Followed
with the improving living standard, rising population as well as the rapid
development in technology, the global resources that we needed behind are
enormous and increasingly consumed. One of the major resources is energy.
The
global energy demand is expected to increase by more than 40% in the next 20
years and to nearly double by 2050 (International Energy Agency, 2011). Further
according to BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2014, Renewable energy
used in power generation grew by 16.3% and accounted for a record 5.3% of
global power generation. China recorded the largest incremental growth in
renewable, followed by the US. Globally, wind energy (+20.7%) once again
accounted for more than half of renewable power generation growth and solar
power generation grew even more rapidly (+33%).
There
is an urge for new development in energy technology which is renewable and sustainable.
Nanotechnology, this latest emerging technology which act as a powerful tool in
supporting energy application, resolve the limitation boundary in current technologies and benefit the world in a more efficient and economical way.
Go Go Green Nano
We
use “green” to denote that the technology is environmentally benign and sustainable;
the technology is intended to contribute to the solution of some environmental problem
(Smith, 2010).
The development of such clean technologies, Green nanotechnology, aim at minimizing the harmful impact when manufacturing or using of
nanotechnology products to both human and the environment, and producing
nano-products that helps to address environment problems.
A costly technology?
Although
there is a critical need in developing nanotechnology for energy applications,
people in the industry is still very cost-conscious. The cost for developing new
technology which is not limited to R&D, production and not mention to facilities
costs. All these investments will be an ongoing contribution associated with
the application of green nanotechnologies and it takes time until the outputs
are ready to be offset against benefits.
Scientists believe that these outputs can
eventually generate economic value by providing profitable sales from new
products, enhancing productivity, saving costs that would benefit to consumers
and users. Also, this emerging technology can deliver contributions to the
global by improving competitiveness, balance of trade and offering
environmental and other societal benefits.
The Application in Energy Sectors
Energy conversion
Solar Energy is probably the most attractive long-term renewable energy source and direct conversion of sunlight into electric power is one of the most flexible renewable energy technologies. High efficiency is required during the conversion of primary energy sources into electricity, heat and kinetic energy. The low-cost nanostructured organic solar cells made from polymers like plastics provided a more cost-effective and stabilize allocation solution in energy conversion.
Nanotechnology broaden the scope of possibilities in managing other energy conversion such as presenting a more environmental friendly method of power generation in the long run and being the highly efficient electro-catalysts on fuel cells which can convert chemical energy directly into electricity, and become economic application in automobiles, buildings and the operation of mobile electronics.
With optimized boundary layer design, Nano-structured semiconductors increases the efficiency in thermoelectric energy conversion that lead to a broad application in the utilization of waste heat in automobiles or the portable electronics in textiles.
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| (Source: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee102/node/1906) |
Energy distribution
During current transmission, power losses occurred due to electrical resistance when converting electrical power into heat. The incorporation of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes can utilize the application in electric cables and power lines which help to reduce the electrical resistance in transmission lines, and allow electricity from power plants to be used in more extensive locations.
In the future, power distribution requires a powerful set up that is cost effective, highly efficient and suitable for various renewable energy resources. Through nano-sensory devices and power-electronic components, Nanotechnology gives a long-term contribution and enables the future development in energy supply.
Energy storage
According to the report from the U.S. Department of Energy (2005), the use of electricity generated from renewable sources, such as water, wind of sunlight, requires efficient distributed electrical energy storage on scales ranging from public utilities to miniaturized portable electronic devices (Brinker & Ginger, 2011).
Nanotechnology can accomplish and enhance the electrical storage technologies, i.e. batteries (Chemical storages) and electrochemical super-capacitors (Capacitive storages). Through the high cell voltage and the outstanding energy and power density, the lithium-ion technology becomes the most favorable improvement in electrical energy storage. Using nanotechnology, capacity and safety of lithium-ion batteries are improved and such application can be adopted in hybrid and electric vehicles as well as for stationary energy storage.
Hydrogen energy store is another environmentally-friendly energy supply. Current chemical hydrogen storage materials cannot meet the demands of the automotive industry which requires up to ten weight percent hydrogen-storage capacity. With the help of nanostructure adjustments, it greatly enhances the efficient in hydrogen management.
According to Annual Energy Outlook reports 2015, combined electricity demand in U.S. residential and commercial sectors made up over 70% of total electricity demand, the energy consumed in the residential and commercial sectors is for heating, cooling and ventilation. With the application of nanotechnology, thermal energy conservation can be greatly improved so as to reduce the energy demand in buildings.
Energy usage
Nanotechnology provides different approaches in energy saving which can improve the efficient of energy use and to prevent unnecessary energy consumption. It further optimizes the development of available energy sources as well as achieves sustainable energy supply. For example, by using the lightweight construction materials on the basis of nanocomposites, it reduces fuel consumption in automobiles and optimizes fuel combustion through wear-resistant, lighter engine components.
Moreover, nanotechnological components can help to control light and heat flux such as switchable glasses which is a promising approach for reducing energy consumption in buildings.
The Impacts behind Green Nano
The extraordinary properties of
nano-scale materials made them attractive for being adopted in innovative,
sustainable, green technology applications. Despite the significant potential
benefits from the perspective of economic, social and environmental
implications, the potential risks and costs should also be carefully addressed.
Most of the potential green
nanosolutions are still in the lab/start-up phase and very few products have
reached the market to date. Further studies are necessary to assess the
applicability, efficiency and sustainability of nanotechnologies under more
realistic conditions (Iavicoli, 2014). While green nanotechnology applications
may save energy and reduce carbon emissions in the final product, there are
concerns about the amount of energy that might be involved in the upstream
production of component nanomaterials (OECD, 2013). Other than the cost of energy
and manufacturing nanomaterial production, the cost for the waste and resource
extraction while using the emerging technology is part of an importance issue of
development of green nanotechnology.
According to the "Global Nanotechnology in Energy Applications Market 2014-2018" report from Research and Markets, The Global Nanotechnology in Energy Applications market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 49.2%. The potential markets for green nanotechnologies is enormous and significant, the development of the technology is expected to meet its maturity in one or two more decades. When incorporate such technology, a series of indirect impacts such as impacts on supply chains, environment and energy usage should be included. Since not all the benefits and costs (time and opportunity cost compared with conventional application) are measurable, under the development stage, appropriate assessment for tracking the impact of nanotechnology on specific policy objectives such as green growth needed to be applied.
Furthermore, countries encounter more
challenges when formulating nanotechnology policy. From the government perspective, the funding of nanotechnology is measuring value for money and the economic impacts. In such case, the choice between manufacturing-driven
or science-driven policies and strategies as well as implementation of non-specific
or nanotechnology specific funding strategies and policies are important factors when assessing specific economic impacts such as return on investment.
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| Examples for potential applications of nanotechnology
along the value-added chain in the energy sector (Source: VDI TZ GmbH) |
Conclusion
It is always a challenging task for
leveraging the value of green nanotechnology in term of the potential impacts and
risks from economic, environmental and societal implications from the global
perspective. When evaluating the value of nanotechnology, it is important to consider
all around benefits for producers, consumers and the manufactures. Despite
the short-term investment contribution in both time and cost, the long-term
benefits in term of environmental and economical efficient and effectiveness
should be valued after all.
Reference:
Annual Energy Outlook 2015 (2015), The U.S. Energy Information AdministrationBP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2014 (2014), Retrieved from
http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/pdf/Energy-economics/statistical-review-2014/BP-statistical-review-of-world-energy-2014-full-report.pdf
Brinker, C. J., & Ginger, D. (2011). Nanotechnology for sustainability: energy conversion, storage, and conservation. In Nanotechnology Research Directions for Societal Needs in 2020 (pp. 261-303). Springer Netherlands.
Global Nanotechnology in Energy Applications Market 2014-2018 (2014), Retrieved from
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/3036730/global-nanotechnology-in-energy-applications#pos-0
Lavicoli et al. (2014), Opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology in the green economy, Environmental Health, Retrieved from
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/pdf/1476-069X-13-78.pdf
Luther Wolfgang (2008), Application of Nanotechnologies in the Energy Sector, Germany, HA Hessen Agentur GmbH
NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR GREEN INNOVATION (2013), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Retrieved from
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Nanotechnology helps solve the world energy problems (2013), Retrieved from
http://www.nanotech-now.com/Ineke-Malsch/IMalsch-energy-paper.htm
Nanotechnology in the 'green' economy - opportunities and risks (2014), Retrieved from
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=38141.php
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