Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/M029573/1 | |
| Title | Newton Fund-Integrating water cooled concentrated photovoltaics with waste heat reuse | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr S Balabani No email address given Mechanical Engineering University College London |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 January 2015 | |
| End Date | 31 March 2017 | |
| Duration | 27 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £72,518 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Newton Programme | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr S Balabani , Mechanical Engineering, University College London (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Dr M Tiwari , Mechanical Engineering, University College London (0.001%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Highly concentrated photovoltaic (HCPV) systems exploit concentrated solar flux using cheap optical components in lieu of large area, expensive photovoltaic cells. However, HCPV chips - due to their higher energy flux - generate considerable amount of waste heat which lowers their energy conversion efficiency. Novel microscale water cooling systems (i.e. microfluidic chips) can effectively regulate the photovoltaics cell temperature, thereby enhancing the cell energy efficiency. Additionally, the heat extracted by the coolant can be reused in:a. Food and Pharmaceutical stage: to run an absorption refrigeration unit (where evaporation of a working fluid causes cooling) for food preservation and storage of vaccines, that require considerable energy use.b. Water: membrane based water desalination processes to make saline water suitable for domestic and agricultural usec. Fuel: for efficient production biodieselIntegrating water cooled HCPV systems with one or more of these waste heat recovery technologies can have major positive impact on water, energy, food, healthcare and environmental challenges faced by Brazil - this is very well-aligned with the 'Food energy water environment nexus' theme. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 17/07/15 | |
