Society moving towards era of "personalized solar energy"
5 Nov 2009, 1528 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Washington, November 5 An international expert on solar energy has determined in a new report that new scientific discoveries are moving society toward the era of "personalized solar energy," in which the focus of electricity production shifts from huge central generating stations to individuals in their own homes and communities.

The report, by scientist Daniel Nocera, describes a long-awaited, inexpensive method for solar energy storage that could help power homes and plug-in cars in the future while helping keep the environment clean.

According to Nocera, the global energy need will double by mid-century and triple by 2100 due to rising standards of living world population growth.

Personalized solar energy - the capture and storage of solar energy at the individual or home level - could meet that demand in a sustainable way, especially in poorer areas of the world.

The report describes development of a practical, inexpensive storage system for achieving personalized solar energy.

At its heart is an innovative catalyst that splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen that become fuel for producing electricity in a fuel cell.

The new oxygen-evolving catalyst works like photosynthesis, the method plants use to make energy, producing clean energy from sunlight and water.

"Because energy use scales with wealth, point-of-use solar energy will put individuals, in the smallest village in the nonlegacy world and in the largest city of the legacy world, on a more level playing field," according to the report. (ANI)

Related Latest

Restoration of Mughal road in J-K heads towards completion Cabinet approves National Solar Mission National Solar Mission approved by cabinet Karzai promises to end cronyism and graft era in Afghanistan Hong Kong unveils 'crucial step' towards electoral democracy Right-handed chimps hint towards origin of human language Archaeologists discover three Byzantine era tombs in Syrian cave Centre all set to launch National Solar Mission Centre all set to launch National Solar Mission Cricket NSW explores the option of moving games to other stadia

Related Latest

Restoration of Mughal road in J-K heads towards completion China wants a Chinese version of Tibetan Buddhism, says Dalai Lama Cultural heritage of Manipur showcased in Sikkim Green Park stadium's scoreboard, the only manually operated scoreboard in India Dalai Lama hopes PM will discuss Tibet issue with the U.S. leadership 3 injured in fire at Jodhpur's handloom showroom White House prepares for first state visit by Manmohan Singh Bamboo fencing on Nainital's hillside roads to prevent mishaps Indian Navy vessel on solo circumnavigation of world reaches New Zealand Fort Hood gunman couldn't wait to join Qaeda imam in paradise in the afterlife

• Restoration of Mughal road in J-K heads towards completion
• Cultural heritage of Manipur showcased in Sikkim
• Green Park stadium's scoreboard, the only manually operated scoreboard in India
• White House prepares for first state visit by Manmohan Singh
• Dalai Lama hopes PM will discuss Tibet issue with the U.S. leadership

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights