Erik Lysen

Modeling improvement of spectral response of solar cells by deployment of spectral converters containing semiconductor nanocrystals

A planar converter containing quantum dots as wavelength-shifting moieties on top of a solar cell was studied. The highly efficient quantum dots are to shift the wavelengths where the spectral response of the solar cell is low to wavelengths where the spectral response is high in order to improve the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. It was calculated that quantum dots with an emission at 603 nm increase the multicrystalline solar cell short-circuit current by nearly 10%. Simulation results for planar converters on hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells show no beneficial effects, due to the high spectral response at low wavelength.

The CATO programme in the Netherlands on CO2 capture, transport and storage

Publisher Summary Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets have encouraged the Government of the Netherlands to be with the CATO programme. This progamme is implemented by a group of Dutch companies, universities and environmental organizations, and research institutions. The CATO programme can be regarded as a national research programme on CO2 capture, transport, and storage in the Netherlands. The aim of CATO is to develop a strong knowledge network in this field of research in the Netherlands, to assess and develop new knowledge, technologies, and approaches for clean fossil fuel use, thereby, supporting the transition to a fully sustainable energy system. The deployment of various clean fossil fuel (CFF) systems may lead to improved stability and security of energy supply due to a shift from oil to coal, natural gas, and unconventional resources. The Netherlands has specific advantages (natural gas infrastructure, many gas fields, aquifers, large heavy industry) for implementation of CFF options, which can give the country a strong comparative benefit compared to many other nations.

Worldwide Selection of Early Opportunities for CO2-EOR and CO2-ECBM (2): Selection and analysis of promising cases

Publisher Summary CO 2 sequestration is a technology that can contribute to a significant reduction in CO 2 emissions. It involves capture of the emitted CO 2 from the source process followed by dehydration/compression, transportation of the CO 2 by pipeline to the storage site and injection and storage of the CO 2 in the geological reservoir. One of the key barriers to the introduction of CO 2 capture and storage technology has been identified as the high cost of capture. However, many industrial processes generate exhaust gas streams with high purity (>90%) CO 2 , which means that the capture costs will be significantly lower. Once CO 2 is captured, there is a cost associated with the transport of CO 2 from the source to the storage site. For most sequestration schemes involving CO 2 capture, the cost of CO 2 transport is small compared to the capture costs. Transportation costs can remain low if storage could be close to CO 2 sources, thereby minimizing pipeline distances. Finally, there is a cost associated with the injection of CO 2 into the geological storage reservoir. However, in certain CO 2 sequestration cases, there are some opportunities for storage at small (or even negative) net cost. These opportunities exist where production of oil or gas is enhanced by the injection of CO 2 into the reservoir, thereby generating revenues.