Chemistry Connections to the Power Grid – Closing the “Generation Gap”

Debbie FraserCURENT – Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

June 2015Knoxville, 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 GRIDLessons 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

Where’s Chemistry?

- Identify major energy sources - Describe pros and cons of each energy sources

>Diatomic Part-ners”

Transitioning to Renewable Energy Sources(Introduction to Lesson Two)

zDriving forces :

• Limited nonrenewable energy sources

• Global warming

• Economic impact of fluctuating foreign fuel prices

Renewable EnergyTransition 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

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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?

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ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER:

A GLIMPSE AT OTHER PROMISING TECHNOLOGIES

• DYE-SENSITIZED PHOTOELECTROSYNTHESIS CELL (DSPEC)

http://www.inspirationgreen.com/solar-driven-fuel-production.html

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

INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF A NANO-EDISON BATTERY

LIQUID METAL BATTERY FOR GRID STORAGE