The Renewable Technology Advances To Watch Out For

With concerns about climate change and energy security growing, along with falling costs, adoption of renewables like solar and wind power is accelerating globally. Businesses in the UK stand to benefit from many of these emerging technologies, which can help maximise energy efficiency, sustainability and cost savings. 

From revolutionary improvements in solar panels and wind turbines to innovative energy storage solutions and smart energy management systems, businesses have more options than ever before to embrace clean energy. By staying informed and taking advantage of these technology breakthroughs as they become commercially available, companies can take control of their energy use in an eco-friendly manner that boosts their bottom line. These are some of the most prominent advances to watch out for. 

Solar Innovations

Solar energy stands as one of the most promising renewable sources for companies with constantly evolving technology. Some recent sustainability innovations in solar include perovskite solar cells, floating panels, agrivoltaics and solar-charged batteries.

Perovskite solar cells, for instance, are a new type of solar cell poised to achieve greater efficiency and affordability than traditional silicon cells. Perovskites also boast more flexibility and light weight, making them ideal for a broader range of commercial uses.

Floating solar panels installed on bodies of water like lakes and reservoirs confer advantages too. They avoid shading issues and can be deployed where land is limited.

For agricultural businesses, agrivoltaics synergistically combines solar generation with farming. Solar arrays placed over crops or livestock provide shade while generating electricity. Solar-powered batteries can store the energy captured enabling solar use overnight or on cloudy days.

These showcase just a few of the many exciting solar innovations in development. As the technology continues maturing, solar is becoming more affordable and efficient all the time, making it a viable choice for more and more applications, particularly in commercial settings. 

Wind Power

Wind energy is expanding rapidly as a clean, sustainable electricity source, becoming more affordable and efficient all the time. Numerous wind power technologies exist, each with unique pros and cons. Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) are the most prevalent type. Their two or three blades spin around a horizontal axis. HAWTs get mounted on tall towers to tap into robust winds. Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have multiple blades rotating around a vertical axis instead. VAWTs are less common but offer advantages like working at lower wind speeds and generating less noise.

Beyond the above, other innovative wind solutions are in development. Some companies are creating small wind turbines deployable on homes and businesses. Others are engineering floating wind farms for deep waters, in areas where land-based wind farms are not a practical solution. Floating wind farms allow wind power generation in the open seas, accessing strong and consistent offshore winds. This massively expands the geography available for wind power.

The wind power landscape continues evolving with new technologies to watch. As options expand, and innovative models are created for different space allowances, wind-generated power is solidifying its role as an increasingly viable renewable electricity source for a variety of applications.

Electric Vehicle Advancements

Electric vehicles (EVs) keep gaining popularity as a sustainable transit option, but some kinks still need ironing out, especially around lithium-ion batteries. Currently, EV batteries last quite long, yet limited recycling infrastructure makes the process costly and taxing on the environment.

However, many companies aim to remedy these pitfalls. They’re testing novel recycling techniques to make battery recovery more efficient and eco-friendly. Manufacturing processes are also being honed to enable smoother production. Moreover, initiatives are in motion to construct more local recycling hubs, cutting transportation emissions and expenses. Governments are starting to implement more robust policies to facilitate widespread EV battery recycling too.

With breakthroughs in recycling, manufacturing, infrastructure and policy on the horizon, EV battery sustainability looks set to make great strides. As firms mull fleet upgrades and other green moves, staying current on EV advances is advised. Shifting to electric vehicles can slash carbon substantially, especially as supporting tech and infrastructure progresses.

Energy Storage

As renewable energy use increases, effective energy storage solutions are critical to balance energy supply and demand. When there is excess renewable energy generation, energy must be stored for later use during peaks and the latest in storage systems allows for this. 

There are several promising energy storage technologies emerging. Pumped hydro storage involves pumping water uphill to store energy and then releasing it downhill through turbines when energy is needed. This allows automated release of stored energy based on usage spikes.

Other promising storage solutions involve compressing air to store power, next-gen rechargeable batteries like lithium-ion, and holding heat in molten salt. Smart grids and the Internet of Things can optimise these systems by studying energy use habits and forecasting future needs, allowing for more energy efficiency across the UK. 

Moving forward, boosting storage capacity, efficiency, and automation will be crucial. Large-scale storage unlocks the ability to accommodate more renewables across the electrical grid while helping businesses control expenses. As companies craft their renewable energy and sustainability roadmaps, keeping an eye on storage tech advancements will be key. 

Renewable power is advancing at a blazing pace, with new innovations stated to progress in the near future that may easily change the game. For any enterprise pursuing sustainability, sourcing clean energy is critical. Monitoring the latest tech will empower informed choices around renewable investments and energy management plans.

Targeting burgeoning renewables like solar and wind, while backing them with storage, efficiency gains, and intelligent software, can curb emissions, strengthen energy security and generate long-term savings. The renewable breakthroughs outlined here chart a course for businesses to enact maximum climate impact and ROI in 2023 and thereafter. With so many next-gen renewable solutions emerging, the doors are wide open for companies to shift profitably towards greener energy.