2008-12-18

Storing Solar Energy

Clipped from: Cheap solar at night? MIT may have answer - The Boston Globe

Cheap solar at night? MIT may have answer

MIT researchers say they have discovered a way to use solar energy cheaply even after the sun goes down, which could make it a mainstream source of power within the next decade.

Clipped from: 'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution - MIT News Office


With Daniel Nocera's and Matthew Kanan's new catalyst, homeowners could use their solar panels during the day to power their home, while also using the energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage. At night, the stored hydrogen and oxygen could be recombined using a fuel cell to generate power while the solar panels are inactive.

Clipped from: YouTube - Daniel Nocera describes new process for storing solar energy


Clipped from: 'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution - MIT News Office

MIT news

'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution

Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system



Daniel G. Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT, has developed a simple method to split water molecules and produce oxygen gas, a discovery that paves the way for large-scale use of solar power.




MIT researchers have developed a new catalyst, consisting of cobalt metal, phosphate and an electrode. When the catalyst is placed in water and electricity runs through the electrode, oxygen gas is produced. When another catalyst is used to produce hydrogen gas, the oxygen and hydrogen can be combined inside a fuel cell, creating carbon-free electricity to power a house or an electric car, day or night.
Clipped from: Molecular Chemistry of Renewable Energy

Related:
Cheap solar at night? MIT may have answer - The Boston Globe
'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution - MIT News Office
Molecular Chemistry of Renewable Energy
The Nocera Lab Homepage
New Solar Power Technology Mimics Photosynthesis | Peachy Green
MITEI | Home
MIT, Chesonis Foundation announce solar revolution - MIT News Office