Grid-tied solar

[Redneck in training]

The issue is current high cost of the storage. If you put energy storage system in your garage its size or mass matters little unlike energy storage for mobile phone, computer or a car. If somebody comes up with energy storage that is cost effective (whatever it will be) everyone will be using it. I know I will. It will also change how the utilities do business. Highly distributed energy system everyone is talking about will become finally reality.
If the AL Carbon battery is cheap and last many cycles it is a step in that direction.

 

[BobRip]

The issue is current high cost of the storage. If you put energy storage system in your garage its size or mass matters little unlike energy storage for mobile phone, computer or a car. If somebody comes up with energy storage that is cost effective (whatever it will be) everyone will be using it. I know I will. It will also change how the utilities do business. Highly distributed energy system everyone is talking about will become finally reality.
If the AL Carbon battery is cheap and last many cycles it is a step in that direction.

I am hoping that the Tesla battery will provide this. Multiple applications of that battery will drive the price down

 

[buickanddeere]

Regarding solar cells, batteries, aircraft design and internal combustion engines. The low hanging fruit was picked decades ago. Any gains now are diminishing and occur with ever increasing costs and complexity.

 

[dave1949]

Australian scientists smash solar cell efficiency record by converting 40.4% of sunlight to energy | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

The Aussies found a better way of using existing technology. The article says it isn't aimed at rooftop solar, but perhaps someone will adapt the technique to home/commercial panels. Current standard pv efficiency is around 16%. Clearly, there are techniques that can double that today. Low cost production and durability are key also for new ideas making it to a commercial product.

 

[Redneck in training]

Regarding solar cells, batteries, aircraft design and internal combustion engines. The low hanging fruit was picked decades ago. Any gains now are diminishing and occur with ever increasing costs and complexity.

Isn't it also true about oil?

 

[buickanddeere]

Isn't it also true about oil?

It is.
The oil was known to be there and accessible. It was a matter of politics to drill and how much to produce. Right now the existing resources are being pumped faster to drop the price of oil. To reduce the income of middle east terrorist organizations.

 

[houstonscott]

That's the mindset that prevents invention. Just imagine if the folks that pioneered the battery advancements of the last 10 years would have believed that. We'd all be packing around smart phones with 5 lb batteries that we had to charge every 27 minutes.

LI batteries were around in the 1980's, commonly used is space industry. Not much other than availability and price has advanced. Not much to tout about in batteries for 35 years now. HS

 

[Egon]

Regarding solar cells, batteries, aircraft design and internal combustion engines. The low hanging fruit was picked decades ago. Any gains now are diminishing and occur with ever increasing costs and complexity.

Think the trees got changed to shorter varieties to facilitate picking so there may be a new standard for low hanging.

Sand is another hindrance to new developments!

 

[houstonscott]

Isn't it also true about oil?

It was until horizontal fracking came along, it is a major break through and has changed the oil industry forever, and political landscape world wide. HS

 

[BobRip]

LI batteries were around in the 1980's, commonly used is space industry. Not much other than availability and price has advanced. Not much to tout about in batteries for 35 years now. HS

Price and availability are not important? I think they are the most important thing. The guy who invents something is important, but the guy who actually makes it good and cheap gets my appreciation and money.