Innovation in renewable energy

In its Sixth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge about climate change, stated that greenhouse gas emissions need to be almost halved by 2030 if global warming is to be limited to 1.5°C, the benchmark goal established by the World Economic Forum.

To meet these goals will require an all out global effort and continued technology innovation. In our ongoing effort to stay at the forefront of what’s happening in the industry, BEI is continually on the lookout for the latest and most exciting technology developments in renewable energy creation.

Here are some innovations we recently uncovered.

Turbine-solar panels: A French company, Unéole, has invented an easy-to-install solar panel that generates sun and wind power in a single unit. Designed for use on the flat rooftops of offices and apartment buildings, this solution has been shown to produce 40 percent more energy than a pure solar panel and generate power 24 hours a day.

A wind turbine that doesn’t move: An American start-up, Aeromine, is proving that massive turbines are not required for wind power. The company has developed a turbine solution that measures only 3 meters in diameter and has no external moving parts. It uses aerodynamic fins to guide the natural airflow in front of a building, generating 50 percent more power than other sustainable options, according to the company’s estimates.

Solar water canals: To address the chronic drought situation in California, start-up SolarAquaGrid is working on a solution for the state’s open canal water distribution system. The company has installed a roof of solar panels over the canals to generate power and reduce evaporation. If this approach works—and all 3976.776 miles of the state’s canals are fitted with solar roofs—it could save 283 billion liters of water a year and generate enough power for 9.4 million homes.

Solar panel windows: California-based Ubiquitous Technology has created a new solar panel window capable of generating up to 30 percent of a building’s power needs. The glass in the window pane is treated to absorb and convert invisible ultraviolet and infrared light into electricity.

Hydropanels: To address the water scarcity faced by many countries around the world, Source, a U.S.-based start-up, has developed an off-grid hydropanel that can turn air into water. Fans inside the panel pull water vapor from the air and convert it to liquid water to be mineralized for use as drinking water. The company estimates that one hydropanel has the potential to eliminate the need for 54,000 single-use plastic water bottles over a 15-year lifespace.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) efficiency: Several new companies are working on enhancing the efficiency of solar panels with advanced materials like perovskites, which have a higher light absorption coefficient than traditional silicon cells. Innovative designs such as bifacial solar panels are also being developed to capture sunlight on both sides for maximum energy production.

Wind energy optimization: To minimize the impact of wind turbines on local communities, advanced computational models, AI algorithms, and predictive analytics are now being used to optimize their design and placement as well as reduce noise.

BESS improvements: Several companies are developing solid-state batteries that offer higher energy density and are safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries. They are also exploring alternative battery chemistries, such as vanadium redox-flow and zinc-air batteries, for grid-scale energy storage.

Smart grid integration: New advanced grid management systems that incorporate AI and machine learning are now being employed to balance supply and demand, optimize energy distribution, and enhance grid resilience.

A commitment to innovation

As a leading provider of design and installation services for all aspects of renewable energy infrastructure, BEI is always looking for new ideas and more efficient ways to deliver the best possible results for our clients. Toward that end, we incorporate the most advanced methodologies and technologies in our work and foster a culture of continuous learning. “The renewable energy industry is undergoing rapid change, and it’s imperative that we stay ahead of the curve,” explains Gary Chelini, Principal, BEI Construction.