{"id":369345,"date":"2022-05-16T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/?p=369345"},"modified":"2022-05-16T06:30:00","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T04:30:00","slug":"capture-store-and-use-solar-energy-whenever-you-need-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/capture-store-and-use-solar-energy-whenever-you-need-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Capture, store, and use solar energy whenever you need it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Solar energy has always been regarded as one of the best alternatives to fossil fuels. However, storing solar power – to reuse it whenever needed – still represents a problem. Scientists at the Chalmers University of Technology<\/a> developed an energy system able to capture, store, and then release solar power as electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breakthrough builds upon years of research, which previously developed MOST – Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage Systems. After demonstrating how solar power could be extracted front the molecule as heat, they partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University<\/a>, which developed a thermoelectric generator. The chip allowed MOST to take a step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe chip is very thin and sensitive – it can detect a very small temperature change. The generator captures the heat released from the molecules, creating electricity\u201d told Innovation Origins Dr. Zhihang Wang. He\u2019s part of the research team at the Chalmers University of Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chalmers\u2019 concept had sparked a lot of interest worldwide from its early stages already. After the recent breakthrough, it represents one of the most promising technologies, with potential applications in self-charging electronics and buildings heating. The system works as an energy loop and it is emissions-free. <\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>
<\/div><\/div>
Start-up creates digital infrastructure for heating networks of the future<\/div>
In a decentralized energy market, individuals themselves produce the energy they need. The start-up Arteria Technologies is pushing for this development by providing the digital system.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Closed and reusable energy system<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MOST is a closed energy system based on a molecule that changes shape when hit by sunlight, becoming an energy-rich isomer <\/em>– a compound having the same molecular formula but its atoms are rearranged in different ways. In other words, the molecule\u2019s atoms switch to a different layout, allowing them to store power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The isomer can be kept in liquid form. What is more, energy can be stashed for up to 18 years at room temperature. Once the energy is released, the molecule returns to its original conformation, ready to be used again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why we say that is a closed-loop. It\u2019s like an innovative battery, you can ideally charge and discharge over and over again\u201d Wang adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freezing the material to store it and release on-demand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Wang\"
Dr. Zhihang Wang – \u00a9 Zhihang Wang<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The molecule comes in two forms: solid and liquid. When solid, it looks like powder. For instance, it could potentially be made as a film and applied to the windows. In the latter state, it is better to conserve the molecule at cold temperatures. \u201cFor instance, if one molecule can store energy at room temperature for one year, it would keep it for a day, if we were to increase the temperature to up to 80\u00b0 or 100\u00b0.\u201d Such a principle can be explained by the thermodynamic effects:  energy discharge can be taken forward if the temperature is higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how our system works. It can store energy in places where there isn\u2019t a lot of sunlight all year long, such as Northern Sweden,\u201d explains Wang. In a way, it is like freezing the material, so it can keep its features untouched. When in need of energy, the charged molecule can be triggered back on demand, at the same time releasing heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A solution to mitigate the energy crisis  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSolar spectrum is very broad, and our molecule can work with up to the UltraViolet – UV – and part of the visible light. We want to make sure that it works with all the sun\u2019s radiations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do that, further design is needed, to optimize the molecule and make it store more energy, thus exploiting all the sun\u2019s potential. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep working in this direction since the energy pricing problem is pressing nowadays. The concept is promising and we want to keep perfecting it\u201d says Wang. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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