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The ecological innovation was developed by Koji Enoki, an associate professor at the Tokyo University of Electro-Communications. The scientist is convinced that the process of generating electricity from snow is just as effective as harnessing solar energy.
Currently, the sun and wind are the two natural sources most commonly used to obtain clean energy. Soon, another one will join them – snow.
For the city of Aomori in the north of Honshu Island, snow is a special and undervalued resource. There is a lot of it here: Aomori is considered one of the snowiest cities on the planet. And something needs to be done about it. Until recently, tons of snow were dumped into the ocean. Now, it has every chance of becoming a valuable source for generating renewable energy, the publication reported. Nikkei Asia .
The city authorities, the startup Forte, and the Tokyo University of Electro-Communications are testing a new technology in an abandoned school swimming pool.
How does it work?
As researchers explained, electricity can be generated by utilizing the temperature difference between snow and the outside air. Snow collected from the streets will be dumped into a pool. Heat transfer pipes will be placed in the snow. At the same time, the installation will collect air heated by the sun. This temperature difference will be used to create a convection flow in the refrigerant inside the turbine. This convection flow will rotate the turbine, resulting in the generation of electricity.
The authors of the idea expect to harness energy from snow at low costs. At the same time, they are exploring the possibilities of creating systems that will supply snow energy to businesses and households.
Researchers are also considering the prospect of using the heat from hot springs to create even greater temperature fluctuations during the production of snow energy. In the northeastern region of Japan, where there is a lot of snowfall, there are several resorts with hot springs.
The greater the temperature difference, the higher the efficiency of production. electricity emphasized the inventor Koji Enoki.
He also reminded that snow energy has a smaller impact on the environment than other forms of renewable energy. Solar and wind energy installations will eventually require disposal. In contrast, melted snow can be disposed of like regular wastewater.
If the technology proves its advantages, it will be gladly used in other parts of the world as well. In particular, in the snowy regions of Europe, where the use of alternative sources of clean energy is currently very relevant.
