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Convert Oil Wells to Solve the Solar Storage Problem

Cars That Think

One of the main impediments to harnessing solar energy is storage. Solar batteries work as a short-term solution, but not when it comes to long-term storage or to power, say, an entire city. Solar energy and oil wells might sound like an odd combination, but the principle is similar to how geothermal energy would be harnessed.

Solar 119
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ARPA-E awarding $30M to 12 hybrid solar projects; conversion and storage

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Under the FOCUS program, projects will develop advanced solar converters that turn sunlight into electricity for immediate use, while also producing heat that can be stored at low cost for later use as well as innovative storage systems that accept both heat and electricity from variable solar sources.

Solar 300
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US DOE Awarding Up To $62M for Concentrating Solar Power Research and Development

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The US Department of Energy has selected 13 projects for investment of up to $62 million over five years to research, develop, and demonstrate Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems capable of providing low-cost electrical power. These selections include: Abengoa Solar, Inc. Lakewood, CO – up to $10.6

Solar 240
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New $30M ARPA-E program to develop new solar conversion and storage technologies; targeting higher solar penetration in mix

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The primary goal of this funding opportunity ( DE-FOA-0000949 ) is to provide disruptive new solar conversion and storage technology options to enable a much higher penetration of solar energy generation into the US energy mix. a) Hybrid solar converter (award Categories 1A and 1B). Source: ARPA-E. Click to enlarge.

Solar 290
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California Energy Commission awards more than $5.5M for green transportation projects and $1.8M for 20 energy research projects

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Funds for these projects—which span areas as diverse as a new crossover valve for the split-cycle Tour Engine ( earlier post ) to a new solar thermal storage device capable of integration with utility scale solar thermal power plants—come from Commission’s Energy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) program.

San Diego 346
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DOE ARPA-E awards $156M to projects to 60 projects to accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies

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The new ARPA-E selections focus on accelerating innovations in clean technology while increasing US competitiveness in rare earth alternatives and breakthroughs in biofuels, thermal storage, grid controls, and solar power electronics. Solar ADEPT: Solar Agile Delivery of Electrical Power Technology ($14.7 Lead organization.

Energy 294
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Ceramic pump moves molten metal at a record 1,400 ?C; new avenues for energy storage and hydrogen production

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The new pump could facilitate high efficiency, low-cost thermal storage, providing a new way to store renewable energy generated by wind and solar power, and facilitate an improved process for generating hydrogen directly from fuels such as methane without producing carbon dioxide.