Study: Energy self-sufficiency is closer
BOSTON, Aug 23, 2010 -- UPI
U.S. scientists say they've made a discovery that could bring the era of
energy self-sufficient homes and small businesses one step closer.
Scientists at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society have
reported the discovery of a powerful catalyst that would be a key
element in inexpensive solar energy systems that could free homes and
businesses from dependence on the electric company, a society release
said Monday.
"Our goal is to make each home its own power station," study leader
Daniel Nocera said. "We're working toward development of 'personalized'
energy units that can be manufactured, distributed and installed
inexpensively.
"There certainly are major obstacles to be overcome -- existing fuel
cells and solar cells must be improved, for instance. Nevertheless, one
can envision villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing
an affordable basic system."
Such systems would use solar panels to generate electricity needed for
heating, lighting and cooking during the day. Surplus energy created
would be stored in an "electrolyzer" which breaks ordinary water down
into hydrogen and oxygen, which would be stored in tanks.
At night, with no energy coming from solar panels, the system would feed
the hydrogen and oxygen back into fuel cells that produce electricity.
The newly discovered catalyst can boost the output of the electrolyzer
200-fold, researchers say.
The catalyst has been licensed to a company, Sun Catalytix, which says
it is working to develop safe, super-efficient versions of the
electrolyzer, suitable for homes and small businesses, within two years.
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