ENGINEERING CLASS GRAND CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OVERVIEW
This assignment is an opportunity to experience preparing an informal report for a specific audience and delivering the contents of the report in an operational speech. The assignment is worth 150 points.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Choose a topic from the list of Grand Challenges (below). THEN Find and select one 15-page research article related to the grand challenge you chose
- Create an informative Executive Summary paper based on the article. Use APA formatting.
Grand Challenge Executive Summary: Make Solar Energy Economical
I. Introduction:
Solar energy, harnessed from the sun, emerges as a pivotal solution to address global energy demands sustainably. This executive summary delves into the research article “Solar Energy—A Look into Power Generation, Challenges, and a Solar‐Powered Future,” authored by Hayat et al. (2019) and published in the International Journal of Energy Research. The sun, an endless source of energy, offers possibilities for electricity generation and direct applications. As the world grapples with the imperative to transition towards renewable energy, this analysis navigates through the key insights provided by the research, exploring the advancements in solar power generation and the formidable challenges that impede its seamless integration into mainstream energy systems. The multifaceted nature of solar energy, encompassing technological, economic, and environmental dimensions, forms the backdrop against which engineers strive to propel us toward a solar-powered future.
II. Technological Challenges in Solar Energy: Grand Challenge Executive Summary
The transition to widespread solar energy adoption faces formidable technological challenges, encompassing efficiency improvements, energy storage solutions, and the sustainability of materials used in solar technologies.
A. Efficiency:
The efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, crucial for converting sunlight into electricity, currently operates within a range of 20-25%. This implies that a substantial portion of solar energy still needs to be tapped, limiting the overall effectiveness of solar power systems. Improving the efficiency of PV cells emerges as a critical avenue to not only enhance energy output but also address economic considerations, as increased efficiency contributes to reducing the overall cost of solar energy systems.
The research article emphasizes the significance of advancing Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies, which concentrate sunlight to generate heat for electricity production. Despite their promise, existing CSP systems encounter efficiency limitations. Innovations in heat transfer fluids, reflectors, and thermal storage systems are identified as essential components to enhance the overall efficiency of CSP technologies. By addressing efficiency challenges in both PV cells and CSP technologies, engineers can contribute significantly to the optimization of solar energy systems.
B. Storage:
The intermittent nature of solar energy, which is dependent on sunshine availability, is one of its fundamental problems. The creation of effective energy storage devices is essential to guarantee a steady and dependable power source, particularly during times when there is less sunlight. In order to overcome the intermittent nature of solar energy, the study piece emphasizes the necessity for developments in energy storage technologies.
Battery technology must be advanced at the same time for effective solar storage. Batteries are the main energy storage element in solar systems, but their capacity, lifetime, and cost of existing technologies are limited. This results in the requirement for engineers to investigate new battery chemistries or alternative storage means in order to bypass such limitations and raise the overall storage capacity of solar energy systems.
C. Materials:
The materials used in solar energy systems pose challenges related to both their availability and environmental impact. Photovoltaic (PV) cells, essential components of solar systems, often rely on rare earth elements like indium, gallium, and selenium. The scarcity and geographical concentration of these elements raise concerns about the sustainability of solar energy production.
To address this challenge, engineers must explore avenues for reducing reliance on rare earth elements, seeking alternative materials that are abundant and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the disposal of PV cells presents environmental risks due to hazardous materials. Mitigating these risks involves the development of recyclable PV materials or designs that facilitate easier disassembly, contributing to the overall sustainability of solar energy technologies.
Grand Challenge Executive Summary:
III. Impact on Society:
The technological challenges in solar energy, while holding the promise of a sustainable future, cast a profound impact on society, influencing aspects such as cost, grid integration, and environmental sustainability.
1. Higher Cost of Solar Energy:
Inefficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) cells and limitations in energy storage solutions contribute to an elevated cost of solar energy systems. The economic viability of solar energy is intricately linked to its cost-effectiveness, and the current challenges hinder the realization of affordable solar power. The higher cost acts as a barrier, limiting the accessibility of solar energy to a broader range of consumers. As engineers work towards enhancing the Efficiency of PV cells and developing advanced energy storage technologies, the eventual reduction in costs can facilitate wider adoption, making solar energy a more financially viable option for diverse socioeconomic groups.
2. Limited Grid Integration:
Intermittency, inherent in solar energy due to its dependence on sunlight, coupled with storage limitations, poses challenges to the seamless integration of large-scale solar power into the electricity grid. The fluctuating nature of solar energy production creates difficulties in synchronizing supply with demand, hindering its integration into mainstream energy systems. This limitation impedes the full harnessing of solar energy’s potential on a broader scale. Overcoming these challenges necessitates innovations in energy storage solutions and smart grid technologies, enabling efficient grid integration and maximizing the contribution of solar power to the overall energy mix.
3. Environmental Footprint:
The reliance on rare earth elements in PV cells and the potential environmental impact associated with the disposal of these components raise significant environmental concerns. The extraction and processing of rare earth elements contribute to environmental degradation, while improper disposal can lead to contamination. Without mitigation efforts, these issues pose a threat to environmental sustainability, contributing to a negative environmental footprint for solar energy. Engineers must prioritize the development of alternative, sustainable materials for PV cells and establish effective recycling processes to mitigate the environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of solar energy systems.
IV. Role of Engineers:
Engineers occupy a central position in addressing the intricate technological challenges that impede the seamless integration of solar energy into mainstream energy systems. Their innovative contributions are pivotal for shaping a sustainable solar future.
1. Developing New Materials:
Engineers are at the forefront of pioneering research and development efforts to create novel materials for photovoltaic (PV) cells and energy storage systems. The focus extends beyond mere efficiency improvements; engineers aim to identify materials that are not only technologically superior but also abundant and environmentally friendly. By reducing reliance on rare earth elements and exploring sustainable alternatives, engineers play a crucial role in establishing the foundation for a more sustainable solar energy landscape.
2. Improving Efficiency:
The optimization of PV cell architectures, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems, and energy storage technologies falls within the purview of engineers. Through innovative design and engineering solutions, efficiency enhancements can be achieved, minimizing energy losses and maximizing the overall performance of solar energy systems. Engineers leverage their expertise to propel advancements that contribute to making solar energy more cost-effective and accessible.
3. Advancing Storage Solutions:
Addressing the intermittent nature of solar energy requires engineers to spearhead the development of new battery chemistries, explore alternative storage methods, and refine battery management systems. These critical aspects are essential for ensuring reliable energy storage, mitigating the impact of intermittency, and enhancing the overall stability of solar energy systems. Engineers work on pushing the boundaries of energy storage technologies, aligning them with the demands of a dynamic energy landscape.
4. Designing for Sustainability:
Engineers bear the responsibility of embedding sustainability considerations throughout the lifecycle of solar energy systems. This comprehensive approach encompasses responsible sourcing of materials, optimization of manufacturing processes to minimize environmental impact, and the development of effective solutions for the sustainable disposal or recycling of solar components. Engineers, by incorporating sustainability into their designs, contribute to mitigating the environmental footprint of solar energy systems and fostering a circular and eco-friendly approach to solar technology.
Grand Challenge Executive Summary:
V. Conclusion: Grand Challenge Executive Summary
In summary, solar energy has enormous potential as a clean and sustainable power source, but achieving this potential will require overcoming significant technological obstacles. The engineers are leading this attempt with their cooperative efforts. They pave the way for a future powered by solar energy by developing efficient materials, increasing system efficiency, developing storage options, and designing sustainably. Beyond just cutting costs, their combined efforts seek to promote widespread access to sustainable energy sources and reduce the environmental impact of solar energy systems. The idea of a world powered by solar energy is becoming more and more real as engineers push the boundaries of innovation, providing a way forward for a more just and sustainable energy system.
Reference
Hayat, M. B., Ali, D., Monyake, K. C., Alagha, L., & Ahmed, N. (2019). Solar energy—A look into power generation, challenges, and a solar‐powered future. International Journal of Energy Research, 43(3), 1049-1067. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/er.4252