Copper and New Energy: Join Hands to Start a New Journey of Green Energy

Under the background of global active response to climate change and vigorous promotion of energy transformation,The new energy industry is booming at an unprecedented speed.Copper, as a metal material with excellent performance, plays an important role in the field of new energy.It will work closely with new energy sources to start a new journey of green energy.It contributes a key force to the construction of a sustainable future energy system.

Core Support of Copper in Photovoltaic Power Generation

As an important part of the new energy field, photovoltaic power generation has developed rapidly in recent years.In this process, copper plays an indispensable core supporting role.From the construction of photovoltaic power plants to the operation of photovoltaic power generation systems, copper is everywhere.

Inside the PV module, the copper conductor is responsible for connecting multiple PV cells in series or in parallel to form a complete circuit.The excellent conductivity of copper ensures that the weak current generated by photovoltaic cells can be transmitted efficiently and reduce energy loss.According to research, the use of copper wires to connect photovoltaic cells, compared with other materials with low conductivity.And that pow transmission efficiency can be improved by 3 to 5%.This seemingly small increase can significantly increase the overall power generation in large-scale photovoltaic power plants.

In the electrical system of a photovoltaic plant,Copper junction boxes, inverters and other equipment are the key components to realize the collection, conversion and transmission of electric energy.The combiner box collects the DC power generated by multiple PV modules and transmits it to the inverter through the copper bus.Copper bus has good conductivity and current carrying capacity, which can withstand the transmission of large current and ensure the stability of power transmission.Inverters convert direct current to alternating current, in which copper windings play an important role.Its high conductivity ensures the efficient transmission of electric energy in the conversion process and improves the conversion efficiency of the inverter.

In addition, in the transmission line of photovoltaic power station, copper core cable is also the main force.Because photovoltaic power stations are usually built in remote areas, the transmission distance is long.The low resistance characteristic of copper core cable can effectively reduce the loss of electric energy in the transmission process and improve the economy of power transmission.For example, in some large desert photovoltaic power plants, copper core cables are used to transmit electricity to urban power grids hundreds of kilometers away.Compared with cables made of other materials, the transmission loss can be reduced by 10% -15%, which greatly improves the comprehensive benefits of photovoltaic power generation.

Copper's key role in wind power generation

Wind power is another important new energy sector, in which copper also plays a key role.From the manufacture of wind turbines to the construction and operation of wind farms, the application of copper runs through the whole process.

Inside the wind turbine, the copper winding is one of the core components of the generator.The generator drives the rotor to rotate through the wind, and the copper winding cuts the magnetic line of force to generate electric energy.The high conductivity of copper enables the generator to efficiently convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, improving the efficiency of power generation.At the same time, the good thermal stability of the copper winding ensures that the generator can work stably in the process of long-term high-speed operation.Avoid damage due to overheating. The research shows that the power generation efficiency of the wind turbine can be increased by 2% -4% by using high-performance copper windings.

Copper also plays an important role in the collection and transmission lines of wind farms.The power collection line is responsible for collecting the electric energy generated by each wind turbine to the booster station.Because of its good conductivity and mechanical properties, copper core cable can operate stably in complex outdoor environment.Ensure reliable collection of electrical energy.In the transmission line that transmits the electric energy of the wind farm to the power grid, the copper conductor or copper core cable can effectively reduce the resistance.Reduce power loss and improve power transmission efficiency.In addition, the corrosion resistance of copper enables transmission lines to maintain good performance when exposed to harsh natural environment for a long time.The service life of the transmission line is prolonged, and the maintenance cost is reduced.

Innovative Application of Copper in Energy Storage System

Energy storage system is the key link to ensure the stable supply of new energy, in which copper also shows unique innovative application value.With the increasing installed capacity of new energy power generation, the importance of energy storage system has become increasingly prominent.

In common energy storage batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, copper foil plays an indispensable role as a negative current collector.The copper foil has good conductivity and flexibility, can effectively collect and conduct electrons generated by the negative electrode of the battery,The charging and discharging process of the battery is ensured to be carried out smoothly.At the same time, the stability and corrosion resistance of copper foil also have an important impact on the cycle life and safety of batteries.The charge-discharge efficiency and the cycle life of the battery can be improved by optimizing the surface treatment process and the material performance of the copper foil,Reduce the cost of batteries and promote the development of energy storage technology.

In addition, in some new energy storage technologies, such as liquid flow batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries, etc.Copper also has innovative applications in electrode materials, conductive connectors and so on.For example, in flow batteries, copper-based composites can be used as electrode materials to improve the electrochemical performance of batteries;In the connecting part of the battery, the copper connecting piece can ensure good electrical connection between the components inside the battery,And the stability and the reliability of the battery system are improved.

Coordinated development of copper and new energy industry

The close cooperation between copper and the new energy industry is not only reflected in the wide application of copper in the field of new energy.It is also reflected in the coordinated development of the two. With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the demand for copper is also growing.This has prompted the copper industry to continuously increase R & D investment, improve the production efficiency and quality of copper, and develop new copper-based materials and processing technology.

For example, in order to meet the demand for high-performance copper materials in the field of new energy, copper smelting enterprises continue to optimize the production process.And the purity and the performance consistency of the copper are improved.At the same time, researchers are actively developing new copper alloy materials, such as copper alloys with higher conductivity and strength.To meet the requirements of photovoltaic, wind power and other fields for higher performance of materials. In terms of processing technology, advanced copper processing technology,For example, the manufacturing technology of high-precision copper foil and the continuous extrusion molding technology of copper wire are constantly emerging.The processing precision and the production efficiency of the copper material are improved, and the production cost is reduced.

On the other hand, the development of new energy industry also provides new development opportunities and market space for copper industry.With the increasing global investment in new energy, the construction scale of new energy projects continues to expand.This has led to a large demand for copper materials.This not only promotes the development of copper industry, but also promotes the technological upgrading and structural adjustment of copper industry.Make it develop in a more green, efficient and sustainable direction.

Prospect of the Future of Copper and New Energy

Looking forward to the future, as the global demand for green energy continues to grow, copper and new energy will continue to work together.Create more brilliance in the new journey of green energy.In terms of technological innovation, scientists will continue to explore new applications and new performance improvement methods of copper in the field of new energy.For example, further optimize the application of copper in energy storage batteries, improve the energy density and charge and discharge speed of batteries;Research and development of new copper-based composite materials, applied to key components of new energy power generation equipment, improve the performance and reliability of equipment.

In terms of industrial development, the copper industry and the new energy industry will further strengthen cooperation and form a closer industrial chain synergy.Copper enterprises will accurately produce high-quality copper products according to the needs of the new energy industry;New energy enterprises will make full use of the advantages of copper and continuously optimize product design and system performance.At the same time, with the increasing support of new energy policies in various countries, the development environment of copper and new energy industry will be more favorable.The market prospect will be broader.

The cooperation between copper and new energy is an important force to promote global energy transformation and achieve sustainable development.In the new journey of green energy in the future, copper will continue to provide solid support for the development of new energy industry with its excellent performance.Work together to create a cleaner, more efficient and better energy future for mankind.