Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) have developed a hybrid photovoltaic cell capable of producing electricity and storing thermal energy.
This new technology reduces the cell temperature, increasing its efficiency and durability, as well as introducing a more sustainable way to create energy storage systems.
The technology was named MOST: molecular solar thermal energy storage systems. MOST consists of organic molecules that, when irradiated with energy photons, such as ultraviolet light, undergo a chemical transformation, storing energy for later use.
A feature of the system is that these molecules also provide cooling to the photovoltaic cell, blocking photons that normally cause heating and reduce efficiency. In this way, the device allows both the generation of electricity and the storage of chemical energy.
Experimental tests have found a storage efficiency of 2,3% for molecular solar thermal energy. The integration of the hybrid system is capable of reducing the cell temperature by up to 8°C, reducing energy losses due to heat and increasing efficiency by 12,6%.
The combination of devices operates with a utilization efficiency of up to 14,9%, which represents an improvement over the two systems operating independently.
According to the scientists who worked on the research, the technology is even more sustainable than traditional storage systems as it does not rely on scarce materials, as MOST uses elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, positioning itself as a sustainable storage alternative.
The new hybrid cell will not only increase the efficiency of solar energy, but will also help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and minimize the environmental impact associated with other forms of energy storage.
The research received 6,3 million euros as funding fund. The study also involves researchers from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom; Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden; and the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC). Click here to learn more about the research.
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