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Pioneering advancements in solid-state battery technology for energy storage

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Pioneering advancements in solid-state battery technology for energy storage


Pioneering advancements in solid-state battery technology for energy storage

by Riko Seibo

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 23, 2024






Recent strides in solid-state battery technology are setting the stage for a transformative era in energy storage. These advancements hold promise for revolutionizing electric vehicles and renewable energy systems through improved performance and safety. A focus on electrolyte innovation has been key to this progress, enabling the development of high-performance all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs).

A new review paper provides a comprehensive summary of advancements in inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs), materials that are central to ASSBs. Researchers examined the roles of oxides, sulfides, hydroborates, antiperovskites, and halides not only as electrolytes but also as catholytes and interface layers, which collectively enhance battery performance and safety.



“We highlighted the recent breakthroughs in synthesizing these materials, honing our attention on the innovative techniques that enable the precise tuning of their properties to meet the demanding requirements of ASSBs,” said Eric Jianfeng Cheng, associate professor at Tohoku University’s Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR). “Precise tuning is crucial for developing batteries with higher energy densities, longer life cycles, and better safety profiles than conventional liquid-based batteries.”



The review also delves into the electrochemical properties of ISEs, including ionic conductivity, stability, and electrode compatibility. Researchers evaluated current ASSB models and suggested emerging strategies that could drive the next generation of energy storage solutions.



However, challenges persist in the development of ASSBs, notably the limited compatibility between ISEs and electrodes, which can trigger interfacial reactions. Addressing these compatibility issues is vital to improving battery efficiency and longevity. The review outlines these challenges and provides insights into efforts aimed at overcoming them.



“Our comprehensive review underscores the importance of continued research and development in the field of solid-state batteries. By developing new materials, improving synthesis methods, and overcoming compatibility issues, current efforts are driving innovation toward practical ASSBs that could transform how we store and use energy,” Cheng added.



Research Report:Inorganic solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium/sodium-ion batteries: recent developments and applications


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Tohoku University

Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com





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Shedding light on solar farm impacts in deserts through energy meteorology

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Shedding light on solar farm impacts in deserts through energy meteorology


Shedding light on solar farm impacts in deserts through energy meteorology

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 06, 2025






Utility-scale solar farms, often deployed in desert habitats, are a cost-effective way to generate power compared to rooftop solar panels. However, these large installations interact with sensitive desert ecosystems, prompting researchers to explore their environmental effects through the growing field of “energy meteorology.”

A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences by Professor Carlos Coimbra of the University of California San Diego investigates the thermal interactions between solar farms and their surrounding environments. This work examines how solar farm operations influence local temperature and humidity and how these environmental factors affect the farms themselves.



Energy meteorology traditionally focuses on the impact of weather on power systems. Professor Coimbra’s research broadens this scope by assessing the reciprocal effects of solar plants on local climates. By calculating thermal balances specific to solar panels’ material properties, the study derives relationships between complex variables, such as convective heat transfer coefficients and radiative fluxes. These calculations enhance understanding of how solar farms modify their environments and how these modifications can be accurately measured or modeled.



Additionally, the study introduces a novel method for classifying regional microclimates based on the optical depth of cloudy atmospheres. This classification can inform solar farm design and operation, complementing conventional cloudiness and radiation indices used for resource planning.



Professor Coimbra highlights the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry into solar energy’s environmental effects. “It behooves us in the solar energy research community to answer concerns and criticisms that the solar power industry encounters with the best possible science,” he states. While the overall thermal impact of solar farms may be negligible or even positive, the research community must address discrepancies in current findings and focus on fundamental thermal processes.



This research aims to inspire both solar engineers and energy meteorologists to delve deeper into the environmental dynamics of utility-scale solar installations. As Professor Coimbra emphasizes, the study serves as a foundational guide for exploring energy meteorology’s potential to improve solar farm sustainability and environmental compatibility.



Research Report:Energy Meteorology for the Evaluation of Solar Farm Thermal Impacts on Desert Habitats


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Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com





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University of Maryland to develop renewable energy systems for ocean monitoring systems

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University of Maryland to develop renewable energy systems for ocean monitoring systems


University of Maryland to develop renewable energy systems for ocean monitoring systems

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 03, 2025






University of Maryland researcher Stephanie Lansing has been awarded $7.8 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to spearhead the development of a biologically powered energy system aimed at transforming power generation for ocean monitoring devices worldwide.

Current ocean monitoring devices, essential for understanding marine ecosystems, tracking climate change, and maintaining national security, rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries or extensive underwater cables for power. Lansing’s groundbreaking project aims to replace these conventional systems by harnessing microorganisms and specialized bacteria to fuel a marine microbial energy source capable of delivering a steady 10-watt output for over a year.



“This unique collaboration of interdisciplinary experts will produce a bioinspired system that has game-changing potential to provide direct electric power to improve sensing capabilities while protecting and limiting the impact to the environment through use of this unique bioenergy system,” explained Lansing, a professor in UMD’s Department of Environmental Science and Technology.



The system, known as the Persistent Oceanographic Device Power (PODPower), employs a sophisticated mechanism that gathers ocean microbes and organic material into a specialized fermentation chamber. Bacteria in this chamber pre-process the material into an efficient “fuel” for other bacteria colonizing the electrodes of the microbial fuel cell, generating usable electricity.



Key design features include a fish-gill-inspired collection net, a corkscrew-shaped auger for organic matter transport, and a dual cathode system to enhance energy output. These innovations are expected to overcome limitations of earlier microbial fuel cell technologies.



Funded under DARPA’s BioLogical Undersea Energy (BLUE) program, PODPower aligns with initiatives to exploit ocean biomass for sustainable power solutions. Beyond the $7.8 million allocated for Phase 1 development through 2026, an additional $3.4 million may be granted for Phase 2, aimed at generating 100 watts of power and deploying systems across multiple environments.



The project involves collaboration with experts from Battelle, George Washington University, Harvard University, UMD Baltimore County’s Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), James Madison University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Delaware, and Yokogawa Corporation of America.


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University of Maryland

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Unveiling the impact of climate-driven low solar and wind energy events in China

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Unveiling the impact of climate-driven low solar and wind energy events in China


Unveiling the impact of climate-driven low solar and wind energy events in China

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 03, 2025






A groundbreaking study spearheaded by Dr. Yue Qin and Dr. Tong Zhu from Peking University has offered critical insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics and underlying causes of compound low-solar-low-wind (LSLW) extremes in China. Through advanced climate modeling and diagnostic techniques, this research sheds light on a growing challenge for renewable energy systems.

“Our results suggest that under compound LSLW extremes, renewable energy generation could be significantly compromised,” explained Dr. Yue Qin. “Even more concerning, climate change could intensify the frequency of such events, escalating threats to China’s renewable energy supply and potentially hindering progress toward carbon neutrality.”



China’s ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2060 hinges on expanding solar and wind energy, yet these renewable sources are inherently variable and sensitive to weather patterns. While extensive studies exist on individual renewable energy challenges, this study uniquely addresses the compounded effects of simultaneous low solar and wind energy availability, a critical but understudied issue.



The findings underscore a significant topographic influence on the occurrence of LSLW extremes, with a national average of 16.4 days annually. Particularly in eastern China, these events reduce renewable energy output by approximately 80% compared to typical conditions. Projections under various climate scenarios indicate a nationwide rise in the frequency of such events, with areas like the Tibetan Plateau and northwestern China predicted to experience substantial increases.



“In particular, a striking increase of compound LSLW extremes’ frequency occurs under SSP370 scenario with aerosol emissions increase due to the assumption of a lenient air quality policy,” said Licheng Wang, the study’s lead author. The study found that elevated aerosol levels play a major role by weakening wind speeds and reducing solar radiation.



The researchers also evaluated inter-grid electricity transmission as an adaptation strategy. Results show this approach could mitigate over 91% of the frequency and 59%-85% of the intensity of LSLW-induced energy failures. Xizang (Tibet) emerged as a key region for reducing LSLW-related renewable energy shortages across China. However, infrastructure constraints, including geographical and economic challenges, limit the development of high-voltage electricity transmission in this region. Enhancing renewable energy projects in Xizang could be vital for achieving China’s carbon neutrality goals.



Dr. Yue Qin emphasized the importance of informed planning: “By revealing the geospatial and temporal evolution of compound LSLW extremes and their underlying physical mechanisms under climate change, our study emphasizes that these events are not random but predictable. This underscores the importance of proactive preparation and mitigation to address this pressing challenge.”



Research Report:Unraveling climate change-induced compound low-solar-low-wind extremes in China


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College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com





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