MOST – Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage is an energy system developed to capture solar energy, store it for many years, and release it when and where it is needed. The energy can be extracted as heat, and researchers have also managed to convert the energy into electricity that can be used on demand. The research, originating from Chalmers University of Technology, has garnered significant interest from the international community when presented in earlier stages. In a recently published study the system has been further developed to be combined with solar cells.
An international research team led by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya — BarcelonaTech (UPC), with researchers from Chalmers, has created a hybrid device that combines, for the first time ever, molecular solar thermal energy storage with silicon-based photovoltaic energy. It achieves a record energy storage efficiency of 2.3% and up to 14.9% total solar energy utilisation.
“This study is a result of energy storage research that we have conducted at Chalmers over the past 10 years. The project has been funded by, among others, the Swedish Research Council and through the EU project MOST, which we coordinate from Chalmers,” says Kasper Moth-Poulsen, research leader, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya — BarcelonaTech and at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology.
Read more about the research in press release from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya — BarcelonaTech (UPC)
A unique hybrid device to generate electricity and store thermal energy in an efficient and sustainable manner
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Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage Systems Most is a closed energy system based on a specially designed molecule of carbon hydrogen and nitrogen which when hit by sunlight changes shape into an energyrich isomer, a molecule made up of the same atoms but arranged together in a different way. The isomer can then be stored in liquid form for later use when needed such as at night or in winter. The researchers have refined the system to the point that it is now possible to store the energy for up to 18 years. A specially designed catalyst releases the saved energy as heat while returning the molecule to its original shape, so it can then be reused in the heating system. In combination with a micrometer-thin thermoelectric generator, the energy system can also generate electricity to order.
Read previous press releases about the energy system Most
Converting solar energy to electricity on demand
Window film can even out the temperature using solar energy
Emission-free energy system saves heat from the summer sun to the winter
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