Effective way of storing solar energy in a fluid Bashny.Net

Researchers from Sweden have demonstrated efficient storage of solar energy in chemical fluids. The stored energy can be transported and then release it as heat when needed.

The sun is the energy source of the future. But one of the problems is that it is difficult to keep the solar energy and deliver it on-demand.




A group of scientists from the technological University of Chalmers in Gothenburg, Sweden, showed that it is possible to convert solar energy directly into the energy stored in the chemical liquid, the so — called molecular solar thermal system. Chemical liquid allows you to store and transport to store solar energy and release it on demand, with full recovery media. The process is based on organic compounds of norbornadiene under the influence of light is converted into quadricycles.

"Method means that we can store solar energy in chemical bonds with subsequent release of energy as heat when we need it," says Professor Kasper moth-Poulsen, who heads the research group. The combination of chemical energy storage with water heater with solar panels allows to the converted more than 80% of the incoming sunlight.





A research project was started over six years ago, and in 2013 hosted the first conceptual demonstration. Then the conversion efficiency of solar energy amounted to only 0.01%, and used expensive element ruthenium. Now, four years later, the system stores 1.1% of the incoming sunlight as latent chemical energy. In addition, ruthenium has been replaced by the much cheaper carbon elements.



"We saw the opportunity to design molecules that make the process much more efficient," says the moth — Poulsen. "At the same time, we demonstrate a robust system that can support more than 140 cycles of accumulation and return of energy with little degradation." published

 

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

Source: ecotechnology