Solar Flow Battery Semiconductor Electrode Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The development of cost-competitive renewable energy storage solutions is challenging due to the spatial and temporal intermittency of solar energy, requiring efficient methods for capturing and storing solar energy for later use, especially in sectors like transportation and industry.
Innovation Solution
A redox flow battery (RFB) design incorporating a semiconductor solar absorber, referred to as a solar flow battery (SFB), which captures solar energy through redox reactions in a positive and negative compartment, allowing for efficient storage and release of electrochemical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If solar energy is captured and stored using conventional methods (separate photovoltaics and batteries), then energy storage capacity is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar capture function and energy storage function into a single integrated device. The photovoltaic layer and redox flow battery components are merged into one system, eliminating the need for separate photovoltaic panels and battery systems. This integration reduces system complexity while maintaining energy storage capacity, as the same device both captures solar energy and stores it through redox reactions of dissolved molecules.
2Quantity of substance
If solar energy is captured and stored using separate photovoltaics and batteries, then energy storage is achieved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the photovoltaic capture mechanism with the redox flow battery storage mechanism into a single device, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and install separate photovoltaic panels and battery systems. This integration reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies installation, while the dissolved redox-active molecules provide flexible energy storage capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If solar energy is captured and stored using conventional separate systems, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but the systems require multiple components and maintenance procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design combines solar capture and energy storage operations into a single device that requires only one set of maintenance procedures. The photovoltaic layer and redox flow battery components work together in a unified system, eliminating the need to maintain separate photovoltaic panels and battery systems, thereby simplifying operational procedures.
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 SFB effectively converts and stores solar energy as electrochemical energy, enabling its subsequent conversion back to electrical energy, providing a high-efficiency solution for renewable energy usage and overcoming the limitations of existing storage methods.
Implementation Method 1
a redox flow battery (RFB) in which at least one of the electrodes is a semiconductor solar absorber
Implementation Method 2
captures and stores solar energy with high efficiency in the form of electrochemical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A solar flow battery comprising: a positive compartment containing at least one positive electrode in contact with a positive electrolyte containing a first redox active molecule; a negative compartment containing at least one negative electrode in contact with a negative electrolyte containing a second redox active molecule, wherein said first and second redox active molecules remain dissolved in solution when changed in oxidation state; at least one of said negative or positive electrodes comprises a semiconductor light absorber; electrical communication means between said electrodes and an external load for directing electrical energy into or out of said solar flow battery; a separator component that separates the positive and negative electrolytes while permitting the passage of non-redox-active species; and means for establishing flow of the positive and negative electrolyte solutions past respective electrodes. Methods of using the solar flow battery for storing and releasing electrical energy are also described.