Foundation Zero’s Post

Testing rigid connectors in floating photovoltaics: New research from China shows that using rigid connectors instead of polyester ropes in floating photovoltaic arrays may help reduce the relative motion of floats and simplify the layout of the connection system. #RenewableEnergy #Photovoltaic #Technology

Excited to share our latest publication on the energy performance of photovoltaic noise barriers: https://lnkd.in/eQMZfPPt I thank my co-authors: Richard de Jong, Philip Le, Fabio Di Giusto, Fallon Colberts, Kaaya Ismail, Nikoleta Kyranaki, PhD, Marta Casasola Paesa, Elke Deckers, Arnaud Morlier, Michaël Daenen for their excellent contributions to the article. Abstract: Herein, the energy performance of photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNBs) with cassette and shingles built-on designs is evaluated using imec's energy yield framework. The simulation is validated through on-site electrical and thermal measurements, and then the same design is employed for a case study near E19 road in Belgium using different scenarios. To optimize the energy yield, variations in the noise barrier height, orientation, and PV module tilt are introduced. The energy yield is then simulated to identify the optimal combination of parameters to maximize energy production. The results show that the cassette built-on PVNB with fixed cassette distance provides higher energy yield throughout the year compared to other scenarios, and a low-rise noise barrier is more energy-efficient due to reduced shading effects. Sound pressure simulation conducted in COMSOL reveals that the cassette built-on and shingles built-on have comparable performance in sound reduction, and high-rise noise barriers with small tilts (20°–40°) are optimal for sound pressure attenuation.

PVT technology continues to progress, providing benefits to both thermal and electrical energy generation.

RES-Floating Turbine German Patent Granted : https://lnkd.in/ea2iajMR International Patent Pending: https://lnkd.in/dhk7TFBi Where the water is flowing, energy can be harvested. The floating turbine comprises a float housing the generator, connected to the underwater rotor by a shaft arranged coaxially and concentrically to the axis of rotation. The upper surface of the float is covered with photovoltaic cells. The rotor blades are interconnected at their upper and lower ends by ring beams, respectively, and arranged at a radial distance from the shaft by means of tension spokes. The suction side of the rotor blades, which feature a variable asymmetric foil profile, are aligned in the direction of the flow by means of integrated actuators within both halves of the orbit divided by the diameter P, P'.  #reshydropower #resfloatingturbine #offshore #asktheinventor #makeitfloat #withhydropower #waterturbine #energytransition #hydro #hydropower #architecture #students #future #electricity #waterturbine www.res-institute.com

KTH is part of the high-impacting Horizon Europe CITADEL project aimed to substitute fossil combustion processes with innovative electric technologies, such as electric resistance heating, microwave heating and plasma heating. “Five demo cases are considered, targeting the production of refractory bricks, glass and copper wires, preheating processes in steel production and the recycling of concrete,” says Björn Glaser, who coordinates the project from KTH's side.   For these specific applications, appropriate demonstration plants have to be designed. High-temperature materials and tools, suitable for instrumentation and effective process control are needed too.   Challenges regarding a stable energy supply, electrical and thermal load management or intelligent energy management are simulated using numerical models. “The impact of the technical solutions developed here for the process industry will be assessed and strategies for scale-up and deployment will be elaborated. Intelligent electrification can significantly reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable electricity,” concludes Björn. #materialsscience #energy #electric #electrification #steel

After many trials and fails in building a #wind_turbine that generates voltages through a #triboelectric_nanogenerator, our Part IV students finally were able to implement an #Archimedes wind turbine with a mechanical-based sliding mechanism that was able to function at wind speeds of around five m/s in our small #wind_tunnel. The original design implemented vertical-axis turbines that induced higher frictions caused by the combined wind-induced moments on the shaft and the sliding mechanism. Nonetheless, it could be argued that there could be different methods to achieve similar outputs at slower wind speeds. The project is under investigation and could be considered one of the most aesthetic projects this year. The Project is supervised by Dr Kean Aw. #University_of_Auckland_AeroLab

Exploded View of an Axial Flux Motor Dive into the intricate design of an axial flux motor! This innovative motor type offers a unique arrangement that maximizes efficiency and power density, making it an exciting choice for electric vehicles and renewable energy applications. With its lightweight design and enhanced performance, the axial flux motor is paving the way for the next generation of electric propulsion.What are your thoughts on this innovative design? 👉 Don't forget to follow, like and share with friends #ElectricVehicles #Innovation #Engineering #Technology #Sustainability Credit: Daan Moreels

"Researchers at Rice University have found a new way to improve a key element of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems, which convert heat into electricity via light. Using an unconventional approach inspired by quantum physics, Rice engineer Gururaj Naik and his team have designed a thermal emitter that can deliver high efficiencies within practical design parameters. The research could inform the development of thermal-energy electrical storage, which holds promise as an affordable, grid-scale alternative to batteries. More broadly, efficient TPV technologies could facilitate renewable energy growth—an essential component of the transition to a net-zero world. Another major benefit of better TPV systems is recouping waste heat from industrial processes, making them more sustainable. To put this in context, up to 20-50% of the heat used to transform raw materials into consumer goods ends up being wasted, costing the United States economy over $200 billion annually." #energyharvesting #thermophotovoltaic

According to this article, the new coating removes solar panel defects and boosts efficiency by 31%. I am not an expert on #solarenergy or optimizing panels, but Noel, what do you think? 🤔 Is this as big a game changer and #innovation as they are stating? Next, we need to solve the problem of #economic #batterystorgae 🔋and then wr are off to the races. -GSP- #solarpower #energy