A potential solution to the coupled water–energy–food challenges in land use is the concept of floating photovoltaics or floatovoltaics (FPV). In this study, a new approach to FPV is investigated using a flexible crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) module backed with foam, which is less expensive than conventional pontoon-based FPV. This novel form of FPV is tested experimentally for operating temperature and performance and is analyzed for water-savings using an evaporation calculation adapted from the Penman–Monteith model. The results show that the foam-backed FPV had a lower operating temperature than conventional pontoon-based FPV, and thus a 3.5% higher energy output per unit power. Therefore, foam-based FPV provides a potentially profitable means of reducing water evaporation in the world’s at-risk bodies of fresh water. The case study of Lake Mead found that if 10% of the lake was covered with foam-backed FPV, there would be enough water conserved and electricity generated to service Las Vegas and Reno combined. At 50% coverage, the foam-backed FPV would provide over 127 TWh of clean solar electricity and 633.22 million m3 of water savings, which would provide enough electricity to retire 11% of the polluting coal-fired plants in the U.S. and provide water for over five million Americans, annually.
Publication I: Strongly reduced thermal conductivity in hybrid ZnO/nanocellulose thin films JH defined the research together with TT, EK and MK. MG participated in the sample preparation and structural characterization, together with JH and TT. Thermal conductivity measurements were performed by AG. The article was written by JH, TT, MK and EK, with critical review and inputs from all authors.Publication II: Flexible thermoelectric modules based on ALD grown ZnO on different substrates MG outlined the idea of the research in collaboration with TT and MK and carried out the fabrication and measurements of all the samples. MG wrote the manuscript in collaboration with the other authors.Publication III: Flexible thermoelectric module utilizing n-type ZnO and p-type PEDOT on textile substrates MG outlined the research with inputs from MK All the manufacture and measuring of the samples was done by MG that wrote the article with inputs and critical review from RF and MK.Publication IV: Atomic layer deposited aluminium oxide mitigates outgassing from fused filament fabrication-based 3-D printed components
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