Renewable technologies can be the future of energy production and can potentially reduce the load on traditional methods of energy production.
Fremont, CA:Solar panels, hydroelectric power plants, and wind turbines are well-known, but other lesser-known renewable technologies are now in development. The future of energy production may be a very unusual space to live in, with stretchable or paint-infused solutions that can produce electricity from the sun to ways for individuals to power their own electronics.
Here are some of the most promising renewable technologies:
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Piezoelectricity
It is the thing that maintains the quartz watch tracking time and is used by people every time they turn on their stove. This might be a really intriguing and perhaps very promising technique to offer power when it comes to renewable energy. It could prove to be a fundamental way of generating power on the fly, from generating electricity as people walk on a surface to perhaps topping up the battery on their mobile device or laptop as they type. Incorporating piezoelectric systems into flooring could give an innovative solution to lessen the need to draw electricity from the grid in places with a large throughput of people, such as sidewalks, public buildings, nightclubs, and stores.
Solar fuel
Solar fuels are another exciting area of research for new potential power sources. The main concept is to use solar energy to convert CO2 and water into a hydrocarbon-based fuel that can subsequently be used to power traditional combustion engines. Carbon dioxide would be taken from the air and separated into its constituent parts, chiefly carbon atoms, in a potentially commercially viable technology. The hydrogen would then be freed from water molecules, and the two products mixed to create fuel. If a technique to truly scale up this technology can be found, it should be able to manufacture fuel continuously whenever the sun shines.
Solar paint
Solar paint is a unique type of paint that may be used to create electricity using the sun's energy. Currently, a number of groups are investigating the technology, each with their unique take on the basic notion. This paint captures moisture from the air and breaks down water molecules into their basic parts using sunlight (mainly hydrogen and oxygen). The liberated hydrogen can then be used to generate environmentally friendly energy. At the University of Toronto, another intriguing example is now being developed. This paint captures light and converts it into a tappable electrical current using tiny semiconductors known as "quantum dots." While all of these technologies are intriguing, it will be some time before they become commercially feasible.