Nanotech may be key to solar energy and energy storage

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: A new study from the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI has found that nanotechnology will bring significant benefits to the energy sector, especially to energy storage and solar energy.

Improved materials efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs are just two of the real economic benefits that nanotechnology already brings these fields and that's only the beginning. Battery storage capacity could be extended, solar cells could be produced cheaper, and the lifetime of solar cells or batteries for electric cars could be increased, all thanks to continued development of nanotechnology.

In the study, "Nanotechnology in the sectors of solar energy and energy storage" commissioned by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI found that there is a whole range of nanomaterials which will grow in importance as technology continues to advance.

A key finding of the study is that technologies where "nano" already plays an important role will be of special interest for industry and research.

The following nanomaterial technologies will be of particular importance: "organic and printed electronics", "nano-coatings," "nano-composites", "nano-fluids", "nano-catalysts", "nanocarbons" and "nano-electrodes". These seven technology profiles form the basis for two comprehensive roadmaps in the technical report.

The study found that in some areas nanotechnology may even be a key to success.

For example, through the use of nanotechnology the light and energy generation of crystalline silicon solar cells or organic solar cells can already be enabled or significantly increased. Their manufacturing also requires less material and is more cost-efficient.

Energy storage capacity will significantly improve with the use of nanomaterials for lithium-ion batteries. This is by far the most important battery technology for energy storage since the early 1990s. It is especially important in view of the constantly increasing demand for electric vehicles, whose success is also directly linked to battery performance and resulting range extension.