At a special session of the Russian Energy Week, “A Casual Meeting with the Laureates of the Global Energy International Prize”, the Global Energy Association presented a report titled “10 Breakthrough Ideas in Energy for the Next 10 Years”. The report outlines the most promising scientific and engineering trends that could shape the development of the global energy industry in the coming decade. The authors sought to demonstrate how fundamental discoveries and applied technologies can jointly shape a sustainable and efficient energy industry of the future.
Among the chief trends identified in the report are new approaches to energy production and storage. The researchers propose using solar thermochemistry based on cerium oxide to produce fuel from water and carbon dioxide, literally converting sunlight into liquid fuel.
Chemical engineering is moving ahead in a similar vein, with universal molecular catalysts becoming more and more important. These compounds can accelerate reactions in the oil-and-gas, chemical and hydrogen industries without harming the environment.
No less significant are new solutions in the field of energy storage: hybrid oxide supercapacitors and new water batteries provide high capacity, safety and stable operation, paving the way for compact and long-lasting power sources for transport and power grids. Moreover, unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, these devices do not require expensive and scarce materials.
Much attention is being paid to technological solutions that improve the efficiency of energy infrastructure. The report describes innovations in power transmission and distribution, from new conductor materials to digital distribution management systems that can minimize losses. The authors also point out the role of small modular reactors, which provide stable power generation and can be used in remote and developing regions.
A separate area of research is focused on energy communities and smart cities, where local grids include solar panels, storage devices and charging stations for electric vehicles, forming a closed and sustainable ecosystem.
Some of the promising ideas explored in the report include next-generation materials. Of particular interest are MXenes. These two-dimensional compounds of metals and carbon have unique conductivity and strength properties, which is why they could form the basis for powerful batteries and hydrogen storage systems. Work is also rapidly progressing on biomimetic materials, composites which are capable of regeneration similarly to living organisms. These coatings and structures could significantly extend the service life of power equipment and reduce repair and maintenance costs.
Alternative fuel sources are also being considered. The researchers view aviation kerosene production technologies as the most promising among viable alternatives to conventional petroleum products, as they make it possible to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry and improve its energy efficiency without the need for radical infrastructure overhauls.
Source: Global Energy Association
