microgrids

Using solar and wind power can go a long way toward replacing fossil fuel-generated electricity, particularly with the addition of battery energy storage. But because of the intermittent nature of both sun and wind, other sources are still needed. There is also the need for ways to produce high temperature for industrial processes. Complete decarbonization will require a host of complementary technologies.

A spinout company from MIT called 247Solar is building high-temperature concentrated solar power systems that make use of overnight thermal energy storage to provide electric power around the clock as well as industrial-grade heat.

The system uses a field of sun-tracking mirrors to reflect sunlight to the top of a central tower. A proprietary solar receiver heats air to over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The heated air drives turbines that generate 400 kilowatts of electricity and produces 600 kilowatts of heat. Some of the hot air is routed through a long-duration thermal energy storage system and the stored heat is then used to drive the turbines when the sun isn’t shining. The unique part of the technology is not the concentrated solar power; it is the solar receiver.

The modular systems can be used as standalone microgrids for communities, or to provide power in remote places. They can also be used in conjunction with conventional wind and solar farms to enable around-the-clock renewable power.

The first deployment will be with a large utility in India. If it is successful, 247Solar hopes to scale up rapidly with other utilities, companies, and communities around the globe.

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Offering clean energy around the clock

Photo credit: 247Solar.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

With a new year upon us, there are several energy trends to watch out for.

The most important one is that the fundamental shift toward slow-carbon technologies is continuing. This shift is taking place despite diminishing government policy support and even active government efforts to thwart it. There is just too much momentum to stand in the way of low-carbon energy technologies.

Analysts at Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimate that over the next 30 years over 11 trillion dollars will be invested in energy power generation and power storage assets with 85% of it aimed at zero-carbon emission. Dramatic reductions in green energy costs have resulted in legitimate cost competition between zero carbon sources of energy and fossil fuel generation.

In the coming year, battery technology will continue to play a growing role both as a storage medium for energy generated by sun and wind and for powering vehicles.

Another trend is that the world’s wealthiest economies are learning to grow without growing the demand for electricity. This is important in the battle to reduce overall emissions.

Another key issue is addressing the energy needs of people who have no meaningful access to it and there are around 1.5 billion people in that category. Emerging technologies based on solar power, wind energy, microgrids and other innovations mean that traditional power grids that remain out of reach to these people are not necessary. There is the potential to address those needs without contributing to climate change.

The world is struggling to deal with the growing problem of the changing climate, but there are trends that provide at least some hope that we can move in the right direction.

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Top 3 clean energy trends to watch out for in 2019

Photo, posted April 5, 2013, courtesy of Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Around-the-clock clean energy

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Energy Trends For A New Year

With a new year upon us, there are several energy trends to watch out for.

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