When the sun shines, it is bright and easy to illuminate your home with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. However, after the sun goes down, you will notice that your PV solar panels are not very efficient at storing energy. If you want your home to be powered by the sun throughout the year, then you should consider alternative energy sources that can store energy.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the process of using flowing water to generate electricity. It is a popular and effective way of storing energy, as the amount of electric energy that you can generate is directly proportional to the amount of water that runs through the generator. The most popular type of hydroelectric generator is the Pelton Wheel, which was invented in 1865 and is still produced and sold today. The water flows through a central channel and is split into two branches that both wind around the wheel. This creates a condition of constant rotation, which in turn creates electricity.
The advantage of hydroelectricity is that it is very efficient and does not require much maintenance. The disadvantage is that it is very dependent on the weather conditions, as the flow of water can be significantly affected by rain, snow, and hail. Another disadvantage is that it generates a great deal of waste heat, which can be harmful in certain situations. However, these disadvantages are very minor compared to the benefits of using hydroelectricity to power your home.
Thermal Energy Storage (TES)
Thermal Energy Storage (TES), also known as cool storage, is a method of storing energy at very low temperatures. This technique was first used to store energy for telecommunications and networking applications in the 1970s and has since found a number of applications in residential and industrial use. The most popular and most efficient thermal storage system that you can use to store energy is the phase change material (PCM) type. PCM’s can be found in all sorts of products, from toys to electronics, so it is extremely easy to incorporate into your home. The most common form of PCM is antifreeze, specifically propylene glycol (PG) and ethylene glycol (EG), which together are known as antifreeze/coolant. While these chemicals are extremely effective at lowering the temperature of liquids, they also happen to be toxic and highly unstable compounds. As such, they are particularly dangerous to the environment and should be stored and handled carefully to avoid any sort of mishap.
Lithium Ion Battery (Li-Ion)
Lithium Ion batteries are a very popular type of rechargeable battery that is used with electric devices such as laptops, tablets, and cell phones. The advantage of a Lithium Ion battery is that it can be recharged almost instantaneously once it is plugged in, which makes it ideal for use in devices that are connected to a power source and will not be used for an extended period of time. The disadvantage is that Lithium Ion batteries are quite expensive and require a lot of maintenance to keep them charged and working well.
Over-Dimensional (Air) Cooling
Over-dimensional (Air) Cooling is a type of thermal management that involves using multiple chambers to remove heat from a localized area or component. This technique was first developed as a method of cooling integrated circuits on computer motherboards in the late 1980s and has since grown in popularity due to its effectiveness and low price point. The most efficient and popular type of over-dimensional cooling that you can use to remove heat from a computer or other electronic device is the liquid air exchange (LAX) unit. Similar to a humidifier, the LAX unit draws outside air through a tube and into the unit where a fan expels the heat as cold air. The advantage of using over-dimensional air coolers is that they can maintain very low and stable room temperatures, even in exceptionally hot environments such as a garage or workshop.
The disadvantage of over-dimensional air coolers is that they are very expensive and require a lot of space, which makes them somewhat impractical for use in residences. Another disadvantage is that they are designed to be used with specific electronic devices and cannot be used with other types of appliances or products. Due to their size and the fact that they need to be kept plugged in, over-dimensional air coolers are also unsafe and pose a potential threat to electrical appliances should they become wet or corroded.
Cold Planking
Cold Planking is another type of thermal management that involves using heat to create electricity. The basic idea behind cold planking is to place a platter, metal sheet, or other hard surface on a flat surface, usually glass or concrete, and allow it to get cold. Placing a platter or other hard surface on concrete or glass is a very easy way to get instantaneously cooled air, which can be extremely useful in situations where there is no other option but to cool down the area immediately surrounding the device. The advantage of cold planking is that it creates a quick and easy source of cooling should you desire and requires no power supply, making it safe and easy to use in almost any setting.
The disadvantage of cold planking is that it requires a great deal of space, as you will have to find a place to store the platter or metal surface when it is not in use. Another disadvantage is that you will need an area with very low ambient temperatures in order to generate electricity, which can be difficult to achieve in certain situations. The third disadvantage is that concrete and glass are extremely poor conductors and dispersers of heat, which means that any heat that is removed from the surface of the platter or metal sheet will be retained within the material and cannot easily dissipate into the surrounding area.
Despite these disadvantages, cold planking is a quick and easy way to get reliable and steady heat removal from a single location without having to set up anything other than the device itself, making it a popular choice for users who need quick and easy access to cooling. Furthermore, many believe that cold planking can help improve air quality, as it disrupts the growth of mold and bacteria.
Gas Cooling
Gas Cooling is a type of thermal management that involves using a gas compressor to remove heat from a localized area or component. This technique was first used to remove excess heat from CPU cooler modules in the early 2000s and has since found a number of applications in both residential and industrial settings. One of the most popular and efficient types of gas coolers is the liquid gas exchange (LGE) system, which is a combination of the aforementioned components ( compressor, fan, and heat exchanger). The advantage of using gas cooling to remove heat is that it is very quiet and unobtrusive and does not require much energy to function ( due to the fact that it is a passive process). The disadvantage is that it is very expensive and impractical to set up and use in residences. Also, due to its size, gas coolers cannot be transported easily and pose a risk of damaging the device they are designed to cool if dropped or mishandled.
Though expensive and practical considerations make the use of gas cooling in a residential setting impractical, it is an excellent choice for industrial use and can be found in many high-speed and extremely energy-intensive applications, such as server farms and data centers. Due to the nature of their work, the operators and maintainers of these environments are required to keep track of a large number of gas coolers and regularly perform preventative maintenance on the units to ensure proper operation.
Fluidized Bed Cooing
Fluidized Bed Cooing (Fluidized Bed Cooling) is a type of thermal management that involves using a gas or liquid to lower the temperature of a component. This technique was first used in the automotive industry in the early 2000s to lower the temperature of engine components and has since attracted a large audience, as it is a simple, cost-effective way of removing heat and is very effective at ensuring that all electronic devices and appliances operate within their specified parameters. Similar to other types of cooling, fluidized bed cooling involves using a device, which in this case is usually a CPU water chiller, to remove heat from a component or area. The main difference is that instead of simply drawing in cool air from outside, the fluidized bed cooling apparatus circulates a coolant throughout the system and across the plates, which in turn, lowers the temperature of the component or area.
The advantage of fluidized bed cooling is that it is very easy to use and requires little to no technical knowledge or experience in order to setup and run. Another advantage is that it is very cost-effective and requires very little space, as all that is needed is a standard PC water chiller with some tubes and hoses. The disadvantage is that it is dangerous and potentially harmful to use in certain situations, as the liquid used in the process can leak out if not handled properly.