Energy in the Future Series

Wireless charging provides easy access charging points without the hassle of cables. Multiple methods are available, depending on the level of efficiency and convenience desired. For example, when charging portable devices, inductive charging would be used as this is the most efficient.

Biofuels are fuels that are produced from biomass (organic materials) such as plant materials and animal waste, to substitute conventional fuels for transportation purposes. Biomass, can be converted to biofuel in three ways – thermal conversion, chemical conversion, and biochemical conversion. 

Natural gas is a mixture of gases rich in hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane), naturally occurring in deep layers of Earth. Techniques of extractions and geological settings classify natural gas into biogas, deep natural gas, shale gas and coalbed methane. In general, burning natural gas for energy results in 50 % less CO2 emissions and in fewer emissions of nearly all types of air pollutants than burning coal or petroleum products to produce an equal amount of energy.

Regenerative braking is an energy recovery system that provides traction control by harnessing the otherwise wasted kinetic energy from braking and storing it for later use. Rather than allowing the energy to be transferred to heat energy via the brakes and dissipated into the atmosphere, the energy is either stored on-board the rolling stock or in track-side equipment and can be used for traction power as well as powering infrastructure. The energy is stored chemically in a battery, electrically in capacitors, or mechanically in a rotating flywheel.

A smart grid is an advanced electricity network based on digital technology that enables two-way power distribution between the grid and consumers, real-time monitoring of consumption at every point of the grid, and optimal use of distributed energy generation & storage. There are many key technologies that smart grids can utilise, including distributed generation, energy storage, smart meters, communication infrastructure & smart control systems.

Supercapacitors are energy-storing devices that use high surface area electrode materials (such as a carbon powder) and liquid electrolytes which act as dielectrics (electrical insulators). When compared to batteries, supercapacitors have a higher power density, lower energy density and a longer cycle life.

An electric battery is an energy-storing device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Batteries and fuel cells work similarly by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. However, batteries require recharging or disposal (a sealed system), whereas fuel cells require re-fuelling. There are a range of battery types, however, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most commercially successful and developed. The technology is used in vehicles and consumer electronics to provide power.