Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn't shine.

Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. With today's announcement, MIT researchers have hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy.

Requiring nothing but abundant, non-toxic natural materials, this discovery could unlock the most potent, carbon-free energy source of all: the sun. "This is the nirvana of what we've been talking about for years," said MIT's Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT and senior author of a paper describing the work in the July 31 issue of Science. "Solar power has always been a limited, far-off solution. Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon."

Inspired by the photosynthesis performed by plants, Nocera and Matthew Kanan, a postdoctoral fellow in Nocera's lab, have developed an unprecedented process that will allow the sun's energy to be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Later, the oxygen and hydrogen may be recombined inside a fuel cell, creating carbon-free electricity to power your house or your electric car, day or night.

Continued: Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by Schrödinger's Cat

Continued: Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system

I knew they were talking about fuel cells before I even read that part. It's a good idea but it's not exactly revolutionary is it? I mean fuel cells are not new. There has also been talk of using offshore wind farms to do the same, the advantage there being that they have a limitless supply of water right there and the process is very efficient. It seems like a good idea on a small scale. I'm skeptical that it could ever work on a grand scale as a replacement for coal and nuclear power.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

I knew they were talking about fuel cells before I even read that part. It's a good idea but it's not exactly revolutionary is it? I mean fuel cells are not new.

This talks more about the technique to power the cells by using photosynthesis mimic.

Originally Posted by article

Currently available electrolyzers, which split water with electricity and are often used industrially, are not suited for artificial photosynthesis because they are very expensive and require a highly basic (non-benign) environment that has little to do with the conditions under which photosynthesis operates.

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

I'm skeptical that it could ever work on a grand scale as a replacement for coal and nuclear power.

Me too, but then I am skeptical about most things. Even at best, it would just reduce the need for other energy sources, but not replace it.

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by Schrödinger's Cat

This talks more about the technique to power the cells by using photosynthesis mimic.
Me too, but then I am skeptical about most things. Even at best, it would just reduce the need for other energy sources, but not replace it.

Yeah I could see something similar to this being used if we ever get realistic fuel cell vehicles on the market. It should be pretty easy to put up a solar panal on your garage perhaps and use it to charge up your car over night for free. It would be great on personal boats and such. Put a little solar panel on your roof or deck, and then at night you can run off the stored power.