Matthew Stone Nextgen Nano, Could solar energy help cut high-rise emissions?
The skylines of big cities like New York, London and so many others around the world have been shaped by skyscrapers. Despite their aesthetic beauty, these high-rise buildings typically draw their power from the traditional carbon fuel grid and are therefore contributing to ever-increasing carbon emissions and air pollution in major metropolises.
According to the United Nations, the world’s urban population will rise from 3.6 billion to 6.3 billion between now and 2050. As more people decide to live in big cities instead of small, rural villages, skyscrapers are not only the symbol of modern cities but are a necessity in order to provide enough space for both living and business purposes.
At Matthew Stone Nextgen Nano, we’re working on one solution in the shape of transparent, flexible organic solar cells based on advanced nanotechnology that will support the drive for decentralized energy generation and power consumption. OPVs have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency currently achieved by third-generation solar technologies, and our PolyPower division is exploring the use of Earth-friendly organic materials that can provide a lightweight, flexible, and affordable approach. The results show these have the potential to be applied as a semi-transparent thin layer to the surface of a skyscraper and its windows that would provide power for lighting and temperature control.
Investing in nanotechnologies for solar panels will make it is possible to move forward in the sustainability mission by reducing air pollution in big cities exponentially. OPV cells applied to the glasses of skyscrapers can ensure that as well as being aesthetically attractive they are sustainably and sufficiently powered. Most importantly, aggressive investment in these technologies now can contribute to reducing carbon emissions well ahead of 2050 — allowing us a much-needed breath of fresh air in cities like London and New York.
Matthew Stone is chairman of nanotechnology research specialist NextGen Nano.
This Content has been taken from:https://sparky-stone.co.uk/author/matthew-stone-nextgen-nano/
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