One of the obstacles to the large-scale deployment of solar energy is the issue of saving electricity for use at night.
A team of researchers from Denmark claimed the opening of the chemical compounds that can not only collect solar energy, but also to save it. These compounds are digidroatsilen (chemical formula C10H10) and vinilgeptafulven. A distinguishing feature of these compounds is the ability to save energy when changing its form and release energy when returning to its previous form after a certain period of time.
On the early stages of investigating the connection back to its original form for one - two hours, but one of the co-authors of the study, a graduate of the University of Copenhagen, Anders Skov managed to extend this period up to 100 years. This loss of the stored energy fell to a level considered non critical.
Article entitled "To the accumulation of solar energy using a photochromic digidroazulen - vinilgeptafulven system" published by its authors Bronshtedtom Mogens Nielsen and Anders Skov in the journal "Chemistry - A European Journal" was the result of investigation process.
The process called a "closed cycle of solar energy conservation" can be described as follows:
"There are two types of application of the molecular systems: the first of them a liquid containing our material is injected in a sealed tube partially sunlit. There is constantly circulated by absorbing solar energy. After the material is removed from the sun, it is pumped through the chamber containing the catalyst, giving a compound of the former form, thus releasing the stored energy. The chamber must be connected with a heating system, which will further transfer heat. Thus, in this example the energy is released immediately after it has been accumulated. In the second type of application, eliminates the use of a catalyst liquid containing material remains fully charged until the moment when the need arises in the release of energy. And this moment can occur even years later."
This method of conservation of energy has a number of advantages to those that are used today (methods based on the use of water and hydrogen).
"Modern solar panel sent directly to the electricity network or it is heated with a water tank to use hot water. Our method eliminates the hydrolysis of water and energy storage in the form of hydrogen. In addition, methods of preservation applicable include such unpleasant side, as the loss of warm water for a short time and the danger of storing large quantities of hydrogen. We not only offer security, but also to avoid losses over time "- say the study authors. Another advantage is of organic origin compounds, which thus reduces the cost of manufacturing solar panels.
It should be noted that scientists do not stop working on the project since remained unresolved a number of technical problems such as the need for a catalyst. In addition, for the application of this method requires special types of drives that are still under development.
