Elevated photovoltaic and under-bridge energy storage

Are photovoltaic energy storage solutions realistic alternatives to current systems?

Due to the variable nature of the photovoltaic generation, energy storage is imperative, and the combination of both in one device is appealing for more efficient and easy-to-use devices. Among the myriads of proposed approaches, there are multiple challenges to overcome to make these solutions realistic alternatives to current systems.

Can photovoltaic devices and storage be integrated in one device?

This critical literature review serves as a guide to understand the characteristics of the approaches followed to integrate photovoltaic devices and storage in one device, shedding light on the improvements required to develop more robust products for a sustainable future.

Are water-based solar thermal storages suitable for industrial applications?

In a review conducted by Kocak et al. (2020), regarding sensible solar storages for industrial section, it mentioned that the usage of water-based solar thermal storages for low temperature industrial applications such as pasteurization, cleaning and pre-heating processes, lead to considerable declining in fuel cost and CO 2 emissions.

Can a thin-film solid-state rechargeable battery be used as a harvesting device?

For instance, in Ye et al, 68 the fabrication and characterisation of a harvesting device that integrates a thin-film solid-state rechargeable battery was introduced, showing a 0.1%/cycle reduction on battery capacity and a generation-storage efficiency and maximum power point of 7.03% and 150 mW, respectively.

What insulating materials can be used to insulate solar water based storage?

Replacing insulating sheets (of rock wool, mineral wool or polystyrene) with bulk insulating materials (e.g. expanded glass granules, expanded perlite, expanded clay and foam glass gravel) is one of the more effective optimizations for seasonal solar water-based storage insulating in recent years ( Ochs et al., 2008 ).