Welcome to the Glass Age

57 4. Affordable and Clean Energy Provided by Glass H imanshu J ain and P eng S hou Introduction Glass plays a critical role in a broad range of energy technologies spanning energy generation, conservation and storage. In many cases, glass is the enabler of these technologies or a key component of devices. For example, in the energy generation sector photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power applications cannot be realized without suitable glasses for protecting and packaging active devices. Glass is the most promising wasteform for containing and disposing high-level nuclear waste, thereby assuring that this mode of energy generation remains clean. In the form of foam, glass is a preferred choice over polymers for heat and sound insulation of buildings due to its low density, low thermal conductivity, incombustibility, adhesive compatibility, etc. In more advanced applications approaching commercialization, such as solid-state batteries for energy storage glass plays a more active role, performing specific functions within a device. In the following sections, we review six representative application areas exemplifying how glass is addressing one of the most pressing societal needs of today. Glass for photovoltaic technology As the world today sets carbon neutrality as the leading direction to go green and more than 120 countries have pledged to achieve this by the year 2050, the next 30 years represent a crucial window of opportunity. For this goal, we need to refocus on the energies we use as our