Log Science

Helsinki (AFP) June 9, 2010


A Swiss professor who developed a low-cost solar power cell using cheap materials such as dye squeezed from berries won a million-dollar technology prize in Finland on Wednesday.

Michael Graetzel, 66, won the Millennium Technology award for process of “artificial photosynthesis” to capture the sun’s energy without need for an elaborate manufacturing process.

The so-called “Graetzel’s cell” is made from a layer of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, covered with a molecular dye that absorbs sunlight, like the chlorophyll in green leaves.

The prized technology is seen as a cost-effective and promising alternative to standard silicon photovoltaics that could help solve the world’s energy problems, the Technology Academy of Finland said in a statement.

“Though Graetzel cells are still in relatively early stages of development, they show great promise as an inexpensive alternative to costly silicon solar cells and as an attractive candidate as a new renewable energy source.”

Graetzel, who is director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, was awarded 800,000 euros (963,000 dollars) in prize money.

His cells have only started being used in consumer products, but since they are very efficient in ambient light, they could help make innovations such as autonomous street lamps with no outside power supply a reality.

Runners-up for the prize were Professor Sir Richard Friend, who created the organic Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) crucial in developing electronic paper, and Professor Stephen Furber, the principal designer of the fast and tiny processors used in most mobile phones.

The Millennium Technology Prize, created in 2002 and funded by the Finnish state and the Technology Academy of Finland, is awarded every two years as a “tribute to developers of life-enhancing technological innovations”.

It was first awarded in 2004 to Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web.

A video on Graetzel’s invention can be found at http://www.millenniumprize.fi/en/2010-prize/professor-michael-graetzel/

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

Helsinki (AFP) June 9, 2010


A Swiss professor who developed a low-cost solar power cell using cheap materials such as dye squeezed from berries won a million-dollar technology prize in Finland on Wednesday.

Michael Graetzel, 66, won the Millennium Technology award for process of “artificial photosynthesis” to capture the sun’s energy without need for an elaborate manufacturing process.

The so-called “Graetzel’s cell” is made from a layer of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, covered with a molecular dye that absorbs sunlight, like the chlorophyll in green leaves.

The prized technology is seen as a cost-effective and promising alternative to standard silicon photovoltaics that could help solve the world’s energy problems, the Technology Academy of Finland said in a statement.

“Though Graetzel cells are still in relatively early stages of development, they show great promise as an inexpensive alternative to costly silicon solar cells and as an attractive candidate as a new renewable energy source.”

Graetzel, who is director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, was awarded 800,000 euros (963,000 dollars) in prize money.

His cells have only started being used in consumer products, but since they are very efficient in ambient light, they could help make innovations such as autonomous street lamps with no outside power supply a reality.

Runners-up for the prize were Professor Sir Richard Friend, who created the organic Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) crucial in developing electronic paper, and Professor Stephen Furber, the principal designer of the fast and tiny processors used in most mobile phones.

The Millennium Technology Prize, created in 2002 and funded by the Finnish state and the Technology Academy of Finland, is awarded every two years as a “tribute to developers of life-enhancing technological innovations”.

It was first awarded in 2004 to Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web.

A video on Graetzel’s invention can be found at http://www.millenniumprize.fi/en/2010-prize/professor-michael-graetzel/

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

San Francisco CA (SPX) Jun 10, 2010

Given the public outrage over the largest oil spill in U.S. history, public awareness of solar energy has increased through recent speeches by President Obama about solar energy.

This year’s annual day of recognition for the growth of clean, solar energy in the U.S. is SolarDay 2010 - Saturday, June 19. The premise of SolarDay is simple: a national day of recognition for solar energy, energy independence and protection of the planet.

SolarDay continues to grow along with the U.S. solar industry.

The first annual SolarDay was held in 2009. SolarDay 2010 events will be held in more than 40 cities so residents can find out about their energy options, solar rebates and ways to reduce the cost of their electricity bills for years to come.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in 2009 the solar industry added 441 megawatts of new, clean power to the U.S., pulled in $1.4 billion in new venture capital investments, provided 45,000 jobs and grew by 36% in annual revenue.

By the end of 2010, SEIA estimates the U.S. solar industry will surpass 60,000 jobs. Extending existing programs, including the Treasury Grant Program, will add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and result in 10 gigawatts (GW) of new solar installations by 2016 - enough to power 2 million homes.

Clean Energy, Protection of the Planet

Addison Huegel, Executive Director of SolarDay, said: “As if the cost of electricity was not a good enough reason to adopt solar energy using the available rebates, there is the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf that reminds us yet again about our reliance on fossil fuels and the fragility of our ecosystem.”

SolarDay 2010 is Nationwide

The public is encouraged to learn more about their energy options, lowering their electricity bills, rebates and solar energy and SolarDay, Saturday, June 19 - SolarDay 2010 events nationwide.

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

San Francisco CA (SPX) Jun 10, 2010

Given the public outrage over the largest oil spill in U.S. history, public awareness of solar energy has increased through recent speeches by President Obama about solar energy.

This year’s annual day of recognition for the growth of clean, solar energy in the U.S. is SolarDay 2010 - Saturday, June 19. The premise of SolarDay is simple: a national day of recognition for solar energy, energy independence and protection of the planet.

SolarDay continues to grow along with the U.S. solar industry.

The first annual SolarDay was held in 2009. SolarDay 2010 events will be held in more than 40 cities so residents can find out about their energy options, solar rebates and ways to reduce the cost of their electricity bills for years to come.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in 2009 the solar industry added 441 megawatts of new, clean power to the U.S., pulled in $1.4 billion in new venture capital investments, provided 45,000 jobs and grew by 36% in annual revenue.

By the end of 2010, SEIA estimates the U.S. solar industry will surpass 60,000 jobs. Extending existing programs, including the Treasury Grant Program, will add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and result in 10 gigawatts (GW) of new solar installations by 2016 - enough to power 2 million homes.

Clean Energy, Protection of the Planet

Addison Huegel, Executive Director of SolarDay, said: “As if the cost of electricity was not a good enough reason to adopt solar energy using the available rebates, there is the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf that reminds us yet again about our reliance on fossil fuels and the fragility of our ecosystem.”

SolarDay 2010 is Nationwide

The public is encouraged to learn more about their energy options, lowering their electricity bills, rebates and solar energy and SolarDay, Saturday, June 19 - SolarDay 2010 events nationwide.

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

San Diego CA (SPX) Jun 10, 2010

Complete Recycling and ESM Equipment are working together to provide a solar panel manufacturing and installation company with an economical and efficient way to manage and transport by-products generated from the solar panel installation process in rural areas.

“This is a great example of the sustainable and customized solutions that Complete Recycling provides our clients,” said Kevin Flynn, general manager for Complete Recycling. “Our partnership approach to business gives us the ability to expand the services we provide our clients.”

The disposal of trash and the handling of recyclable materials for the solar panel industry require extra attention and specialized equipment due to the large quantity of material and rural jobsite locations.

Complete Recycling will manage the entire process, from identifying all recyclables that can be removed from the waste stream to locating the best markets to sell recyclables through their network of recycling consumers. Most importantly, Complete Recycling will ensure that systems are in place to collect 100% of the recyclable materials located on the jobsites.

“Our combined services will protect the environment and save a tremendous amount of money on waste hauling,” says Eddie Mendelsohn of ESM Equipment Services. “This is truly a win-win solution for everyone.”

ESM Equipment created a mobile recycling center that provides a fully independent system for baling and packaging all recyclable materials for shipment to recycling mills. “This is an excellent partnership,” says Mendelsohn. “Complete Recycling serves the solar panel installer in waste reduction, recycling and reuse, and ESM Equipment provides what is needed to perform those services.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling 10 pounds of corrugated cardboard reduces greenhouse gas emissions by the carbon dioxide equivalent of 40 pounds - the energy equivalent of two gallons of gasoline. After the first stage of the program was completed, the Complete Recycling program reduced carbon dioxide emission by over 1.2 million pounds, which is equivalent to saving over 15,000 gallons of gasoline.

“Recycling saves substantial amounts of energy, which as a result, reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” says Flynn.

Complete Recycling specializes in providing sustainable, turnkey recycling solutions to the manufacturing, fabrication, distribution, demolition and construction industries.

Businesses can benefit from the management of all recyclables, such as industrial scrap paper, plastic and metal recycling, through one vendor. Complete Recycling is committed to providing their clients with a transparent recycling program that will divert waste, return profit and benefit the community.

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

San Diego CA (SPX) Jun 10, 2010

Complete Recycling and ESM Equipment are working together to provide a solar panel manufacturing and installation company with an economical and efficient way to manage and transport by-products generated from the solar panel installation process in rural areas.

“This is a great example of the sustainable and customized solutions that Complete Recycling provides our clients,” said Kevin Flynn, general manager for Complete Recycling. “Our partnership approach to business gives us the ability to expand the services we provide our clients.”

The disposal of trash and the handling of recyclable materials for the solar panel industry require extra attention and specialized equipment due to the large quantity of material and rural jobsite locations.

Complete Recycling will manage the entire process, from identifying all recyclables that can be removed from the waste stream to locating the best markets to sell recyclables through their network of recycling consumers. Most importantly, Complete Recycling will ensure that systems are in place to collect 100% of the recyclable materials located on the jobsites.

“Our combined services will protect the environment and save a tremendous amount of money on waste hauling,” says Eddie Mendelsohn of ESM Equipment Services. “This is truly a win-win solution for everyone.”

ESM Equipment created a mobile recycling center that provides a fully independent system for baling and packaging all recyclable materials for shipment to recycling mills. “This is an excellent partnership,” says Mendelsohn. “Complete Recycling serves the solar panel installer in waste reduction, recycling and reuse, and ESM Equipment provides what is needed to perform those services.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling 10 pounds of corrugated cardboard reduces greenhouse gas emissions by the carbon dioxide equivalent of 40 pounds - the energy equivalent of two gallons of gasoline. After the first stage of the program was completed, the Complete Recycling program reduced carbon dioxide emission by over 1.2 million pounds, which is equivalent to saving over 15,000 gallons of gasoline.

“Recycling saves substantial amounts of energy, which as a result, reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” says Flynn.

Complete Recycling specializes in providing sustainable, turnkey recycling solutions to the manufacturing, fabrication, distribution, demolition and construction industries.

Businesses can benefit from the management of all recyclables, such as industrial scrap paper, plastic and metal recycling, through one vendor. Complete Recycling is committed to providing their clients with a transparent recycling program that will divert waste, return profit and benefit the community.

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

Gaithersburg MD (SPX) Jun 10, 2010

American Municipal Power and Standard Energy have announced an agreement for the development of up to 300 megawatts (MW) of new solar energy generation capacity.

The 30-year agreement has the potential to yield one of the largest groups of solar electric facility developments in the country. Standard Energy partners with utilities to create regional renewable energy hubs that include solar farms, and assembly and distribution centers.

These hubs service solar farms and local contractor markets for renewable energy products and solutions, resulting in sustainable economic development and job creation.

Under the terms of the agreement, AMP will offer power from Standard Energy to its 128 member utilities in six states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia.

The agreement involves the installation of solar electric facilities in or near participating AMP member communities, placing the facilities close to the load these utilities serve, resulting in reduced complexities associated with Regional Transmission Organization (RTO)-run markets.

Construction on the first of these projects is expected to begin this year, with construction of all facilities to be completed within five years. Locations for installation sites for future projects are still being determined.

“AMP is a dynamic public power leader, with a proven record in deploying new renewable generation resources in the region,” said AMP President/CEO Marc Gerken.

“From undertaking the nation’s largest deployment of new run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation to building Ohio’s first and only utility-scale wind farm, we have a proven track record in renewable energy. This project offers the opportunity for further diversification of AMP members’ generation resources and advances the use of solar technology.”

The agreement represents a major commitment to bring new renewable energy generation to tens of thousands of customers, as well as jobs and further diversification of power supply resources.

“Standard Energy is quickly becoming the partner of choice for utility-scale renewable energy projects,” said Scott Wiater, President, Standard Energy. “Leveraging our expertise through our affiliation with Standard Solar, our successful solar energy installations have brought clean energy to businesses, government and educational institutions and residences throughout the U.S.”

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

Gaithersburg MD (SPX) Jun 10, 2010

American Municipal Power and Standard Energy have announced an agreement for the development of up to 300 megawatts (MW) of new solar energy generation capacity.

The 30-year agreement has the potential to yield one of the largest groups of solar electric facility developments in the country. Standard Energy partners with utilities to create regional renewable energy hubs that include solar farms, and assembly and distribution centers.

These hubs service solar farms and local contractor markets for renewable energy products and solutions, resulting in sustainable economic development and job creation.

Under the terms of the agreement, AMP will offer power from Standard Energy to its 128 member utilities in six states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia.

The agreement involves the installation of solar electric facilities in or near participating AMP member communities, placing the facilities close to the load these utilities serve, resulting in reduced complexities associated with Regional Transmission Organization (RTO)-run markets.

Construction on the first of these projects is expected to begin this year, with construction of all facilities to be completed within five years. Locations for installation sites for future projects are still being determined.

“AMP is a dynamic public power leader, with a proven record in deploying new renewable generation resources in the region,” said AMP President/CEO Marc Gerken.

“From undertaking the nation’s largest deployment of new run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation to building Ohio’s first and only utility-scale wind farm, we have a proven track record in renewable energy. This project offers the opportunity for further diversification of AMP members’ generation resources and advances the use of solar technology.”

The agreement represents a major commitment to bring new renewable energy generation to tens of thousands of customers, as well as jobs and further diversification of power supply resources.

“Standard Energy is quickly becoming the partner of choice for utility-scale renewable energy projects,” said Scott Wiater, President, Standard Energy. “Leveraging our expertise through our affiliation with Standard Solar, our successful solar energy installations have brought clean energy to businesses, government and educational institutions and residences throughout the U.S.”

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment

San Diego CA (SPX) Jun 09, 2010

The SANYO Electric Group, including SANYO North America Corporation headquartered in San Diego, Calif., (SANYO) and the University
of California, San Diego have announced a research collaboration agreement designed to lead to the next generation of solar energy systems and energy management.

Under the agreement, SANYO and UC San Diego will collaborate on multi-year, multi-disciplinary projects in the areas of renewable energy and energy storage research, development and education. SANYO will contribute $3 million over three years to fund the collaborative research projects. The agreement is the first of its kind that SANYO has made with a university in the United States in the area of energy.

SANYO is a leader in renewable energy and energy-efficient technology, with world-leading technology in solar cells, a world-leading market share of rechargeable batteries, and a long history of manufacturing energy-efficient electrical systems and equipment.

SANYO has created a “Smart Energy System,” based on the “Smart Grid” concept, combining these key technologies into a system. The Smart Energy System offers an example of local power generation for local consumption (solar panels generate energy, which can be stored in local rechargeable batteries, and then used in local energy-efficient appliances).

The company plans to further lead the renewable energy revolution through its partnership with UC San Diego, well known for its sustainable research and use of solar technologies.

“As one of the greenest universities in the United States, UC San Diego has become a living laboratory for sustainability and renewable energy,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “This partnership with SANYO will further leverage the university’s energy research expertise which, in turn, will benefit industry, society and the environment.”

The research projects that will be carried out under the agreement are central to the future use of solar power, especially for states like California that will rely more on renewable energy to meet its growing energy needs.

The research will build on the SANYO Smart Energy System concept, designed to improve the stability and reliability of renewable energy, and ongoing work at UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering in areas such as solar forecasting, energy storage and general energy management.

The targets for research projects include developing the next generation of energy solutions, focusing on minimizing emissions while offering stable, reliable renewable energy generation, storage and efficiency from small to large-scale systems.

“Today as SANYO and UC San Diego sign this agreement for research and activities to realize smart grids, each of our organizations brings unique abilities and know-how to the table to build a win-win relationship,” said Mitsuru Homma, Executive Vice President of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. “It is our hope that through this agreement we can create a value-added system to offer the United States as a whole, expanding the concept of a smart grid society beyond the boundaries of this campus and San Diego.”

SANYO and UC San Diego will explore various ways to combine technology through joint research, and together create an Energy Development Open (EDO) Platform to propose a number of application services using Smart Energy Systems.

Through promulgating an open platform, it is anticipated that application services able to optimize the use of energy will be created, and by expanding on a global scale, can make a large contribution to the earth’s environment.

The first project in the UC San Diego-SANYO collaboration involves applying research underway at UC San Diego on solar forecasting into the Smart Energy System.

UC San Diego Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Jan Kleissl is using advanced weather stations and sky imaging tools and instruments to create hourly solar production forecasts. Such work could be used to more precisely determine when to store and when to release solar energy throughout the day.

“As a leading research engineering school, we are actively engaged in working with industry and government partners on innovation here on campus,” said Frieder Seible, dean of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. “SANYO is a leader in smart energy systems, and we look forward to contributing with our own research to more efficient renewable energy solutions.”

This summer, two UC San Diego students will work as interns on the SANYO Smart Energy System at the company’s Osaka, Japan headquarters. The students will research solar forecasting, adaptive charging technologies, and customer optimization of variable battery and photovoltaic technologies.

“In order for wind and solar energy to achieve the degree of reliability required by our state, efficient energy storage methods are needed,” said Michael Peevey, president of the California Public Utilities Commission. “The type of integrated photovoltaic and energy storage research at UC San Diego addresses one of the technological missing links California needs to develop in order to ensure reliability of solar-generated energy even when the sun doesn’t shine.”

SANYO forecasts show an increasing market and demand for solar systems in the United States, as well as more policies and measures being considered and passed by the government administration directed toward solving energy and environmental issues.

However, power generation is very sensitive to the balance of power supply available and the amount demanded. While solar panels offer a clean, renewable way to obtain energy, the issues of power generation loss caused by external influencers such as clouds need to be mitigated, as this type of fluctuation in power generation could adversely affect stability in the power grid.

By combining solar power generation technology with lithium-ion battery systems for power storage, excess power generated can be captured to offset times when less power is generated, offering a more stable solution than previously available.

June 15th, 2010 | Category: Science News (en) | Leave a comment