McHenry Collaborates Nationally on Solar Energy
Carnegie Mellon University Materials Science and Engineering Professor Michael McHenry partnered with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to address the issue of storing power collected from solar energy. During daylight hours, solar energy production peaks and wanes. An imbalance arises by the energy being distributed—not as needed, but as collected.
This imbalance has a simple solution: batteries. McHenry and NETL are developing three-port transformers to transfer solar energy alternatively into a power grid or battery devices. This research should have powerful effects on solar energy usage. Integrated with batteries, a solar power grid would decrease intermittent energy flow and inefficiency, and increase reliability and longevity. This integration will enable wider commercial and residential solar energy usage.