Renewable energy is the focal point of all humanity in these days when we leave fossil fuels behind day by day. Scientists doing many researches on this subject are trying to find the most efficient renewable energy methods. An important step in this regard came from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
New heat engine more efficient than steam turbines
By designing a heat engine with no moving parts, the engineers were able to achieve an efficiency of over 40 percent. This system, which converts heat into electricity, draws attention with its more efficient structure than standard industrial steam turbines.
The invention works similarly to the photovoltaic cells of a solar panel. The heat engine actually consists of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells that passively capture high-energy photons from the heat source. Thanks to this, the heat engine can generate electricity even at temperatures reaching 1,900 to 2,400 degrees Celsius.
The previous efficiency record for a TPV cell was 32 percent. But the teams improved this performance by using materials that can convert higher-temperature, higher-energy photons. The researchers plan to incorporate TPV cells into a grid-scale thermal battery.
The system will use excess energy from renewable sources such as the sun and store this energy in insulated hot graphene capacitors. The cells will convert the heat into electricity and send it to an electrical grid as needed.
The researchers have successfully implemented key parts of the system in small-scale experiments. While the experimental TPV cells are designed to be approximately one square centimeter, integration studies are continuing to make the system fully functional.
If the system reaches large-scale dimensions, it is expected to replace fossil fuel-consuming power plants. With the new system, while preventing environmental pollution, a more efficient energy production will be ensured. We look forward to seeing the continuation of these works.
So what do you think about this step towards renewable energy? You can share your views with us in the comments section.
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