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In the incessant search for alternatives to oil, scientists in Spain made a revolutionary discovery: the use of silicon melted at 1.000 ºC to efficiently store solar and wind energy. Are we finally about to free ourselves from dependence on oil?
The automotive industry and the world as we know it may be about to change radically. Scientists from the Solar Energy Institute of the Polytechnic University of Madrid have discovered an innovative way to end dependence on oil. And no, this is not science fiction, it is pure science, it is silicon.
Imagine being able to store the Sun's energy in boxes. Yes, you heard right! We are talking about revolutionary thermophotovoltaic batteries that promise to be the definitive goodbye to fossil fuels. So sit back, grab some popcorn, and get ready for a journey into the future of energy.
The oil problem
We all know that the oil is the king of fossil fuels, but his reign is coming to an end. It is a non-renewable resource and a major pollutant. While solar and wind energy promise to be clean and eternal, we still face the challenge of how to store and produce this energy cheaply and on demand.
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Scientists from the Solar Energy Institute of the Polytechnic University of Madrid
É This is where our hero comes in Iberian. A group of scientists from the Solar Energy Institute of the Polytechnic University of Madrid have developed thermophotovoltaic batteries capable of storing large amounts of renewable electricity and releasing it when necessary. This advance, published in the scientific journal Joule with the title “Latent Heat Thermophotovoltaic Batteries”, it could be the solution the world has been waiting for.
Economical metals like silicon or ferrosilicon alloys at temperatures above 1.000 ºC
Scientists have discovered how to use excess renewable energy, such as solar and wind, to smelt economical metals like silicon or ferrosilicon alloys at temperatures above 1.000 ºC. And why smelt metal, you ask? Because the silicon It has an incredible ability to store energy during its fusion process. One liter of silicon melt can store more than 1 kWh of energy in the form of latent heat, equivalent to the energy contained in a liter of hydrogen pressurized at 500 bar.
The great advantage of silicon is that it can do this at atmospheric pressure, making it much safer and more economical. Furthermore, this system patented by the researchers combines two impressive effects: thermal and thermophotovoltaic. Basically, it directly converts heat into electricity without the need for physical contact with the heat source.
Shine like a star
When the silicon melts at more than 1.000 ºC, it shines brightly like a small star. This glow can be transformed into electricity using photovoltaic cells, it's like having a small sun inside a box!
The Amadeus Project
Let's delve deeper into the functioning of the prototype developed under the European project Amadeus. This project is an international collaboration aimed at creating advanced technologies for high-temperature energy storage. The prototype uses a combination of cutting-edge materials and technologies to store and release energy efficiently and safely.
The process begins with capturing excess energy generated by renewable sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines. This energy is used to heat and melt silicon, which reaches temperatures above 1.000 ºC. During this process, the silicon stores a large amount of energy in the form of latent heat, which can be released later.
The containers where the silicon melt is stored are designed to withstand high temperatures and minimize heat losses. They are thermally insulated to maintain system efficiency and ensure that the silicon remain in a molten state for long periods.
Conversion of heat to electricity
When necessary, the Amadeus system uses an innovative method to convert stored heat into electricity. This method combines the thermal effect, which converts heat into free electrons, and the thermophotovoltaic effect, which converts thermal radiation into electricity using photovoltaic cells. This process is highly efficient and allows the generation of electricity on demand, solving one of the biggest challenges of renewable energy: intermittency.
First laboratory-scale prototype of this system is now available
The first laboratory-scale prototype of this system is now available at the Solar Energy Institute of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, representing more than 10 years of intense research. Although it still requires more investment and development to reach the market, the results are promising.
The next step is to scale this technology and test its viability in large-scale applications. This advancement not only has the potential to revolutionize the way we store and use renewable energy, but it could also significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar and wind energy can be stored efficiently
Imagine a world where solar and wind energy can be stored efficiently and released when needed, without relying on the oil nor other polluting fuels. In historical times, we came to the conclusion that the Spain is at the forefront of an energy revolution that can change the world. This advance in thermophotovoltaic batteries is just the beginning. With more research and development, we could be witnessing the beginning of the end of our dependence on oil and the dawn of an era of clean, sustainable energy.
So guys, stay tuned! O silicon could be the hero who finally frees us from oil. With technologies like this, the future of clean energy is closer than ever. Let's hope that these advances continue and that we can soon say goodbye to fossil fuels once and for all.
