Transcript RET Presentation - CURENT Education

Chemistry Connections to the Power Grid –
Closing the “Generation Gap”
Debbie Fraser
CURENT – Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
June 2015
Knoxville, Tennessee
Making the Connections
• Chemistry is “the central science”: what role does it play in the structure and
function of the electric power grid?
A unit intended for end-of-year use was
developed for high school chemistry students
Activities centered on chemical
processes at work in the grid and
being developed for increasing the
use of renewable resources
CHEMISTRY & THE POWER GRID
Lessons Summary
Overview of the Electrical Power Grid
- energy sources & chemical processes
- renewable & nonrenewable resources
(pros & cons)
Need to Move Towards Renewable Resources
- exploring renewable energy
- developing large-scale energy storage
batteries
-
Engineering/Technological Connections
- modeling/testing renewable energy sources & storage
 photovolatic & fuel cells
 experimental Edison battery
- innovations: graphene nanobattery, liquid metal
battery, fuel cells
Science Standards
AP CHEMISTRY:
Big Idea 3:
Changes in matter involve the rearrangement and/or reorganization of
atoms and/or the transfer of electrons
(Essential Knowledge 3.C.3 Electrochemistry shows the introconversion between
chemical and electrical energy in galvanic and electrolytic cells)
Big Idea 5:
The laws of thermodynamics describe the essential role of energy and
explain and predict the direction of changes in matter
CHEMISTRY (TN):
CLE 321.T/E.4 Describe the dynamic interplay among science, technology, and
engineering within living, earth-space and physical systems.
CLE 3221.T/E.1 Explore the impact of technology on social, political and economci
systems
Electric Power Grid Introduction
(Lesson One)
Energy Transformations
Grid Simulation:TCIPG Applet
>Diatomic Partners
”
Where’s Chemistry?
- Identify major energy sources
- Describe pros and cons of each energy sources
Transitioning to Renewable Energy Sources
(Introduction to Lesson Two)
z
Driving forces :
• Limited nonrenewable energy
sources
• Global warming
• Economic impact of fluctuating
foreign fuel prices
Renewable Energy
Transition Isues
Variability – weather dependent
Generated Quantities – less
than that of fossil fuels
The Push Towards Renewable Resources
(Report by Congress Research Service)
“Energy Storage for Power Grids and Electric Transportation: A Technology Assessment”
March 27, 2012
- summarizes current energy storage technology in two categories: power grid &
transportation
- numerous private companies and national labs, many federally supported, are
engaged in storage research and development
- notes a wide range of technology available, making it difficult to gain a balanced
understanding of capabilities, costs and advantages of each – some technologies suit
certain applications better than others
Using Chemistry Research to Help Make the Transition to
Renewable Energy
• Students will read a short article: “Generation Gap”
http://www.mpg.de/8230696/energy_conversion.pdf
• The author states: “In the coming decades, interdisciplinary research
involving chemists, materials experts and engineers will be needed to
develop these innovations (next-generation fuels and batteries) into real-life
applications
• “Chemists could smooth out the patchy supply of sun and wind power by
developing fuels and batteries that can store energy during peak times”
Energy Storage is Considered Key to Incorporating Renewable Energy in the
Electrical Power Grid
“Filling the Generation Gap”
Using Chemistry Research to Make the Transition to Renewable Energy
EXPERIMENTAL EDISON BATTERY
(Lesson Two )
• Developed by Thomas Edison ~1901
• Used in electric vehicles which soon gave
way to gasoline fueled cars
• Widely used in stand-by operations
• Compared to lead-acid batteries used in cars:
- charged in much less time
- more expensive (up-front costs,
cheaper long term use)
- poor performance in cold
temperatures *
EDISON CELL/BATTERY
• Built between 1903-1972, stopping production
when Edison plant was bought by Exide
• Renewed interest in Edison Battery for
renewable energy storage home and small
business use
• Out-lasts the lead-acid batteries (at least 4-X)
• Does not have negative environmental impact
of lead batteries
Cathode: 2 NiOOH + 2 H2O + 2e- <-> 2 Ni(OH)2 + 2OH-
Anode: Fe + 2OH-
< - > 2Fe(OH)2 + 2e-
EXPERIMENTAL EDISON
CELL LAB
• Students construct a model Edison cell, also
known as the Ni-Fe cell (nickel –iron)
• Using electrochemistry principles, students
will test variables impacting voltage and
evaluate the efficiency and durability of the
cell
• This activity would occur over several days,
ending with a student challenge to produce
the greatest voltage with materials given
RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY STORAGE
(Lesson
Three)
• Many consider batteries the key to the
increased use of renewable energy sources
• Students will model solar energy storage
using photovoltaic cells and the Edison cell
16
Student Activity on Photovoltaic Cells
Inquiry Activity to Test Variables Effecting Current
Student Groups Design An Energy Transfer/Storage System
Photovoltaic (Solar) Energy
Edison Cell Energy Strorage
STORING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN SOLAR/WIND PRODUCED FUELS
(Lesson Four)
• Using solar to produce hydrogen: electrolysis. Based on the results from
the students data using the photovoltaic cell, how could the cells be used to
produce hydrogen gas?
ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER:
19
A GLIMPSE AT OTHER PROMISING TECHNOLOGIES
• DYE-SENSITIZED PHOTOELECTROSYNTHESIS CELL (DSPEC)
http://www.inspirationgreen.com/solar-driven-fuel-production.html
INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF A NANO-EDISON BATTERY
Stanford Scientists Give New
Life to the Ni-Fe battery
Created an ultrafast Ni-Fe battery that
is capable of charging and discharging
in seconds
LIQUID METAL BATTERY FOR GRID STORAGE