IBM, BEE partner for India’s 1st smart grid and New Solar Sheet Captures 90% sunlight

[Vyom]

Ever watched those IBM videos which came after the TED videos, and talked about Smart Grids? Well, looks like that wasn't just a far fetched idea after-all!

IBM announced on Wed-nesday that it is working with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to create the country’s first smart grid project.
...
Smart grid refers to an improved electricity supply chain using digital technology. It enables monitoring, analysis, control and two-way communication between the electrical delivery system and the consumer end. Smart grids use sensors, digital metres and controls and analytical tools to automate, monitor and control flow of energy and hence provide detailed and timely information on energy consumption.

Source: IBM, BEE partner for India’s first smart grid | mydigitalfc.com


In similar news, their's a new kind of Solar Sheets that can convert more than 90% sunlight to electricity! To compare, current generation of photo-voltaic cells use just 20% of sunlight!!!

Traditionally, solar powered devices suffer from a two-fold problem. First, they have difficulty converting the light they capture to electricity. Second, they only capture a small band of wavelengths out of the wide range of wavelengths found in sunlight striking the Earth. Improving in either area can offer gains to the net power output (and efficiency) of a solar cell.

Researchers at the University of Missouri are claiming a breakthrough in the second category. They claim [press release] to have developed a device that can capture 90 percent of sunlight, versus the 20 percent that current photovoltaic (PV) panels capture.

Source: DailyTech - New Solar Sheet Captures 90 Percent of Sunlight

What do you think guys, together with the above two advancements, can India (or World) perform better in meeting Energy crisis?
The future does look more better, and more efficient.

[sujoyp]

These are better then nuclear plants...We have to find out ways to use solar energy properly

[utkarsh009]

@vineet: Great finding buddy. really nice news.

[Vyom]

^^ Thanks. I sure am hoping we get successful in developing the later part of the news, since its high time and since petrol rates are touching the sky!