Unique solar energy storage solution

[EatenByLimestone]

solar energy, CO2, and water to make methane.


Thats a new twist!

Leaf-architectured 3D Hierarchical Artificial Photosynthetic System of Perovskite Titanates Towards CO2 Photoreduction Into Hydrocarbon Fuels - Scientific Reports

The development of an “artificial photosynthetic system” (APS) having both the analogous important structural elements and reaction features of photosynthesis to achieve solar-driven water splitting and CO2 reduction is highly challenging. Here, we demonstrate a design strategy for a promising...

www.nature.com

 

[begreen]

This is a 2013 paper. I just read recently that this technology is coming online as a product. Will have to dig a bit to find it. The downside of this direction is that it would take really big machines and lots of them, and that has its own carbon debt. But carbon capture may be one of the tools combined with others to reduce atmospheric CO2.

 

[begreen]

Argonne Labs is working on developing synthetic leaf technology.

Like a Leaf – New Artificial Photosynthesis Method to Capture CO2 Directly From the Air and Turn It Into Fuel

Argonne and SLAC will develop artificial photosynthesis methods to enable direct air capture of CO2 while expanding sources of energy through the conversion of CO2 to fuels and other useful chemicals. Leaves make it look easy, but capturing and using carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air is a cha

scitechdaily.com

 

[stoveliker]

I'd prefer to make hydrogen using solar rather than methane. Leaks will occur, and methane is the worst (for climate change).

The disadvantage would be the fact that no carbon was captured - but with a full blown methane production process and existing combustion appliances, the carbon sequestration is minimal (only as much as is needed to be in the CH4 economy to keep things flowing).
I.e. if we don't store a decade worth of methane, it's not going to make a worthwhile difference in the climate aspect (as compared to e.g. hydrogen production).

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I’m not sure about that. If they can make a fuel that can be stored, it’s a battery. It just becomes a step in the carbon cycle. It may make drilling/fracking less needed.

Also, if they can make methane, other hydrocarbons are possible. They may take more energy to produce though.

I’d clue in on the storage aspect. It’s a battery that doesn’t involve mining lithium.

 

[stoveliker]

I agree. But a medium that is less problematic for the climate (and has the same "solar battery" advantages) would be preferable to me.

We have a quite poor record in methane leaks.

 

[peakbagger]

Methane is not that particularly hard to seal, its just a matter of economics, it used to be cheap or a waste product so the cost benefit for sealing leaks was marginal.