Electricity from renewable energy
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Electricity
Electricity from renewable energy
Electricity from solar cells
Electricity from solar thermal plants
Electricity from wind energy
Electricity from biomass
Electricity from geothermal plants
Electricity from maritime energy sources
for further information, visit www.FV-Sonnenenergie.de
FVS or www.Renewable-Energy-Research-Association.org
8
Electricity
Electricity from solar cells
In Central Europe, photovoltaic energy conver- The essential condition for a large-scale
sion from solar cells has by far the greatest activation of the potential of photovoltaic
proven technological potential for the pro- electricity production is a further significant cost
duction of electricity from renewable energy reduction. This will be supported mainly by
sources. Yet, its current contribution to the research oriented towards the long run, both
electricity supply is still at levels that are into the basics of materials and processes and
insignificant in terms of the energy industry. the specific conversion technologies (cells, Contact:
Although photovoltaics has had annual global modules, systems). This can be achieved
growth rates of over 30 % for the past decade particularly by increasing efficiency, reducing FZ Jülich
or so, it will take several decades before it can material usage and developing high-productiv- Prof. Dr. Uwe Rau
make a perceptible contribution to German ity manufacturing technologies. Phone: +49 (0) 2461/
electricity supplies. In the long run, however, 61-3791
email: u.rau@fz-juelich.de
photovoltaics will prove to be one of the most Like all renewable energy technologies, photo-
important pillars of a sustainable energy supply voltaics offers major benefits from the ecological
system. point of view compared to conventional Fraunhofer ISE
technologies for electricity generation. Using Dr. Gerhard Willeke
Continued committed market development of current state-of-the-art system technology, a Phone: +49 (0) 761/4588-
photovoltaics technology will be essential if it is photovoltaic installation in central Europe will 5266
email: gerhard.willeke@
to become one of the major components of a generate the amount of energy used for its ise.fraunhofer.de
future energy system. We may assume that production in about three years. There will be
photovoltaic electricity, which is still very further large reductions in this energy payback
HMI
expensive in comparison with electricity from time in the near future as new technologies are
Prof. Dr.
the grid in industrialised countries, will fall to used.
Hans-Werner Schock
price levels which, taking into account external
Phone: +49 (0) 30/8062-
costs in the energy system, will make it eco- 2489
nomically competitive. Solar electric power is email: hans-werner.schock@
already commercially competitive in most hmi.de
standalone applications where it is able to
compete with battery-produced electricity or Prof. Dr.
diesel-electric energy transformation, or with Martha Lux-Steiner
the costs of grid expansion respectively. This Phone: +49 (0) 30/8062-
sector of photovoltaics encompasses a good 2462
email: lux-steiner@hmi.de
third of the world market.
9
Electricity
Research and development Thin-film solar cells
requirements
Thin-film technologies are considered to have a
ISET As it is not yet possible to finally assess the high potential for cutting costs:
Philipp Strauß various technological approaches in respect to
Phone: +49 (0) 561/ their long-term development prospects, it is • CIS (chalkopyrite) and CdTe thin-film solar
7294-144 necessary to continue to support the wide cells
email: pstrauss@
iset.uni-kassel.de
range of different photovoltaic technologies: • Chrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells
• Amorphous silicon
• Nanocrystalline silicon
ISFH
Dr. Nils-Peter Harder
Basic research • Modified production technologies
• Thin-film solar cells based on dyes and
Phone: +49 (0) 5151/
999-426
Completely new physics approaches are organic semiconductors
email: harder@isfh.de necessary to reduce costs. Some examples are: • Research into materials and processes for
thin-film technologies
• The development of solar concentrator cells
with efficiencies of up to 40 %
• The development of new component Organic solar cells
structures for solar cells
• Solar cells with highly structured absorbers Organic solar cells based on fluid semi-conduct-
and nanostructures on the surface ing mixtures can be applied to large flexible
• The development of photon management substrates by means of screen-printing. Despite
• Target-oriented semiconductor diagnostics their relatively short service lives and relatively
low efficiencies, these cells could dominate
niches on the market for off grid photovoltaics.
Silicon wafer solar cells The following areas are being researched for the
further development of organic solar cells:
Up to now, progress in solar cell technology has
been achieved almost exclusively by developing • Evaluation of new organic semiconductor
the already sophisticated silicon wafer techno- systems with improved absorption of these
logy which dominates the market. This techno- solar spectrum and optimized charge
multicrystalline wafers that are 200-300 µm
logy consists of processing monocrystalline or transport properties
• Further development of current cell
thick. The potential for further cost cutting is, concepts
however, far from being exhausted. Above all, • Modified production technologies
this involves developing new technologies • Module wiring
aimed at: • Encapsulation, especially of flexible solar
cells
• Using thinner and even ultra-thin silicon • Light management
wafers
• New kinds of cell structures
• Achieving higher efficiency
• Simplified process technologies
• Lower-cost production of solar silicon (solar-
grade Si) and thin silicon wafers
10
Electricity
Photovoltaic power plants and
Module technology systems
Photovoltaic cells must be encapsulated to In the midterm, photovoltaic power plants and ZAE Bayern
ensure the long-term, safe operation of these systems will probably be available with an out- Prof. Dr.
energy converters and allow for integration in put ranging from several 100 kW to several MW Vladimir Dyakonov
construction and technical structures. The to cover a peak loads (such as for the operation Phone: +49 (0) 931/
research and development issues include: of cooling systems). Greater research and 70564-33
email: vladimir.dyakonov@
development is required for: uni-wuerzburg.de
• The development of methods to greatly
expand the service life of modules • The development of appropriate solar cells,
Richard Auer
• The development of new electrical wiring concentrating optics, and mechanical
Phone: +49 (0) 9131/
methods in module technology system technologies 691-290
• The development of module technologies email: auer@zae.uni-
optimally modified for the aesthetics and erlangen.de
mechanics of specific applications, such as
flexible modules. PV system technology ZSW
Dr. Hansjörg Gabler
The goal is to develop inexpensive photovoltaics Phone: +49 (0) 711/
inverters that are highly reliable with long 7870-257
email: hansjoerg.gabler@
service lives that match those of PV panels. At zsw-bw.de
the same time, the wide variety of system
configurations that require customized inverters
solutions must be taken into consideration.
To this end, cooperation with system analysis is
necessary for the evaluation of PV systems and
components in order to improve the reliable
operation and design of PV systems.
11
Electricity
Lifecycle analysis and recycling
As production capacities grow for solar cells,
recycling issues, technical service lives, and
energy payback increasingly play an important
role and move more into the focus of research
and development projects:
• Reduction of material and energy
consumption in manufacture
• Reusability of photovoltaic elements and
materials
• Calculations of aging and creation of kinetic
models for damage to PV panels
12
Electricity
Electricity from solar thermal plants
After early successes in the USA at the end of Research and development
the 1980s, a new market is now developing for requirements
solar thermal power stations in Southern
Europe, the USA and in some developing One particularly important approach to cost
sunbelt countries. Three types of solar thermal reduction is to increase the exit temperature of
power stations have evolved here: the concentrating solar systems in order to
achieve better efficiency in the downstream Contact:
• Parabolic trough systems power station. This would enable the same
• Solar tower systems electrical energy to be generated from smaller DLR
• Dish Stirling systems collector surface. All three solar thermal power Prof. Dr.
station types would also benefit from: Robert Pitz-Paal
By 2010, experts expect some 400 MW of • Automation of plant operation Phone: +49 (0) 2203/
newly installed power output in Europe and • Development of cost-effective thermal 601-2744
email: robert.pitz-paal@dlr.de
about 2000 MW worldwide. German industrial energy storage
firms are taking a leading role in these develop- • Reducing the weight of collectors and
Prof. Dr. Hans
ments. From about 2030, electricity imports concentrators
Müller-Steinhagen
from solar thermal power stations in Southern
Phone: +49 (0) 711/
Europe or North African countries using high Parabolic trough technology 68602-358
voltage direct current transmission into the • Further development of direct solar steam email: hans.mueller-
European electricity grid will be able to make an (DISS) technology steinhagen@dlr.de
important contribution to the European • Selective solar absorber layers for high
DLR project team at
electrical landscape. Investor consortia are temperatures of around 500°C
PSA
putting a figure of 12 to 15 cents per kWh on • Development of new optical concentrator
Dr. Christoph Richter
the cost of generating electricity in commercial concepts, e.g. Fresnel reflector systems
Phone: +34-950/38-7948
solar thermal power stations which are in the email: christoph.richter@
planning stage at present. Going down the Solar tower technology dlr.de
learning curve, full competitiveness with • Technological development for coupling
medium or base load electricity could be solar heat to gas turbines to tap the high
Fraunhofer ISE
reached at good locations by 2030, with 15 GW temperature potential
Dr. Werner Platzer
being installed worldwide if research and • Development of cost-effective mirrors and
Phone: +49 (0) 761/
development is continued. highly reflective mirrors 4588-5131
email: werner.platzer@
Dish Stirling technology ise.fraunhofer.de
• Development of solar/fossil and
solar/biomass hybrid system configurations
13
Electricity
Electricity from wind energy
There is huge potential for short to mid-term • Investigations of wind climatology and
expansion of wind energy use. The German ambient conditions: wind potential, plant
government's aim by 2025/2030 is to cover siting in complex terrain, forecasting energy
15 % of total electricity requirements in yields, design wind characteristics, wind and
Germany from offshore wind installations and wave characteristics for offshore applications
Contact: a further 10 % from onshore wind farms.
• Optimisation of system integration and
plant management: control and manage-
ISET
ment of wind farms, early fault recognition
Dr. Kurt Rohrig Research and development and plant maintenance according to the
Phone: +49 (0) 561/ requirements condition, information and communications
7294-330
email: krohrig@ systems, grid interaction effects, wind power
iset.uni-kassel.de
Developing offshore wind energy use currently
forecasts
poses the greatest challenge. The associated
research and development activities touch on • Monitoring of technological development as
Peter Caselitz
almost all areas of wind energy utilisation. An well as basic surveys of technical, economic,
Phone: +49 (0) 561/
7294-332
increase in R&D activities will also be necessary ecological and legal aspects, and prospects
email: pcaselitz@ for the further expansion of wind energy for national and international use of wind
iset.uni-kassel.de utilisation on land, especially with respect to its energy
prospective application in developing and
industrializing countries. New challenges arise
when new climates and topographical
conditions (highly structured terrain) are
entered into. One of the main goals of research
and development is further cost reductions
through fundamental innovations:
• Further development of system technology:
new materials, elasticity and noise reduction,
innovative control methods, generators and
output electronics, new facility concepts
14Electricity
Electricity from biomass
Biomass can make an important contribution to Research and development Contact:
the solar energy revolution in the next few requirements
DLR
decades. The energy potential for Germany is at
Prof. Dr. Hans
least 10 % of present-day energy consumption. • Processes for the production of carbon-
Müller-Steinhagen
Solar energy obtained in the form of biomass is derived fuels from biomass (in fuel cells,
Phone: +49 (0) 711/
convertible into all forms of energy. It can be micro turbines, and block heat and power 68602-358
stored, and it is already being used as a plants) email: hans.mueller-
substitute for fossil resources. steinhagen@dlr.de
• Integrated decentralized/communal energy
concepts for the large-scale use of biomass Fraunhofer ISE
There is still a considerable need for research
(logistics) Dr. Christopher Hebling
and development in the areas of biomass
Phone: +49 (0) 761/
electricity generation, as well as a large • Optimal coproduction of food stock and 4588-5195
untapped application potential. Used as energy email: christopher.hebling@
distributed electricity generation plants in ise.fraunhofer.de
• Optimization of biogas systems:
integrated grids, biomass facilities are suitable
Measurement systems and sensors for ISET
as background reserve systems that can
optimal plant management, customized Dr. Bernd Krautkremer
compensate for the fluctuating capacity
control technology, standardization and Phone: +49 (0) 6181/
available from photovoltaic and wind 58-2707
modularization of system components
generators. email: bkrautkremer@
• Interface technologies for various iset.uni-kassel.de
thermodynamic energy converters such as
ZAE Bayern
conventional combined heat and power
Prof. Dr.
(CHP) plants, micro gas turbines, Stirling
Hartmut Spliethoff
engines and fuel cells
Phone: +49 (0) 89/
• Integration of modern biomass systems into 329442-10
email: spliethoff@
electricity supply structures – also into muc.zae-bayern.de
decentralized energy supplies in developing
countries – as well as development of “micro ZSW
gas networks” fed by biogas Dr. Michael Specht
Phone: +49 (0) 711/
7870-218
email: michael.specht@
zsw-bw.de
15Electricity
Electricity from geothermal heat
Electricity generation
Evaporator Turbine
3-5 km Withdrawal borehole Injection borehole
Hydraulic stimulation
Geothermal units run 24 hours a day regardless Germany's geological substrate is typical of
of the weather and the season to provide Central Europe. Technological developments
renewable energy around the clock. Geothermal that are successful year therefore represent
is thus indispensable for a sustainable future export items that can be used in numerous
supply of energy because it can cover the base similar locations.
load for electricity.
Contact:
While Germany has great geothermal resources, Research and development
GFZ Potsdam they have hardly been tapped. Geothermal requirements
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. technologies therefore have great expansion
Reinhard F. J. Hüttl and innovative potential. If we manage to tap • Development of new exploration methods,
Phone: +49 (0) 331/ this potential through research and develop- e.g. geophysical methods of improving the
288-1010
email: huettl@
ment, geothermal will make up a significant accuracy of required deep drillings
gfz-potsdam.de part of renewals by 2010.
• Development of stimulation methods to
increase the economic yield of geothermal
Drilling down some 3-4 km to where
Dr. Ernst Huenges boreholes
Phone: +49 (0) 331/
temperatures are high enough for electricity
288-1440 generation is an expensive affair. Research and • Greater efficiency of energy conversion of
email: huenges@ development can incrementally lower current low-temperature heat for electricity and
gfz-potsdam.de
financial risks. After all, for geothermal to be a cooling
common application, such drilling has to
• Better integration of geothermal in (current)
become less expensive, the effectiveness of
energy systems
underground fissures more reliable, and projects
more economic overall. Geothermal technology • Mapping of technical feasibility of multiple
projects must be able to reliably implement systems in areas with normal geothermal
planning regardless of the location. To this end, conditions (medium depths between 3000
hydraulic experiments and drilling measure- and 4000 m)
ments are currently being conducted under
• Ensuring sufficient, long-term thermal water
process conditions at the 4.3 km deep research
circulation and optimal conversion
borehole at Gross Schönebeck.
technologies above ground
16Electricity
Electricity from maritime energy sources
Maritime energy sources are primarily tidal and be fast enough for commercial energy use. The
wave energy systems. In addition, there are global technical potential is estimated at around
ways of exploiting temperature differences and 1500 TWh/a, almost 10 % of which is in Europe.
the different salt concentrations of freshwater Since 2003, the first test systems with an output
and seawater. of 100 to 300 kW have been an operation in
The German coast has relatively little potential Italy, Great Britain, and Norway with the parti- Contact:
for maritime energy sources. The technology for cipation of German researchers and industry.
the utilisation of these energy sources nonethe- Furthermore, megawatt systems are also being ISET
less has considerable long-term significance for developed. Jochen Bard
Germany in view of the possibilities of energy Phone: +49 (0) 561/
imports in the form of electricity and synthetic Generally speaking, technologies for maritime 7294-346
email: jbard@
fuels and the export opportunities for German energy sources are still in their infancy. The aim iset.uni-kassel.de
plant technology. is to make the economically efficient utilisation
of these potentials a reality. To achieve this,
The ebb and flow of the tides allows conven- large installed capacities are necessary in all
tional water turbines to generate electricity. offshore technologies.
At present, an installed generating capacity of
260 MW exists worldwide. Research activities in this field are taking place in
close cooperation with countries whose coastal
Wave energy is based on the interaction and sea areas have a high potential for maritime
between the surface of the sea and the wind. energy, such as Great Britain.
Currently around 2 MW are installed in
demonstration plants in offshore locations. The
potential for wave energy in Europe is estimated
at over 200 TWh/a, 1 % of which is on German
coasts.
Sea currents in coastal areas are caused
primarily by the tide. Where the topological
conditions are right, the water flow speed can
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