Green Energy Articles

100 % renewable energy is possible worldwide with today's technologies

2011-11-01T23:42:00.000-07:00

100 % renewable energy is possible worldwide with today's technologies

Stable frameworks are basic precondition for large scale investment in wind power in developing as well as in industrialized countries

Cairo (WWEA) – During the second day of the 10th World Wind Energy Conference in Cairo, the delegates discussed strategies for a transformation towards a 100 % renewable energy supply worldwide. During a session of the International Renewable Energy Alliance it was underlined that already with technologies available today, such a 100 % renewable energy supply is possible worldwide. Speakers proposed to analyze and evaluate for that purpose approaches for local autarky as well as approaches of an increased international cooperation. It was mentioned that more decentralized approaches may lead to more social benefits for local communities.

Today, the Sustainable Business Institute (SBI), also launched a study at the WWEC2011 that identified and evaluated investor preferences for framework conditions for wind energy in emerging and developing countries. The study provides insights that can help policy makers to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their respective national and international support mechanisms. Wind companies expressed very clearly that they prefer long-term stable policies such as primarily feed-in tariff legislation. The study is available for a free download.

WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger: "Wind energy needs stable frameworks, especially in times of global uncertainty, and in developing countries. Experts and practitioners from all over the world have told us again which kind of frameworks they prefer: feed-in tariffs, as successfully implemented mainly in many European countries. The remaining challenge will be to enable governments in the developing world so that they can set up such frameworks as well. WWEA and its partners from the REN Alliance presented recently a proposal for a Global Feed-in Tariff programme, financed from the Green Climate Fund which is currently under discussion to be established at the COP17 in Durban."

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2011-02-11T03:49:00.001-08:00

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Chinese Renewables Soar as U.S. Market Stalls

2010-12-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

China, with a fast-prospering population of 1.3 billion and one of the world's most active industrial machines, is increasingly turning to clean energy to meet its ever-expanding power needs—its energy consumption has doubled since 2000.

And China is winning the competitive battle with the U.S. Even as American lawmakers drag their feet with legislation and the domestic wind energy industry struggles with its worst performance since 2007, the Chinese continue to implement ambitious government policies and to pour money into alternative energy growth, having funneled as much as US$160 billion into projects between 2007 and 2010.

So despite being the planet's second-largest oil consumer after the U.S., China will become the "undisputed global leader in clean energy within the next two years" if it continues at its current pace of growth, according to recent report by the Worldwatch Institute.

China, which last year surpassed the U.S. to become the world's largest wind power market, has doubled its wind capacity every year since 2005. On the solar front, Chinese companies collectively control 40% of the global photovoltaic market. It also leads the world in the manufacture of solar water heaters and is responsible for eight out of every 10 units installed globally.

The Asian giant plans to cut carbon emissions by up to 45% by 2020 and officials in Beijing say renewables could make up one-fifth of the nation's total energy consumption by that same year, and as much as 45% by 2050.

China Spending $12 Million Per Hour on Clean Energy

2010-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Whether it is spending on wind turbines, high-speed rail, or solar panels it is estimated that China is investing roughly US$12 million every hour in clean energy.

Home to the world's largest population and an energy demand that has doubled in the past decade, China's financing is motivated out of immediate necessity rather than a response to climate change.

Cheng Li, director fo the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations at the Brookings Institution, says the country is dealing with scarcity of resources and trying to find a better way to survive.

Washing Machines Buying Guide

2010-11-24T01:44:00.000-08:00

There are two types of washing machines

1) Front-loading washing machines and 2) Top-loading washing machines.

Front-loading machines can handle larger loads and use less water and detergent, but they are also a bit more difficult to maintain than top-loading machines. When buying a washing machine there are several things to consider. The most common variables from one machine to another are:

Load Size
Water Consumption
Energy Consumption
Spin Speeds
Noise Levels
Washing Time
Number of Presets

Load Size

This is the starting point for buying a washing machine. You need a machine that is large enough to handle your laundry needs, but not too big for your laundry room.

Large families of course will need a larger capacity washing machine, but couples without children and single people can easily get by with a compact washing machine. Smaller washing machines are usually less expensive to operate, quieter, and cheaper to buy than larger machines. They may also be come in stackable sets for further space savings.

On the other hand, a large capacity washing machine is a necessity for most families. They are also useful for anyone who “saves up” their laundry for a once-a-week laundry day. Capacity is measured in cubic feet and also in load weight.

Water Consumption

Front-loading washing machines use significantly less water than top-loading washing machines. This may be important if your water supply is limited, but less water consumption also means smaller water utility bills.

An added bonus with lower water consumption is correspondingly less detergent use. This can result in significant savings, especially if your washing machine require special detergent.

Energy Consumption

This is a biggy that adds up to significant dollar differences over the lifespan of the washing machine. Look for a washing machine that is rated “Energy Star.” This means that it consumes at least 50% less energy than a conventional washing machine. This amounts to a savings of about $110 a year on utility bills.

Machines which are Energy Star rated still cover range of power consumption so if you are particularly energy conscious look for a machine with the lowest yearly energy consumption rating.

Spin Speeds

The range of spin speeds goes from about 800 rpm up to about 1600 rpm on some machines. This is important because a faster spin speed can remove more moisture from the clothes which means they will require less drying time. Less drying time results in further energy savings while running the clothes dryer. Some types of clothes – woolens for example – need a slower spin speed, so it’s useful to have an adjustable spin cycle.

Noise Levels

Some machines come with a noise level rating which is measured in decibels, but be aware that these are ideal figures. Actual noise levels depend a lot on proper installation. In particular, front-loading washing machines are notoriously difficult to install. They need a perfectly level surface in order to eliminate vibration as much as possible, and since the spin cycle can be the noisiest part of the wash cycle, an unleveled machine can be very noisy indeed.

Washing Times

Wash times can range from 30 to 90 minutes for a standard wash. There is really a huge range in wash times from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some claim that their regular cycle is just 30 minutes but usually that is time required for the quick cycle. Extended wash times will use more energy, but are sometimes necessary for heavily soiled clothes.

A suitable wash time depends a lot on how dirty the clothes are, so a washing machine with a selection of presets can help in getting good results no matter how much washing the clothes need.

Number of Presets

Which brings us to the presets. The number of presets can range from about 5 to 20. If you are doing many different types of laundry a large number of presets may be handy but most people will probably never use more than about 7 presets.

Some of the most useful presets are regular, permanent press, cottons, presoak, extended washing, and hand-wash. This last one is useful for woolens or other delicate items that would otherwise have to be hand-washed.
Some washing machines have special cycles for heavily soiled laundry. These cycles may use steam or very hot water to remove difficult stains, and may also include extra washing and presoaking.

Other Options

Depending on your particular situation or laundry needs you may find some of these options to be useful:

Economy Wash - saves money by using reduced water temperatures.
Half Load Cycle - good for small loads.
Childproof Lock - can prevent small children and even pets from opening the machine.
Anti-Leak Detector - will shut off the washing machine automatically if it is leaking. This can be useful if you often leave the house while the washing machine is running.

INDIA TO ADD 35 GIGAWATTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POWER GENERATION BY 2015

2010-11-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

India

has announced plans to create an additional 35 gigawatts of renewable power generation by 2015.

With a price tag of about US$55 billion,

India

, which currently generates 16.5 megawatts of renewable power, will seek funding from private firms.

In a country that is struggling to keep its cities and towns powered, reporting up to 12 percent shortfall during peak consumption hours the move towards renewable has been deterred by the high costs of solar and nuclear options.

However, with global pressure to address its carbon footprint

India

is showing a commitment to change. According to the Economic Times, in addition to tariff subsidies, tax breaks and loans to companies building alternative energy power plants the government has plans to increase "solar and nuclear power generation to 20 gigawatts each by 2022."

Reliance Power places $10 Billion equipment order for 32,000 MW

2010-11-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

Reliance Power places $10 Billion equipment order for 32,000 MW

Reliance Power, a part the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Thursday said it has awarded a $10-billion contract to a Chinese firm to provide power plants equipment of 32,000 MW capacity.

China's Shanghai Electric Corp (SEC) has been contracted to provide boilers, turbines and generators to Reliance Power's coal-based power plants, including the supply of 42 units of 660 MW each using what is called super critical technology.

"The strategic cooperation between Reliance Power and a leading global supplier like the Shanghai Electric Corp will enable faster project execution of our projects," said J.P. Chalasani, chief executive of Reliance Power.

MIT develops solar-powered, portable desalination system

2010-11-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

MIT researchers developed a portable, solar-powered water desalination system that could provide water in disaster zones and remote regions around the globe

Researchers from MIT's Field and Space Robotics Laboratory (FSRL) have designed a portable, solar-powered desalination system that is cost-effective and easy to assemble to bring drinkable water in disaster zones and remote regions around the globe.

Relief efforts in the aftermath of large-scale natural disasters often call for water as one of the very first priorities: such was the case in the Haiti earthquake back in January. When coping with disasters of this scale the possibility to obtain drinkable water locally, such as by desalination of sea water, dramatically improves the effectiveness of the rescue efforts.

Desalination systems, however, are usually quite large and need a lot of energy to operate; these situations, instead, call for a quick, effective way to turn seawater into drinkable water in loco, with a small and portable system that doesn't need external sources of electrical power to work.

The system developed by MIT researchers does exactly this, and its characteristics make it particularly apt to the task of assisting people in emergency situations. It's designed so it can be cost-effectively assembled from standard parts and put into operation within hours even without the need of technicians. Its specifics mean the apparatus could also found use in remote areas where supplying energy and clean water can be logistically complex, such as desert locations or small villages in developing countries.

Photovoltaic panels power high-pressure pumps that push seawater through a filtering membrane. Unlike conventional solar-powered desalination systems that run on battery power when direct sunlight is not available, this system can operate efficiently even in cloudy conditions. Algorithms in the system's computer can change variables such as the power of the pump or the position of the valves to maximize water output in response to changing weather and current water demand.

As a result, the prototype can yield as many as 80 gallons of water a day in a variety of weather conditions while a larger version of the unit, which would only cost about US$8,000 to construct, could provide about 1,000 gallons of water per day. Because of its reduced dimensions, the team estimated that one C-130 cargo airplane could transport two dozen desalination units, enough to provide water for 10,000 people.

The researchers are now working on improving the system's efficiency even further and to change its design to make it more durable.

Clean Energy Research Initiative Between India and USA

2010-11-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

Clean Energy Research Initiative Between India and USA

has initiated the agreement for co-operation on a joint clean energy research and development center, which would facilitate research on a wide range of green power technologies. Its great news for energy professionals. The agreement, MoU for which was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington last November, is considered a significant step towards strengthening cooperation between the two countries in an area of increasing national and international priority.

India

's top diplomat in the U.S. Meera Shankar and Daniel Poneman, Deputy Secretary of Energy, initiated the Agreement for Cooperation on a Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center yesterday, an official release said. "The Center will facilitate joint research and development by teams of scientists and engineers from the

U.S.

and

India

on clean energy and related joint activities, needed to deploy clean energy technologies rapidly with the greatest impact," it said.

How to Make a Solar Cell at Home

2010-11-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Things You'll Need to make solar cell at your home:

Clean copper sheeting
Sheet metal shears
Gas burner
Tongs
Plastic scouring pad
Electrical alligator clips with wiring
Glass or heavy plastic jar with a wide mouth
Salt

Step # 1 : Make sure that copper sheeting is free of corrosion. If it is not, clean it or get a new sheet.

Step # 2 : Take the copper sheet and cut a square or rectangle shape from it. This should be the right size for setting onto your burner.

Step # 3 : Turn the burner up to its highest setting, and heat the copper sheet until it is red hot. Once it is red hot, you will need to stay that way for at least three minutes. A layer of black oxide should be form on the surface.

Step # 4 : Use the tongs to remove the copper sheet once it has formed a layer of black oxide. It should take 20 minutes or more to cool properly. Do not handle it with your bare hands until it is properly cooled

Step # 5 : Remove the black oxide with the plastic scouring pad to reveal the reddish pink oxide beneath. You want to remove only the black and keep the red, so be gentle.

Step # 6 : Cut another copper sheet by repeating from Step 2 of this article.

Step # 7 : Insert both sheets into a glass or plastic jar. They should be bent so that they conform to the walls of the jar, but should not come into direct contact. If the sheets touch during operation, the solar cell will short circuit.

Step # 8 : Use the alligator clips to pin the sheets to the sides of the jar. The teeth of the clips should have good contact with the sheets. Clip the negative (black) lead to the oxide sheet, and the positive (red) lead to the clean copper plate.

Step # 9 : Mix up some salt water. Use warm water, and keep adding salt until it doesn't dissolve under stirring anymore. This will achieve maximum saturation.

Step # 10 : Fill up the jar 1/2 to 2/3 of the way with salt water.

Step # 11 : Attach the other ends of the wiring to a low wattage (15 watts or less) light bulb.

Step # 12 : Place the cell in full sun. The copper and salt water solar cell will begin producing electricity in seconds.

16 Gigawatt of Wind Power added in First Half of 2010

2010-10-19T03:33:00.000-07:00

The world market for wind turbines saw robust growth in the first half of the year 2010, with approximately 16 Gigawatt of new capacity added worldwide. Again China represents by far the largest market and added 7800 Megawatt within only six months, reaching total installations of almost 34 Gigawatt. The USA, still number one in total capacity with 36 Gigawatt, saw a major decrease in new installations and added only 1200 MW, followed by India. The five major European markets showed similar growth: Germany added 660 Megawatt, France and the UK 500 Megawatt, Italy 450 Megawatt and Spain 400 Megawatt.

The total capacity of all wind turbines installed worldwide reached 175 Gigawatt in mid-2010, compared with 159 Gigawatt by the end of 2009. WWEA expects that the market for new turbines will reach a size between 35 and 40 Gigawatt in the year 2010, close to 2009 when 38 Gigawatt were added. With this increase, the global capacity will reach almost 200 Gigawatt by the end of this year. With an expected total increase of 15 GW in the year 2010, China will most likely become number one country in terms of total capacity by the end of 2010, thus surpassing the USA.

India's power sector needs $300 billion investment: Shinde

2010-10-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Tuesday said India required over $300 billion investment in electricity and invited foreign investors to participate in the sector.

"The scope for investment in the power sector over the next few years is well over $300 billion and given our large expansion programme in this sector, we would definitely need and welcome a large amount of foreign direct investment," he said at the 7th Annual India Investment Forum in New York.

"The confidence of investors in our sector is reflected in the fact that the initial public offer of public sector undertakings under the ministry of power over the last 5 to 6 years have been over-subscribed between 13 to 77 times," he added, according to a statement issued by the power ministry.

Shinde said that India is growing at rapid pace and has huge opportunities for investments and technology in the power sector to move forward on the path of growth and progress.

The Indian power sector has the fifth largest electricity generation capacity in the world at more than 164,000 megawatt and the world's third largest transmission and distribution network.

However, the demand from increased manufacturing activities, a growing population and the rising energy needs of a rapidly growing consumer base has led to a situation where the supply of energy falls short of the demand.

There is a peaking shortage of almost 12 percent and an energy shortage of 9 to 10 percent in the electricity sector alone. The country is targeting a capacity addition of 62,000 megawatt in the 11th five year plan during the 2012-2017.

Solar Desalination

2010-10-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Solar Desalination

Solar desalination is the desalination of water using solar energy. Renewable energy overcomes the usually high energy operating costs as well as greenhouse emissions of conventional reverse osmosis. Reverse Osmosis is currently the favoured technology for desalination, being the most cost-effective. Recently, there is evidence of growing research interest in the field. This is prompted by growing energy costs, demand growth in the face of depleted water stores, and the growing human pollution of many communities' water supplies.

The severity of fresh water shortage can easily be gauged by the fights that have erupted over water in the recent past in India and outside. Statistics emphasize the same—at least 40% of the world’s population lives without drinking water and roughly 80 000 habitations across the planet have no source of safe water. Of the 575 000 Indian villages, about 162 000 face problems of brackish or contaminated water and scarcity of fresh water.

Solar water distillation is a solar technology with a very long history and installations were built over 2000 years ago, although to produce salt rather than drinking water. Documented use of solar stills began in the sixteenth century. An early large-scale solar still was built in 1872 to supply a mining community in Chile with drinking water. Mass production occurred for the first time during the Second World War when 200,000 inflatable plastic stills were made to be kept in life-crafts for the US Navy.

Most people see strong potential for solar thermal (or wind) energy to be used in large scale desalination. This is particularly so for solar in arid regions due to the usual coincidence of water shortage, good solar radiation and seawater (or brackish) availability. While there are many theoretical models the process is not yet developed at large commercial level. A number of small solar desalination devices exist, and whilst larger plants are technically feasible, they fall down on energy cost comparisons.

In general, there are two different designs for solar stills: electrically and mechanically driven systems which utilize reverse osmosis and thermally driven systems.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis is a pressure-driven process that forces the separation of fresh water from other constituents through a semipermeable membrane. This is the preferred method in large-scale desalination implementations where electricity is cheaply available. Here, solar energy is collected and converted into electrical or mechanical energy to initiate the process.

Solar Humidification-Dehumidification

Solar humidification

The solar humidification-dehumidification (HDH) process (also called the multiple-effect humidification-dehumidification process, solar multistage condensation evaporation cycle (SMCEC) or multiple-effect humidification (MEH), is a technique that mimics the natural water cycle on a shorter time frame by evaporating and condensing water to separate it from other substances. The driving force in this process is thermal solar energy to produce water vapor which is later condensed in a separate chamber. In sophisticated systems, waste heat is minimized by collecting the heat from the condensing water vapor and pre-heating the incoming water source. This system is effective for small- to mid- scale desalination systems in remote locations because of the relative inexpensiveness of solar collectors.

Problems:

There are two inherent design problems facing any solar desalination project. Firstly, the system's efficiency is governed by preferably high heat and mass transfer during evaporation and condensation. The surfaces have to be properly designed within the contradictory objectives of heat transfer efficiency, economy and reliability.

Secondly, the heat of condensation is valuable because it takes large amounts of solar energy to evaporate water and generate saturated, vapor-laden hot air. This energy is, by definition, transferred to the condenser's surface during condensation. With most forms of solar stills, this heat of condensation is ejected from the system as waste heat. The challenge still existing in the field today, is to achieve the optimum temperature difference between the solar-generated vapor and the seawater-cooled condenser, maximal reuse of the energy of condensation, and minimizing the asset investment.

Solutions

One solution to the barrier presented by the high level of solar energy required in solar desalination efforts is to reduce the pressure within the reservoir. This can be accomplished using a vacuum pump, and significantly decreases the amount of energy required for desalination. For example, water at a pressure of 0.1 atmospheres boils at 50°C rather than 100°C(Source: Wikipedia).

How traditional solar cells work (and why they are so inefficient)

2010-10-03T22:00:00.001-07:00

In a traditional, silicon-based solar cell, two silicon layers with opposite polarization — p and n, positive and negative — are placed next to each other. When photons hit the top part of the cell, which is designed to let the light through reflecting only a small portion of it, their energy frees the chemical bounds of both an electron and the corresponding electronic hole left by it, allowing them both to move freely.

The electric field in the cell will make the "freed" electron tend to approach the n layer and the electronic hole approach the p layer (see accompanying image). These charges moving in opposite directions generate an electric current.

The main issue with this approach is that a very precise amount of energy is needed to free an electron-hole pair: if the photon has lower energy, it will just go right through the cell; if it has higher energy, the remaining one will just be dissipated as heat. This fact alone accounts for nearly 70 percent of efficiency loss in a solar cell.

As a consequence, today's typical solar cell efficiency is placed somewhere between 12 and 14 percent, with some commercially available panels going up to 20 percent and (extremely expensive) cells for space applications reaching only a few more points.

Clean Energy Research Initiative Between India and USA

2010-08-22T21:39:00.001-07:00

Clean Energy Research Initiative Between India and USA

India

U.S.

and

India

on clean energy and related joint activities, needed to deploy clean energy technologies rapidly with the greatest impact," it said.

Powering the Next Generation

2009-09-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

Almost all renewable energy resources originate in the sun. Non-hydropower renewable energy currently accounts for only four percent of U.S. energy and two percent of the electricity supply. Hydropower provides an additional 10 percent of production and seven percent of electricity. In the last decade, the growth in U.S. renewable energy production outpaced all sources except for nuclear energy.

Barriers to renewable energy development include high up-front costs and higher power costs. For example, electricity produced from natural gas currently costs three cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to about six cents for solar energy. But the generating costs for renewable energy are shrinking, and surveys show that Americans are increasingly supportive of non-polluting power.

Hydropower

Hydropower is produced by channeling the flow of rivers or by storing water in reservoirs behind dams and directing it through turbines. There is no pollution of the types associated with the burning of fossil fuels. Hydropower is clean, renewable, and domestically produced, yet it supplies less than 20 percent of the world's electricity. Advocates of hydropower cite the recreational benefits derived from reservoirs and the provision of water for irrigation.

On the other hand, dams disrupt river ecosystems, causing upstream flooding and downstream flow depletion. Water redistribution adversely affects many habitats and can make it impossible for anadromous fish such as salmon to travel upstream to spawn. Though fish ladders have helped mitigate this problem, there is still growing public opposition to dams.

Solar Energy

This most basic source of energy is produced in the sun's core by nuclear fusion. The slight mass lost in this process is emitted as radiant energy; though less than one percent of it reaches the Earth, in 30 minutes it can provide a year's worth of human energy needs. The amount of solar energy a specific place receives depends on such factors as the season and proximity to the equator.

Humans have long used sunlight to cook food and heat water and homes. Today, solar energy is still used for those purposes and to provide hot water for industries such as laundries.

Photovoltaic cells, made of semiconducting materials, are used to collect solar energy and generate electricity. Solar electrical plants are not suited to locations with scarce or unreliable sunlight. Large solar plants can also involve clearing of land for infrastructural components.

Wind Energy

Wind is moving air produced by uneven solar heating of the Earth's surface. Wind power has long been used for grinding grain and pumping groundwater.

Windmills' modern equivalent, tall wind turbines, use wind energy to generate electricity. Turbines catch the wind with blades mounted around a shaft to form a rotor. On the downwind side of the blade, blowing wind forms a low-pressure pocket, which pulls the blade, turning the rotor to spin an electrical generator.

Wind power is now the fastest-growing energy source worldwide. However, land clearing for vast "wind farms" may produce environmental concerns. Many predict that wind energy will provide more U.S. electrical production as new turbine designs enhance economic and environmental viability.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy comes from intense heat within the Earth, which also produces hot springs, geysers, and volcanoes.

Geothermal resources are found where the Earth's crust is relatively thin. The only widely used type of geothermal energy is hydrothermal, produced when subsurface water contacts hot rock and turns to steam, which is piped to the surface. In some cases, water or steam is used directly to heat homes or provide process heat for businesses. In a typical geothermal electric plant, steam is piped to a turbine to power an electrical generator.

Geothermal development has disadvantages, particularly the hydrogen sulfide gas emitted during extraction. Many of the same environmental concerns surrounding exploitation of oil and gas may also impact the development of geothermal resources, which must be similarly drilled and piped to the point of use. The advantage to geothermal energy, however, is that it does not produce pollution when used.

Biomass and Biofuels

Biomass is any modern organic matter used as an energy source. The most common examples are wood, bioenergy crops, and organic wastes such as agricultural residues. Unlike other renewable energy sources, biomass can be burned or converted directly into liquid biofuels.

All biomass is solar energy transformed through photosynthesis. Biomass energy is usually released by burning, and less often by bacterial decay and fermentation. If vegetation is regrown as biomass is used, the net release of carbon dioxide due to the burning of biomass is zero.

Today, wood stoves are used world-wide for heating and cooking, making biomass one of the most common energy resources. Biopower is the burning of biomass to generate electricity. Waste-to- energy biopower plants use organic garbage as a feedstock, which reduces the amount of waste entering landfills.

Toxic substances may enter the atmosphere when municipal waste is incinerated, so contaminants should be removed for treatment before waste incineration. As landfill sites become harder to find, waste-to-energy plants may be an increasingly attractive option.

Biofuels

Alternative fuels offer another application for biomass technology. Crops can be fermented to produce liquid biofuels, the most common of which are ethanol and methanol. Today these alcohols are relatively high-cost, and oil prices would have to double to make them a cost-effective alternative. But gasohol, a mixture of just 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline, is highly cost-competitive and can be used in a traditional gasoline engine. It also has higher octane than gasoline and is far cleaner-burning. The air pollution savings from the increased use of ethanol and/or gasohol could be significant.

Scientists debate the consequences and benefits of genetically modified crops and forests that are managed for biomass resources.

Biogas

Biogas is methane produced from animal waste and by the decay of organic garbage. Because of current natural gas prices, biogas is usually flared as waste. More productive uses include onsite burning of biogas for heating of livestock barns and greenhouses.

Most experts agree that with some additional guidelines and new technologies, biomass can be part of a "greener" U.S. power portfolio.

Solar Water Heating

2009-09-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

Statistics in this 2004 assessment show that whilst many forms of alternative energy technologies have been receiving lots of press in Europe and the US, this does necessarily paint a picture of activities elsewhere. China and Japan (No 1 and 2 in capacity) can count Solar Water Heating systems as very much the norm as they have embraced this easy to install technology. The total power being saved by using solar thermal to heat water by traditional rooftop modules is estimated at 70GW (70 Nuclear installations are not needed) where China and Japan account for half of this amount.

Since these figures are a bit dated and by looking at the low figures for Wind Energy in the graphs, you could estimate that a more up to date figure for installed global Solar Water Heating capacity is nearer to 80GW. Growth in Europe averages out at about 20% and with the increase in public awareness, higher power bills and uncertainty in energy supplies, no real barriers seem to exist for the expansion of Solar Water heating.

WISE ORGANISES CONCLAVE OF SOLAR CEOs

2009-09-07T00:07:00.000-07:00

'Solar India 2007', India's premier conference on solar energy

Organised by WISE, it was decided to constitute a Working Group to deliberate on policy
issues concerning development of the solar industry in the country so as to be on par with global
development, and also to avail the full potential of solar energy in the country. In line with this objective and to draw up a solar energy roadmap for India, WISE held a conclave of CEOs
from the solar sector recently.

Present at the conclave were V Subramanian, Secretary, Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India, who effectively guided the
brainstorming session for developing a structured work plan. Also present at the
conclave were Ajai Vikram Singh, Former Secretary, Ministries of New and
Renewable Energy and Defence, Govt. of India; and G M Pillai, DG, WISE.

The group dealt at length with the course of action required to be taken on the proposed
'Policy Roadmap for Solar Energy Development in India', which was unveiled at
‘Solar India 2007’, and arrived at an immediate action plan. The group also
constituted a Working Group with Ajai Vikram Singh as the Chairman and P
Jayakumar, Director, Arbutus Computers & Consultants P Ltd., Pune, as the
Member Secretary.

COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR RENEWABLES: IS IT TENABLE?

2009-09-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on receiving directives from the Appellate Tribunal of Electricity (ATE) has issued a discussion paper on ‘Guidelines
for competitive bidding for procurement of renewable energy (R.E.) power in the state of Karnataka w.e.f. April 2008.

The ATE has stated in para 27 of its Order dated 14.5.2007 that, “to promote renewable technologies as also to ensure competitive costs of procurement of power, it would be desirable to
introduce competitive bidding process, as envisaged in the tariff policy for all future requirements of renewable-based power.”

In light of the above directives from ATE, it would be interesting to see (as specified below) whether it is an appropriate time to introduce competitive bidding process for renewables and also, if it compliments the specific R.E. enabling policy and regulatory provisions stated in the
Electricity Act (EA), 2003, National Electricity Policy (NEP) and National Tariff Policy (NTP), 2005.

I. Clause 5.12.2 of the NEP states the importance of R.E. technologies, role of the SERCs in promoting R.E. sources (determination of preferential tariff and specifying quota for
renewables). The clause further states that such purchase by the distribution licensees shall be through competitive bidding process in future.

II. Clause 6.4 of NTP mentions about the provisions of Section 86 (1) (e) of the EA, 2003, and the functions of the Commission in specifying percentage for purchase of renewable energy and preferential tariffs for renewable technologies. It is also mentioned under the clause that
future procurement of R.E. shall be done as far as possible through competitive bidding. The clause also states that in future the tariff for procurement of renewable energy shall
be determined as per the proposed guidelines to be issued by CERC, GoI (in case competitive bidding is not adopted).

III. It is interesting to note that none of the provisions of the EA, 2003, indicates competitive bidding for procurement of renewable energy directly. Section 61 (h) of the Act calls for
preferential tariffs for renewables and Section 86 (1) (e) calls for promotion of co-generation and generation of electricity from renewables by providing suitable measures
for connectivity with grid and sale of electricity to any person. It also states that the Commission should specify certain fixed quota for renewable energy to be purchased by distribution licensees as percentage of total consumption within the area of licensee. Section 63 of the Act mentions that the Commission may adopt the tariff determined through transparent bidding process.

IV. As per interpretation of the provisions in NEP and NTP, procurement of renewable energy in Indian states should be carried out as follows:

Determination of preferential tariff based on guidelines proposed to be issued by CERC (April 2006) and specifying quota obligation RPS for renewables by respective state
commissions.

The state commissions to ensure operationalisation of RPS in respective states.

In the long-term, when R.E. technology matures and sufficient competition develops within the manufacturers of similar R.E. technology, renewable energy can be procured by competitive bidding process.

At present, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions of 14 states in India have issued RPS orders and specified a fixed percentage for purchase of renewable energy. But none of the
Commissions except that of Maharashtra have issued guidelines/orders for long term implementation of the RPS framework. If we look at resource-wise achievements of R.E.
against the potential as on J une 2007 [wind (15%), SHP (13%), biomass (3%), co-generation (12%)], we find that a lot of untapped potential still exists in the country. Moreover, the
figures are very outdated as is seen in Tamil Nadu, where installed wind capacity has already crossed its estimated potential. Secondly, there are still many states which do not have tariff orders for renewables in place, which is a major deterrent for capacity addition in the state. From this it is clear that we are still in the initial phase of R.E. development.

Solar Panel Diagram Theory Article

2009-09-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the above diagram of a solar panel, photons are contained within the suns rays and beam down to earth.

Once these photons reach the solar panel, they are absorbed by the silicon material, and this allows electrons to be knocked off their orbit.

As the electrons are knocked off their orbit, they become free electrons and are able to pick up a current, resulting in the flow of electricity to external sources.

New technologies are making renewable energy devices much more efficient and a viable contender for electricity production from fossil fuels.

Article on solar Energy in India

2009-09-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

India's high population which is around 4x that of the United States, means generating enough power can be a demanding task.

The energy consumption in India is currently allot less than that of the United States, and this shows how a large majority of the population of India does not have access to electricity.

The use of solar energy in India could help to change this problem, in providing a clean, cheap source of electricity for many areas communities.

It is believed that the geographical location of India allows the country to receive well over 4500 trillion kWh of pure solar energy each year, which is far beyond the annual power consumption of India, and even that of the United States who in 2004 used less than 4 trillion kWh of energy.

Solar energy has a huge potential for helping to support the future population of India, yet the installation of solar energy systems still remains a high cost solution for many countries where fossil fuel energy provides most of the electricity needed.

As solar energy technologies become cheaper, we should start to see a huge shift towards the use of solar energy sources in many countries like India, and we are already seeing small scale installations of this nature.

The main con of solar energy which lies at the heart of the debate of proposed solar installations for many countries such as India is the cost, but as time goes by, manufacturing methods can become more cost effective, therefore making the end product cheaper for consumers.

India will take a huge advantage of the available solar energy supplied to the country in the future, and we can hope this will lead to an improved standard of living for much of the population.

Small Wind Turbines Article

2009-09-03T22:40:00.001-07:00

Wind speeds vary a great deal, depending on your surroundings. For example, if you live in an estate (collection of compact houses), the power from the wind is usually weaker than in the middle of a field in the countryside.

If you live in the countryside, and are surrounded by many fields and open spaces, then the average wind speed approaching your home may be more powerful than inner town or city locations.

Another factor to consider is the way the land around you lies.

If there are any large hills or mountains close by, then the placement of wind turbines may not be your best option.

Wind turbines require a substantial wind speed to generate electricity efficiently. The faster the wind, the more output in watts you can generate (but you cannot go over your turbines capacity.)

If there is a forest or collection of trees nearby, then you may decide to opt for a different means of renewable energy such as solar, or geothermal power due to a possible poor wind speed.

Before purchasing any turbines, you should consider researching and maybe even hiring a professional to do a survey on the surrounding area, to determine if a wind turbine would be economically viable in your surrounding area.

If the surrounding area is fit to generate power from the wind, you may wish to go and purchase a wind turbine (like the one below), and choose where you plan to install it.

Many people suggest attaching small home turbines on a pole in a well exposed area, to harness the majority of the winds force.

Once installed in an open space, above any large objects, make sure your turbine is facing the most common wind direction. Some wind turbines are able to adjust themselves to face the position of the wind.

It is important that you receive expert advice when planning to purchase a wind turbine, as some may not be suitable for your requirements. A wind turbine supplier may be able to help you with this process.

An electrician may be able to hook the turbine up to your power supply to provide your home with an extra boost in electricity, reducing the amount of power you use from your electricity provider.

Wind turbine placement is one of the key factors as to whether or not your project will be efficient.

Some people combine wind energy technologies with solar, and/or geothermal energy systems in a bid to provide a greater level of efficiency in various scenarios.

It is advisable that you always consult a renewable energy professional installation firm before any project goes ahead. Look out for no obligation, free quotes, as these could be of use to you.

Article on Quantum Mechanics

2009-09-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

In quantum mechanics energy is defined in terms of the energy operator as a time derivative of the wave function. The Schrödinger equation equates the energy operator to the full energy of a particle or a system. It thus can be considered as a definition of measurement of energy in quantum mechanics.

The Schrödinger equation describes the space- and time-dependence of slow changing (non-relativistic) wave function of quantum systems. The solution of this equation for bound system is discrete (a set of permitted states, each characterized by an energy level) which results in the concept of quanta.

In the solution of the Schrödinger equation for any oscillator (vibrator) and for electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, the resulting energy states are related to the frequency by the Planck equation E = hν (where h is the Planck's constant and ν the frequency). In the case of electromagnetic wave these energy states are called quanta of light or photons.

Energy Article on Second Law of Thermodynamics

2009-09-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

The energy of a mechanical harmonic oscillator (a mass on a spring) is alternatively kinetic and potential. At two points in the oscillation cycle it is entirely kinetic, and alternatively at two other points it is entirely potential. Over the whole cycle, or over many cycles net energy is thus equally split between kinetic and potential. This is called equipartition principle - total energy of a system with many degrees of freedom is equally split among all available degrees of freedom.

This principle is vitally important to understanding the behavior of a quantity closely related to energy, called entropy. Entropy is a measure of evenness of a distribution of energy between parts of a system. When an isolated system is given more degrees of freedom (= is given new available energy states which are the same as existing states), then total energy spreads over all available degrees equally without distinction between "new" and "old" degrees. This mathematical result is called the second law of thermodynamics.