There are critical factors that should be considered when trying to answer the question on the most innovative low-carbon technology for energy supply. These factors include: 1) Cost of energy generation and 2) Efficiency of the technology proposed for energy generation, 3) Reliability of this technology, 4) Whether energy generation is continuous or intermittent, 5) Availability of raw materials to needed for this technology, and 6) Whether this technology is sustainable.

Based on the above considerations, I would say nuclear power generation is one of viable low-carbon technologies. There are novel and innovative technologies for commercial nuclear power generation such as the floating platform just like the offshore oil and gas rigs. Also, the small modular reactor (SMR) designs just to name a few of the Gen-IV commercial nuclear reactors.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Dear Alberto,

maybe some research areas in the field of quantum photovoltaics (as the improvements about the luminescent solar concentrators like the ones at ICL) could be an example of the type of technology that you're looking for.

I agree with Y.F. Khalil in order to consider a configuration of factors like the above mentioned from 1) to 6) (I suggest to consider also a non technical factor, the social acceptability that, under certain point of view, could be considered as a part of the point 6) ) and about the nuclear technologies mentioned.

Best,

Marco

You can look the EXTERNE Project. There you could find the list of technologies and their carbon performance. http://www.externe.info/externe_d7/ 

The state of the art technology is based on thermal energy obtained from low  and  medium temperature renewable power sources including solar, geothermal, ocean termal etc., with completely new thermal cycles which surpass Carnot factor, and can operate at more than 90 % thermal efficiency without special materials (is patented and available for expert investors)

HI Alberto,

I would suggest to consider hybrid technologies using concentrated solar power (CSP) as the main source of thermal energy. Then you can think in combinations of CSP+ back-up fueled by syngas, which can come from biomass gasifications. Also it is very promissing CSP using solar tower where the thermal fluid is air, and the heat can be stored in ceramics or sand; the hot air goes trough a Bryton cycle.

Finally I would suggest CSP as a source of energy for biorefineries aiming at producing synthetic fuels, H2, and fine chemical materials.

My suggestion is cross-wind tractor kites, like those that propel kite surfers.  An array of kites towing an oval, cross-wind, cable array, turning a single generator.  The army could have a kit, to be set up where ever they are deployed.  Container ships could set up the array, on top of the cargo, after they leave port.  These arrays could replace those horribly inefficient, huge propellers, now killing birds.

Thank for your 

I think that the energy generated by hydroelectric power stations are in this area.

My suggestion is currents in a river. I know hydroelectric power is more, but it needs huge construction and has problems like methane/CO2 emissions.

Michael,

I think that is a wonderful suggestion, and I think that the energy available, for very moderate investment, beats anything. Energy can be extracted from a river, without turning it into a series of lakes. The effect of global warming on climate, is more weather, especially more rain.  There is a great increase in runoff, worldwide, and little is being done: 1. to extract energy, 2. To divert to irrigation  3. As feedstock for reverse osmosis, and other water refining processes.

I think the question asks for the most "innovative" low-carbon technology. In this respect, hydropower is a conventional but not innovative technology. What can be innovative here is the new micro- and macro- turbines can be installed on flowing rivers. However, the power output is not enough to be a base-load power generation source.

I previously proposed the floating nuclear power plants (similar to oil and gas rigs in the ocean). This novel design is under development by my colleagues at MIT.

Best wishes,

Prof. Yehia Khalil

Yale University

USA

Dear All,

thank you for your inputs!

https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Briefing-for-ECC-Public-funding-for-innovation-in-low-carbon-technology.pdf

http://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2017/Nov/IRENA_Accelerating_research_2017.pdf?la=en&hash=2A53295A57DD87A0A451E68A2CE7EA020729871F

http://www.infodev.org/infodev-files/resource/InfodevDocuments_680.pdf