Boosting silicon photovoltaic efficiency from regasification of liquefied natural gas

Jeffrey M. Gordon; Gilad Moses; Eugene A. Katz

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2020.118907

Boosting silicon photovoltaic efficiency from regasification of liquefied natural gas

The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The regasification of liquefied natural gas from 111 K to ambient temperature represents a standard large-scale process that currently dissipates a worldwide total of ∼105 TWh/yr of cold energy to seawater. We consider the potential efficiency enhancement attainable by exploiting this nominally free cold energy to cool conventional silicon photovoltaics. Whether the temperature dependence of photovoltaic performance at ordinary operating conditions can be extrapolated to cryogenic temperatures has remained unexplored territory. In measuring the principal PV performance variables down to cryogenic temperatures, we show that such cooling can boost PV efficiency by close to 80% relative.

Original language	English
Article number	118907
Journal	Energy
Volume	214
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118907
State	Published - 1 Jan 2021

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Cryogenic
Efficiency enhancement
Liquefied natural gas
Regasification
Silicon solar cells
Temperature dependence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Civil and Structural Engineering
Building and Construction
Pollution
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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10.1016/j.energy.2020.118907

Cite this

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title = "Boosting silicon photovoltaic efficiency from regasification of liquefied natural gas",

abstract = "The regasification of liquefied natural gas from 111 K to ambient temperature represents a standard large-scale process that currently dissipates a worldwide total of ∼105 TWh/yr of cold energy to seawater. We consider the potential efficiency enhancement attainable by exploiting this nominally free cold energy to cool conventional silicon photovoltaics. Whether the temperature dependence of photovoltaic performance at ordinary operating conditions can be extrapolated to cryogenic temperatures has remained unexplored territory. In measuring the principal PV performance variables down to cryogenic temperatures, we show that such cooling can boost PV efficiency by close to 80\% relative.",

keywords = "Cryogenic, Efficiency enhancement, Liquefied natural gas, Regasification, Silicon solar cells, Temperature dependence",

author = "Gordon, \{Jeffrey M.\} and Gilad Moses and Katz, \{Eugene A.\}",

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AU - Moses, Gilad

AU - Katz, Eugene A.

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N2 - The regasification of liquefied natural gas from 111 K to ambient temperature represents a standard large-scale process that currently dissipates a worldwide total of ∼105 TWh/yr of cold energy to seawater. We consider the potential efficiency enhancement attainable by exploiting this nominally free cold energy to cool conventional silicon photovoltaics. Whether the temperature dependence of photovoltaic performance at ordinary operating conditions can be extrapolated to cryogenic temperatures has remained unexplored territory. In measuring the principal PV performance variables down to cryogenic temperatures, we show that such cooling can boost PV efficiency by close to 80% relative.

AB - The regasification of liquefied natural gas from 111 K to ambient temperature represents a standard large-scale process that currently dissipates a worldwide total of ∼105 TWh/yr of cold energy to seawater. We consider the potential efficiency enhancement attainable by exploiting this nominally free cold energy to cool conventional silicon photovoltaics. Whether the temperature dependence of photovoltaic performance at ordinary operating conditions can be extrapolated to cryogenic temperatures has remained unexplored territory. In measuring the principal PV performance variables down to cryogenic temperatures, we show that such cooling can boost PV efficiency by close to 80% relative.

KW - Cryogenic

KW - Efficiency enhancement

KW - Liquefied natural gas

KW - Regasification

KW - Silicon solar cells

KW - Temperature dependence

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M3 - Article

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JO - Energy

JF - Energy

M1 - 118907

ER -

Boosting silicon photovoltaic efficiency from regasification of liquefied natural gas

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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