Sun and wind energy have for long being looked at as such energy sources that can replenish our fast depleting reservoirs of energy. However, simultaneously scientists have also been looking at other viable green sources of energy that could bail out mankind at times when these sources are unavailable. Toying with this idea, researchers at the University of Arizona are exploring ways to tap the omnipresent air and convert it into usable and affordable form of green energy. The idea is to compress air and keep it stored in either natural or man-made reservoirs and consume them when other alternatives are not available.
A rough estimate suggests that two swimming pools’ worth of compressed air can produce a few megawatt-hours of energy. Efforts are on to make a utility that could store air during the daytime and release it for electricity generation for the nighttime power usage. Professors at the Department of Material Science and Engineering, UA, said that efforts are on to also find ways to use this compressed air directly for electric appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators.
One of the most challenging roadblock in the way of researchers is finding enough reservoirs to serve the potential energy demand of a nation. The group is developing a new subsurface imaging technology called the Differential Target Antenna Coupling method to map structures with the ability to investigate deeper and with much greater resolution. Sites suitable for compressed air include salt deposits, porous rocks and other natural reservoirs, professors at the university said.
While a lot needs to be done both on the logistics and engineering fronts, researchers believe the world could have a sneak peek at the prototype by the next year. The project is funded by the Science Foundation Arizona, the Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy, the U.S. Department of Energy and several local businesses.
Via: Arizona Star Net
