Silicon is the most abutment element in the earth’s crust
Silicon is the most abutment element in the earth’s crust and is molten at about 1400c where salts melt at 800c. Molten silicon thermal energy storage offer higher storage temperatures than that of salts. ‘Silicon has unique properties that confer the ability to store more than 1 MWh of energy in a cubic meter, ten times more than using salts.’ A research that has been done by MIT ‘ says that if you use two 10 meter high storage tanks of molten silicon you would be able to power 100000 households. In addition the silicon can hold up to 100 times more energy per unit than conventional solar.
ScienceDaily. (2016, October 7). Innovative molten silicon-based energy storage system. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161007100750.htmLinks to an external site.
Molten salts are used in heat transfers fluid and thermal energy storage in solar power plants. This is solar power collected through mirrors and lenses that are laid out or set up in high sun light concentrated areas. Molten salts are stored into hot storage tanks where it can be kept for several days and then when it is needed it will be turned into electricity. The salts are stored at temps around 565 c and then once they are cooled to 290c it will be moved around for further cold storage and reuse.
Sample Solution
Molten silicon thermal energy storage systems offer a new and innovative way to store large amounts of energy. These systems harness the unique properties of molten silicon, which allows for higher storage temperatures than that of salts commonly used in other types of energy storage. Silicon is also more efficient at storing more energy per unit than traditional solar systems, as its density enables it to hold up to 100 times more energy in just one cubic meter (ScienceDaily 2016).
This technology has great potential for powering entire communities effectively and efficiently. A recent study conducted by MIT concluded that two 10-meter high tanks filled with molten silicon could provide enough power to support up to 100000 households (ScienceDaily 2016). In order to achieve this, however, the system will require significant capital investment and technological advancement. Despite these challenges, the benefits associated with such an energy source are clear – from providing access to renewable electricity around the clock regardless of weather conditions or time of day; avoiding fuel costs associated with coal or natural gas powered plants; reducing emissions from fossil fuels; producing electricity at lower cost than existing grid sources (MIT Energy Initiative 2020); and allowing remote areas without access to traditional power grids take advantage of renewable energies.
Overall, molten silicon thermal energy storage systems offer a highly potentially solution for storing large amounts of renewable electricity efficiently. Although there are some challenges associated with this type of technology that must be overcome before they can be deployed on a larger scale, the benefits far outweigh any roadblocks that may stand in the way. With continued research and development here too is no doubt that molten silicon will become an essential part of our future sustainable electricity supply.
