Decarbonising electrical grids using photovoltaics with enhanced capacity factors

Williams, C., Michaels, H., Crossland, A. F., Zhang, Z., Shirshova, N., MacKenzie, R. C.I., Sun, H., Kettle, J., Freitag, M. and Groves, C. (2023) Decarbonising electrical grids using photovoltaics with enhanced capacity factors. Energy and Environmental Science, 16(10), pp. 4650-4659. (doi: 10.1039/D3EE00633F)

Abstract

Many scenarios for Net Zero anticipate substantial growth of Solar PV generation to satisfy 30% of our electricity needs. However, this scale of deployment introduces challenges as supply may not meet demand, thereby necessitating energy storage and demand-side management. Here we demonstrate a different, complementary approach to resolving this challenge in which Solar PV generation can be made intrinsically less variable than commercial PV. Proof-of-concept dye-sensetised PVs for which the power conversion efficiency increases as light intensity reduces are demonstrated. Modelling of the UK mainland energy network predicts that these devices are more effective at displacing high carbon generation from coal and gas than commercial PV. The capacity factor of these PV devices are controlled by their design, and capacity factors >60% greater than silicon are predicted based on experimental data. These data demonstrate a new approach to designing PV devices in which minimising variability in generation is the goal. This new design target can be realised in a range of emerging technologies, including Perovskite PV and Organic PV, and is predicted to be more effective at delivering carbon reductions for a given energy network than commercial PV.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: We gratefully acknowledge funding from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (EP/S023836/1), and the North East Centre for Energy Materials (EP/R021503/1).
• Keywords: photovoltaics, renewables integration, decarbonisation, capacity factor
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kettle, Professor Jeff

Creator Roles

Kettle, J.: Investigation, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Williams, C., Michaels, H., Crossland, A. F., Zhang, Z., Shirshova, N., MacKenzie, R. C.I., Sun, H., Kettle, J., Freitag, M., and Groves, C.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Energy and Environmental Science
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 1754-5692
• ISSN (Online): 1754-5706
• Published Online: 19 September 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023
• First Published: First published in Energy and Environmental Science 16(10):4650-4659
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence