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Solar Nirvana
Science is publishing an MIT paper (in press) outlining a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal boutique energy source into the mainstream.
The breakthrough revolves around storing energy when the sun isn't shining—an expensive pitfall until now.
The new method uses the sun's energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Like photosynthesis.
Later the two can be recombined inside a fuel cell to create carbon-free electricity. Like running a fuel cell backwards.
The good part is the system would work day or night. The other good part is it requires nothing but abundant, nontoxic natural materials.
"This is the nirvana of what we've been talking about for years," said senior author Daniel Nocera. "Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon."
For those who want to know how it works…
A new catalyst produces oxygen gas from water. Another catalyst produces hydrogen gas. The new catalyst is a combination of cobalt metal, phosphate, and an electrode, placed in water. When electricity (from photovoltaic cell, wind turbine, or other source) runs through the electrode, the cobalt and phosphate form a thin film on the electrode and oxygen gas is produced.
Combined with another catalyst like platinum (which can produce hydrogen gas from water) the system duplicates the water-splitting reaction of photosynthesis.
Also good: the catalyst works at room temperature, in neutral pH water, and is easy to set up. "That's why I know this is going to work," says Nocera. "It's so easy to implement."
Well, by George, implement away!
BTW, this study has interesting hybrid parentage between government and philanthropy. May they couple more often.
Julia Whitty is Mother Jones' environmental correspondent, lecturer, and 2008 winner of the Kiriyama Prize and the John Burroughs Medal Award.
I'm not so sure this looks like enery Nirvana - alternative power sources offer the capacity to develop electricity much closer to where it's going to be used rather than the current model of electricity being transported over long distances.
The latest figures I could find - 'Transmission and distribution losses in the USA were estimated at 7.2% in 1995, and in the UK at 7.4% in 1998.'
I see energy nirvana as reducing this total loss of energy to more sensible levels.
If the industrialists will invest in this and in transport systems for the hydrogen/oxygen fuels, this could be the replacement for petroleum-based fuels, and the key to eliminating carbon dioxide pollutants. I suppose that the energy companies will fight it tooth and nail, when they could (and should) embrace it as the next stage of their industry.
Solar can't complete with nuclear. A typical coal-fired power plant (burning lignite) emits up to 1,150 grams of CO2 per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. The most modern gas-driven facilities emit 400 grams for the same amount of electricity. And for nuclear power plants? That number is around 30 grams per kilowatt hour when the entire life-cycle of the plant is taken into account. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, like many in his country, long a proponent of nuclear power, called atomic power "more than ever an industry of the future" last week while announcing the construction of yet another nuclear reactor -- his country's 61st. You redneck Americans can learn from us French.
Rochelle, I guess you missed the "4.5 Billion Years in Provence" article.
I would be interested to know how much carbon is emitted in the construction of a nuclear facility, as opposed to a solar facility.
Wind turbines are dangerous. They should not be built within 2 miles of people.
Effect on inner ear
Pierpont's findings suggest that low-frequency noise and vibration generated by wind machines can have an effect on the inner ear, triggering headaches; difficulty sleeping; tinnitus, or ringing in the ears; learning and mood disorders; panic attacks; irritability; disruption of equilibrium, concentration and memory; and childhood behavior problems.
Concerns also are coming out of Europe about low-frequency noise from newly built wind turbines. For example, British physician Amanda Harry, in a February 2007 article titled "Wind Turbines, Noise and Health," wrote of 39 people, including residents of New Zealand and Australia, who suffered from the sounds emitted by wind turbines.
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