The Weizmann Institute of Science Overview of Renewable

The Weizmann Institute of Science Overview of Renewable Energy Research in Israel Jacob Karni Environmental Science & Energy Research Department Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel jacob. karni@weizmann. ac. il 1

The Weizmann Institute of Science World Energy Consumption, 1970 -2020 Energy consumption increases at an accelerated rate Source: DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Outlook 2002 [1 Btu = 1. 0551 k. J; Quadrillion = 1015] 2

The Weizmann Institute of Science World Energy Consumption by Resource Type Fossil fuels account for over 85% of the world’s energy consumption Reference: EIA Annual Energy Review 1998 (published January 2000) 3

The Weizmann Institute of Science World Energy Resources Estimated total non-renewable energy resources [1 EJ = 1 x 1015 k. J 0. 95 x 1015 Btu] Estimated annual renewable energy resources Solar is the only renewable energy available in a large enough quantity to provide a global alternative to fossil fuels. References: • IEA’s Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates, ref. Data series No. 1 (1995) • Dostrovsky, I. , Energy and the Missing Resource, Cambridge Press (1988) 4

The Weizmann Institute of Science World Climate Map Much of the “Hyper-Arid” and “Arid” regions, and some of the “Semi-Arid” regions have favorable conditions for harnessing solar energy. 5

The Weizmann Institute of Science Case Study: China Electrical Power - Present and Future Source: China Daily, Friday September 24, 2004 [1 GW = 1 x 109 Watt] Even if all hydro and wind resources are used, at least 225 GW of more power is needed by 2010 [Wind energy share of the total generation can't exceed 15 -20%, without energy storage capabilities. ] And what next? Coal and imported fuels, or solar energy and later 'clean & safe' nuclear energy 6

The Weizmann Institute of Science World Energy-Related Carbon Emissions by Fossil Fuel Type, 1970 -2020 Carbon emission is expected to accelerate: There was a 50% increase in the last 30 years. 60% increase is projected for the next 20 years. Source: EIA, International Energy Outlook 2002 7

The Weizmann Institute of Science Electricity Capacity and Peak Demand in Israel Courtesy of Dr. Michael Beyth, Chief Scientist, Israel Ministry of National Infrastructure 8

The Weizmann Institute of Science Annual solar radiation in the southern half of Israel (the Negev desert) 2200 - 2400 k. Wh/m 2/yr 2100 - 2200 k. Wh/m 2/yr 9

The Weizmann Institute of Science Typical solar roof collectors for domestic water heating on residential buildings in Israel Solar Roof Collector 10

The Weizmann Institute of Science Miniature Dish Reflector for Small Concentrated Photovoltaic System Concentrated PV location Concentrated PV systems reflect concentrated light onto small array of high-efficiency solar cells. The smaller PV area and higher efficiency lead to significant cost reduction relative to standard PV systems. Courtesy of A. Kribus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel 11

The Weizmann Institute of Science 400 m 2 Parabolic Dish Concentrator Focus Concentrated Photovoltaic system is designed for this dish Courtesy of D. Faiman, Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Israel 12

The Weizmann Institute of Science Concentrated Photovoltaic System Made of an Array of Small Units System rendering Experimental system during installation The system is developed in cooperation between Concentrating Technologies of Huntsville, Alabama and the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 13

The Weizmann Institute of Science Commercial Solar Trough Plant Arial view Turbo-generator facility in the middle of a trough reflectors field Trough reflector Heat collection tube Close up during routine cleaning 14

The Weizmann Institute of Science The Energy Tower • Very Large Tower: - H > 400 m (can be over 1000 m); - D > 100 m (can be over 400 m) • Large-scale power generation (100 -500 MW) • Low electricity cost is projected • 24 hours a day operation • Several by-products can also be derived: - Desalinated water - Sea fish farming - Salinity elimination in irrigation projects - Cooling water Courtesy of D. Zaslavsky, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel 15

The Weizmann Institute of Science Weizmann’s Solar Laboratories [in operation since 1987] • A 54 m high Solar Tower with 64 Heliostats, each with 56 m 2 of reflective area. • Tower is set up as a laboratory, with 5 test levels, each capable of housing 2 -3 experiments. • Tests at the tower are conducted at a scale of 1 k. W to 1 MW • Tower Reflector facilitates the development of high-temperature solar chemistry systems 16

The Weizmann Institute of Science Solarized Gas-Turbine: Advanced Receiver Development • The receiver absorbs concentrated sunlight and heats the air replacing fuel combustion 40 k. Wt test receiver • Potential for high-efficiency, lowcost systems • Can be used with either a solar tower, or dish concentrator • Can use fuel to boost production during low solar periods, or after sunset Turbine Receiver 250 k. Wt receiver integrated with 70 k. We microturbine Receiver developed at the Weizmann Institute. System development is in cooperation with several industries in Israel and the US. 17

The Weizmann Institute of Science Solarized Gas-Turbine: System Development Rendering of dish-concentrator with solarized gas turbine Small dish prototype with experimental power conversion unit during tests Projections indicate that this systems, including energy storage, could be competitive with conventional fossil fuel power plants 18

The Weizmann Institute of Science Next Generation of Solar Receivers & Reactors Test data and a photo taken during experiment with a new solar receiver. Exit gas temperatures of about 2000 K are reached with both nitrogen and air. 19

The Weizmann Institute of Science Solar-driven fuel production: General Concept Means to store and transport solar energy 20

The Weizmann Institute of Science Solar Reforming: Production of hydrogen rich syngas Methane reforming: a) CH 4 + H 2 O 3 H 2 + CO b) CH 4 + CO 2 2 H 2 + 2 CO Experimental solar methane reformer with newly developed radiation absorber and catalyst 21

The Weizmann Institute of Science Solar Thermal-Electrochemical Dissociation of Water at High Temperature 22

The Weizmann Institute of Science Reduction of metal oxides: Case Study – Zinc 23

The Weizmann Institute of Science Solar Reduction of Zinc Oxide A project in cooperation between ETH/PSI (Switzerland), CNRS-Odello (France), Weizmann Institute (Israel), Scan. Arc (Sweden), and Zoxy (Germany) 24

The Weizmann Institute of Science Energetic Diagram of Organic Solar Cell Operation (a) Exciton diffusion to the charge separation interface (b) Reflection of the exciton from the Ti. O 2/PPEI interface (c) Charge separation at the PPEI/Ti. OPc interface (d) Electron collection through the PPEI (e) Electron transport at the Ti. O 2/PPEI interface (f) Hole collection through the Ti. OPc Reference: Diamant, Y. and Zaban, A. , J. Solar energy Engineering, Vol. 126, pp. 893 -897, 2004 25

The Weizmann Institute of Science Schematic view of a new high surface area, solid state organic solar cell Both the PPEI and the Ti. OPc were deposited on the Ti. O 2 by a new electrochemical deposition method. Reference: Diamant, Y. and Zaban, A. , J. Solar energy Engineering, Vol. 126, pp. 893 -897, 2004 26

The Weizmann Institute of Science 27

The Weizmann Institute of Science Quantum Dots semiconductor-sensitized used to stabilize nanocrystalline cells Courtesy of G. Hodes and D. Cahen, Department of Materials and Interfaces the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel Pt-grid FTO glass nc Ti. O 2 Electrolyte Eredox CB VB n-Cd. S quantum n-Cd. Se quantum dots Liquid or Solid E(e. V) distance 28

The Weizmann Institute of Science Flow diagram of an open-cycle liquid desiccant system Courtesy of G. Grossman, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel 29

The Weizmann Institute of Science Sunlight-Concentrating Rooftop Module for Domestic Heat or Electricity Supply Optical Design Secondary concentrator Rendering Sunlight rays Receiver PV or thermal Spherical stationary primary reflector • Stationary spherical collector/concentrator • Diameter ≈ 1 -2 m • Tracking secondary concentrator compensates for optical aberrations Courtesy of A. Kribus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel 30

The Weizmann Institute of Science General view of the sunlight concentrating rooftop system The reflector and tracking mechanism are protected from the environment Courtesy of A. Kribus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel 31

The Weizmann Institute of Science The ‘Solar Right’ – Development Strategy in Urban Architecture Plans for the new Bizaron business district in Tel-Aviv The structures under the ‘blankets’ do not shadow other buildings, whereas those that are not covered shadow other buildings (e. g. interfere with their ‘Solar Right’ Courtesy of E. Shaviv and coworkers at the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel 32

The Weizmann Institute of Science High-Concentration Solar Device for Supplanting Surgical Laser Experimental Unit System illustration Courtesy of J. M. Gordon, Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Israel 33

The Weizmann Institute of Science Conclusion • Solar is the only renewable energy available in large enough quantity to reduce, or at least lessen the increase use of fossil fuels. • Solar energy, supplemented in time with clean, safe and proliferation-proof nuclear technologies, can provide all of mankind energy for many years. • Large-scale economically competitive solar technologies have been tested and can be commercial in 5 -10 years, if development pace is accelerated. New research can lead to further improvements and widespread applications of solar energy in – Cost-effective electricity generation – Clean fuel production and material synthesis – More efficient and lower-cost solar cells – Various applications for domestic needs (e. g. space cooling and water heating) – Energy saving and improved conditions in urban planning – Medical applications – Biomass gasification and much more… • 34