industry perspective of nanotechnology and energy energy and nanotechnology media round table:...
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Industry perspective of nanotechnology and energy
Energy and Nanotechnology Media Round Table: Sandton March 2011
Presentation overview
Energy consumption of the world.
Uncertain future of fossil fuels.
Energy sources available.
Available technologies to utilise solar energy
Some factors inhibiting large scale application of solar energy.
Role of nanotechnology in making solar energy commercially viable.
Summary
World’s energy consumption
Annual global world energy consumption is ±500 Exajoule
80% of world’s energy from non-renewable fossil fuel
10% Biomass, 5% Hydro and 5% Nuclear
Less 1% other renewable like wind and solar
Uncertain future of fossil fuels
The use of fossil fuel could be constrainted by the “Perfect Storm” and the advent of the “electron-economy”
Availability and cost
Peak oil (±2017) ?Peak coal (±2050) ?
Political incentivesEnergy being used as a political toolSpecial tariffs for alternative energy
Global warming and the role of CO2
CO2 reduction targets.Possibility of CO2 tax
Improvements of battery technology and increased popularity of electric car
Hybrid vehicles: Prius, HondaElectric vehicles: Tesla, Joule, LeafImprovements in Li-Ion battery
Technologies for Solar Energy (continued)
cSi PV Panels Thin Film PV panels
Direct production of electricity via photovoltaic (PV) panels
Scale factor inhibiting large scale application of solar energy
10% of world’s energy from PV by 2020
Must install PV panels at 15km2/day
Highway of 300km long and 50m wide per day
Current production techniques not suitable
High temperatures
High vacuum
Role of Nanotechnology (continue)
Roll-to-Roll printing
•High material utilization (> 95%)
•Throughput 2-5x faster than on glass
•50% less energy
Summary
Solar electricity from photovoltaic (PV) panels has great potential
Large scale application prevented by:Cost
Manufacturing techniques
Nanotechnology key to develop cost effective solutionsNew materials to reduce cost by efficiency improvements
Alternative production techniques e.g. roll-to-roll printing