 2,300 kWh of stored energy, assuming an energy density of 180-200 Wh/kg.
The truck’s electric motors, under maximum load, draw 2.3-2.4 MW of electrical power. A 2.3 mwh battery pack would theoretically provide sufficient power for 2-3 operational cycles, even considering the truck’s pantograph system for overhead line charging. The pantograph allows for high-power charging during loading and unloading, potentially eliminating the need for dedicated charging time. Regenerative braking further enhances energy efficiency.
Despite this feasibility, Toyota engineers have chosen to equip the truck with a Diesel V18 engine alongside the fuel cell and pantograph system. This configuration offers a “prepared for pure electric propulsion” capability, with the diesel engine providing a reliable backup and enabling a flexible, hybrid operation. The advanced pantograph system allows for autonomous control of both diesel and electric power sources. This approach is seen as a more cautious step towards full electrification, acknowledging current infrastructure limitations and operational demands.
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The news you could be interested in
Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the challenges adn opportunities in the energy storage market, especially in the Czech Republic:
The Problem:
Unstable Renewable Energy production: Solar and wind power are inherently unpredictable, fluctuating based on time of day and weather. This creates challenges for maintaining a stable electricity supply.
Surpluses and Negative Prices: On sunny and windy days, Europe (including the Czech Republic) experiences a surplus of electricity. This drives prices down, often to negative or very low values.
The Opportunity: Battery storage and Grid Balancing (SVR)
Investor Interest: many investors are looking at new battery storage facilities as a way to profit from the need for grid stability.
Grid Balancing Services (SVR): The Czech transmission system operator (ČEPS) can use these batteries to compensate for fluctuations in electricity production and consumption,thus maintaining network stability.
Perceived “Gold Mine”: This service is seen by some investors as a “guaranteed” and relatively speedy way to achieve financial returns.
The catch: Limited Capacity and market Saturation
Capacity Limits: The market for SVR services has a limited capacity:
Positive regulation: approximately 900 MW
Negative regulation: approximately 350 MW
Rapid Saturation: Due to the current plans and ongoing construction of large-capacity battery storage projects, this market is expected to be filled within two years.
The Warning to Investors:
Unrealistic Expectations: Investors, especially new entrants to the sector, may have unrealistic expectations about the profitability of SVR services.
Need for Diversification: Investors shoudl not solely rely on SVR services. They need to consider other business models for battery operation.
Choice and Complementary Business Models:
business Flexibility: This is a primary strategy in established Western european markets. it involves:
Trading on the Daily Electricity Market: Participating in price arbitrage (buying low, selling high). Balancing Deviations: Managing discrepancies between expected and actual electricity production and consumption for traders.
Optimization of Renewable Energy Production:
Smoothing/shaving: Reducing peaks in production from renewable sources.
Shifting: Moving production to more opportune times.
Improving Predictability: Making the output of unstable renewable sources more reliable.
How These Models Help:
Stable Grid Operation: By charging batteries when prices are low (or negative) and discharging them when prices are high, investors contribute to the stable operation of the transmission system.
Cost Optimization: These strategies allow investors to optimize their own costs.
The Future Outlook:
Consolidation: After an initial boom, the energy storage sector will likely experiance a period of consolidation.
Strategic Planning: Every entrepreneur’s plan needs to be a well-thought-out step into this new era.
* Avoiding Unfulfilled Expectations: The goal is for battery development to not lead to unfulfilled expectations.
In essence, the text highlights a current trend of significant investment in battery storage in the Czech republic, driven by the perceived lucrative market for grid balancing services.However, it strongly cautions investors about the limited capacity of this market and the need to diversify their business strategies to include other revenue streams like energy trading and production optimization to ensure long-term success.