A Seminar report on
PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY FROM ARTIFICIAL NANO TREES
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CONTENTS
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Sl. No.
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Page No.
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Abstract
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Introduction
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Artificial nano trees
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Composition & Design of nano leaves
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Operation & working
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Properties of nano leaf
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Construction of nano tree
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Application
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Important trends of artificial nano trees in future Cost analysis
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Capacity of artificial trees
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Comparison between solar cell & nano trees in production field
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Case study
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Conclusion
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Reference
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ABSTRACT
The energy harvesting trees are super eco-friendly synthetic trees will make use of renewable energy from the sun along with wind power, which are an effective clean and environmentally sound medium of gathering solar radiation and wind energy. The artificial trees are implanted with Nanoleaves, a composite of nano-photovoltaic nano-thermo voltaic and nano-piezovoltaic sources transforming light, heat and wind energy into eco-friendly electricity. The Nanoleaves transform the whole solar scale converting detectable light, infrared and Ultraviolet in a unification with piezo-electric generators that alter wind energy into electricity giving you efficient, cost efficient and attractive looking solutions, whilst providing the greatest electric power. The world is reeling under the severe shortage of reliable and efficient energy resources. The profitable energy resources used to generate electricity so far, ‘fossil fuels’ are extinguished and also effecting the environment, thus the greenhouse effect and the global warming phenomenon that we keep hearing about are the repercussions. Thus, there is an immediate call to switch over to a better, eco-friendly, affluent energy resource i.e., ‘the Renewable Sources. It eliminates the problems faced by a traditional solar panel fields, i.e., non-availability of solar energy during cloudy or rainy days and during nightfall. In case of Solar Botanic Trees, The more the wind is, the more Nano-leaves are moved. Wind that is moving thousands of Nano leaves in a tree canopy are causing mechanical strain in the petiole, twigs and branches. Nano piezo-electric elements incorporated in the petiole twigs and branches are the tiny Nano piezoelectric elements that will generate millions and millions of Pico watts as these thousands of Nano leaves flap back and forth due to wind. The stronger the wind, the higher the "flap" frequency, and therefore the larger the watts generated in the petiole, twigs and branches. Similar is the case of energy during rainfall, the mechanical vibrations in these tiny generators produce electricity from movement or kinetic energy caused by wind or falling raindrops
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INTRODUCTION In the years ahead we will witness a world where there will be scarcity for non-renewable energy sources, but mankind is blessed that we are provided with the solar power and wind power which will last for millions of years. By using this new technology, we can harvest the energy of the sun and wind by embodying substantiated science. Also existing source of renewable energy, solar panels, parabolic sun collectors, wind and tidal turbines are inefficient, expensive and environmentally insensitive. One of the emerging nanotechnologies related to renewable energy is nanoleaves and stems of artificially created trees or plants. They are an emerging form of renewable energy through collecting energy from the sun and wind and converting it to electrical energy. The leaves are distributed throughout artificial trees and plants, and when operating at optimum efficiency can supply a whole household with electricity. They are intended to harness energy provided by the wind and sun, thereafter converting it into electrical energy. There are mainly two important reasons for which we should go for energy harvesting trees. They are as follows: - Firstly, this energy harvesting trees are eco- friendly and neat form of technology. - Secondly, these solar trees could offer frequent plug- in stations for the electric vehicles and hybrids of the near and distant future. It is the best option of energy generation because it requires very less land as compare to the traditional PV system. It can generate energy very efficiently as compare to traditional system. Depending on size & location, a tree can produce between 2000 & 12000 kWh per year.
BETTER THAN A TRADITIONAL SYSTEM 4
For the traditional system we require large size of land to generate a small amount of power. It requires about 1% land as compare to the traditional system. And it gives an efficiency of over 84%.
Example: To generate 2MW power from a PV module we require 10-12 acres of land for housing of panels only. But for the same amount of energy we require only 0.10-0.12 acres of land in case of nano tree
ARTIFICIAL NANO TREES One of the emerging nanotechnologies related to renewable energy is nanoleaves and stems of artificially created trees or plants. They are an emerging form of renewable energy through collecting energy from the sun and wind and converting it to electrical energy. The leaves are distributed throughout artificial trees and plants, and when operating at optimum efficiency can supply a whole household with electricity. They are intended to harness energy provided by the wind and sun, thereafter converting it into electrical energy. Moreover, to better understand the fundamental of nanoleaves, we have to dig into an innovative field of technologic development, called Biomimicry.
OVERVIEW OF BIOMIMICRY Our solution is primly based on the principle of ‘Distributed generation’. This solution is loosely based on the principle of Bio- mimicry. Biomimicry is an emerging discipline that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. It is the practice of developing sustainable human technologies inspired by nature. The nano-leaves have been specially designed to imitate the natural process of photosynthesis (an organic mechanism by which plants absorb the light emitted by the sun and CO2 in the atmosphere, turning it into nutrients and oxygen). The artificial trees will even copy the natural recycling process of carbon-dioxide to oxygen conversion. It is only recently that nano-leaves technology started to progress to even more advanced levels; It can now harvest thermal energy in addition to solar. Moreover, the leaves are also able to collect energy derived through movement of the wind, known as kinetic energy, which is also converted into electrical energy. In this bio-mimicry approach, artificially created trees are implanted with nano-leaves, a composite of nano-photovoltaic, nano-thermo voltaic and nano-piezo sources transforming light, heat and wind energy (respectively) into ecologically friendly electricity. The nano-leaves 5
transform the whole solar spectrum of light; converting detectable light, infrared and ultraviolet into electricity. This works in conjunction with the piezo-electric generators that convert wind energy into electricity providing efficient, cost effective and attractive looking solutions, while providing the sustainable electric power. Bio-mimicry is a developing science attempting to solve human difficulties by adapting to and implementing nature’s systems into human technology. This job is accomplished by way of the use of nature’s design with synthetic trees, shrubs, plants and flowers all developed with nanoleaves engineered photo-voltaic (PV) cells. This emerging yet brilliant method of energy creation is both clean and renewable with a broad range of applications.
WHAT IS A NANOLEAF? We know very well that piezoelectric crystals, photo voltaic cell and thermo voltaic cells are used to convert the one form of energy into electrical energy but till now we are not using these all the techniques in the single system. Think if we are mingling these all the techniques in single system then surely different types of energies coming to the system can be converted into huge amount of electrical energy. So for this, the only and the best solution is the Nano leaves because the leaves on a tree get all these types of energies such as solar energy from sun, wind energy as well as stress from the rain and for converting these all the energies into electrical energy all the above mentioned techniques we are having in a single Nano leaf. The other main motive to choose Nano leaves is that the size is small and compact. The other main advantage of using Nano leaves is that it can produce more electrical energy than the solar technique.
COMPOSITION & DESIGN OF NANO LEAVES The nano-technology was initially developed to harness solely solar energy. However, nowadays it has widespread uses. It exploits various alternative sources of energy like wind, solar and thermal energy. Furthermore, these highly advanced artificial plants and/or trees use tiny cells to capture energy:
-thermal energy
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This is captured through the use of thermo voltaic (TV) cells which convert thermal energy into electricity by using semi- conducting materials (a material which is between a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increasing with temperature rise).
- light energy There are also tiny photovoltaic cells (PV) incorporated in the nanoleaves. These small PV cells capture the light rays emitted by the sun. The light is then converted into electricity.
- kinetic energy Kinetic energy is harnessed through movement. The wind produces motion in stems and branches. This motion is collected via piezovoltaic (PZ) cells. The PZ has semi-conducting devices incorporated into the artificial structure of trees and plants. The PZ and the semiconducting devices convert typical wind energy (kinetic energy) into electricity. Then First of all we are creating two transparent conducting layers of silica which will act as the outer body of the leaf. After this we are placing one solar cell in between these two layers which is used to convert the solar energy into electrical energy then we are placing the piezo voltaic cell, thermo voltaic cell and photo voltaic cell. These all the cells are interconnected to the highly conducted metal film to complete the circuit for the flow of electrons and protons. The piezoelectric generator is placed on the bottom of the leaf which is used to convert the stress due to rain and wind into the electrical energy. Now these leaves are connected to the twigs of the artificial tree. Then these small twigs are connected to the stem of the tree with the means of the piezoelectric crystal to covert the stress of the twig also into electrical energy. The electrical energy from the all leaves and twigs is stored at the bottom of the tree by using the storage device
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DIFFERENT LAYERS OF NANOLEAF
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NANO
LEAVES
CAPTURING
ENERGY
OPERATION & WORKING Sun, wind, water, earth and life touch our living senses immediately always, everywhere and without any intervention of reason. They simply are there in their unmatched variety, moving us, our moods, memories, imaginations, intensions and plans. To capitalize on the wealth of designs and processes found in nature, engineering and technology gave us the ingredients, creative thinking, and unique solutions made it possible to bring all this together into a natural looking leaf - the Nanoleaf. 9
To complete the tree for multi energy exploitation, the petiole twigs and branches are incorporated with Nano piezo-electric elements. A Nanoleaf is thin like a natural leaf, when outside forces, like the wind pushes the Nanoleaf back and forth, mechanical stresses appear in the petiole, twig and branches. When thousands of Nanoleaves flap back and forth due to wind, millions and millions of Pico watts are generated, the stronger the wind, the more energy is generated. Our Nanoleaves only reflect a small part of the sunlight that strikes them, mostly the green light, and the rest of the spectrum is efficiently converted into electricity. Besides converting the visible spectrum of light, our Nanoleaves also convert the invisible light, known as infrared light or radiation, we can't see it, but we can feel it - it's warm - that's why we call it radiation. Due to the unique combination of photovoltaic and thermo voltaic in our Nanoleaves it converts this thermal radiation into electricity, even hours after the sun has set. The more wind there is, the more Nanoleaves are moved. Wind that is moving thousands of Nanoleaves in a tree canopy are causing mechanical strain in the petiole, twigs and branches. Nano piezo-electric elements incorporated in the petiole twigs and branches are the tiny Nano piezo- electric elements that will generate millions and millions of Pico watts as these thousands of Nanoleaves flap back and forth due to wind. The stronger the wind, the higher the "flap" frequency, and therefore the larger the watts generated in the petiole, twigs and branches. With the progress in nano technology, the photovoltaic, thermo voltaic and piezo electric materials are becoming more efficient and combined in one system it will give our products more efficiency and we believe that soon, Solar Botanic will be a mainstream green energy provider, more reliable/cheaper and above all better looking. Batteries are charged during the daytime & used for store the energy & can use on cloudy days. The LED’s that are used is automatically switched on & these are used to indicate how much charge/ energy remain left.
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ARTIFICIAL NANO TREE CAPTURING ENERGY
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TYPES OF NANO LEAF Broad leaf trees These species can provide between 3500kWh and 7000kWh per year. They provide shade, cooling the air, green ambiance and much more.
Evergreen trees These species can provide between 2500kWh and 7000kWh per year. They can be placed as single trees or to fence garden properties.
shrubs, plants, roof, wall and fencing A wide range of shrubs for all electrical needs. Nano leaf roof Carpets can be installed in minutes on any roof design. Wall carpets are easy to apply as fencing.
PROPERTIES OF NANO LEAF The properties of nano leaf include light & it is scalable in nature. The robust structure gives a complete image for the nano leaf. Its cost is low & it is attractive in nature. It has biocompatible design & it is easy in installation. Easy operation & maintenance gives more importance for nano leaf
CONSTRUCTION OF NANO TREE The solar tree consists of some important parts in its design. They are as follows: • • • • • • •
Nano leaves Long tower LED’s Batteries Stems for connecting the nanoleaves Piezo electric ribbons Piezo electric generator
ADVANTAGE There should be no air pollution. We wouldn’t have to worry as much about the future energy sources People in poor country would have access to electricity 13
People can save money Land requirement is very less It can provided at different weather conditions
DISADVANTAGES Cost is usually high May cause hazards to the birds & insects Hazards to eye sight from solar reflectors
APPLICATIONS
The photovoltaic, piezovoltaic and thermo voltaic energy harvesters are linked to individual junction boxes, from where they are amalgamated and fed collectively into an inverter. This converts the electricity from Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current (AC) the electrical power now being suitable for domestic or industrial use. The manufacturers of the system estimate that a six meter area of nanoleaves canopy will generate enough electrical power to supply an average household. There are many places were the artificial trees and shrubs can be positioned as noted below;
o deserts The power supplied by these trees “planted” in the desert can be used to power desalination plants to produce fresh water from seawater and brackish water aquifers. This water can then be used for drinking and land irrigation, without any environmental damage to the fragile desert environment. Trees can be planted alongside oases and over fresh water aquifers, with the electricity produced used to power down- hole pumps, enabling water to be piped to other locations. When planted along the desert roadways, trees will supply shade as well as protection from the sun, wind, and sandstorms.
o parks, recreation grounds, and golf courses The electricity produced can be used to charge electrically powered ground maintenance vehicles such as grass cutters as well as electrically powered hand tools like grass trimmers and pruning 14
shears. When planted on golf courses the power produced can be used to charge golf buggies as well as electrically powered ground maintenance vehicles.
o office car parks and industrial units Trees planted in these locations will not only supply electrical power for the office and industrial units, but add aesthetic qualities to an otherwise drab area, whilst providing shade from the wind and sun.
o Charging purposes Solar powered tree to charge mobile devices and it can also be used for charging laptops. Solar powered tree can be used during night time to lights up the street lights.
o Electric vehicles The depletion of petrol and diesel resources results in emergence of electric vehicles. These solar and wind powered trees can provide plugins for electric vehicles and hybrids of the near and distant future. There are various other applications where we can utilize the electricity generated by Energy harvesting trees. This is a very novel method to generate electricity using renewable sources i.e. solar energy and wind energy.
SOLAR TREES IN INDIA………… India being a developing country & highly populated requires a power plant where maximum energy can be generated by using minimum land. Solar trees will be the best option to avoid this problem.
IMPORTANT TRENDS OF ARTIFICIAL NANO TREES IN FUTURE 15
The electrical energy produced by these nano trees can be used to drive the cars To enlighten the home For business purpose It can be used as the balancing factor between power prediction & environment
The main advantage is that it is used in efficient & green energy production which can resist global warming
COST ANALYSIS The cost of a tree ranges from $12000 to $20000. The typical US family of four members would need four trees at about $64000 for 20 years. While the same family needs more than $100,0000 for paying the electricity company.
CAPACITY OF ARTIFICIAL TREES An average tree with a canopy of 6 sq.meters can create enough energy to provide for the needs of an average house hold. Tree with a 20 ft solar canopy could generate enough power between 2000 & 12000 kWh per year.
PRODUCTION ANALYSIS sl no
quantity
Current
voltage
Power
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One leaf One tree
100mA
1.25 V
0.125 W 12500 W
COMPARISON BETWEEN SOLAR CELLS & NANO TREES IN PRODUCTION FIELD sl no
solar cells
1 2
90 kWh/ in2 130 kWh/ in2 It can produce power from It can produce power from solar energy only solar, wind & from rain also
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nano leaves
CASE STUDY •
Title
: Analyzing the results of renewable energy source of Solar botanic trees using nano piezo electric elements
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Investigators: K.Vinod Kumar, G.V.N. Abiram Kumar, & G.S. Ajay Kumar Reddy
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Study area
: Lakireddy Balireddy Autonomous College of engineering, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh
OBJECTIVE Study of production of electricity of Solar Botanic trees by renewable sources using nano piezo electric elements.
METHODOLOGIES Instead of causing problems for the environment with the abundance of carbon footprint, we should come up with some practical solution to clean up the mess and that is why clean energy sources have become appealing. Solar power keeps the surroundings cleaner and healthier. Photovoltaic cells that harness the solar power is an attractive option for capturing light and generating electric power. Various designers have implemented this PV technology in their designs and have created solar trees that amount to generation of cleaner electricity in an ecofriendly way. Solar nano technology is used to collect thermal, light, and wind energy, the leaves and stems incorporate minuscule cells, as explained below; 17
This is captured through the use of thermo voltaic (TV) cells which convert thermal energy into electricity by using semi-conducting materials (a material which is between a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increasing with temperature rise).
Light energy is captured by the use of photovoltaic cells (PV), which convert the energy inherent in solar light rays into electricity.
Kinetic Energy The kinetic energy contained in wind causes the nanoleaf stems, twigs, and branches to oscillate. This motion is captured by piezovoltaic (PZ) cells using a semi-conductor de- vice embedded in these components, converting the kinetic energy of the wind to electrical energy. The photovoltaic, piezovoltaic and thermo voltaic energy harvesters are linked to individual junction boxes, from where they are amalgamated and fed collectively into an inverter. This converts the electricity from Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current
The nano leaves are designed by using the tio2 nano particles because it’s very effective power generating nano particles and cost is very less so in cosmetic and skin care products, titanium dioxide is used as a pigment, sun- screen and a thickener. It is also used as a tattoo pigment and in styptic pencils. Titanium dioxide is produced in varying particle sizes, oil and water dispersible, and with varying coatings for the cosmetic industry. This pigment is used extensively in plastics and other applications for its UV resistant properties where it acts as a UV absorber, efficiently transforming destructive UV light energy into heat. Titanium dioxide is found in almost every sunscreen with a physical blocker because of its high refractive index, its strong UV light absorbing capabilities and its resistance to discoloration under ultraviolet light. This advantage enhances its stability and ability to protect the skin from ultraviolet light. Sunscreens designed for infants or people with sensitive skin are often based on titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, as these mineral UV blockers are believed to cause less skin irritation than other UV absorbing chemicals. The titanium dioxide particles used in sunscreens have to be coated with silica or alumina, because titanium dioxide creates radicals in the photo catalytic reaction. These radicals are carcinogenic, and could damage the skin Though the trunk would be made primarily of recycled materials including plastic bottles and car tires, it would also contain liquefied waste biomass—wood—processed via a steam-combustion technique developed at the State Institute of Wood Chemistry in Riga, Latvia. "The result is a fluid product that we mold into any form we like, so therefore we should 18
be able to create trees that look, feel and smell like real wood,. The leaves wouldn't be shiny like a solar panel.
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS Energy harvesting trees are multifunctional, efficient, renewable energy system. These super eco-friendly synthetic trees will make use of renewable energy from the sun along with wind power, which are an effective clean and environmentally sound medium of gathering solar radiation and wind energy. Solar nanotechnology has wide-ranging potential. Using such technology, power producing solar products could be applied to just about any surface downtown or anywhere. An average tree with a canopy of about 6 sq meters can create enough energy to provide for the needs of an average household. Nano trees could generate power ranging between 2000- 12000 kWh per year. A nano leaf could generate power of 130 kWh per in2. An unremitting operation over two decades could produce 120000 kWh of energy. On a larger scale, a kilometer of artificial trees would generate approximately 350000 kWh per year, enough electricity to power approximately 60 average size houses. It can produce 50% more energy than conventional solar systems. Tree with nano leaves take more light than solar panels, that are flat & receives light from one direction. Nano leaf receives light from more than one direction because of its spiral design. It also performs air purification process.
CONCLUSION FROM CASE STUDY To fulfill the increasing energy demand of the people & saving of land, this project is a very successful one. This can provide electricity without any power cut problem. The extra energy can be provided to the grid 19
CONCLUSION India as the 2nd largest country of the world, the increasing demand of the energy has forced the mankind to find a way out which will be efficiently and abundantly available source of energy. As the solar botanic trees are a non-conventional source, we have many advantages of producing electricity compared to the other resources. Green Energy is the need of the hour and it is our responsibility to ensure a safer planet for the future generations. It is therefore vested on the shoulders of the citizens of the earth, or shall we say Earthlings to think smart and take the right decision. Everything starts with an individual, co-operate with the government and see your progeny enjoy the fruit of your actions and make life favorable for sustenance for mankind.
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