Powering the Future with Liquid Sunshine

被引：737

作者：

Shih, Choon Fong ^{[1
]}

Zhang, Tao ^{[2
]}

Li, Jinghai ^{[3
]}

Bai, Chunli ^{[2
]}

机构：

[1] Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100049, Peoples R China

[2] Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100864, Peoples R China

[3] Natl Nat Sci Fdn China, Beijing 100085, Peoples R China

来源：

JOULE | 2018年 / 2卷 / 10期

关键词：

SYSTEM;

D O I：

10.1016/j.joule.2018.08.016

中图分类号：

O64 [物理化学（理论化学）、化学物理学];

学科分类号：

070304 ; 081704 ;

摘要：

In 2017, global CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels reached 33 gigatons, twice the natural rate at which CO2 is absorbed back into land and ocean sinks. Harnessing solar radiation holds the answer to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. It is the most abundant energy resource and could meet humans' future energy needs. The efficient conversion of solar radiation into stable, energy-dense liquid energy carriers that can use existing or adapt global supply chains for storage, shipping, and distribution is the key to large-scale deployment of solar energy at gigaton levels. Liquid sunshine is the vision of combining the sun's energy with carbon dioxide and water to produce green liquid fuels. CO2 released on using these fuels is recycled back into the environment, thus maintaining an ecologically balanced cycle. Multi-source and multi-purpose alcohols are optimal candidate fuels. Methanol and ethanol are actionable first targets with gigaton production potential.

引用

页码：1925 / 1949

页数：25