In recent years, there has been a rapid rise of interest in the emerging field of solar energy storage. Scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs are busy coming up with innovative ideas and new technologies to make solar energy more accessible and cost-effective.
While the demand for solar power continues to grow, the resources to meet it remain limited. The photovoltaic industry accounted for around 13% of the world’s electricity generation in 2018. However, this share is expected to drop to 10% by 2026.
This is because most photovoltaic installations are used for generating electricity, not storing it. The remainder is either stored in batteries or other energy-conversion technologies (such as fuel cells).
Storing solar energy is a vital step towards creating a renewable energy grid. Once solar power is stored, it can be used whenever and wherever needed. This in turn can reduce the amount of energy we have to rely on fossil fuels and reduce climate-changing emissions. It can also be used to provide power for daily life, such as lighting and appliance use. Storing solar energy can also enable micro-grids and island communities to come together and generate their own power supply, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and improving living standards.
To store solar energy, scientists and engineers are relying on a variety of approaches, ranging from improving the efficiency of solar cells and developing new materials to creating entirely new systems. In this article, we will discuss how to store solar energy using a chemical approach and an innovative company called Empyrion. We will cover the following topics:
The Need For Solar Energy Storing
The demand for clean energy is constantly growing, with 62% of the world’s population expecting to have electricity by 2025. However, we are fast running out of fossil fuels. Moreover, 97% of the global population lives in areas that are highly dependent on fossil fuels, with these regions contributing to 80% of the world’s climate-changing emissions. Climate scientists are predicting an increase in temperature of at least 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, with estimates suggesting we are already facing the effects of climate change.
The need for clean energy is further exemplified by the large number of solar-powered lightbulbs that are being sold every year. In fact, the global industry value is predicted to double from 2016 to 2024.
This trend clearly demonstrates the shift in consumer demand away from traditional lighting solutions and towards eco-friendly alternatives that do not rely on fossil fuels. As a result, the market for energy-storage systems is set to boom.
How Do Batteries Work?
As mentioned above, most of the world’s electricity is currently generated using fossil fuels and nuclear power. These energy sources are considered dangerous to the environment due to the emissions they produce. Batteries allow us to circumvent this issue by converting energy from non-renewable sources into electricity, which in turn can be stored and used whenever needed. This is made possible by the presence of a chemical reaction that generates electricity as a by-product of the reaction.
Batteries are considered a crucial element for renewable energy use, especially if we want to store energy generated by solar-power systems. Batteries can be charged using any source of energy, whether it’s solar, wind, or other renewable sources. Once the battery charge is depleted, the device will switch to its next power source. This makes batteries ideal for renewable energy use. Batteries can also be found in many forms, including AAA, AAAA, C, and D. This allows for a wide variety of applications. For example, AAA batteries can be found in smoke detectors, security systems, and cardiac pacemakers. They are also common in hybrid and electric cars. While D-sized batteries are used in deep-sea submarines and aircraft because of their high-density format.
Empyrion’s Innovative Approach To Solar Energy Storage
Empyrion is an innovative company that is taking a more ecological approach towards sustainable energy storage. Instead of simply using metal cans or plastic bottles, Empyrion has designed an entire system of chemical containers that are both sustainable and safe. They also ensure that all the materials and processes used for the manufacturing of these containers are energy-saving. Moreover, all Empyrion’s containers can be recycled at the end of their usable life. This makes the entire process environment-friendly and carbon-neutral.
To fully understand how Empyrion works, let’s first take a quick look at how solar energy is converted into electricity by most traditional approaches. As shown in the image below, solar panels are used to collect sunlight. This in turn is converted into electricity using photovoltaic cells. The electricity generated is then passed through an inverter. This changes the direction of the current flowing through the wires and generates an alternating current (AC).
The electricity generated by solar panels can either be stored within batteries or used immediately to power electronic appliances and equipment. Batteries come in various forms, including super-capsules, lithium-ion, or lead-acid. The majority of installations use lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density. While batteries can be recharged, they will lose their capacity over time. This makes them less efficient at storing energy over long periods of time. There are also fears that the electronics that control our lives and businesses could malfunction due to exposure to excessive amounts of electricity. This poses a real safety threat and creates the need for regular maintenance and upgrades.
Empyrion’s innovative approach to solar energy storage involves using chemical reactions, rather than electrical currents, to store energy. As mentioned above, batteries store electricity as a result of a chemical reaction. However, in the case of Empyrion, this reaction is both clean and green. It involves using the sun’s energy to oxidize metal substrates and generate electricity as a by-product. This in turn can be stored in the form of a chemical bond. As a result, the need for batteries and other electrical components is eliminated, with all equipment being chemical-based and sustainable. Moreover, all the materials used in the process are biodegradable and recyclable. This makes the entire process environment-friendly. Finally, since there are no electrical currents involved in the chemical reaction, there is no risk of electrocuting oneself or damaging electronic devices.
Allowing For A Variety Of Applications
Empyrion’s chemical approach to solar energy storage makes it possible to use a variety of applications. These include using the system as a power supply for electric vehicles, powering portable electronics, lighting systems, and much more. In the automotive industry, this is commonly known as a ‘battery-free’ solution, as it allows for the use of electric motors without the need for electrical batteries. This has huge implications for improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. As a result, many car manufacturers are investing in this technology and working towards making it a standard feature in their vehicles. For example, Ford recently announced that it would be using Empyrion’s technology within its cars by 2022.
Empyrion’s approach also has important implications for the smart home industry. Due to their high energy density and sustainability, lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in smart homes and other equipment that requires a power supply. For example, many appliances have started using lithium-ion batteries to store energy due to their increased efficiency and reliability. Moreover, many companies are working towards making their entire operation eco-friendly. This involves reducing electricity consumption and replacing expensive and dangerous fossil fuels with greener, renewable energy sources. As a result, many smart home appliances and facilities are now relying on solar energy, with manufacturers trying to create eco systems that are as independent of fossil fuels as possible.
Empyrion’s approach to solar energy storage makes it possible to not only generate electricity but also to store it. This in turn creates numerous benefits, ranging from improved living standards to reduced environmental damage. Moreover, since all the materials used in the process are recyclable and sustainable, this suggests a circular economy can be created, with new materials being used to create new products and components. This in turn could help reduce the world’s dependency on fossil fuels. Finally, using renewable energy sources and chemical-based energy storage allows for a self-sufficient ecosystem to be created, with no need to rely on imported fuels and fuels that are more harmful to the environment. This in turn could help reduce international tensions as well as climate-changing emissions. With solar energy becoming more accessible and cost-effective, and the need for clean energy growing every day, chemical solar energy storage is an approach that deserves serious consideration.