Chalcogens for high-energy batteries
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Driven by sustainable development goals and carbon neutrality worldwide, demands for both renewable energy and storage systems are constantly increasing. However, the lack of an appropriate approach without considering renewable intermittence and demand stochasticity will lead to capacity oversizing or undersizing. In this study, an optimal design approach is proposed for integrated photovoltaic-battery-consumer energy systems in the form of a m2-kWp-kWh relationship in both centralized and distributed formats. Superiorities of the proposed matching degree approach are compared with the traditional uniformity approach, in photovoltaic capacity, battery capacity, net present value and lifecycle carbon intensity. Results showed that the proposed method is superior to the traditional approach with higher net present value and lower carbon intensity. Furthermore, the proposed method can be scaled and applied to guide the design of photovoltaic-battery-consumer energy systems in different climate zones, promoting sustainable development and carbon neutrality globally.
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The climate crisis necessitates decarbonization solutions that transform energy systems across all scales. While attention today focuses on utility-scale power systems, mini-or metro-scale grids, and at end-use device efficiency, the individual user scale remains underexplored. Just as with energy efficiency innovations tailored to micro-environments, body-scale energy savings offer new opportunities alongside technological and behavioral challenges. Here we propose a technique and a suite of potential innovations focused on the “body grid” in which devices, circuits, information network, human body and the environment interact within a universal framework to achieve energy savings, new functionality, and improved comfort. We present and test a prototype body grid supporting inter-device synergy and cooperation with external energy systems indoors and outdoors. This system yields substantial energy and economic savings, enhances personal control and comfort, and enables potential energy market participation. Simulation results demonstrate global energy savings of up to 50% for space cooling and heating.
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