Shared-Electrode Solar Cell Stack With Redox Flow Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy generators require efficient energy storage solutions to maximize energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a solar cell with a redox flow battery in a stacked configuration, sharing a common electrode, which enhances energy efficiency through cooling and reduces system footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If solar cell and redox flow battery are integrated in a stacked configuration with shared electrode, then system footprint is reduced and energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a solar cell and a redox flow battery into a single stacked configuration where they share common electrodes and electrolyte. The solar cell's bottom electrode serves as one electrode for the redox flow battery, and the batteries' electrolyte serves as the solar cell's heat transfer fluid. This merging reduces the overall system footprint and component count while enabling thermal coupling between the two systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared electrodes and electrolyte perform multiple functions simultaneously. The common electrode acts as both an electrical conductor for the solar cell and an electrode for the redox flow battery. The electrolyte serves as both the charge carrier medium for the battery and the heat transfer fluid for the solar cell's thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity despite the integrated design.
2Productivity
If redox flow battery is used as heat sink for solar cell, then solar cell efficiency is improved through cooling, but loss of energy occurs in the thermal transfer process
Solution Approach 1:
The redox flow battery's electrolyte serves as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy from the solar cell to the battery's chemical storage system. The electrolyte circulates between the solar cell (absorbing heat) and the redox flow battery chambers (releasing heat during discharge), enabling passive thermal management while maintaining electrical energy storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of solar cell overheating into a beneficial thermal energy source for the redox flow battery. The waste heat that would normally reduce solar cell efficiency is instead captured and used to maintain optimal operating temperature of the solar cell while simultaneously providing thermal energy to the battery system, improving overall system efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integration increases solar cell efficiency by utilizing the redox flow battery as a heat sink, improves cooling, and reduces the overall system size while providing effective energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
a redox flow battery arranged in a stack with the solar cell
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the redox flow battery as a heat sink, improves cooling
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a power system includes a solar cell, a redox flow battery arranged in a stack with the solar cell, and a shared electrode in the stack shared by the solar cell and the redox flow battery. According to some embodiments, a method includes arranging a solar cell in a stack with a redox flow battery, and providing a shared electrode in the stack shared by the solar cell and the redox flow battery.