Scientists and solar experts in Europe are feeling ambitious lately, particularly energized by nanotechnologies and the promise of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and biomimetics. These innovations, asserted attendees of the recent European Science Foundation conference, are well on their way to dominating the renewable energy market. They expect DSCs to break through soon, providing an easily produced, easily affordable avenue for solar power around the globe.

And these enthusiasts’ ambitions do not stop until solar power does just that: circumnavigating the globe. Yes, some solar experts are looking to a global solar grid to spread renewable energy and solve solar energy’s drawbacks, which include the difficulty of nighttime storage and the feasibility of solar power at higher latitudes. In fact, their reasoning for such an ambitious assessment is simple; the sun is always shining somewhere. Therefore, to connect the world on one global solar grid would provide a constant flow of solar electricity that could make a huge impact in offsetting fossil-fuel consumption.

Talk about “easier said than done,” but European experts are nonetheless enthusiastic. While dye-sensitized cells have had recent breakthroughs, scientists are especially excited about biomimetics, which has implications that reach beyond solar power. Biomimetics, or the process of mimicking natural processes such as photosynthesis, could be used to produce hydrogen fuels, alcohol for fuel, and even hydrocarbons that recycle carbon molecules from the air and thus offset any carbon footprint caused by energy production. There is also the promise of biomimetic electricity storage that could pave the way for a competitive electric vehicle.

Biomimetic processes can use organic ingredients, such as fruit dyes for solar cells, or completely artificial substances created in the laboratory. Widespread use of biomimetics and nanotechnologies are still far off but scientists, especially in Europe, can already see a logical train of innovation that leads directly to these new prospects. Traditional solar energy capture, first and second generation solar cells, will no doubt dominate in the short-term, but today’s scientists feel they are on track for the new generation. And it is a track that connects the entire globe.

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Posted on November 24th in Solar News by Dan.