Nowadays, the need for solutions related to the production and transmission of new energy is becoming increasingly important. Electronic applications have a huge impact on our lives. This is why it is also important to consider using sustainable approaches that allow to reduce both the greenhouse effect and carbon dioxide emissions. The ability to produce energy from alternative sources such as the sun, wind, wave action and biomass allows for a significant reduction in environmental impact and pollutant emissions compared to conventional energy sources based on fossil fuels. Solar energy, for example, can help developing countries or small mountainous and rural communities equip themselves with efficient, economical and virtually environmental impact-free plants for the production of electricity. Photovoltaic panels have experienced rapid and significant development in recent years, providing users with increasingly efficient and reliable solutions that require less maintenance and are capable of producing energy even in conditions of low solar radiation. At the same time, the simplicity of installation has grown, and it is favored by the introduction of flexible panels that are able to adapt to surfaces of various types. Photovoltaic systems are usually combined with special production storage units, made from more or less advanced storage batteries according to the available budget. These batteries allow to accumulate energy during the day, thus making it possible to illuminate and operate various loads during the night. Not only that, they are also able to detect power outages, becoming the primary power source automatically in the event of a power outage. Unlike generators, storage batteries are able to deliver power without fuel and in a silent manner. Power transmission is of equal importance in producing power, especially if it can happen wirelessly, without the need to use bulky and often annoying electrical cables. Wireless transmission technology, based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, has recently returned to the fore thanks to two priority applications. The first, related to the consumer electronics sector, relates to the charging of portable devices powered by batteries (usually smartphones), which can be recharged simply by placing them on a suitable source capable of transmitting electricity by conduction. The second major application concerns the recharging of batteries in hybrid electric and electric vehicles, which is carried out by devices that can be placed on the ground under the vehicle or even integrated into the road surface. In addition to not requiring electrical cables to be connected, this solution proves to be very effective from a safety standpoint, as it does not expose the user to the potential risks of contact with the higher forces involved. In the following paragraphs, two very innovative real applications will be presented, related to the exploitation of solar energy as a source of electricity and the transmission of wireless energy in different types of contexts. Flexible Solar PV Roll, based in Sunderland (UK), has developed an innovative solar film model capable of generating and storing energy. Lightweight and flexible, the solar film is able to adapt to any type of surface, and produce electricity at a cost of up to 20 times less than traditional photovoltaic panels. The new technology is based on a flexible film embossed with thousands of fine edges. Each micro-incision is a few microns thick and is smaller than a human hair. The advantages offered by this solution are the following: Low cost: $ 0.03 / W of finished product; Low weight: 0.3 kg / m2; Ease of installation and reduced maintenance times; Sustainability, due to the use of fully recyclable materials and the absence of rare soils; Adaptability: The same technology can be used either on rooftops or to power small IoT sensors; High power density: 500W / kg. As shown in Figure 1, the flexible film enables mass manufacturing of capacitors using a range of dielectrics and storage materials. Advance capacitor technology for energy storage: ultra-low cost manufacturing; Exceptional power density Multiple shapes and sizes with voltage and capacitance flexibility; Improved service life compared to wet electrolytic capacitors. Figure 1 shows the stages of the flexible solar film fabrication process. Figure 1: Steps to manufacturing flexible photovoltaic solar panels “Our technology has several advantages over flexible solar technology. It’s very easy to produce. There are fewer steps in the manufacturing process,” said Neil Spahn, Managing Director at Power Roll. To flexible PV cells, we can say that they are much more expensive. So, in fact, the main advantage of our technology is cost-effectiveness. In terms of efficiency, our efficiency is good. But we are not aiming to make a high performance solar panel in the world, there are some technologies that are pushing devices up. We are looking for a compromise, and a good level of performance. So our current cell performance is 11%, which is somehow comparable to other flexible solar panels like organic photovoltaics. But we plan to increase it up to 20%. Thanks to the possibility of customization, there is a wide range of applications. ”By applying different active materials to the Power Roll microgroove technology, it is possible to create energy storage solutions with a range of discharge times. Today’s solar technologies are either too expensive to deploy or their stiffness and weight make them ineffective. Suitable for the function.The low-cost, flexible and lightweight Power Roll film enables renewable energy sources to be used in brand new applications.In partnership with the Energy Resources Institute (TERI), Power Roll is installing an innovative miniature solar grid system for power generation and storage in rural villages located in Mukteshwar, in Himalayas, India.The system consists of portable and lightweight photovoltaic solar cells to generate power and capacity to store energy to enable energy use at night.Each system is designed to meet the specific needs of each village.Applications include operating water pumps to support irrigation, and lights to help young people study in Night, power-to-power phones that give access to national and international knowledge and support networks. Through this project, Power Roll is also experimenting with new ways. A hand to install the solar film using wire tensioning systems, which allows the solar film to be transported quickly and easily to where it is most needed. The project is set to run until the end of 2021 and Power Roll will report on the results in March 2022. Wireless Power Transmission PowerSphyr, a company headquartered in Danville, California, aims to revolutionize the power delivery of electronic devices via an intelligent wireless network. Energy technology. PowerSphyr offers the following solutions to suit any application: Magnetic Resonance, a solution that provides high power delivery and spatial freedom. It is safe for close metals, provides excellent thermal management and supports multiple devices simultaneously; Qi, the simplest and least expensive solution. It is characterized by limited spatial freedom, energy conduction, and thermal management (minerals become very hot). Moreover, this solution requires precise alignment between transmitter and receiver; Capacitive, suitable solution for very high power industrial applications; RF Energy Harvesting, a great solution for sensors and IoT applications. It has excellent spatial freedom (up to 40 feet), can be used to harvest current frequencies and supports FCC regulatory limits. PowerSphyr’s SkyCurrent family of wireless power transmission and reception solutions enables fast, easy-to-use and secure wireless charging across a wide range of products and units. Each product includes a fully developed reference design. The primary markets for Skycurrent’s products include automotive, consumer, and industrial. PowerSphyr designs wireless power products and units for the automotive industry that eliminates the need for cables or precision coil alignments, enabling fast, easy-to-use, and secure charging systems with sleek industrial design and flexible form factors. Figure 2 shows an automotive application that includes wireless sensors for control and monitoring (lights, airbags, temperature, doors, etc.) and wireless charging of passenger devices that support MRI, Qi and RF solutions. “One of our goals is to reduce complexity by rethinking how the cockpit operates – wireless. This means removing connectors and replacing traditional methods with future wireless solutions. Many companies have focused on wireless power to charge portable devices in the cabin but there is a great opportunity to simplify manufacturing and improve safety and reliability. And reduce in-vehicle cost by using PowerSphyr’s new generation of wireless power technology. Vehicles today contain more than two hundred conductors that provide power and connectivity to important features and systems. As vehicle electrification continues to advance, we will see vehicles become more feature-rich and increasingly software-dependent. It will become a new approach. We are also seeing a massive increase in the amount of copper inside vehicles. While most of it is related to batteries and propulsion, it is also used to direct energy throughout the vehicle, ”said Will Wright, CEO of PowerSphyr. Phone or tablet, we are developing wireless solutions to reduce the complexity of wires and connectors. Whether it is to operate seat motors, heated seats, or side mirrors and speakers, the wireless approach solves many of the challenges the industry has faced for years. PowerSphyr delivers solutions from low power to 450W and every year we work to advance our technology even further for our automotive and industrial customers. Our core technology is a proprietary form of MRI that delivers power at 6.78 or 13.56 MHz, depending on the application. I cannot stress enough the enormous importance of electromagnetism design. Our new solutions deliver both power and connect seamlessly. Figure 2: Automotive applications including wireless-powered sensors and wireless chargers in relation to the industrial sector, PowerSphyr seamlessly supports the three core standards of wireless charging (magnetic resonance, magnetic inductive and AirFuel RF), capable of meeting medium to medium power demand For the consumer industry, it introduces PowerSphyr SkyCurrent III (shown in Figure 3), the ultimate wireless charging pad that provides a dual-mode wireless charging pad and a set of “fast-charging” battery cases. Phones on SkyCurrent III.
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