RESEARCHERS DEVELOP IMPROVED METHOD OF STORING SOLAR ENERGY

摘要

One of the limits of solar power is that the energy captured by solar panels needs to be used immediately because of the expense and inefficiency of storing it. That is about to change, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Researchers there have developed a process whereby the sun's energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using nothing but abundant, nontoxic natural materials. The oxygen and hydrogen can then be recombined inside a fuel cell to produce carbon-free electricity that can be used day or night. The university reports that this discovery has the potential to transform solar power from an expensive "boutique" alternative into a mainstream energy source, although engineering work needs to be completed to incorporate the discovery into current photovoltaic systems. Funded by the National Science Foundation and the Chesonis Family Foundation, the project is part of the MIT Energy Initiative, a program designed to transform the global energy system to meet the needs of the future.