New research gives a major boost to efforts to roll out thermal batteries on a large scale, as a cheap backup for renewable power systems.
How do you bottle renewable energy for when the Sun doesn’t shine and the wind won’t blow? That’s one of the most vexing questions standing in the way of a greener electrical grid. Massive battery banks are one answer. But they’re expensive and best at storing energy for a few hours, not for days long stretches of cloudy weather or calm. Another strategy is to use surplus energy to heat a large mass of material to ultrahigh temperatures, then tap the energy as needed.
The idea is to feed surplus wind or solar electricity to a heating element, which boosts the temperature of a liquid metal bath or a graphite block to several thousand degrees. The heat can be turned back into electricity by making steam that drives a turbine, but there are trade-offs. High temperatures raise the conversion efficiency, but turbine materials begin to break down at about 1500°C.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Solar, Wind Surge in 2021 'Another Testament of Renewable Energy's Resilience'\u0022Despite the encouraging global trend,\u0022 said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, a new publication \u0022shows that the energy transition is far from being fast or widespread enough to avert the dire consequences of climate change.\u0022
Leer más »
Sleeping Giant Awakes To A Bright Renewable Day Of Solar PotentialTime for the USA to unleash its solar potential and move up the leader board for solar energy production towards a bright renewable day.
Leer más »
A new energy storage system can store solar power for nearly two decadesThe energy system designed by the Chalmers University of Technology captures solar energy and stores it for 18 years, and releases that energy on demand.
Leer más »
Ukraine Says Potent Russian Hack Against Power Grid ThwartedUkrainian officials say Russian military hackers tried to knock out power to millions of Ukrainians last week in a long-planned attack but were foiled
Leer más »
High Wind Topples Trees, Power Lines Along PeninsulaGusty winds were causing problems across the Bay Area Monday afternoon with downed trees and power lines along the Peninsula.
Leer más »