Discovery Center of Idaho

Next Science Café is March 16 @ 7:00pm

Topic: Underground compressed air storage of wind and solar energy

Speaker: Dustin Shively - Graduate Student at Boise State

Overview: The inherent intermittency of the two fastest growing renewable energy sources, wind and solar, presents a significant barrier to widespread penetration and replacement of fossil-fuel sourced baseload generation. Traditionally, grid operators have had very little control over demand and full control over supply. With the increase in wind and solar based generation onto an electric grid comes a decrease in control of supply. One solution to this problem of grid integration is the use of energy storage. While traditionally used as merchant facilities to buy and sell energy on the spot market, storage is actively being investigated as a means of enabling renewable energy sources to achieve widespread penetration onto national grids. The technology presented in this research utilizes a combination of Pumped Hydro and Compressed Air energy storage into a system that is not site-specific, does not require fossil fuels, and has the potential to be very efficient.

Location: Basement of Red Feather Lounge 246 N. 8th Street, Boise.

Cost: Free

Discovery Center Sponsors "Science Café":

The Discovery Center of Idaho has joined a movement, inspired in England, that is dedicated to the informal dissemination and discussion of scientific information. This movement is called "Science Cafe,". The forum is an open discussion to be attended by all interested persons. Topics are set before hand, the discussion is moderated and the open sharing of ideas begins. More detail follows, but if you would still like more information please use the form below or contact our Education Director, Woody Sobey, at (208)343-9895 x245.

What To Expect At a Science Café:

A Science Café's casual meeting place, plain language, and inclusive conversation create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for people with any level of science background.

Each meeting is organized around an interesting topic of conversation. A scientist gives a brief presentation and sometimes shows a short video clip to kick off the discussion. You can leave a café meeting when you want, but you'll miss out if you show up late.

There are many variations on the basic science café. One café might have a trivia quiz. Another might include a panel of scientists. Topics range across all sciences, and some cafés even explore connections between science and other disciplines, like the arts.

Suggest a speaker or topic: