The opening, which allows to increase the working voltage electric power cables

Nanotechnology a different kind already being used in practical terms in the field of production of clean energy and technologies of energy storage. But, according to researchers from the University of Chalmers (Chalmers University of Technology), Sweden, nanotechnology can find application in the field of electric power transmission. Scientists have discovered and demonstrated that the addition of carbon nano-balls (Baibolov, C60 fullerenes) into the plastic insulation of high voltage electrical power cables allows to increase the operating voltage of these cables 26 percent, proportionally reducing the level of energy losses.

Of course, engineers and scientists have long been aware that the addition to the insulating materials can increase the working voltage of the insulation. However, for quite a long time the status quo acceptable to all producers and consumers of energy, causing research in addition to isolation if produced, it is very little and very slow. But the current situation in the energy market has changed a lot, which led to the fact that researchers from the Technological University of Chalmers in cooperation with the Swedish chemical company Borealis, undertook experiments with different types of additives to plastic electrical insulation.

Studies and experiments have shown that the best results shows the isolation to which is added a small amount of fullerene material, consisting of spherical molecules, in which there are 60 carbon atoms. This Supplement increases the breakdown voltage of the insulation 26 percent, which is much higher than the increase in voltage when using the additives of other types. Scientists explain this increase in the working voltage of the insulation that of the fullerene molecule effectively capture free electrons, which otherwise would destroy the long polymer molecules that make up plastic.

The next steps that are going to take the scientists will move from laboratory experiments testing new insulation in real conditions. This will be prototypes of the power AC cables, which will be tested at the breakdown. In case of success, the first tests will be made and a sample of the cable for DC, since this type of current is preferable for energy transfer over long distances.

This discovery is important due to the fact that people more and more begin to depend on alternative sources of energy, such as wind turbines, which are located in the open sea, and solar power, which are usually built in the wilderness. Produced energy must be transmitted significant distances before it can join the common energy system. "Reducing energy losses during its transmission on power cables is one of the most important problems faced by builders and energy systems of the future generation," says Christian müller (Christian Muller), a researcher from the University of Chalmers. published

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

Source: www.dailytechinfo.org