Molecular solar thermal energy storage systems (MOST) offer emission-free energy storage where solar power is stored via valence isomerization in molecular photoswitches.
What is a molecular solar thermal energy storage system?
The first key step in the molecular solar thermal energy storage system is the absorption of light by the parent molecule, which undergoes a reversible photoisomerization reaction to its corresponding metastable isomer.
How does molecular solar-thermal energy storage work?
In molecular solar-thermal energy storage (Fig. 9.1 ), a chemical compound undergoes a light-induced chemical reaction to form a metastable product. In contrast to a solar fuel, the storage medium is recycled by passage over a catalyst to regenerate the solar harvesting medium with the evolution of heat.
What is molecular solar-thermal (most) energy storage?
The term Molecular Solar-Thermal (MOST) energy storage has been introduced for systems like anthracene, where solar energy is stored by reversible molecular rearrangements [ 15 ]. The reactant, sometimes referred to as the parent compound, must absorb solar light to form a metastable photoisomer, and this process must be reversible.
What is a solar energy storage system?
These systems have been expanded significantly in the last decades, even though the first idea dates a while back . The MOST approach is based on the storage of solar energy as chemical energy using a photoactive molecule, which, after being exposed to sunlight, isomerizes into a metastable high-energy photoisomer .
What are solar energy conversion and solar energy storage?
Solar energy conversion and solar energy storage are key challenges for a future society with limited access to fossil fuels. Certain compounds that undergo light-induced isomerisation to a metastable isomer can be used for storage of solar energy, so-called molecular solar thermal systems.
What is the ideal absorption scenario for Molecular Solar thermal energy storage?
The ideal absorption scenario for molecular solar thermal energy storage systems is to use solar radiation, which reaches the Earth's surface at high intensities . Thus, targeting a photoisomerization induced reaction in the 350–450 nm range is highly desirable.