Solar Energy

Solar-powered desalination unit shows great promise

Published

3 years ago

April 28, 2021

sarosh

Solar-powered desalination unit shows great promise

Despite the vast amount of water on Earth, most of it is nonpotable seawater. Freshwater accounts for only about 2.5% of the total, so much of the world experiences serious water shortages.

In AIP Advances, by AIP Publishing, scientists in China report the development of a highly efficient desalination device powered by solar energy. The device consists of a titanium-containing layer, TiNO, or titanium nitride oxide, capable of absorbing solar energy. The TiNO is deposited on a special type of paper and foam that allows the solar absorber to float on seawater.

When sunlight strikes the titanium layer, it heats rapidly and vaporizes the water. By placing the unit in a transparent container with a sloped quartz roof, the water vapor can be condensed and collected, producing a copious amount of freshwater.

“”In the solar energy field, TiNO is a common commercial solar absorbing coating, widely used in solar hot water systems and in photovoltaic units,” author Chao Chang said. “It has a high solar absorption rate and a low thermal emittance and can effectively convert solar energy into thermal energy.”

The investigators developed a method for depositing a layer of TiNO using a technique known as magnetron sputtering. They used a special type of highly porous paper known as airlaid paper that acts as a wicking material to supply water from the seawater reservoir. Airlaid paper is made from wood fibers and is commonly used in disposable diapers.

The evaporation unit included three parts: the TiNO layer on top, a thermal insulator, and the airlaid paper on the bottom. The insulation layer is polyethylene foam, which has many air-filled pores that trap heat and allow the multi-layer unit to float on top of a reservoir of seawater, minimizing heat loss to the surroundings.

“The porous airlaid paper used as the substrate for the TiNO solar absorber can be reused and recycled more than 30 times,” said Chang.

Salt precipitation on the TiNO surface could interfere with efficiency, but the investigators found even after a long time, no salt layer formed on the surface. They suggest the porous nature of the paper wicks away any salt that might form on the surface, returning it to the seawater reservoir.

The salinity of ordinary seawater is over 75,000 milligrams of salt per liter. Ordinary drinking water has a salinity of about 200 milligrams per liter. The desalination unit was able to decrease the seawater salinity to less than 2 milligrams per liter.

The combination of low cost, high efficiency, and lack of fouling for this desalination technology shows it has the potential to help solve the world’s freshwater shortage.

Source link

Solar Energy

Push for new US lithium mine leaves some Americans wary

Published

9 hours ago

May 15, 2024

sarosh

Push for new US lithium mine leaves some Americans wary

Lincolnton, United States (AFP) May 15, 2024

When Kristal Lee and her husband bought a house in Gaston County, North Carolina two years ago, they envisioned a “forever home”. But a planned lithium mine is bringing Lee sleepless nights.

Nearby is an area earmarked for a $1.2 billion project to produce battery grade lithium for US electric vehicle (EV) supply chains – one of only a few such sites in the country.

“You get very anxiou

Source link

Solar Energy

New Steps for Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Funding

Published

10 hours ago

May 15, 2024

sarosh

New Steps for Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Funding

by Brad Bartz

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 15, 2024

A recent submission by major utilities to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) marks a significant development in funding solar energy projects on multifamily affordable housing. The Supplemental Joint Advice Letter, submitted by Pacific Gas and Electric Company along with Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, Liberty Utilities, and PacifiCorp, details a true-up of funds from the 2023 Greenhouse Gas Allowance revenues as mandated by Decision 22-09-009.

This supplemental advice letter, identified by numbers ranging from Advice 7196-E-A to ADVICE 732-E-A, encompasses a collective effort by these utilities to adjust the financial frameworks under the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program. This program is crucial in California’s stride towards using clean energy resources while supporting affordable housing units with sustainable energy solutions.

The advice letter specifies how the additional funds will be distributed and managed, ensuring that the solar projects under the SOMAH program are adequately financed. This move comes as part of a broader state initiative to enhance energy efficiency and to support low-income households in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

The implications of this advice are significant for stakeholders within the solar industry and for communities benefiting from the SOMAH program. By reallocating the greenhouse gas allowance revenues, these utilities are not only complying with state mandates but are actively contributing to the state’s ambitious clean energy goals.

Background on the SOMAH Program

The SOMAH program was established to provide financial incentives for installing photovoltaic energy systems on multifamily affordable housing in California. The program aims to deliver clean power and reduce energy bills for residents, support jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The true-up process described in the joint advice letter is part of ongoing efforts to adjust funding based on actual greenhouse gas allowance revenue, ensuring that the program’s financial resources are aligned with its goals.

As California continues to lead the way in integrating renewable energy into its power grid, initiatives like SOMAH are essential in demonstrating how state policies can align with environmental objectives and social equity. Today’s filing at the CPUC is a step forward in this ongoing endeavor.

Bradley Bartz is the founder of ABC Solar Incorporated and a dedicated advocate for solar energy. “Today at the CPUC” is a series focusing on the California Public Utilities Commission’s critical updates that affect the solar industry and advocates like Mr. Bartz, aiming to keep the community informed and engaged.

For more information, visit The Solar Bible GPT by Bradley Bartz.

Source link

Solar Energy

Extension Sought for Net Energy Metering Fuel Cell Compliance

Published

11 hours ago

May 15, 2024

sarosh

Extension Sought for Net Energy Metering Fuel Cell Compliance

by Brad Bartz

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 15, 2024

Major utilities in California, including Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG and E), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), have formally requested an eight-month extension from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for implementing the new greenhouse gas emissions standards for net energy metering fuel cells (NEMFC).

This extension pertains to a deadline set in Ordering Paragraph 25 of Decision D.23-11-068, which requires existing NEMFC systems to certify compliance with the current greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards within a specified timeframe. Initially set for May 21, 2024, the utilities are now proposing a new deadline of February 1, 2025, citing delays in the approval of necessary advice letters which are crucial for communicating new reporting requirements to customer-generators.

The advice letters in question-PG and E 7143-E, SCE 5197-E, and SDG&E 4361-E-are designed to establish the reporting protocols needed to track compliance with the CARB Standards. However, delays in approvals have pushed back the utilities’ schedule for issuing initial notifications to customers, which is a critical first step in the compliance process.

The utilities argue that the extension will allow adequate time for customer-generators to contract with performance data providers, a requirement for maintaining eligibility under the NEMFC tariff. This process is part of a broader effort to ensure that fuel cell technologies contributing to the state’s electrical grid meet stringent environmental standards, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with California’s aggressive climate goals.

Background on the NEMFC Program

The NEMFC program is part of California’s broader strategy to integrate clean energy solutions such as fuel cells into the state’s power grid. These systems are required to meet specific GHG emissions standards to qualify for the net energy metering incentives that make such installations economically viable. The program not only supports California’s environmental objectives but also encourages the adoption of innovative technologies in the energy sector.

This request for extension reflects the complex nature of implementing regulatory changes across a diverse and technologically evolving landscape. It also underscores the utilities’ commitment to ensuring that all stakeholders, especially customer-generators, have sufficient time to adapt to new requirements.

The CPUC’s decision on this extension request will be closely watched by both industry stakeholders and environmental advocates, as it will influence the pace at which new environmental standards are implemented in the state’s burgeoning clean energy infrastructure.

Source link