Reinventing energy sources: Unveiling the potential of rainwater for lighting systems
New Hydropower Technology Harvesting Rain Energy
A research group led by Siowling Soh at the National University of Singapore has developed a new type of hydropower technology that harnesses tiny bursts of energy from rain running down a narrow tube. This innovative technology, which aims to move towards a more sustainable society, could potentially be useful in rainy places like tropical countries.
The technology works by allowing the electric charges in a water molecule to become spatially separated as water flows through an electrically conducting tube. As rain-like water droplets move down the small tube, tiny air pockets develop between them, increasing the separation of electric charges. This increased separation of electric charges creates a voltage between the ions, similar to the charge separation that occurs when shuffling across a rug wearing socks.
The new approach generates more droplets in a simple way, according to David Ma, an engineer at Texas A&M University. Each charged droplet falls into a stainless-steel cup after traveling the length of the tube, and wires connected to the tube and cup allow the built-up electric charges to create an electric current.
The team behind the new tech claims it can generate up to 100 watts of power for each square meter of surface area collecting water. In a test, the system produced enough electricity to continuously power 12 LED lights for 20 seconds. While the new hydropower technology works best when connected to something with high electrical resistance, limiting its ability to power larger devices like regular light bulbs, it marks the first time that electricity generated from this method has been demonstrated as a practically useful source of electricity.
The electricity generated can be used to drive chemical reactions, as reported by the team. Himanshu Mishra, a physicist at King Abdullah University in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, finds the new setup an interesting way to learn about electric charges.
The team is working on scaling up the new technology for harvesting rain energy to eventually enable its use in larger applications such as powering household lighting. Installing rain-catching tubes on roofs or near sources that create sprays of water, such as waterfalls, might be a way to scale up the technology.
This new hydropower technology could prove to be a valuable addition to the renewable energy landscape, particularly in rainy regions where it can be harnessed effectively. The research group's work underscores the importance of continuing to explore innovative ways to generate clean, sustainable energy.
