Everyone is talking about Solar Energy & Wind Energy and technology is taking big strides in tapping these infinite resources but a major challenge looms large at the scientific fraternity. This challenge is to store the this energy & use it as per demand [May be at night & in the afternoon]. A typical power generation station may be switched on as per demand [gas fired or coal fired or fossil fuel fires] but the Solar or wind power de[ends upon natural elements beyond the human control.

 

Here, the challenge lies in generation of maximum electricity at the peak availability, store the same and use it at the time of requirement. At household level people may use batteries to charge in day time & use the same at night. But here the task is to store thousands of megawatts & using the same as per demand and may be transfer via grids to other countries as well.

 

UAE is very active in usage of sustainable & renewal forms of energy therefore it?s a giant market here. Tremendous growth is planned in this sector over coming years, many jobs will be created and as you all know that Abu Dhabi [UAE capital] is the headquarter of IRENA [International Renewable Energy Agency]

 

Conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy is being followed. This energy can be converted back in case of need. This is called VRFB [Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries]

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is a type of flow battery that employs all vanadium ions in both positive and negative electrolytes to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrolytes circulate across a stack for charging and discharging. One of the main advantages of the vanadium redox flow battery is that it can offer almost unlimited energy capacity simply by increasing the amount of electrolytes. As a result, it is possible to design power and energy capacity independently and flexibly to satisfy each customer's unique needs.

More explanation & detailed article may be read at:

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/storage-solutions-for-uaes-renewable-energy-vital-for-future-progress#full

The cost factor is a major hurdle in this area. This technology is very expensive at present. But I feel that with the advent of more sophisticated technology this will become cheaper & coal & Diesel may be replaced with renewal forms of energy.

 

Solar panels have become way cheaper these days as compared to the cost in the past. Also the conversion ratio of Solar Energy into electrical energy has improved a lot.

 

Lets hope for a brighter future of renewal & sustainable forms of energy.