Interdisciplinary Research &Interdisciplinary Research & Innovation (IDRI)
For A Sustainable Energy Future
Introduction
The nature and scope of challenges facing humanity
Meeting these challenges--A winning strategy IT IS
Roop L. Mahajan
IT IS ICTAS & Sustainable Energy
The game changer technologies- A teaser
Tucker Chair Professor Director, [email protected]
Concluding remarks
Introduction
Top Ten problemsof Humanity for next 50 years
1. Energy2. Water3. Food4. Environment
• They are interconnected • They are global in nature• They are complex and challenging
5. Poverty6. Terrorism & War7. Disease8. Education
• They have a high level of uncertainty• They require multiple perspectives
9. Democracy10. Population
Richard E. Smalley , noted scientist and Nobel prize winner
Source: Energy and Nanotechnology Conference, Rice University, May 3, 2003May 3, 2003
Demographics
6
8
10
mill
ions
)
OceaniaN. AmericaS. AmericaE
40% of the world’s
l ti i
2
4
6
Popu
latio
n (m Europe
AsiaAfrica
population is
in the fast developing
regions01750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050
AfricaOceana
N. America AfricaOceana
N. America Africa
OceanaN. America Africa
OceanaN. America
regions.
2005
S. America
Europe
20052005
S. America
Europe
2050
S. America
Europe
2050
S. America
Europe
6.5 Billion6.5 Billion6.5 Billion2050
8.9 Billion
20508.9 Billion
AsiaAsia AsiaAsia
Source: msd-energy-croatia.ppt
Prosperity, Energy Demand
)
Energy demand and GDP per capita (1980‐2002)
apita
(GJ)
As GDP increases,
rgy
per c
a
so does the demand for energy
mar
y en
er energy
Prim
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity)( g y)
Net Result
2100: 40-50 TW 2050: 25-30 TW2000: 13 TW
20 00
25.00
World Energy Demandtotal
Energy Gap 15.00
20.00
TW
d lgy p
2050: 14 TW
2100: 34 TW 5.00
10.00 industrial
developing
US
ee/fsu
1 TW= 1,000 GW
EIA Intl Energy Outlook 2004http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/index.html
0.00
1970 1990 2010 2030
ee/fsu
How do we meet this gap? By building new power plants?
Hoffert et al Nature 395, 883,1998; msd‐energy‐croatia.ppt
Building one 1‐GW power plant/day will take 38 years !!
What is the impact on environment?
Environmental
800+ 4
to
)
CH4(ppmv)
-- CO2
-- CH4
325
CO2(ppmv)
CO2 in 2004: 380 ppmv
380 1.5500
600
700
- 4
0
T
relative
tpr
esen
t (°C)CH4
-- T300
275
250
300
320
340
360
380
c CO
2(p
pmv) Tem
peratu0
0.5
1.0-- CO2-- Global Mean Temp
300
400
500
- 8
400 300 200 100 0
225
200
175
Climate Change 2001: T he Scientific Basis, Fig 2.22 240
260
280
300
Atm
osph
eri ure (°C)
- 1 5
- 1.0
- 0.5400 300 200 100Thousands of years before present
(Ky BP)
0
J. R. Petit et al, Nature 399, 429, 1999 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001
http://www.ipcc.chN. Oreskes, Science 306, 1686, 2004
D. A. Stainforth et al, Nature 433, 403, 2005
12001000 1400 1600 1800 2000Year AD
1.5
Tipping points on temperature and CO2 level indicate urgency
Challenge
“The supreme reality of our
time is the vulnerability oftime is the vulnerability of
the planet.”J h F K d J 28 1963‐ John F. Kennedy, June 28, 1963
President’s address before a Joint Session
of the Dail and Seanad, Dublin, Ireland.
More true today than
ever beforeever before
However…
• Developing countries want to alleviate poverty and aspire to be Developed
– To sustain a >10% growth rate/yr, China is adding ~1 coal‐fired power plant/week and has overtaken the US as the largest polluter
– India cannot sustain its ~8% growth rate/yr without an order of magnitude increase in power generation and industrial output and hence, Green House Gas (GHG) emissions
• Developed countries do not want to reduce GHG emissions fast enough as it will impact their already troubled economies
2010 Cancun Climate Summit29 Nov-Dec 10
Cancun Climate Change Conferenceagrees plan to cut carbon emissions
CLIMATE CHANGEHIGH HOPES, SLOW PROGRESS
Who wants this?
Bottom Line
Clearly, the focus has to be onmeeting the energy needsto stimulate economies and yet preserve our environmentyet preserve our environment.
hi k bl ?Think Renewables?
Role of solar energy and other renewablesRole of solar energy and other renewables in US energy system, 2005
29.9 quadrillion BTU= 1 TW-year
World‐wide picture a little better but not by much
50 2003
30
35
40
45
50 2003
10
15
20
25
0
50.5%
Projected share in 2050
Between now and 2050 we need advances in all aspects ofBetween now and 2050, we need advances in all aspects of energy sources, change, distribution, storage and usage.
Challenges
For renewable energy, how do we get from ~10 % share of a smaller total demand to
l 0% f h l d d?almost 50% of a much larger demand?
How do we meet near‐term needs while sustainable energy gysolutions are developed?
We need game changersWe need game‐changersin the whole energy chain
S h di ib iSource‐change‐distribution‐storage‐usage
Public policy
Game Changer
A Game Changer could be a Black Swan
A Black Swan is an event that has three characteristics; it i tli it is an outlier it carries an extreme impact it has retrospective predictability.
"The Black Swan",Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Game‐ changer
A black swan or not, a game changer, in my view, is characterized by ‐ a healthy dose of innovationI t di i li h l hi‐ Interdisciplinary scholarship
‐ Sustainability
Buds of creativity bloom at the intersections!!
Game‐changer TechnologyEquationq
Game Changer = IT IS
Interdisciplinary Technology that is Innovative and Sustainable
Technology MixLow cost, high efficiency PV’s **
BatteriesBio‐fuels—3rd gen, algae, heliocultureStealth turbine for wind power
• Next industrial revolution• New phenomena, materials• Environmental issues
Smarter gridTraveling wave nuclear reactorHydrogen economyClean coal technologies
Nano
Sustainability Advanced EnergyT h l i
• High performance computing • Computer design tools for
• Meeting needs of the present without
Technologies
Co pute des g too s obuildings –complex system
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
HPC
**Game‐changer TechnologiesStrategic Foresight: Navigating UncertaintyDr. Alexander Van de Putte; IE Business SchoolMadrid, March 2010
Technology Mix
Consider NT One of the powerful, converging technologies Recall NBICRecall NBIC
Projected global market ‐‐$3 3 trillion Projected global market $3.3 trillion
Will impact all aspects of our lives, including Energy
Source –change‐distribution‐storage‐usage
NT & Energy Sources
RegenerativePhotovoltaics: Nano‐optimized cells, (polymeric, dye, quantum dot, thin film, multiple junction), antireflective coatings
Wind Energy: Nano‐composites for lighter and stronger rotor blades, wear and corrosion protection nano‐coatings for bearings and power trains, etc.
Geothermal: Nano coatings and composites for wear resistant drilling equipment
Hydro/Tidal Power: Nano‐coatings for corrosion protection
Biomass Energy: Yield optimization by nano‐based precision forming (nanosensors, controlled release and storage of pesticides and nutrients)controlled release and storage of pesticides and nutrients)
Fossil FuelsWear and corrosion protection of oil and gas drilling equipment, nanoparticles for improved oil yields
Nuclear Nano composites for radiation shielding and protection (personal equipmentNano‐composites for radiation shielding and protection (personal equipment, container, etc.), long term option for nuclear fusion reactors
NT & Energy Change
Heat and corrosion protection of turbine blades (e.g. ceramic or intermetallic nano‐coatings) for more efficient turbine power plants.
Gas Turbines
Th l iThermoelectricsNanostructured compounds (interface design, nanorods) for efficient thermoelectricalpower generation (e.g. usage of waste heat in automobiles or body heat for personal electronics (long term))
Fuel Cells Nano‐optimized membranes and electrodes for efficient fuel cells (PEM) for applications in automobiles/mobile electronics
Hydro GenerationHydro Generation Nano‐catalysts and new processes for more efficient hydrogen generation (e.g. photoelectrical electrolysis biophotonic)
Combustion EnginesCombustion EnginesWear and corrosion protection of engine components (nanocomposites/‐coatings, nanoparticles as fuel additive etc.
Electrical MotorsNano‐composites for superconducting components in electro motors (e.g. ship engines)
NT & Energy Distribution
High‐Voltage Transmission: Nanofillers for electrical isolation systems, soft magnetic nanomaterials for efficient current transformation
Power Transmission
Super Conductors: Optimized high temperature SC’s based on nanoscale interface design for loss‐less power transmission
CNT Power Lines: Super conducting cables based on carbon nanotubes (long term)CNT Power Lines: Super conducting cables based on carbon nanotubes (long term)
Wireless Power Transmission: Power transmission by laser, microwaves or electromagnetic resonance based on nano‐optimized components (long term)
Smart GridsNanosensors (e.g. magnetoresistive ) for intelligent and flexible grid management capable of managing highly decentralized power feeds
Heat TranferEfficient heat in‐ and outflow based on nano optimized heat exchangers and conductors (e.g. based on CNT‐composites) in industries and buildings
Energy Storage
Batteries: Optimized Li‐ion‐batteries by nanostructured electrodes and flexible, ceramic separator‐foils, application in mobile electronics, automobile, flexible load management in power grids (mid term)
Electrical Energy
power grids (mid term)
Supercapacitors: Nanomaterials for electrodes (carbon aerogels CNT, metallK‐oxides and electrolytes for higher energy densities)
Chemical EnergyHydrogen: Nanoporous materials (organometals, metal hydrides) for application in micro fuel cells for mobile electronics or in automobiles (long term)
Fuel Reforming/Refining: Nano catalysts for optimized fuel production (oil refiningFuel Reforming/Refining: Nano‐catalysts for optimized fuel production (oil refining, desulphurization, coal liquefaction
Fuel Tanks: Gas tight fuel tanks based on nanocomposites for reduction of hydrocarbon emissions
Thermal EnergyPhase Change Materials: Encapsulated PCM for air condition of buildings
Adsorptive Storage: Nano porous materials (e.g. zeolites) for reversible heat storage in buildings and heating nets
NT & Energy Usage
Nanoporous foams and gels ( aerogels, polymer foams) for thermal insulation of buildings or in industrial processes
Thermal Insulation
or in industrial processes
Air Conditioning Intelligent management of light and heat flux in buildings by electrochromic windows, micro mirror arrays or IR reflectors
Lightweight Construction Lightweight construction materials using nano‐composites (carbon nanotubes, metal‐matrix‐composites, nanocoated light metals, ultra performance concrete, polymer composites)
Industrial Processes Substitution of energy intensive processes based on nanotech process innovations, ( t l t lf bli t )(e.g. nano‐catalysts, self‐assembling processes etc.)
LightingEnergy efficient lighting systems (e.g. LED, OLED)gy g g y ( g )
Technology MixLow cost, high efficiency PV’s **
BatteriesBio‐fuels—3rd gen, algae, heliocultureStealth turbine for wind power
• Next industrial revolution• New phenomena, materials• Environmental issues
Smarter gridTraveling wave nuclear reactorHydrogen economyClean coal technologies
Nano
Sustainability Advanced EnergyT h l i
• High performance computing • Computer design tools for
• Meeting needs of the present without
Technologies
Co pute des g too s obuildings –complex system
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
HPC
**Game‐changer TechnologiesStrategic Foresight: Navigating UncertaintyDr. Alexander Van de Putte; IE Business SchoolMadrid, March 2010
Game ChangersIn EnergyIn Energy DOE Secretary Steve Chu’s List
• Photovoltaic solar power with a fully installed cost four times cheaper than today’s technologytoday s technology
• Gasoline and diesel-like biofuels generated from lumber waste, crop wastes, solid waste, and non-food cropssolid waste, and non food crops
• Automobile batteries with three times today’s energy density that can survive 15 years of deep dischargesy p g
• Computer design tools for commercial and residential buildings that enable reductions in energy consumption of up to 80 percent with investments that will pay for themselves in less than 10 years
Utility scale energy storage systems so that variable renewable energy• Utility-scale energy storage systems so that variable renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power can become base-load power generators
A few examples from VT ICTASVT-ICTAS
Institute for Critical Technology & Applied Science
As a catalyst for high impact IDREconomic
Development
• Meeting needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needsAn agent of
Student educational Experience enhancement
V I S I O NTo be among the top‐ranked global institutes in
innovation
transformative technologies for a sustainable future
Infrastructuref
ICTAS HQ ICTAS CRC ICTAS LSC ICTAS NCR
176,000 SF Lab Space
$12 5 million in NCFL$12.5 million in NCFL
What characteristics will define ICTAS IDR?define ICTAS IDR?
• Cutting‐edge
• Transformative
• Built on VT strengths
• Non‐linear growth
• Among the top three
• Innovative with a blue‐skies componentInnovative with a blue skies component
• Faculty‐centric
Disruptive Innovationand
l kA Black Swan
Research Thrusts
Sustainable EnergyRenewable Materials
Nano‐Bio Interface
Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Cognition and Communication
Emerging
Sustainable Water
Emerging Technologies
National Security
Sustainable Water
Sustainable Energygy
Technology to meet society’s energy Advance science and technology to achieveenergy systems with long-term availability,gy y gy
needs – renewably and responsibly reduced environmental impact, and lowercost.
Principle areas of researchPrinciple areas of research Renewable energy resources
Solar Organic Photovoltaic cells Multi-junction solar cells
Wind Bio-fuels Energy harvestingEnergy harvesting
Cleaner more efficient energy conversion systems Fuel cells
Thrust Leader: Michael Ellis (ME)Associated Faculty: More than 30 faculty members from 7 departments in the Colleges of Science and Engineering.
Polymer‐Fullerene Photovoltaic Films
Organic solar cells have current efficiencies of 5%. Large‐scale plastic roll‐to‐roll processing can enable inexpensive, light‐weight, flexible, large area polymer solar cellscells. Efficiency improvements require nanoscale control of materials. Need ~10% efficiency for cost‐competitiveness
The open circuit voltage of organic sloar cells is determined by the lowest unoccupied molecular
orbital (LUMO) energy level. The LUMO levels of endohedral fullerenes synthesized by H.C. Dorn and H.W. Gibson show LUMO levels of 0.3‐0.5 V higher than PCBM. Given such an increase in V of P3HT/PCBM solar Given such an increase in VOC of P3HT/PCBM solar cells, efficiencies as high as 9% should be achievable.H.C. Dorn (Chemistry‐VT) has discovered a new
class of trimetallic nitride template fullerenes encapsulating a nitrogen atom and three transition metal atoms inside the fullerene cage.
3rd3rd generation PV’s
n-InAlP window
n+-GaAs cap
Contact
n-InAlP window
n+-GaAs cap
Contact
n-InAlP window
n+-GaAs cap
ContactMulti-junction Solar Cells
InGaP (1.90 eV)
n-InGaP emitter
p-InGaP base
n-AlGaAs windowTJInGaP (1.90 eV)InGaP (1.90 eV)InGaP (1.90 eV)
n-InGaP emitter
p-InGaP base
n-AlGaAs windowTJ
n-InGaP emitter
p-InGaP base
n-AlGaAs windowTJ
In0.7Ga0.3AsInAsInSb
In0.53Ga0.47As
Si
GaAs (1.42 eV)
InGaAs (1.05 eV)
n-GaAs emitter
p-GaAs base
n-AlGaAs window
TJ
GaAs (1.42 eV)
InGaAs (1.05 eV)
GaAs (1.42 eV)
InGaAs (1.05 eV)
GaAs (1.42 eV)
InGaAs (1.05 eV)
n-GaAs emitter
p-GaAs base
n-AlGaAs window
TJ
n-GaAs emitter
p-GaAs base
n-AlGaAs window
TJ
2000K
1500K
fici
ency
[%
]
InGaAs (0.67 eV) n-InGaAs emitter
p-InGaAs base
n-InGaAsP window
TJ
InGaAs (0.67 eV)InGaAs (0.67 eV)InGaAs (0.67 eV) n-InGaAs emitter
p-InGaAs base
n-InGaAsP window
TJ
n-InGaAs emitter
p-InGaAs base
n-InGaAsP window
TJ
1200K
1000K
Eff
p-Si substrateContact
Buffer layerp-Si substrate
Contact
Buffer layerp-Si substrate
Contact
Buffer layerBandgap of the cell [eV]
Hi h ffi i ll d l b d III V t i lHigher efficiency cell needs low band gap III-V materials
Thermophoto oltaic (TPV) is the se of PV cells to con ert heat
ThermoThermo--photovoltaic Cells photovoltaic Cells •Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) is the use of PV cells to convert heat radiation into electricity
•Temperature range about 1500-2000K rather than 5800K of the SunTemperature range about 1500 2000K rather than 5800K of the Sun
pn
VDark
urre
nt
Voc
EgPhoton Voltage
VocCu
Vmp
ImpIL
Isc
mp
Band diagram I-V characteristicscharacteristics
G-Number3838
Examples of research at VT‐ICTAS
Biofuels
Agricultural ResiduesEnergy Crops
Poultry litter biooil
Major research directions
I. Bio‐Mass (corn/sugarcane)to Bio‐ethanol via biochemical processes
1st generation: corn/sugarcane to ethanol 1 generation: corn/sugarcane to ethanol
2nd generation: Cellulosic feedstock (wood/grass) to ethanol/butanol
II. Bio‐Mass (wood, chicken feathers..) to Bio‐ethanol via thermochemical catalysis
Low temperature (400‐600 C ) pryolysis to bio‐oil, gasoline High temperature partial oxidation to syngas, bio‐gasoline, green diesel Biomass (cellulose) to syngas/phenols
l bi di lIII. Algae to biodiesel
IV. Biomass to fuels and proteins via biotransformation
Major research directions
I. Bio‐Mass to Bio‐ethanol/bio‐butanol via biochemical processes
1st generation: corn/sugarcane to ethanol Challenges:
high cost of distillation: ethanol content lowg food competition (corn) disposal of by‐products
2nd generation: Cellulosic feedstock (wood/grass) to ethanol/butanol Challenges:
increasing accessibility to cellulose in feedstockf i b h l d l fermentation to convert both glucose and xylose
o natural yeast for glucose but need micro‐engineered yeast to ferment xylose
distillation (concentration of ethanol is low) distillation (concentration of ethanol is low) cheap production of enzymes
Bioethanol
Switchgrass Green Biorefinery Bioethanol
PretreatmentEnzymatic
Fermentation
CellulasesCellulosic
Bioethanol,BiobasedPretreatment
HydrolysisFermentation
FeedstockBiobased Products
• Developed a Novel Lignocellulose Pretreatment – Based on New Principles
• Engineering Cellulases – Based on New Hypothesis • Hydrolysis Mechanism and Modeling Based on New Model and Insights• Hydrolysis Mechanism and Modeling – Based on New Model and Insights
Major research directions
II. Biomass (wood, chicken feathers..) to bio-gasoline and green diesel via thermo-chemical catalysis
Low temperature (400-600 C ) pyrolysis to bio-oil
Bio-oil not stable, turns to molasses -like, dries up have developed a patented stabilization process
High Temperature Pyrolysis (partial Oxidation) to syngas
Major research directions
III. Algae biodiesel
Cultivate high lipid expressing algae Cultivate high lipid expressing algae
Direct conversion of algae to biodiesel using acid/base catalysis
Status:Developing solid surface photosynthetic algae culture– Developing solid surface photosynthetic algae culture system for producing lipid containing algae
– Developing heterotrophic algae fermentation using crude glycerol (nutrient) for lipid production
Major research directions
IV. Biotransformation for fuel productionProtein expression and purificationp pRecombinant protein (potentially therapeutic and
vaccine) expression in transgenic plantsD l t f i l fDevelopment of economical processes for
recombinant protein purificationFuel production from residue after drug recoveryFuel production from residue after drug recovery
Active site pocket Inhibitor
Surface bindingSurface binding sites
Fuel Cells
MissionTo conduct fundamental and applied research that improves our understanding of fuel cell materials and
d th t k f l ll t
100 nm
processes and that makes fuel cell systems more efficient, economical, and durable.
tage
(V)
0 6
0.8
1.0
1.2
ty (m
W/c
m2 )
1000
1200
1400
1600
18000% TBA+ 100% Na+
25% TBA+ 75% Na+
50% TBA+ 50% Na+
75 %TBA+ 25% Na+
100% TBA+ 0% Na+
2x better
Research Highlights
x = 14.5 kg/moly = 19.2 kg/mol
30Tref = 70° CaT80° C=0.63
Current Density (mA/cm2)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
Cel
l Vol
t
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Pow
er D
ensi
t
0
200
400
600
800
Developed an ion conducting polymer, BPSH, that is a leading alternative to Nafion based fuel cell membranes.
Developed the framework for durability assessment of fuel cell membrane materials currently used by one of the 0
5
10
15
20
25
Gore 57 70° C Gore 57 80° C Gore 57 90° C
Bur
st S
tren
gth
(MPa
)
aT 80 C 0.63aT 90° C= 1.10
world’s largest fuel cell systems manufacturers.
Developed methods of processing Nafion that yield membrane electrode assemblies with more than twice the performance of traditional membrane casting techniques.
Novel materials, processes, test methods and analyses to improve fuel cell efficiency, durability, and cost
1 10 100 1000 10000Time to failure (sec)
Developed novel composite bipolar plate materials that reduce the cost and weight of fuel cell stacks.
Developed novel stack architectures that provide weight savings and improve systems integration.
Lead Faculty : David Dillard (ESM)Associated Faculty: 11
Wind Power – technological trends
Li it t l d f l i d t Limits to larger and powerful wind generators
Increase in power ~ D2
Increase in mass~ D3
Poses challenges re the mechanical capacity of materials and components
Needs &Trends
Light weight and high‐strength rotor blades ( think composite materials using NT)
Designs that make use of aero‐elastically tailored bladesDesigns that make use of aero elastically tailored blades
Stealth turbine Blade
Improved aerodynamic and structural analysis capabilities for accurate prediction of gust loads stall effects etcprediction of gust loads, stall effects, etc.
Advanced concepts for rotor control and drive train control
Active and passive flow control strategies to increase energy capture
novel mechanical power transmission & electric generator systems
St lth T bi Bl dStealth Turbine Blade The problem: the tips of the blades travel at about the same speed as a light
aircraft making it difficult for radar operators to determine what they see (i.e., a light aircraft, something real or interference or a shadow from the wind turbines). The confusion is caused by radar bouncing off moving wind turbines, creating a cloud of reflected signals.
Denmark‘s VestasWind Systems is experimenting with stealth technology, developed to help warplanes escape notice, to reduce a turbine blade's radar
h f h bl k ff ll ' dsignature‐‐the size of the blip it makes on an air traffic controller's radar screen.
• Stealth blade: the 44 meter (144 ft) long blade incorporates two layers of glass cloth printed with a special ink (a radar absorbing material, RAM)
b dd d i h f h l f iembedded in the structure as part of the normal manufacturing process. The radar passes through the first layer, but bounces off the second and is effectively trapped between the two. Turbine blade becomes essentially invisible to radar―invisible to radar.
If successful, wind farms will get a big boost
Source Dr. Alexander Van de Putte; IE Business School, Madrid, March 2010
Improved analysis
Aerodynamic analysis tools and capabilities and accurate prediction of gust loads, stall effects
Computational fluid dynamics
gust loads, stall effects
Simulation of atmospheric turbulence, gust loads on larger rotors placed on higher towers; important in jet flows of some class 4 areas.
Uncertainty quantification
Atmospheric Gust LoadWake
y q
Center for Energy Harvesting
28 faculty members in 3 different universities i ll f icovering all aspects of energy generation
and storage.
Excellent infrastructure for energy related research Excellent infrastructure for energy related research.
Incubated as ICTAS‐ I/UCRC.
Now an NSF‐I/UCRC
Membership:•10 industry members $40 000/year•10 industry members ‐‐$40,000/year
Lead Faculty: Profs. Dan Inman and Shashank Priya ICTAS Center for Energy Harvesting Material Systems (CEHMS)
Interdisciplinary Research &Interdisciplinary Research & Innovation (IDRI)
For A Sustainable Energy Future
Introduction
The nature and scope of challenges facing humanity
Meeting these challenges--A winning strategy IT IS
Roop L. Mahajan
IT IS ICTAS & Sustainable Energy
The game changer technologies- A teaser
Tucker Chair Professor Director, [email protected]
Concluding remarks
• It takes on average 5 stages of technology development to reach commercialization and diffusionTh d f t h l d l t i d i b• The speed of technology development is driven by Technological ‘Clock Speed‘
Game Description Current status Application Likely obsolete Changer
Technologyof the
technologyareas technologies
3rd‐generation • Advanced thin‐film solar 3: Ongoing Electric power • Fossil fuels3rd generation Photovoltaics
Advanced thin film solar cells (low cost, high efficiency) as opposed to 1st and 2nd generation cells (silicon wafers and l l ffi i
3: Ongoing research& early prototypes
Electric power generation and integration within Smart Grids
Fossil fuels• Other renewable
technologies
low‐cost, low‐efficiency thin films, respectively).
• Includes dye‐sensitized, nanocrystalline, and polymer solar cells.
Development of a New Manufacturing Technology to
2nd Generation Solar Cells
CSU
p g gyreduce the cost of PV generated electricity Team Members
Materials Engineering Lab (Lead): W. S. Sampath, Robert Enzenroth andKurt Barth
Industrial Engineering: Bill Duff: manufacturing model PV Testing Lab: J. Sites and students Chemistry Central Instrument Facility: S. Kohli, P. MaCurdy
CU Nano/Thermal Laboratory: R.L. Mahajan
National CdTe R&D Team: consortium of industries leading academic
Thermal modeling and PV/LED lamp Pacific Northwest Natl. Lab: L. Olsen, S. Kundu
National CdTe R&D Team: consortium of industries, leading academic researchers and national laboratory members working to advance CdTe PV.
Industry:y• AVA Technology: local company, P.Noronha, CEO
Support from NSF, NREL, US DOE, UN, USAID and NSC
Completed DeviceGlass SubstrateVacuum Boundary Air to Vacuum to
Air Seal
Process Schematic Semiconductor Fab.
Sub CdS CdTe CdCl2 Back
Glass Substrate
Sub CdS CdTe CdCl2 Back Heat Contact
Continuous Conveyor
I. Semiconductor Processing Vacuum thin film deposition Sublimation of solid materials 7 process deposition, annealing and heat treatment process steps All process heads similar
II Manufacturing efficiencyII. Manufacturing efficiency Fully lean, automated continuous 2 min cycle time
Glass in / Completed device out every 2 min.
Pilot Scale System for Process Development
Recognition ..
“Low-cost Solar Power Lighting up the Grid”Mechanical engineering Professor W.S. Sampath, one of the leading researchersin solar technology, is helping to move Colorado State into mass production of high-efficiency, low-cost solar panels.g y
“A sheet of AVA Solar glass uses 100 times less semiconductor material in themanufacturing process and produces a new solar panel every two minutesmanufacturing process, and produces a new solar panel every two minutes….The cost to the consumer could be as low as $2 per watt, about half the current cost ofsolar panels, and the cost is competitive with cost of power from the electrical grid in many parts of the world.”
Published May 2008
CleanTechnica, part of the Green Options Media Blog Network.
Game Description Current status of Application Likely Changer
Technologythe technology areas obsolete
technologies
Biofuels • 1st generation: fuel ethanol and biodiesel
5: Diffusion & ongoing d l
Electric power generation
Fossil fuelsethanol and biodiesel produced from food crops
• 2nd generation: cellulosic ethanol
development
4: Pilot plants & early commercialization
generation
from non‐food crops• 3rd generation: algae
fuel • Helioculture:
converts sunlight and
2: Applied research & early experiments
converts sunlight and CO2 to liquid biofuels.
Game Description Current status of Application Likely obsolete Changer
Technologythe technology areas technologies
Clean coal technologies
Technologies that reduce the
• Commercial syngas plants
Clean(er) energy production
Dirty coal technologiestechnologies reduce the
environmental footprint of coal power plants, generally via carbon capture and
syngas plants already available in Europe & USA.
• 1st clean coal power plant went
production technologies
storage/se‐questration(CCS), coal preparation, coal gasification (syngas), pollutant reduction (e g sulphur
online in September 2008 in Germany.
• Clean coal is a controversialreduction (e.g., sulphur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides).
controversial notion and has been described as an oxymoron or a myth by critics.
Game Changer
Technology
Description Current status of the technology
Application areas
Likely obsolete technologies
Nanowirequantum wire) anode
Lithium‐ion anodescomposed of siliconnanowires
3. Ongoing research & early prototypes
Energy density/ storage
Conventional batteries
Ultracapacitor Nanotube enhanced 3 O i h • Energy ConventionalUltracapacitor Nanotube‐enhanced ultracapacitor
3. Ongoing research & early prototypes
• Energy density/ storage
• Significant reductions
Conventional batteries
in cost of hybrid/electric vehicles and grid‐scalescale storage.
Wireless power transmission (or wireless energy
Wireless transfer of electrical power
5: Diffusion & ongoing development
Wirelessly powered equipment,
Conventional batteries
gytransfer)
q p ,battery charging
Game Description Current status of Application Likely Changer
Technologythe technology areas obsolete
technologies
Nuclear fusion Nuclear energy generated by the fusion of two light
2: Applied research d l i
Electric power generation
Fossil fuels, renewable energyby the fusion of two light
elements.and early experiments generation renewable energy
Nuclear power: Travelling‐wave
New design for nuclear reactor, requires very little
1: Fundamental research
• Electric power
Conventional nuclear reactor g
reactorq y
enriched uranium and could run for decades without refuelling.
research pgeneration
• Safer, cheaper nuclear power
technology
power
Game Description Current status of Application Likely Changer
Technologythe technology areas obsolete
technologies
Smart grid technologies
Smart grids utilize wireless sensor networks
5: Diffusion & ongoing d l
Smart energy deployment/ustechnologies
such as smart meters, smart power outlets,superconductors
wireless sensor networks, software, and computing to enable energy providers and consumers to see how much and
development
High‐temperature superconductivityrecently demonstrated
deployment/usage
Engineering materials with
where energy is being consumed, and if problems exist in the network.
yin layered films of copper oxide
tunable super‐conductivity
M ti l b l d d f i d l t
Concluding Remarks
Meeting global energy demand for economic development “sustainably” one of the top ten humanity’s challenges
Significant research on‐going, and in different stages of g g g, gdevelopment, for the whole valued added chain of energy‐‐energy source –change‐distribution‐storage‐usage –and
supplemented by Public policy and global considerationssupplemented by Public policy and global considerations
Solutions will vary from nation to nation
Common Need: Innovative solutions; powered by IDR
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