Batteries and Solar

The Battery and Solar Theme consists of two of the most critical technologies for the energy transition to net zero.

Solar energy is one of the most abundant energy sources available, with the earth’s surface receiving enough energy from the sun to satisfy the global energy demand several thousand times over. Solar photovoltaic (PV) devices convert energy from the sun directly into electricity. Solar PV has seen a remarkable price decrease over the past five years and is now comparable with wind. Furthermore, solar thermal is a key technology to help in the decarbonisation of heat. 

Energy storage is becoming increasingly important due to the increasing energy demand for economic and social development. Storage of energy is fast becoming one of the principal challenges facing the energy sector. In particular, when renewable energy generation outstrips demand, in periods of high generation, battery technology and energy storage can steps-in and provide balance to energy utilisation issues. 

The Batteries and Solar Theme is led by Professor Graeme Cooke at the University of Glasgow and Dr Thomas Jones at the University of Dundee. ETP universities have significant expertise in the physics, chemistry and engineering of established and emerging technologies in solar cells and batteries, and are well-placed to support industries developing these technologies.  

The scientists within ETP’s battery and solar theme embrace many disciplines including Chemical and materials synthesis, Chemical and materials characterization, Electrochemistry, Heterogeneous catalysis, Surface characterisation, Systems design, Computer simulation and Modelling and Process engineering.

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Silicon Photovoltaics (PV) are a well-established technology and are sometimes referred to as “first generation” panels. Silicon based solar panels used to be expensive but innovations have drastically reduced the cost. Today’s silicon solar cells are highly efficient and stable (24% and >20 years) and dominate the solar market. 

Ground and rooftop silicon PV panels are an essential global technology for the net zero transition. Research at ETP’s universities is exploring the engineering around silicon panels including systems integration, building integrated PV (BIPV), combined PV & storage, floating solar, PV-powered internet-of-things, solar-assisted electric vehicles and more. 

Solar thermal energy systems use energy from the sun to heat water for domestic and commercial applications. Solar thermal can be used on a small scale basis for district heating to provide heat for a whole community or district. Solar thermal provides an opportunity for Scotland to provide, renewable affordable heat, as well as being a technology to help tackle fuel poverty. 

Multiple innovative companies in Scotland are developing solar thermal technologies. ETP universities are studying concentrating solar thermal systems, heat transfer processes to improve efficiencies, materials development such as phase change materials, as well as system integration.

World leading research in emerging PV technologies (including Perovskites, dye sensitised and organic solar cells) are taking place at ETP’s academic institutions. These emerging technologies are reaching maturity and offer a significant market opportunity to complement existing solar technologies. Record power conversion efficiencies (PCE) for Perovskite test cells exceed 25% and for organic cells 18%. The materials used in these PV cells are strong absorbers, meaning that only a very thin film (<100 nm) is required to catch most of the incident photons. 

Furthermore, the absorber materials are generally solution processable meaning devices can be manufactured using cheap processes such as inkjet printing, doctor blading, slot dye coating and these can be on rigid or flexible substrates which are typically lightweight (akin to a laminated piece of paper). 

Other applications include using the materials in tandem cells with traditional silicon cells to broaden the absorption spectrum, thereby increasing the power conversion efficiency of the overall cell. Multiple international companies have brought emerging PV technologies to market. ETP universities are studying materials development and device physics/engineering which are leading to enhanced PCE, cheaper processing costs and device stability.

Batteries are critical for electric vehicles and will become increasingly important in managing diverse and unpredictable renewable generation on the electricity grid. ETP has academics studying advanced materials for lithium ion batteries, redox flow batteries and potentially step-change battery technologies such as lithium-air.

The scientists within ETP embrace many different disciplines including Chemical and materials synthesis, Chemical and materials characterization, Electrochemistry Heterogeneous catalysis Surface characterisation Systems design, Computer simulation and modelling and Process engineering

ETP universities are engaged in a number of collaborative programs involving academics and industry from across the UK and beyond including: Supergen, ETP is engaged in the energy storage, delivery of sustainable hydrogen and fuel cell programs; Horizon 2020, this is a European program investigating Sulphur, Carbon, and re-Oxidation Tolerant Anodes and Anode Supports for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells; and SHFCA, the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, a body promoting Scottish capability in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector.

The Interreg Europe programme financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes, in particular programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs and European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes.

Information about the Interreg programmes can be found at: https://www.interregeurope.eu/programme/

These support projects that explore and evaluate the technical potential of an early-stage idea or concept through technical feasibility studies in the energy sector with the aim to establish if a pre-industrial concept is ready for further technology development. Projects may receive between £50,000 and £300,000 for up to one year. The total budget of the programme is £10 million.