Nanotechnology and the future of energy

Paul Holister is currently writing a book about ’Nanotechnology and the Future of Energy’. On an interview to the Club of Amsterdam, he describes the benefits of nanotechnology and the revolution it is likely to cause in the energy sector. It will change dramatically the old-fashioned way in which we currently use energy.

Anti-fouling paints for wave or tidal power, materials with higher tolerance for radiation in nuclear reactors, improvements in strength-to-weight ratio of materials used in blades of wind turbines, lenses to focus light on silicon photovoltaic panels or even developments in fuel cell and battery technology are just a few examples of nano-influence.

But when it comes to the discussion about the old and new energy, he stresses that all the alternative scenarios involve a mix of technologies and energy sources. This will inevitably lead to a far more complex system than we have now, placing the grid as the biggest challenge. Hence the phrase ‘intelligent grid’.

He mentions that the grid we now take for granted exists only as consequence of our historical dependence on fossil fuels, is grossly inefficient, and will be dramatically challenged by localized generation in the mixed-energy-source scenario. Yet, another question arises, the amount of energy we will need to transfer from place to place in an economically viable way.

He mentions that the classic answer to the challenge would be hydrogen, but the real solution would be the development of high-load superconducting cables, perhaps made of carbon nanotubes.