Science has enabled us to choose to live simply, to reduce our carbon footprint, and to conserve earth’s limited resources effectively. However, science is often driven by opportunistic capitalism and big business and enterprise. Here’s an incredible TED talk by scientist Donald Sadoway from MIT who has developed both an unorthodox scientific team through mentoring (mentioned in my last post on Helping the Poor) AND a unique grid level battery capable of storing massive amounts of electricity to fix the issue of static supply and variable demand for power.
Grid Level Battery at Market Price Point without Subsidies
A few teaser quotes:
“With a giant battery, we’d be able to address the problem of intermittency that prevents wind and solar from contributing to the grid in the same way that coal and gas and nuclear do today.”
“If we’re going to get this country out of it’s current energy situation, we can’t just conserve our way out, we can’t just drill our way out, we can’t bomb our way out. We’re going to do it the old fashioned American way. We’re going to invent our way out, working together.”
“So let’s abandon the paradigm of ‘let’s search for the coolest chemistry and hopefully we’ll chase down the cost curve by just making lots and lots of product. Instead, lets invent to the price point of the electricity market. So, that means that certain parts of the periodic table are axiomatically off limits.”
“I say if you want to make something dirt cheap, make it out of dirt! Preferably dirt that is locally sourced.”
“One of the greatest benefits of being a professor? Colored Chalk.” 🙂
“Now, do I hire seasoned professionals? No, I hire a student and mentor him. Teach him how to think about the problem… and then turn him loose.”
“We choose to work on grid level storage, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.”
“So here you have it, grid level storage. Silent, emissions free, no moving parts, remotely controlled, designed to the market price point… WITHOUT subsidy.”
“In a battery, I strive to maximize ELECTRICAL potential, when mentoring, I strive to maximize HUMAN potential. So, you see, the liquid metal battery story is more than an account of inventing technology, it’s a blueprint for inventing inventors. Full Spectrum.”
Grid Level Battery Resources:
- LMBC Corporation – Donald Sadoway’s Grid Level Battery Website
- Grid Energy Storage – Wikipedia Article
- Donald Sadoway – Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in 2012