The Renewable Energy Hub http://renewableenergyhub.com Everything about renewable energy. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:18:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Economist Debate: Should renewable energy be subsidised? http://renewableenergyhub.com/economist-debate-should-renewable-energy-be-subsidised/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/economist-debate-should-renewable-energy-be-subsidised/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:18:10 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1243


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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/economist-debate-should-renewable-energy-be-subsidised/feed/ 0 Renewable Energy Courses at Able Skills Dartford Kent http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-courses-at-able-skills-dartford-kent/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-courses-at-able-skills-dartford-kent/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:14:14 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1261


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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-courses-at-able-skills-dartford-kent/feed/ 0 GM’s Rob Threlkeld Discusses Opportunities for Renewable Energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/gms-rob-threlkeld-discusses-opportunities-for-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/gms-rob-threlkeld-discusses-opportunities-for-renewable-energy/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:18:19 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1267


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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/gms-rob-threlkeld-discusses-opportunities-for-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Craft Village in India with Renewable Energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/craft-village-in-india-with-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/craft-village-in-india-with-renewable-energy/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:35:21 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1113

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/craft-village-in-india-with-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Renewable Energy in Germany http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-in-germany/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-in-germany/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:33:59 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1122

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-in-germany/feed/ 0 Dr Dan Arvizu: Global renewable energy trends http://renewableenergyhub.com/dr-dan-arvizu-global-renewable-energy-trends/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/dr-dan-arvizu-global-renewable-energy-trends/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:32:33 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1125

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/dr-dan-arvizu-global-renewable-energy-trends/feed/ 0 19-Year-Old Solar Panel Maker http://renewableenergyhub.com/19-year-old-solar-panel-maker/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/19-year-old-solar-panel-maker/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:14:43 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=1022

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/19-year-old-solar-panel-maker/feed/ 0 Japanese Solar Renewable Energy System http://renewableenergyhub.com/japanese-solar-renewable-energy-system/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/japanese-solar-renewable-energy-system/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:47:11 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=955

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/japanese-solar-renewable-energy-system/feed/ 0 Can Fossil Fuels be Replaced by Renewable Energy in 20 Years Time? http://renewableenergyhub.com/can-fossil-fuels-be-replaced-by-renewable-energy-in-20-years-time/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/can-fossil-fuels-be-replaced-by-renewable-energy-in-20-years-time/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:42:31 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=964

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/aquion-energy-non-toxic-batteries-to-store-energy/feed/ 0 New, Clear Energy: Russia’s Atomic Revolution http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-clear-energy-russias-atomic-revolution/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-clear-energy-russias-atomic-revolution/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:39:28 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=905

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-clear-energy-russias-atomic-revolution/feed/ 0 New IEA Chief: Urgent investment needed in renewable energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-iea-chief-urgent-investment-needed-in-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-iea-chief-urgent-investment-needed-in-renewable-energy/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:35:58 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=929


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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-iea-chief-urgent-investment-needed-in-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Second Take: Renewable energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/second-take-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/second-take-renewable-energy/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:33:10 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=935

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/second-take-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Renewable Energy and the Economy http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-and-the-economy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-and-the-economy/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:51:20 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=866

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-and-the-economy/feed/ 0 How Renewable Landfill Energy Works http://renewableenergyhub.com/how-renewable-landfill-energy-works/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/how-renewable-landfill-energy-works/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:48:22 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=875

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/how-renewable-landfill-energy-works/feed/ 0 City buildings to be 100% green-powered http://renewableenergyhub.com/city-buildings-to-be-100-green-powered/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/city-buildings-to-be-100-green-powered/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:46:35 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=860

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/city-buildings-to-be-100-green-powered/feed/ 0 A Call for Renewable Energy in Brazil http://renewableenergyhub.com/a-call-for-renewable-energy-in-brazil/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/a-call-for-renewable-energy-in-brazil/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:02:09 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=799

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/a-call-for-renewable-energy-in-brazil/feed/ 0 Introduction to Renewable Energy Options http://renewableenergyhub.com/introduction-to-renewable-energy-options/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/introduction-to-renewable-energy-options/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:32 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=805

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/introduction-to-renewable-energy-options/feed/ 0 Easy Being Green: Iberdrola http://renewableenergyhub.com/easy-being-green-iberdrola/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/easy-being-green-iberdrola/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:58:58 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=808

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/easy-being-green-iberdrola/feed/ 0 American Renewable Energy Summit in Aspen, CO http://renewableenergyhub.com/american-renewable-energy-summit-in-aspen-co/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/american-renewable-energy-summit-in-aspen-co/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:57:39 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=811

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/american-renewable-energy-summit-in-aspen-co/feed/ 0 New Mexico’s largest solar plant unveiled in Carlsbad http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-mexicos-largest-solar-plant-unveiled-in-carlsbad/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-mexicos-largest-solar-plant-unveiled-in-carlsbad/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:55:57 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=817

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/new-mexicos-largest-solar-plant-unveiled-in-carlsbad/feed/ 0 Winning the Future with Renewable Energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/winning-the-future-with-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/winning-the-future-with-renewable-energy/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:53:20 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=820

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/winning-the-future-with-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Free Renewable Energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/free-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/free-renewable-energy/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:51:52 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=764

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/free-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Renewable Energy Certificates RECs – Green Electricity http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-certificates-recs-green-electricity/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-certificates-recs-green-electricity/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:45:19 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=741

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-certificates-recs-green-electricity/feed/ 0 Greening Our Grid Through Renewable Energy Purchases http://renewableenergyhub.com/greening-our-grid-through-renewable-energy-purchases/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/greening-our-grid-through-renewable-energy-purchases/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:43:41 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=750

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/greening-our-grid-through-renewable-energy-purchases/feed/ 0 Geothermal Energy With Solar Energy, Tomorrow’s Renewable Energy Solution Here Today? http://renewableenergyhub.com/geothermal-energy-with-solar-energy-tomorrows-renewable-energy-solution-here-today/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/geothermal-energy-with-solar-energy-tomorrows-renewable-energy-solution-here-today/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:45:40 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=656

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/geothermal-energy-with-solar-energy-tomorrows-renewable-energy-solution-here-today/feed/ 1 Superconducting Magnet Energy Storage http://renewableenergyhub.com/superconducting-magnet-energy-storage/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/superconducting-magnet-energy-storage/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:43:42 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=692

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/superconducting-magnet-energy-storage/feed/ 0 T. Boone Pickens on US Energy Independence http://renewableenergyhub.com/t-boone-pickens-on-us-energy-independence/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/t-boone-pickens-on-us-energy-independence/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:32:01 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=695

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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/t-boone-pickens-on-us-energy-independence/feed/ 0 The Scientific Debate About Climate Change http://renewableenergyhub.com/scientific-debate-climate-change/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/scientific-debate-climate-change/#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:34:28 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=620 Climate Change

Climate change can be looked at from two angles: The scientific angle and a political/activist angle. It is often important not confuse the two because the topic is vulnerable to so-called “junk science” that is used just to prove a political point. On the other hand, climate change does exist, the question is just what exactly is causing it and what we can do now to combat the negative effects.

This video series takes about 20 minutes to watch. It provides a basic but elaborate look at how climate scientists argue that carbon gases are responsible for changing the climate, and how this view is opposed by other scientists who are skeptics.

Video 1: The Scientific Debate

Video 2: The Objections

These videos are part of a 10 video series on YouTube. I find the first two very informative, but if you would like to see the rest, please click on either of the videos to reach their respective channel.


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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/scientific-debate-climate-change/feed/ 0 Can Polar Ice Recover? http://renewableenergyhub.com/polar-ice-caps-recover/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/polar-ice-caps-recover/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:56:00 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=602 Post image for Can Polar Ice Recover?

A recently published model shows that polar ice caps can recover from climate-induced melting. The model also postulates that there seems to be no tipping point beyond which polar sea ice cannot recover if temperatures decrease in the future. New University of Washington researchers say that even if the earth warmed enough to melt all the existing polar sea ice, the ice could eventually recover if the planet cooled again.

The research paper is available at http://www.agu.org/journals/pip/gl/2011GL048739-pip.pdf.

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/polar-ice-caps-recover/feed/ 0 Is Climate Change A Threat To World Peace? http://renewableenergyhub.com/is-climate-change-a-threat-to-world-peace/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/is-climate-change-a-threat-to-world-peace/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:25:06 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=374

The UN is worried that climate change may aggravate threats to international peace and security. Island-nations demand a UN ‘green helmet’ peacekeeping force to intervene in conflicts caused by shrinking resources. Watch this video by Aljazeera.


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]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/is-climate-change-a-threat-to-world-peace/feed/ 0 Investment in Renewable Energy Sources Surges Around the World http://renewableenergyhub.com/investment-in-renewable-energy-sources-surges-around-the-world/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/investment-in-renewable-energy-sources-surges-around-the-world/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:20:07 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=380

Global investments in green energy have increased almost 30% to $1 billion, according to the ‘Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011′ report released on July 7 by UNEP, Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

The Auto Channel takes a look at new investments in Africa.

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/investment-in-renewable-energy-sources-surges-around-the-world/feed/ 0 Counting The Cost Of Climate Change http://renewableenergyhub.com/counting-the-cost-of-climate-change/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/counting-the-cost-of-climate-change/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:20:09 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=406

Al Jazeera international:

There has been some rather extreme weather recently all around the world – is climate change to blame? In India the cost of living is running higher than anywhere else in Asia – interest rates rising fast and growth is likely to decline in the future. We look at the people most affected. Plus, Qatar’s big Libyan adventure – but could it be a step too far for the Gulf emirate as it seeks a bigger global role?


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  4. The Scientific Debate About Climate Change
  5. Al Gore Slams Barack Obama On Climate Change
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/counting-the-cost-of-climate-change/feed/ 0 Climate Change Is The Cause Of Ethiopian Drought http://renewableenergyhub.com/climate-change-is-the-cause-of-ethiopian-drought/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/climate-change-is-the-cause-of-ethiopian-drought/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:20:08 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=394

The United Nations (UN) humanitarian relief coordinator says that the world “must take the impact of climate change more seriously”.

The Daily Telegraph (UK).


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If you enjoyed this article, please also consider the following posts:

  1. Is Climate Change A Threat To World Peace?
  2. Controversial Climate Skeptic Visits Auckland
  3. Counting The Cost Of Climate Change
  4. The Scientific Debate About Climate Change
  5. Al Gore Slams Barack Obama On Climate Change
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/climate-change-is-the-cause-of-ethiopian-drought/feed/ 0 Safety Measures For The Renewable Energy Industry http://renewableenergyhub.com/safety-measures-for-the-renewable-energy-industry/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/safety-measures-for-the-renewable-energy-industry/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:20:08 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=392

Wind and solar companies try to avoid malfunctions by testing their equipment and investing in safety gear.


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If you enjoyed this article, please also consider the following posts:

  1. Renewable Energy From The Deep Ocean
  2. Investment in Renewable Energy Sources Surges Around the World
  3. 20% Renewable Energy By 2020
  4. 3rd International Energy Saving Exhibition In Tehran: Iranians Explore Renewable Energy
  5. Aquion Energy: Non-toxic Batteries to Store Energy
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/safety-measures-for-the-renewable-energy-industry/feed/ 0 Al Gore Slams Barack Obama On Climate Change http://renewableenergyhub.com/al-gore-slams-barack-obama-on-climate-change/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/al-gore-slams-barack-obama-on-climate-change/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:20:08 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=390

Former vice president and environmental activist Al Gore had harsh criticism of President Obama’s lack of leadership and action on global warming in the latest Rolling Stone magazine.


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If you enjoyed this article, please also consider the following posts:

  1. Climate Change Is The Cause Of Ethiopian Drought
  2. Is Climate Change A Threat To World Peace?
  3. Counting The Cost Of Climate Change
  4. Controversial Climate Skeptic Visits Auckland
  5. The Scientific Debate About Climate Change
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/al-gore-slams-barack-obama-on-climate-change/feed/ 0 Renewable Energy From The Deep Ocean http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-from-the-deep-ocean/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-from-the-deep-ocean/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:20:08 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=388

A video about the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) process and an ideal location in Puerto Rico.


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If you enjoyed this article, please also consider the following posts:

  1. Safety Measures For The Renewable Energy Industry
  2. Investment in Renewable Energy Sources Surges Around the World
  3. 20% Renewable Energy By 2020
  4. 3rd International Energy Saving Exhibition In Tehran: Iranians Explore Renewable Energy
  5. Superconducting Magnet Energy Storage
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-from-the-deep-ocean/feed/ 0 National Renewable Energy Program In The Philippines http://renewableenergyhub.com/national-renewable-energy-program-in-the-philippines/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/national-renewable-energy-program-in-the-philippines/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:54:37 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=344

Green energy is on the rise in the Philippines. The country already has the highest energy prices in Asia. An interview with government officials on ANC Future Perfect explains the focus of the national renewable energy program.

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/national-renewable-energy-program-in-the-philippines/feed/ 0 3rd International Energy Saving Exhibition In Tehran: Iranians Explore Renewable Energy http://renewableenergyhub.com/3rd-international-energy-saving-exhibition-in-tehran-iranians-explore-renewable-energy/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/3rd-international-energy-saving-exhibition-in-tehran-iranians-explore-renewable-energy/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:13:34 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=333

From wind turbines to solar panels Iranians are becoming more aware and turning towards renewable energy sources. They’re also trying to find ways to reduce energy consumption.

The solar water heating systems on display at the 3rd international energy saving exhibition in Tehran are the first the draw the visitors who may not just be big fans green technology but simply more concerned about their gas and electricity bills. Now that energy subsidies have been eliminated and gas prices are high people are turning to other sources of energy.

More than 80 companies have taken part including more than 10 foreign companies from China, Germany, Turkey and France. Even wind turbines have found their way to the exhibition.

Iran is the 16th producer of electricity in the world and is working to achieve sustainable development in the field of renewable energy. Iran is now producing 2100 Mega Watts of electricity from renewable sources. The target set for 2025 is 12000 Mega Watts which is 10 percent of the annual production. Meanwhile figures show that Iranians are becoming energy aware and changing their consumption habits. 


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If you enjoyed this article, please also consider the following posts:

  1. 20% Renewable Energy By 2020
  2. Investment in Renewable Energy Sources Surges Around the World
  3. Renewable Energy From The Deep Ocean
  4. Safety Measures For The Renewable Energy Industry
  5. Climate Change Is The Cause Of Ethiopian Drought
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/3rd-international-energy-saving-exhibition-in-tehran-iranians-explore-renewable-energy/feed/ 0 Controversial Climate Skeptic Visits Auckland http://renewableenergyhub.com/controversial-climate-skeptic-visits-auckland/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/controversial-climate-skeptic-visits-auckland/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:14:50 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=323

One of the world’s most prominent – and also most controversial – climate change skeptics, has visited New Zealand this week. Lord Christopher Monckton, the 3rd Viscount of Brenchley, is on a world lecture tour promoting climate change denial. Reporter Benedict Collins met Christopher Monckton in Auckland, and while he may definitely not believe in global warming, it did not take long for the interview to heat up.


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If you enjoyed this article, please also consider the following posts:

  1. Climate Change Is The Cause Of Ethiopian Drought
  2. Counting The Cost Of Climate Change
  3. Is Climate Change A Threat To World Peace?
  4. The Scientific Debate About Climate Change
  5. Al Gore Slams Barack Obama On Climate Change
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/controversial-climate-skeptic-visits-auckland/feed/ 0 20% Renewable Energy By 2020 http://renewableenergyhub.com/20-renewable-energy-by-2020/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/20-renewable-energy-by-2020/#comments Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:48:16 +0000 Alex Janis http://renewableenergyhub.com/?p=288

Raising the share of renewable energy from 8.5% to 20% in the overall energy consumption is a necessary contribution to the global fight against climate change and towards better control over our energy dependence. The various uses of renewable energy are examined: electricity through wind and hydraulic energies; electricity or heat through geothermal and solar energies; electricity, heat, and biofuel coming from biomass. The EU is a world leader in the use and deployment of technologies that exploit renewable energy sources, providing over 350.000 jobs and an annual turn-over of € 30 billion.

 

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/20-renewable-energy-by-2020/feed/ 0 Ocean Energy In A Nutshell http://renewableenergyhub.com/ocean-energy-in-a-nutshell/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/ocean-energy-in-a-nutshell/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:24:15 +0000 Alex Janis http://energyriskprofessional.com/blog/?p=166 Post image for Ocean Energy In A Nutshell

Ocean energy is one of the six forms of renewable energy. Surprisingly, it is not considered hydro energy, but thermal energy or mechanical energy. Harnessing a mere 0.2% of the oceans’ energy would power the energy demans of the entire world population. The challenge is still how to extract that energy effectively, which is much more difficult than one would imagine.

The two types of ocean energy are:

  1. Thermal energy from solar heat. By heat exchange water is turned into steam which rotates a turbine to produce electricity.
  2. Mechanical energy derived from tidal movements or waves. The kinetic energy of the water directly rotates a turbine to produce electricity.

There are three types of electric conversion systems for ocean thermal energy:

  1. Closed-cycle turbine. Warm surface ocean water is used to vaporize a working fluid with low boiling temperature (e.g., ammonia), which then rotates a turbine.
  2. Open-cycle turbine. Boil the seawater at low pressures to produce steam to rotate a turbine.
  3. Hybrid turbine. A combination of both: Vaporization of a working fluid at low pressure.

Tidal and wave energy plants in essence work by funneling water into a reservoir, where it is then encapsulated by a dam. When the water recedes, the pressure in the dam is slowly released while the kinetic energy of the water is extracted by turbines. The image below shows the tidal energy plant “La Rance” in Britanny, France the aerial view and its turbine dam in particular more upclose.

The three types of electric conversion systems for wave energy are:

  1. Channel systems that funnel waves into a reservoir (pumped storage).
  2. Float systems that drive hydraulic pumps for pumped storage.
  3. Oscillating water column systems that use waves to compress air.

Ocean energy is a very promising, clean renewable form of energy. Large tidal power plants have been in use for many years in England (SeaGen) and France (La Rance).

Other designs to harvest energy through thermal transfer is still in the experimental stage. A large experimental ocean thermal energy conversion plant is the OTEC in Hawaii.

The advantages of ocean energy are:

  1. No greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
  2. Ocean energy is a free form of energy. Operating costs of an ocean plant will be very low after initial investment.

Disadvantages of ocean energy are:

  1. It is only valid as a supplemental power source available for eight to ten hours per day, due to tidal cycles (about every 12h 25m). This may be overcome in the future by advantages in battery technology, but at the moment, it is a valid concern.
  2. The best sites for tidal energy generation are remote, located at high altitudes with large differences between tides. The transport problem of electricity comes into play here again, as often with renewable energy.

Many experimental designs to harvest wave energy are still in development. Two interesting technologies are buoys that convert the up and down movement of the ocean waves, and so-called “grazing plants” that produce hydrogen from the thermal energy of the ocean surface. Ocean energy has a lot of potential. When these promising experimental technologies are ready to use, ocean energy will be a competitive force in the renewable energy market place.

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/ocean-energy-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 1 Geothermal Energy In A Nutshell http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-geothermal-energy-in-a-nutshell/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-geothermal-energy-in-a-nutshell/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:22:41 +0000 Alex Janis http://energyriskprofessional.com/blog/?p=130 Post image for Geothermal Energy In A Nutshell

Geothermal has come en vogue in the past decade when the search for renewable forms of energy took off. It has very interesting prospects, but also poses challenges and threats both in the construction phase of plants and during operation. This article will give a brief overview of both as well as an short introduction in the technology involved.

Geothermal Energy is a one of the six renewable forms of energy (geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, ocean energy, biomass). It accounts for approximately 17% of renewable energy generation, and is so-called hot natural energy, which is the term for geothermal or thermal energy from the sun. Cold natural energy are water (lakes, rivers, waves, tides), wind (offshore, onshore), and – surprisingly – the sun (photovoltaic).  The main challenges with operating a geothermal plant are its low heat content and the difficulty with the transport of the energy output. Ideally, the source must be near the consumer, as is the case in Iceland. The main danger is seismic activity, as geothermal wells are only about 10-30 miles away from penetrating the earth’s crust.

Enhanced geothermal system
1:Reservoir
2:Pump house
3:Heat exchanger
4:Turbine hall
5:Production well
6:Injection well
7:Hot water to district heating
8:Porous sediments
9:Observation well
10:Crystalline bedrock

Suitable reservoirs are discovered with seismic technologies, similar to hydrocarbon exploration.

Geothermal energy generation uses the earth’s heat by means of:

  1. Direct use (heat exchange)
  2. Geothermal heat pumps
  3. Electrical power production.

For the generation of electricity, wells are drilled into underground reservoirs where high temperatures exist. Hot water shoots up to the surface of the earth as steam where it is used to rotate a turbine. Cool water is send back down into reservoir to replenish it. With direct use, the hot water is used directly as warm water in households or industrial applications.

Advantages of geothermal energy are:

  1. There is zero greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. The heat from the earth is a free energy source.
  3. The small footprint of geothermal power plants (as opposed to solar and hydroelectric energy, which have a huge footprint).
  4. Little maintenance is necessary after construction.
  5. Geothermal can serve as a baseload energy source.

Disadvantages of geothermal energy are:

  1. Suitable hot rocks must be drillable, which is often not the case.
  2. Potential seismic events during drilling and operation. This happened in Basel (Switzerland), where a large geothermal project had to be aborted after seismic events occurred.
  3. Geothermal sites may be remote from demand, which creates a transportation problem of the energy.
  4. Plants cannot provide capacity for demand spikes. The output of a plant is relatively steady and cannot be altered much.
  5. The challenge of finding suitable fluids for drilling and heat exchange that withstand high temperatures and corrosive nature of magma.
  6. Localized depletion and potential escape of hazardous gases.

Nationalization of geothermal plants is a potential risk, but geothermal projects do not seem to rank high on a government takeover list.

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-geothermal-energy-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 0 Wind Energy In A Nutshell http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-wind-energy-in-a-nutshell/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-wind-energy-in-a-nutshell/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:46:42 +0000 Alex Janis http://energyriskprofessional.com/blog/?p=57 Post image for Wind Energy In A Nutshell

Wind energy is one of the main six renewable energy sources, which are biomass, hydropower, ocean energy, geothermal, wind, and solar.

Renewable energy accounts for 9% of electricity generation in the United States. It also includes the nontraditional use of traditional fuel, such as in the use of microturbines or fuel cells. It further encompasses future energy sources, such as hydrogen and fusion.

Historically,  the wind has been used for thousands of years as a source of energy. The Netherlands are famous for the use of windmills which were used for pumping water to drain fields.

Wind energy accounts for 6% of renewable energy generation. Costs have come down considerably, making this alternative source of energy competitive in some parts of the world. The top three wind generating countries are Germany, Spain, and the United States.

Wind energy works with the help of turbines: Wind rotates a turbine which transforms mechanical energy (kinetic energy) into electricity. The power produced is proportional to the third power of the wind velocity.

Advantages of this source of energy:

  1. Free energy source. After the turbine is built, operating costs will be very low.
  2. No greenhouse gas emissions.

Disadvantages:

  1. A turbine cannot produce energy if the wind speed is too low or too high, mandating the need for backup power.
  2. The amount of output varies with speed (this is called “wind-power density”). Only half of the expected capacity can be used to replace conventional generators, since the turbines are not completely efficient and will not always operate.
  3. Suitable sites for wind turbines are often far away from areas that need electricity.
  4. Turbines have very high visibility. Opposition from environmentalist and developers for esthetic and wildlife reasons (birds).
  5. Noise emission of turbines.

Theoretically, total wind power could be captured only if the wind velocity is reduced to zero when it passes through the turbine. In a realistic wind turbine this is impossible, as the captured air must also leave the turbine. The maximal achievable extraction of wind power by a wind turbine is 59% of the total theoretical wind power. The optimal wind speed must be greater than 14 mph and less than 50 mph for traditional wind turbines (higher for newer designs), otherwise, no energy can be produced.

]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-wind-energy-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 0 Biomass In A Nutshell http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-biomass-in-a-nutshell/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-biomass-in-a-nutshell/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:25:20 +0000 Alex Janis http://energyriskprofessional.com/blog/?p=53 Post image for Biomass In A Nutshell

Biomass power is electricity produced from plant materials and animal products (biomass). Accounts for 76% of renewable energy generation. Biofuels are liquid fuels directly produced from biomass, such as ethanol and biodiesel. Most biomass electricity is produced via a steam cycle, where biomass is burned directly or in “refined form” (biofuels) to produce steam to rotate a turbine. Used for fuel are:

  1. Residues of wood and paper processing industry.
  2. Residues from food production and processing.
  3. Trees and grasses grown as energy crops.
  4. Gaseous fuels produced from solid biomass, animal waste, landfills.

Where is biomass mainly used today?

Some developing countries are up to 90% dependent on biomass as fuel. 30% of the world population does not have or cannot afford electricity, so they substitute with biomass. There is a direct link between poverty and dependence on biomass. 38% of the world population depend on biomass as their primary fuel. Use of biomass for energy generation is prevalent in the following countries:

  1. Sub-Saharan Africa. Most reliant on biomass per capita (not total amount, which is China and India), up to 90% of population rely on biomass.
  2. China. 56% of the population rely on biomass for heating and cooking, mostly in rural areas. 213M toe (tons of oil equivalent), which amounts to 17% of China’s total energy consumption.
  3. India. 58% of the population rely on biomass. 200M toe, 37% of India’s total energy consumption. Biomass used much more than oil (111 toe).
  4. Indonesia. 74% of population rely on biomass. 47M toe, 31% of total energy consumption.
  5. Brazil. 20% of total energy consumption. Half of biomass is consumed in commercial or industrial applications (mining, steel production, cement, paper).

How is biomass transformed into energy?

As with most other forms of energy, we need to transform biomass into fuel gas to achieve higher efficiency. Biomass could be burned directly to power a turbine, but gasification before combustion is actually preferred. This is a diagram of how the gas produced from biomass is turned into electricity:

Power plants often co-fire biomass to reduce acid-rain producing emissions.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of biomass:

  1. Biomass is plentiful with large areas on the planet covered by jungle and forest.
  2. Biomass can be improved by planting marginal land with fast growing trees and specially engineered grasses.
  3. Stabilizes the soil and reduces erosion.
  4. Biomass is renewable and recyclable with zero carbon dioxide emissions.
  5. Biomass stores solar energy until needed, in contrast to photovoltaic and wind turbines which cannot store solar energy.
  6. No ash-waste-disposal problem since the ash from burning it can be used as fertilizer or landfill.
  7. Creates jobs in rural areas.

Disadvantages of biomass:

  1. Biomass depletes the soil of nutrients. But the ash can be used as fertilizer.
  2. Reduction of biodiversity.
  3. Smoke emissions during combustion. But it could be sidestepped by gasification via biomass integrated gasification/gas turbines (BIG/GT).
  4. Aesthetical reasons.
  5. Growing, harvesting, and shipping biomass are expensive.

As a consequence, most facilities using biomass for electricity production in the U.S. show that it could potentially substitute coal, albeit at a higher cost. They also serve as research facilities to enhance the technology. In isolated locations in temperate and tropical regions, biomass is a valid source for electricity production, as coal would be equally or more expensive.

Outlook

Currently, 33% of energy needs of developing nations and 3% of developed nations are being met with biomass. This percentage will decline, however, because the relative growth rate of biomass energy is lower than that of commercial energy sources.

Ethanol is not a valid alternative to gasoline because of competing use of crops and land in the U.S. and other food-growing nations. The Brazilian model (sugarcane grown on marginal land) is more promising.

Unless crude oil prices rise significantly or government intervenes with carbon taxes and/or subsidies, chances for wide adaptation of biomass are dire.
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-energy-biomass-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 0 Solar Energy In A Nutshell http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-solar-energy-in-a-nutshell/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-solar-energy-in-a-nutshell/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:32:36 +0000 Alex Janis http://energyriskprofessional.com/blog/?p=24 Post image for Solar Energy In A Nutshell

Solar energy is an alternative form of electricity generation that gains increasing attention as the focus moves away from fossil and nuclear fuels to alternatives. 1% of renewable energy in the USA are generated with the help of the sun. The three common conversion systems for solar energy are:

  1. Photovoltaic systems (PV, solar cells) that use semiconductor materials to capture the energy in the sunlight and directly convert it to electricity. The problem is the relatively low efficiency of photovoltaic cells. This is bound to change as new materials are developed in the future.
  2. Concentrating solar power systems that use solar heat to produce electricity by bundling sunlight with mirrors into a hot beam that eventually produces water steam that rotates a turbine. Common is the “tower design” (mirrors point to one point on a tower) or “parabolic panel design” (concave mirrors heat a tube with liquid or molten salt, not a single point).
  3. Flat-plate collectors that heat water directly by exposing it to sunlight. Used for direct heating and local application.

As often with renewable forms of energy, storage is a problem as generation is restricted to sun hours only. There is an answer to the storage problem, but again, it is still rather experimental, especially on a large scale: So-called “molten salt storage” can contain heat (600°C) for about 10 hours. The heat from solar collectors is transferred to a network of tubes filles with a salt solution that contains the energy for several hours.

Advantages of solar energy generation are:

  1. No emission of greenhouse gases.
  2. The sun is a free energy source. After a solar power plant is built, operating costs can be very low.

Disadvantages of solar energy generation are:

  1. Solar energy plants can only generate electricity in daylight hours when the sun is directly overhead (about 5.5-8 hours). Needs a backup to be reliable. As mentioned, this can be overcome with molten salt storage, which stores heat of around 600°C for 10 hours.
  2. Solar energy is more expensive than other renewables (wind) and often needs a subsidy to achieve acceptable IRR (acceptable IRR would be around 8%).
  3. Small overall contribution (only 10% of wind, despite similar exponential growth).
  4. Limited tax credits in the USA: Only up to $2,000 per residential installation and 30% for industrial per the EPAct of 2005.
  5. Large footprint of thermal plants.
  6. Photovoltaic is only useful for local application (too weak).
]]> http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-solar-energy-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 0 Hydroelectric Energy In a Nutshell http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-hydroelectric-energy-in-a-nutshell/ http://renewableenergyhub.com/renewable-hydroelectric-energy-in-a-nutshell/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:25:37 +0000 Alex Janis http://energyriskprofessional.com/blog/?p=16 Post image for Hydroelectric Energy In a Nutshell

Hydroelectric power generation (also called hydro power) is an alternative way to generate electricity. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and nuclear energy, these alternative forms of power generation are becoming more and more important, and it is very useful to know the basics when it comes to alternatives. In hydroelectric power generation kinetic energy of water rotates a turbine. The three basic types of hydropower are:

  1. Falling water. A dam with a reservoir behind it. Water is dispersed from the reservoir to rotate a turbine which creates electricity.
  2. Run of river. Used as baseload, but dependent on water levels. Similar to the old “water wheel”.
  3. Pumped storage. Use off-peak periods (when energy is cheap) to pump water into an elevated reservoir. When peak-energy is needed, the water is dispersed to rotate a turbine.

Surprisingly, ocean energy is not considered hydro energy, but thermal energy (from solar heat) or mechanical energy (tides, waves).

Dams were originally built to irrigate crops, but today, most of them are used to generate electricity.

The advantages of hydroelectric power generation are:

  1. Environmentally friendly energy is produced, zero greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. Potential to store electricity through pumped-storage plants.
  3. Flood control of sensitive regions (Three Gorges dam in China).

Disadvantages of hydroelectric power generation are:

  1. Dams impact wildlife, flood protected land and reserves (e.g., Sierra Club, which opposes dams in U.S., saying “[power] supply will create its own demand”).
  2. Preventing of flooding for natural fertilization of river deltas (Nile delta, Lake Nasser). Potential spread of illnesses by disturbing natural equilibrium.
  3. Affected by too much or a lack of rainfall.
  4. Presence of large water reservoirs can affect local climate.
  5. Weight of reservoirs can affect earthquakes.
  6. Resettlements.
  7. Potential wars over waters (Turkey, Iraq, etc.).

Most dams are built in Asia today, as in Europe and America, most suitable sites for dams are already utilized. The nations most dependent on hydroelectric energy are Norway (100% of energy), Brazil (83% of energy), and Iceland (81% of energy). The largest producers of hydroelectric power are Canada, China, and Brazil.

Brazil had the goal to become entirely dependent on hydropower and built the Itaipu dam between 1975 and 1991, which has an output of 13 gigawatts (13 nuclear plants). The dam delivers power to Brazil and Paraguay. Draughts in Brazil in 2001 created severe power outages and sparked a policy of energy diversification. Dependency on one form of power generation is usually not advised.

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