Heating the buildings of tomorrow thanks to molecular chemistrythis is the challenge of a team of scientists from the CNRS and ENS Paris-Saclay. On September 25, they presented their work in a study published in the journal Chemical Science.
The researchers explain that they have discovered a mechanism that allows photochromic molecules – capable of storing solar energy – to transform it into thermal form.
“Thanks to the addition of a very small quantity of acid, chemists have managed to effectively control this reversible process of heat restitution. These molecules, very resistant to light, form an original family of photosensitive switches to store solar energy in chemical form and to transform it ‘on demand’ into thermal energy”, details the CNRS in an article published on September 25 on its site.
More and more investments in solar
Enough to pave the way for the development of more environmentally friendly renewable energy storage systems. Scientists are working in particular on applications intended for heating buildings within ten to fifteen years.
In recent years, many innovations have emerged in terms of solar energy, in thermal but also photovoltaic – used for the production of carbon-free electricity.
In France, this sector is experiencing notable growth. Installed power amounted to 3.2 GW in 2023 compared to 2.7 GW in 2022, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of the Economy.
By 2030, the government plans to reach 6 GW per year. To achieve this, a series of measures, aimed at strengthening the deployment of solar panels in the territory as well as its industrialisationwas unveiled on April 5.
Among these: financial support for 92 winners and 90 projects, “equivalent to 1.3 GW of new photovoltaic capacities of significant power” but also the acceleration of the provision of land for the deployment of solar energy.
Towards “a transition away from fossil fuels”?
France is no exception. All over the world, investments in photovoltaic solar energy continue to increase. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global investments could “reach 500 billion euros in 2024”, more than all other sources of energy.
However, this does not mean that those devoted to fossil fuels are decreasing. In its report published last June, the IEA indicates that investments in oil and gas could even increase by 7% this year.
A bad signal for “a transition away from fossil fuels” – one of the wishes formulated by 200 countries at COP28, in Dubai, in 2023.
The agreement reached on November 24, during COP29 in Baku, does not bode well either. No explicit mention of gradual abandonment appears in the main texts.
