Tiny battery traps solar power to run a house for 24 hrs

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » 06 Aug 2009, 17:05

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news ... 854050.cms

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 06 Aug 2009, 17:29

Ceramatec’s new battery runs at less than 200°F

Oh good, it runs at below boiling point.

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » 06 Aug 2009, 18:27

Ooops! Meant to post under Solar Power. Blast.

Probably best filed under "too good to be true".

hardworkinghippy · Post by **hardworkinghippy** » 06 Aug 2009, 19:07

Let's hope not eh ?

Post by **adam2** » 06 Aug 2009, 20:10

Kieran wrote:Ooops! Meant to post under Solar Power. Blast.

Probably best filed under "too good to be true".

Moved to solar, and yes it does sound to good to be true, though I would wish to read about it before being too critical.

Link only opens a page of adverts for me.

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » 06 Aug 2009, 20:23

You're right, it's gone. Found the article elsewhere. In full:

"A small disc could be the solution for the efficient and cheap storage of the sun’s energy.

A Utah-based company has found a new way to store solar energy – in a small ceramic disk which can store more power for less. Researchers at Ceramatec have created the disk, which can hold up to 20-kilowatt hours, enough to power an entire house for a large portion of the day.

The new battery runs on sodium-sulfur — a composition that typically operates at greater than 600°F. “Sodium-sulfur is more energetic than lead-acid, so if you can somehow get it to a lower temperature, it would be valuable for residential use”, Ralph Brodd, an independent energy conversion consultant, says.

Ceramatec’s new battery runs at less than 200°F. The secret is a thin ceramic membrane that is sandwiched between the sodium and sulfur. Only positive sodium ions can pass through, leaving electrons to create a useful electrical current.

Ceramatec says that batteries will be ready for market testing in 2011, and will sell for about $2000. The disk has not yet been manufactured for residential use, but the creators have spoken optimistically about the possibility.

The convergence of two key technologies — solar power and deep-storage batteries — has profound implications for oil-strapped the US."

The Times of India

Thanks for moving post.

Post by **adam2** » 09 Aug 2009, 10:37

Sodium/sulphur batteries have around for many years but have not found favour owing to the dangerous active ingredients, and the high operating temperature.
If a sodium/sulphur battery is regularly cycled, then the losses in the battery keep it at operating temperature. If however it is left unused, then energy must be supplied to keep it hot.

The reduced operating temperature of the new battery would be an advantage in this respect.
AFAIK sodium/sulphur batteries have to be kept hot at all times, if allowed to cool they are killed.

I would not want a sodium/sulphur battery in or near my home, it is still very hot, sodium catches fire if exposed to air or water, and would probably ignite the sulphur which emits sulphur dioxide when burning.

If the new battery lives up to expectations, then I can forsee large units for grid use, to better balance supply and demand.
Domestic use appears most improbable.

There is still a lot to be said for lead acid batteries, cheap, easily recycled, simple to use, and relativly safe.

I have 1,000 A/H of 12 volt sealed lead acid batteries under my bed, would not fancy sodium/sulphur, or lithium there !
(I dont even like lithium flashlight batteries stored indoors)