Download Energy, A Global Challenge - Weizmann Institute of Science

God’s gifts to humankind
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Hubble Space Telescope (HST
2.5 mm
Part of 2nd batch of Hubble
solar cells, retrieved after
8.25 yr in space
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
NEEDED
New materials, Better optics
Make
• “bad” materials “good”
• better use of sunlight
• easy cell fabrication
HOW?
• Self-healing materials
• Smarter Optics
• Self-assembly
• Solar paint
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Better use of sunlight
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
NEEDED
New materials, Better optics
Make
• “bad” materials good”
• better use of sunlight
• easy cell fabrication
HOW?
• Self-healing materials
• Smarter Optics
• Self-assembly
• Solar paint
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Idea:
Solar paint
paint solar cell onto glass /plastic:
For nanoparticle-based cells - no need for high
temperatures
Speculative Schematic:
Warning! Sci-Fi
(after G. Hodes)
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Solar Cell Power Stations TODAY
World’s Largest Solar-Electric Plant (2009)
0.2 GWp ( ~40 MWc) plant at Golmut, PRC
03/’12 Global
Cumulative
10
TW / 10 installed
MWc~
PV power ~0.07 TWp
# of human lengths
PRC goal >2012
2 x
Israel
trail
Nellis
AFB
(S. Nevada)
≥0.002 TWp/yr
30 TWp (~ 6 TWC)
requires 1 such plant,
every HOUR, for the next ~ 20 years
+ “a bit of” storage
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Wind Energy
WIND
10/’11
Cumulative
~ 0.24 TWp
~ 0.08 TWc
Off Shore
Wind Farm
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Wind Energy
BIOFUEL:
2010 production ~
World’s largest
wind farm:
nearly 0.1 TW
WIND
Roscoe Wind
TX,
~
0.8
GW
pif 50 x
10/’11
To
get
10
TW
Cumulativec
5~/ 0.24
day for TW
22 yrs
p
PRC goal:>~0.1
TW
in
10
yr
c
~ 0.08 TWc
 5 TW
Off Shore
Wind Farm
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
10 TW electricity from COAL ?
Brazil’s electricity generation capacity: ~ 0.1 TW
Israel’s electricity generation capacity: ~
(0.5 kW/capita)
0.012 TW (1.6 kW/capita)
CHINA’S ELECTRICITY GROWTH PLAN: 0.1 TW / YEAR
……
So, “if you want to,
it won’t be a fairy tale”
One such plant,
every day,
for the next … 11 years
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Solar as Energy Source
* Solar Heat
- direct
Heat, Cool
- to chemicals Fuels (via high temperatures)
- to electricity indirect (also wind)  turbines
but… STORAGE
● As Light
- to chemicals
Photosynthesis, Biofuels
-to chemicals
Artificial Photosynthesis
-to electricity
Solar cells (photovoltaics)
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
To provide the necessary Alternative Energy
scientists need to pursue BASIC SCIENCE
to realize what are DREAMS today, such as:
*
Efficient, Affordable Artificial Photosynthesis
*
Cheap, Efficient Solar Cells:
smart optics; solar paint …… ?
•
Smart Natural Photosynthesis:
genetic/metabolic engn.; synthetic biology …… ?
•
•
•
3-D (Holographic) Video-Conferencing
“Memory-shape” wind turbine blades
Clean(er) and Safe(r) Nuclear Energy
and …
•
Where Creativity & Curiosity Will Lead Us !
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Weizmann Institute’s
Alternative, Sustainable Energy Research Initiative
Energy, it’s the Global Challenge
Meeting it requires scientists, engineers, business
governments, & industry to work together
Rising to the ENERGY (TW) CHALLENGE
can be science’s most important breakthrough
but …
for that we need RESEARCH & EDUCATION …
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Weizmann Institute’s Alternative Sustainable Energy Research Initiative
http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI/
now
Presentations are at http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI/presentations.html
research & education
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011
Weizmann Institute’s
Alternative, Sustainable Energy Research Initiative
Some proven Weizmann strengths in
Basic Multi-& Inter-Disciplinary Science
Materials -nano- and molecular-science; electronics •
phys/biol/chem
Life Sciences- Structural Biology, genetic engn., plant science •
chem/phys/math
• Physics- plasma physics, optics
• Chemistry-catalysis
materials
phys/biol/math
-----------------------• Solar Energy: Solar Cells (2nd & 3d generation)
Photosynthesis (e.g., algae)
Concentrated Solar (tower)
DC, WIS-AERI 11/2011