Bullet Points: Advances in Systems Application of Solar Power for Critical Functions
ADVANCES IN SYSTEMS APPLICATION OF SOLAR POWER FOR CRITICAL FUNCTIONS
Scott Sklar (Distributed Renewable Energy Expert);
Robert Birkmire (Institute for Energy Conversion, University of Delaware)
- A primary concern for power generation is that normal functions of society continue when and if the grid goes down:
- Independence from the grid can free up many existing inefficiency problems
- Renewable energy technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV), solar thermal, wind, smart battery banks, and others, enable integration independent of the grid
- The blending of distribution generation is central to implementing renewable energy technologies
- Environment, population, and security are key areas in which to address the grid
- Environmental side: fossil fuels are either causing or accelerating climate change
- Population: currently 6.5 billion, a third do not have electricity
- Security: grid is vulnerable to terrorism; threatening nature of this will be exacerbated as global population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050
- Distributed generation powers infrastructure such as lighting, monitoring surveillance, pipeline pumps (water, fuel, sewage, etc.)
- Photovoltaics (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar by converting sunlight directly into electricity
- PV production has increased by 38% each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology
- PV energy has the potential to provide 15-20% of the world’s electricity
- PV generator sets are potentially more reliable than the diesel ones used
- Other renewable forms of energy will be critically necessary as well
- Solar thermal energy is a technology for harnessing solar energy for thermal energy (heat) — otherwise defined as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors
- Medium-temperature collectors are usually flat plates used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use
- High-temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors or lenses and are generally used for electric power production
- The electric grid is subject to transmission and distribution line congestion
- Primarily due to immense increase in midday electricity due to air- conditioning loads
- By dispersing electric power closer to the point-of-use, it is possible to have a more agile and reliable electric grid
- PV and solar thermal have the proclivity to provide midday power
- lowering power line congestion
- can be distributed along both transmission line, distribution lines, at substations, and even on the customer side of the meter
- Breakthrough advancements in solar technology: solar thin film
- The technology is based on copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), arranged on a flexible backing as well as light-sensitive nanotechnology dyes
- Suitable for not only the tops, but also the sidesof buildings; tinted windows; cell phones; notebook computers; cars; tents; clothing
- Thin film solar panels are printed onto the rolled backing
- Eliminating many of the highly energy and chemical intensive processes typical in conventional PV manufacture
- Military use of PV on the battlefield is a significant advantage:
- Thin film solar cloth enables soldiers to cut their backpack loads by one half, enabling much greater mobility and endurance. Other uses include charging field phones, solar cookers, tents, etc.
- Additionally, PV prevents the enemy from registering heat signals, and noise or seeing a plume of smoke emitted, depending on use.
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