New energy technologies such as solar and wind are constrained by their variability. The ability to store the energy generated at peak production during times of little or no production is critical. MIT is moving forward in the realm of solar energy.
'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution
Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system
Anne Trafton, News Office
July 31, 2008
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy...(complete article here).
Showing posts with label solar power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar power. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Windows on Power
MIT continues to lead the way with development of new solar technology.
MIT opens new 'window' on solar energy
Cost effective devices expected on market soon
Elizabeth A. Thomson, News Office
July 10, 2008
Imagine windows that not only provide a clear view and illuminate rooms, but also use sunlight to efficiently help power the building they are part of. MIT engineers report a new approach to harnessing the sun's energy that could allow just that.
The work, to be reported in the July 11 issue of Science, involves the creation of...(complete article here).
MIT opens new 'window' on solar energy
Cost effective devices expected on market soon
Elizabeth A. Thomson, News Office
July 10, 2008
Imagine windows that not only provide a clear view and illuminate rooms, but also use sunlight to efficiently help power the building they are part of. MIT engineers report a new approach to harnessing the sun's energy that could allow just that.
The work, to be reported in the July 11 issue of Science, involves the creation of...(complete article here).
Mapping Alternative Energy Resource Development
Exploring for Alternative Energy resources....
America's Best Places For Alternative Energy
William Pentland 07.09.08, 1:35 PM ET
The "cubic mile of oil"--a metric roughly equivalent to the amount of oil consumed worldwide each year--is frequently used to explain the challenge facing solar, wind, geothermal and biomass power.
So what would it...(complete article here).
America's Best Places For Alternative Energy
William Pentland 07.09.08, 1:35 PM ET
The "cubic mile of oil"--a metric roughly equivalent to the amount of oil consumed worldwide each year--is frequently used to explain the challenge facing solar, wind, geothermal and biomass power.
So what would it...(complete article here).
Thursday, June 19, 2008
New Solar Technology From MIT
The future of our energy supply will be in new technologies.
MIT prototype solar dish passes first tests
Low-cost system could revolutionize global energy production
David Chandler,
MIT News Office
June 18, 2008
A team led by MIT students this week successfully tested a prototype of what may be the most cost-efficient solar power system in the world--one team members believe has the potential to revolutionize global energy production.
The system consists of...(complete article here).
MIT prototype solar dish passes first tests
Low-cost system could revolutionize global energy production
David Chandler,
MIT News Office
June 18, 2008
A team led by MIT students this week successfully tested a prototype of what may be the most cost-efficient solar power system in the world--one team members believe has the potential to revolutionize global energy production.
The system consists of...(complete article here).
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Macro-Solar Solution
This is a lengthy article from Scientific American outlining a plan for solar power on a very large scale.
A Solar Grand Plan
By 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions
By Ken Zweibel, James Mason and Vasilis Fthenakis
Key Concepts:
A massive switch from coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power plants to solar power plants could supply 69 percent of the U.S.’s electricity and 35 percent of its total energy by 2050.
A vast area of photovoltaic cells would have to be erected in the Southwest. Excess daytime energy would be stored as compressed air in underground caverns to be tapped during nighttime hours.
Large solar concentrator power plants would be built as well.
A new direct-current power transmission backbone would deliver solar electricity across the country.
But $420 billion in subsidies from 2011 to 2050 would be required to fund the infrastructure and make it cost-competitive.
—The Editors
High prices for gasoline and home heating oil are here to stay. The U.S. is at war in the Middle East at least in part to protect its foreign oil interests. And as China, India and other nations rapidly increase their demand for fossil fuels, future fighting over energy looms large. In the meantime, power plants that burn coal, oil and natural gas, as well as vehicles everywhere, continue to pour millions of tons of pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere annually, threatening the planet.
Well-meaning scientists, engineers, economists and politicians have proposed various steps that could slightly reduce fossil-fuel use and emissions. These steps are not enough. The U.S. needs a bold plan to free itself from fossil fuels. Our analysis convinces us that...(complete article here).
I am a big proponent of solar power. Although lengthy, I found the article very interesting. I'm not certain that solar is the answer, but it is definitely part of the solution.
A Solar Grand Plan
By 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions
By Ken Zweibel, James Mason and Vasilis Fthenakis
Key Concepts:
A massive switch from coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power plants to solar power plants could supply 69 percent of the U.S.’s electricity and 35 percent of its total energy by 2050.
A vast area of photovoltaic cells would have to be erected in the Southwest. Excess daytime energy would be stored as compressed air in underground caverns to be tapped during nighttime hours.
Large solar concentrator power plants would be built as well.
A new direct-current power transmission backbone would deliver solar electricity across the country.
But $420 billion in subsidies from 2011 to 2050 would be required to fund the infrastructure and make it cost-competitive.
—The Editors
High prices for gasoline and home heating oil are here to stay. The U.S. is at war in the Middle East at least in part to protect its foreign oil interests. And as China, India and other nations rapidly increase their demand for fossil fuels, future fighting over energy looms large. In the meantime, power plants that burn coal, oil and natural gas, as well as vehicles everywhere, continue to pour millions of tons of pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere annually, threatening the planet.
Well-meaning scientists, engineers, economists and politicians have proposed various steps that could slightly reduce fossil-fuel use and emissions. These steps are not enough. The U.S. needs a bold plan to free itself from fossil fuels. Our analysis convinces us that...(complete article here).
I am a big proponent of solar power. Although lengthy, I found the article very interesting. I'm not certain that solar is the answer, but it is definitely part of the solution.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Space-Based Solar
This idea has intrigued me for a long time. I previously posted about it here.
The final frontier for solar energy
By Judith Burns
Science producer, BBC News
Scientists are assessing the possibility of embarking on a space engineering project that would eclipse the effort to construct the International Space Station.
Researchers from Europe, Japan and the US are considering the viability of building giant solar panels in a low earth orbit that would supply cheap, inexhaustible energy to industry and homes.
Building a huge array outside the Earth's atmosphere would have...(complete article here).
The final frontier for solar energy
By Judith Burns
Science producer, BBC News
Scientists are assessing the possibility of embarking on a space engineering project that would eclipse the effort to construct the International Space Station.
Researchers from Europe, Japan and the US are considering the viability of building giant solar panels in a low earth orbit that would supply cheap, inexhaustible energy to industry and homes.
Building a huge array outside the Earth's atmosphere would have...(complete article here).
Friday, October 12, 2007
Space-based Solar Power
Space-based solar power is an idea that science fiction writers have used for years. It makes sense.
Power from space? Pentagon likes the idea
Frontline soldiers could use energy beamed from orbit, study says
By Alan Boyle
Science editor
MSNBC
A new Pentagon study lays out the roadmap for a multibillion-dollar push to the final frontier of energy: a satellite system that collects gigawatts’ worth of solar power and beams it down to Earth.
The military itself could become the “anchor tenant” for such a power source, due to the current high cost of fueling combat operations abroad, the study says.
The 75-page report, released Wednesday, says new economic incentives would...(complete article here).
I would rather see it in the hands of private industry.
Power from space? Pentagon likes the idea
Frontline soldiers could use energy beamed from orbit, study says
By Alan Boyle
Science editor
MSNBC
A new Pentagon study lays out the roadmap for a multibillion-dollar push to the final frontier of energy: a satellite system that collects gigawatts’ worth of solar power and beams it down to Earth.
The military itself could become the “anchor tenant” for such a power source, due to the current high cost of fueling combat operations abroad, the study says.
The 75-page report, released Wednesday, says new economic incentives would...(complete article here).
I would rather see it in the hands of private industry.
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