Weizmann Institute’s Alternative Sustainable Energy Research Initiative
http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI/
Presentations are at http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI/presentations.html
Credits / sources
many slides or parts of them came from (websites of):
IEA, USDOE BES, NREL,
N. Lewis (Caltech), P. Alivisatos, S. Chu (UCB /LBL),
A.Nozik, S. Kurtz, D. Ginley (NREL), the late R. Smalley (Rice)
J. Karni, I. Lubomirsky, I. Maron, G. Hodes (WIS),
A. Zaban (BIU), L. Bronicki (Ormat), Y. Lou (CWRU) ++++
Pls inform us* of any credit that we missed. Thanks!
* david.cahen@weizmann.ac.il
Weizmann Institute’s Alternative Sustainable Energy Research Initiative
http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI/
Presentations are at http://www.weizmann.ac.il/AERI/presentations.html
Living (well) on Sustainable Energy:
Dream or Reality?
Modern Life with Sustainable Energy Presents an
Unprecedented Challenge
Why is this one so critical?
(compared to the many resource crises in the past)
Two Reasons:
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
-a- Energy defines accessibility to most other
resources
Mankind’s Top Challenges*
E N E R G Y  resource sustainability
WATER
( energy)
(rest of) ENVIRONMENT ( energy)
FOOD
( energy)
HEALTH/DISEASES
(  energy)
POVERTY
(~ energy)
EDUCATION, SECURITY
P O P U L A T I O N…
Credits/sources: many slides or parts of them came from (websites of): IEA, USDOE BES, NREL,
N. Lewis (Caltech), P. Alivisatos, S. Chu (UCB /LBL), A. Nozik, S. Kurtz, D. Ginley (NREL), J. Karni,
David Cahen,
4 ACWIS
I. Lubomirsky, I. Maron, G. Hodes (WIS),
A. Zaban
(BIU), 7/’09
L. Bronicki (Ormat), Y. Lou (CWRU) ++++
* with thanks to the late R. Smalley (Rice U)
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
What is Energy?
Energy (work): kWh
your electricity bill !
Power (energy/time): kW
kW/person ~ 0.35
India
(2004 data) ~ 1.3
China
~2
world average
~ 4.5
(W.) Europe
~11
USA
Are we running out?
(Energy is conserved, E=mc2; --> nuclear energy !)
Not really; ….………. It is more like
WHICH Energy “Types” we need
WHEN and WHERE ?
(Exergy: max. work possible  equilibrium;
how much energy of one type  energy of other type)
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
and… how much of the energy type that is available it takes,
to get the types we want when and where we want them !
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
and… how much of the energy type that is available it takes,
to get the types we want when and where we want them !
Total World Need for Power
in 2007: ~14.5 TW;
in 2050: ~28 --> 60 --> ?? TW
1 TW = 1000 GW
2.5 GW coal-fired power plants (Hadera)
1 GW = 1000 MW
1 MW = 1000 kW
2005
estimates (%)
---------------U.S.A. ~ 23
EU ++ ~ 20
FSU
~ 10
E.Asia ~ 25
China ~ 13.5
India ~ 3.7
Japan ~ 5
Israel
~ 0.2
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
World Power Sources by Type
5
Oil
4
3
Coal
Gas
80% of world
power from
Fossil Fuels
for 2005
TW
2
1
0
ENERGY: J, Wsec; BTU
POWER : W = J/sec
Renewables
Hydro
Bio
mass
Nuclear
Other
1 TW = 1000 GW
1 GW = 1000 MW
1 MW = 1000 kW
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
work of
2 horses
for 25 hrs
1 (US) gallon
~ 3.8 liter
~ 6 x 6 m2
~ 37 kWh
solar cell panel
David Cahen, 4 ACWIS 7/’09
for
2 days
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Energy Sources Through the Ages*
al ion
m
ni icat
a
e- e s t
r
P om
d
* “Western” world
-b- Until today, new energy sources always packed
more energy in same weight & volume than older ones
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
but ..…
we’ll run out of oil
Sure, at some point we will,
and, yes,
we’re running out of cheap, clean oil,
but…
do we really know?
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Proved Crude Oil Reserves (Billion Barrels)
Oil Reserves Reported by OPEC
Countries
250
200
Saudi Arabia
150
Iraq
100
Iran
50
United Arab
Emirates
Mexico
0
1980
1985
From S. Kurtz, NREL;
Source: EIA (Energy Information Administration)
1990
1995
2000
2005
Year
and relying on oil companies isn’t much better
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Energy “Reserves” and
Resources
Ultimate
Reserves
Resources
( as number of years of 1998 consumption)
Oil
Gas
≥ 40
≥ 70
≥ 50
≥ 200
time-independent constant : ~30-50 yrs of oil
but remember….
“the Stone Age did not end because of
a shortage of stones”
Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani, Saudi Oil Minister 1962-1986
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Energy “Reserves” and
Resources
Ultimate
Reserves
Resources
( as number of years of 1998 consumption)
Oil
Oil ≥≥
Gas
Gas ≥≥
COAL~
40
40
70
70
220
≥≥ 50
50
≥≥ 200
200
~2000
time-independent constant : ~30-50 yrs of oil
So, … coal
the problems?
butsolves
remember….
“the Stone Age did not end because of
a shortage of stones”
Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani, Saudi Oil Minister 1962-1986
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
10 TW electricity from COAL ?
Israel’s electricity generation capacity: ~ 11 GW
(1.6kW/capita) *
China’s electricity growth plan: 100 GW/year …… ?
One such plant,
every day,
for the next … 11 years
2.5 GW coal-fired power plant (Hadera)
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
but ..…
we are running out of fossil fuel
well ....., are we ?
while not everyone may agree
about global warming,
few dispute
we pollute our water, air and earth
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Can we do with less fossil fuels, or
without?
YES, WITH ALTERNATIVES, but only if
–
external factors enter
e.g.,* geo-politics
* public fear (too many disasters)
* TAX on pollution, greenhouse gas
OR – we get breakthroughs in $ & energy cost of alternatives
short-term
mid- to long-term
 Technology
 BASIC SCIENCE
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
So, .. what are these alternatives ?
• Nuclear
•
Geothermal, tides
• Solar
incl. wind , biomass ++
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Nuclear: Is it ready ?
Well, … there are some problems …
* Fission
• Waste?
(~ A-bomb)
time-independent claim: “we’ll solve it”
• nuclear proliferation? --> make nuclear greener !!*
* e.g., Accelerator Driven -, Integral Fast - Reactor (ADR, IFR)
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Accelerator-driven Th232 chain/cycle
Carlo Rubbia
nuclear reactor Alvin Radkowsky (TAU)
From Cosmos (Luna Media) 08, 2006 Justin Randall
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Accelerator-driven Th232 chain/cycle
Carlo Rubbia
nuclear reactor Alvin Radkowsky (TAU)
From Cosmos (Luna Media) 08, 2006 Justin Randall
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Nuclear: Is it ready ?
Well, … there are some problems …
* Fission
• Waste?
(~ A-bomb)
time-independent claim: “we’ll solve it”
• nuclear proliferation? --> make nuclear greener !!
* Fusion (~ H-bomb)
Promise, and progress, but
still ~10-30 yrs … to prove
feasibility
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Nuclear: Is it ready ?
Well, … there are some problems …
* Fission
• Waste?
(~ A-bomb)
time-independent claim: “we’ll solve it”
• nuclear proliferation? --> make nuclear greener !!
* Fusion (~ H-bomb)
Progress, but still ~10-30 yrs
to … prove feasibility
Solar (incl. wind & bio)
too “expensive” if below ~$xxx*/barrel oil?
* changes with time
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Renewable Energy on Earth
black: exists, but no idea how to get it
Biomass
Wind
red: exists and know how to get it
purple: presently used
with all un-used cultivatable land → ~5 TW (H2O?), but…
~50
TW
~3-8 TW
0.1 TW
but…
storage
(other) solar
1.2x105 TW
~ 100s TW (x 0.110s TW)
embarrassing
Hydroelectric
4.6 TW
1.5 TW
0. 8 TW
Geothermal
12 (+30 ocean)
~1 TW
< 0.01 TW
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar as Energy Source
* Solar Heat
- direct
Heat, Cool
- to chemicals Fuels (via high temperatures)
- to electricity indirect (also wind)  turbines !!!!
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar as Energy Source
Problems
• Low collection efficiency (lots of area)
• Diffuse radiation lost upon concentration
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar as Energy Source
Problems
• Low collection efficiency (lots of area)
• Diffuse radiation lost upon concentration
• Variability (daily, seasonal, atmospheric)
• ………. dust, i.e, got to keep it clean !!
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar as Energy Source
Problems
• Low collection efficiency (lots of area)
• Diffuse radiation lost upon concentration
• Variability (daily, seasonal, atmospheric)
• ………. dust, i.e, got to keep it clean !!
• Low conversion efficiency, except to heat
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Quantum conversion
a Threshold process
Solar
Energy
Spectrum
Infra-Red
(IR)
visible
ultra-violet
(UV)
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar as Energy Source
* Solar Heat
- direct
Heating, Cooling
- to chemicals Fuels (high temperature reactions)
- to electricity indirect
 turbines !!!!
● As Light
-to chemicals
Photosynthesis, Biofuels
-to electricity
Solar cells (photovoltaics)
-to chemicals
Artificial Photosynthesis!
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar as Energy Source
* Solar Heat
- direct
Heating, Cooling
- to chemicals Fuels (high temperature reactions)
- to electricity indirect
 turbines !!!!
Basic research
focus
● As
Lightareas:
-toScience
chemicals
- Plant
Photosynthesis, Biofuels
- Materials,
Optics Solar cells (photovoltaics)
-to electricity
- Chemistry,
-to chemicals
Artificial Photosynthesis
catalysis
!
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
BIOLOGICAL Approach
to
Solar Energy Conversion
starts with
basic science
Steinberg-Yfrach, et al,
Nature 1998, 392, 479
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Possibilities in PLANT SCIENCE
Grow organisms to
• maximize fuel yield
• minimize residues.
Genetic & metabolic engineering to
- make stress-tolerant plants
(drought, salt)
- grow energy-crops
* in marginal areas
* sustainably
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Can we modify, copy or mimic natural
photosynthesis to directly store converted
solar energy?
electrocatalysis
solar /wind
sunlight
(h, )
CO2 , H20
nutrients
Biomass
Catalysis
Stored
Chemical
Energy
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
SOLAR CELLS, how do they work?
Light absorbed in Semiconductor Electrical Current
e
e e
e e
e
e
e e
e e
e
Solar cells
are like an
electron
“roller coaster”
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar Cell Power Stations TODAY
N. America’s Largest Solar-Electric Plant (switched on 28/12/2007)
0.014 GW plant at the Nellis Air Force Base (Nevada)
For 10 TW:
1 plant, every hr,
for the next:81 years
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Solar Cell (r)evolutions
& our contributions
next
generations
3d generation
2nd generation
1st generation
TiO2
CdTe, CIGS
Si
nano-crystalline
poly-crystalline
Single- & multicrystalline
cm
~ 20 nm
cheaper? simpler?
m
micro-crystalline
& amorphous
organic (polymer/
small molecules
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Gods gifts to mankind
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Gods gifts to mankind
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Gods gifts to mankind
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
NEEDED
New materials, Better optics
Make
• “bad” materials good”
• better use of sunlight
• easy cell fabrication
HOW?
• Self-healing materials
• Smarter Optics
• Self-assembly
• Solar paint
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Hubble Space Telescope (HST
2.5 mm
Part of 2nd batch of Hubble
solar cells, retrieved after
8.25 yr in space
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
NEEDED
New materials, Better optics
Make
• “bad” materials “good”
• better use of sunlight
• easy cell fabrication
HOW?
• Self-healing materials
• Smarter Optics
• Self-assembly
• Solar paint
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
NEEDED
New materials, Better optics
Make
• “bad” materials good”
• better use of sunlight
• easy cell fabrication
HOW?
• Self-healing materials
• Smarter Optics
• Self-assembly
• Solar paint
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Idea:
Solar paint
paint solar cell onto glass /plastic:
No need for high temperatures with
nanoparticle-based cells
Speculative Schematic:
Warning! Sci-Fi
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
So, what should / can we do?
Short term (< 2020)
evolutions in technology & engineering:
•
Burn coal cleaner; store CO2 (for future)
•
Improve, Optimize; oil/coal  gas
•
Recycle, Re-use, Reduce (conserve)
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
So, what should / can we do?
Medium term (up to 2030-2050):
develop applied science & engineering;
evolutions in basic science
•
Cleaner “coal --> liquid fuel”
•
New solar (incl. wind & bio) & storage
•
cleaner nuclear, better geothermal
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
So, what should / can we do?
Long term (> 2040)
Revolutions in science
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Use Math & Physics & Chemistry & Biology+ to pursue
BASIC SCIENCE for Alternative Energy
to realize what are DREAMS today, such as:
*
Efficient, Affordable Artificial Photosynthesis
*
Cheap, Efficient Solar Cells:
•
Smart Natural Photosynthesis:
•
3-D (Holographic) Video-Conferencing
•
Clean(er), Safe(r), Modular Nuclear Energy
smart optics; smart materials  solar paint … ?
genetic/metabolic engn.; synthetic biology …… ?
and …
•
Where Creativity & Curiosity Will Lead Us !
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
Weizmann Institute’s
Alternative, Sustainable Energy Research Initiative
Energy, it’s a Global Challenge
meeting it requires scientists working together
with engineers, governments and industry.
Rising to the ENERGY CHALLENGE
can be science’s most important breakthrough
but …
to make it happen we need basic scientific research
David Cahen, 10 / 2009
All I’m saying is
now is the time to develop
the technology to deflect an asteroid.
David Cahen, 10 / 2009