Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Hybrid Organic Solar Cells Now More Efficient
Hybrid Organic Solar Cells Now More Efficient
Prototype solar cell:
Role of electrode:
Producing power from solar cells is the key responsibility of electrodes and the research team found that the unstable chemical coating started leaking around the circuitry of the solar cell and reduced production capacity. They developed a new coating which solved this problem.
New polymer coating:
The team led by David Rider, consisting of Michael J. Brett, Jillian Buriak from U of A-NINT has been successful in developing a durable and longer lasting coating of polymer for the electrode which stopped the chemical leaking that reduced the production capacity. This new polymer coated electrode makes the solar cell work at high capacity continuously.
Success story:
At the time David Rider and colleagues presented their research paper in Advanced Functional Materials on June 22, 2010, the solar prototype cell had performed already for 500 hours at high capacity. In the highly competitive field of plastic solar-cell technology, this research by U of A-NINT team is considered to be a great achievement. And the cell continued to work for 8 months altogether before being damaged in transit between laboratories.
Future:
The future looks bright for hybrid organic solar cells. In Rider’s words “Inexpensive, lightweight plastic solar-cell products, like a blanket or sheet that can be rolled up, will change the solar energy industry”.
Success greets the research team of National Research Council’s National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and the University of Alberta. The plastic solar cells have now an operating life of 8 months instead of mere hours. And they are low-cost, environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic dollar cells – a green energy source. Developing economically viable plastic solar panels and to produce them in large scale has been the long time goal for the scientists as the cost of ultra high-purity silicon used in the traditionally manufactured solar cells is quite prohibitive. These are the solar cells of future – to be available to common man easily. A University of Alberta-NINT team has been focusing on this for quite some time.
Prototype solar cell:A multi-disciplinary team has been successful in developing a prototype solar panel. It was operating at high capacity for about 10 hours. After that, problems developed within which reduced the efficiency of solar cells. They found that electrode’s chemical coating was the root cause of the problem. For past few months, work has been going on to correct this problem.
Producing power from solar cells is the key responsibility of electrodes and the research team found that the unstable chemical coating started leaking around the circuitry of the solar cell and reduced production capacity. They developed a new coating which solved this problem.
New polymer coating:
The team led by David Rider, consisting of Michael J. Brett, Jillian Buriak from U of A-NINT has been successful in developing a durable and longer lasting coating of polymer for the electrode which stopped the chemical leaking that reduced the production capacity. This new polymer coated electrode makes the solar cell work at high capacity continuously.
Success story:
At the time David Rider and colleagues presented their research paper in Advanced Functional Materials on June 22, 2010, the solar prototype cell had performed already for 500 hours at high capacity. In the highly competitive field of plastic solar-cell technology, this research by U of A-NINT team is considered to be a great achievement. And the cell continued to work for 8 months altogether before being damaged in transit between laboratories.
Future:
The future looks bright for hybrid organic solar cells. In Rider’s words “Inexpensive, lightweight plastic solar-cell products, like a blanket or sheet that can be rolled up, will change the solar energy industry”.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Big Money Involved In Cap-and-Trade Bill
Big Money Involved In Cap-and-Trade Bill
One of the most controversial and hot-button topics in Washington over the last year has been the cap-and-trade bill. The last few decades have seen a great awakening of American consciousness to the need for a greener planet. After years of wild excess and reckless consumption, even the average American consumer is beginning to realize that we must care for our resources. Regardless of whether an individual believes fully in the merits of global warming, no one can intelligently argue against the need to care for Mother Earth.With environmental awareness becoming more widespread, it is now beginning to find a strong presence on Capitol Hill, as Washington lawmakers begin introducing, debating, and passing bills that promise to protect and sustain our environment for generations to come. The cap-and-trade bill is one such development in Washington. Basically, the cap-and-trade bill seeks to cut down drastically on the amount of carbon emissions companies are able to release into the atmosphere. The method of regulating these companies is as follows. Each year a company will be allotted a certain number of credits that will dictate how many carbon emissions it can legally release into the atmosphere. The number of credits a company receives will be based on the size and industry of the company. These credits can then be traded or sold to other companies. For example, let’s assume that company A has 10 credits for the year, but they run a very clean operation and they project to only use 6. Company B has 10 credits as well, but they have not developed systems to control carbon emissions; thus, they use all 10 of their credits in 6 months. Now they will have to buy company A’s remaining 4 credits, and if they need more, they will have to find more companies selling credits. This will cost company B a lot of money.
Therefore, the cap-and-trade bill awards companies that are taking proactive steps to cut down on carbon emissions, and it punishes companies that are not. The fundamental thought behind the bill is that large corporations are driven by profit incentive. If you place a profit incentive in front of them in relation to operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, you greatly increase the probability of a company fully cooperating. You hit them where it hurts! (which is, of course, the company pocketbook) Now, the cap-and-trade bill will make for very interesting developments in the nuclear energy and renewable energy industry because some companies are far ahead of the game in terms of operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, and other companies are far behind the curve. As the bill is passed and enacted, the companies that are already operating in a green manner will be able to continue to invest its capital in the direction of business expansion, while companies behind the curve will have to direct large amounts of capital toward restructuring business operations in order to cut down on carbon emissions. Thus, the bill will be great for some companies, and not so great for others. Excelon is an example of a company already ahead of the curve. The cap-and-trade bill will be very good for its growth because, similar to other companies ahead of the curve, it will be able to sell many of its credits while simultaneously continuing to expand its business operations. The cap-and-trade bill has already passed the House of Representatives, and now it will be picked up for debate in the Senate this fall. There is big money involved in the final version of the bill as it currently stands. Currently, there is an $18 billion loan guarantee in the cap-and-trade bill for companies in the nuclear power and renewable energy industries. These government contracts are expected to be very lucrative for a number of companies. If the bill is passed with this loan guarantee in place, it would be wise for investors to track which companies are able to position themselves to land these projects because it will most likely drive a company’s stock up quite nicely. Many companies in the nuclear power industry also have a heavy international presence, which means their bottom line each year is very exposed to volatile moves in the currency market. A Forex broker can oftentimes provide more information on how companies hedge against this volatility in order to protect company profits.
One of the most controversial and hot-button topics in Washington over the last year has been the cap-and-trade bill. The last few decades have seen a great awakening of American consciousness to the need for a greener planet. After years of wild excess and reckless consumption, even the average American consumer is beginning to realize that we must care for our resources. Regardless of whether an individual believes fully in the merits of global warming, no one can intelligently argue against the need to care for Mother Earth.With environmental awareness becoming more widespread, it is now beginning to find a strong presence on Capitol Hill, as Washington lawmakers begin introducing, debating, and passing bills that promise to protect and sustain our environment for generations to come. The cap-and-trade bill is one such development in Washington. Basically, the cap-and-trade bill seeks to cut down drastically on the amount of carbon emissions companies are able to release into the atmosphere. The method of regulating these companies is as follows. Each year a company will be allotted a certain number of credits that will dictate how many carbon emissions it can legally release into the atmosphere. The number of credits a company receives will be based on the size and industry of the company. These credits can then be traded or sold to other companies. For example, let’s assume that company A has 10 credits for the year, but they run a very clean operation and they project to only use 6. Company B has 10 credits as well, but they have not developed systems to control carbon emissions; thus, they use all 10 of their credits in 6 months. Now they will have to buy company A’s remaining 4 credits, and if they need more, they will have to find more companies selling credits. This will cost company B a lot of money.
Therefore, the cap-and-trade bill awards companies that are taking proactive steps to cut down on carbon emissions, and it punishes companies that are not. The fundamental thought behind the bill is that large corporations are driven by profit incentive. If you place a profit incentive in front of them in relation to operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, you greatly increase the probability of a company fully cooperating. You hit them where it hurts! (which is, of course, the company pocketbook) Now, the cap-and-trade bill will make for very interesting developments in the nuclear energy and renewable energy industry because some companies are far ahead of the game in terms of operating in an environmentally-friendly manner, and other companies are far behind the curve. As the bill is passed and enacted, the companies that are already operating in a green manner will be able to continue to invest its capital in the direction of business expansion, while companies behind the curve will have to direct large amounts of capital toward restructuring business operations in order to cut down on carbon emissions. Thus, the bill will be great for some companies, and not so great for others. Excelon is an example of a company already ahead of the curve. The cap-and-trade bill will be very good for its growth because, similar to other companies ahead of the curve, it will be able to sell many of its credits while simultaneously continuing to expand its business operations. The cap-and-trade bill has already passed the House of Representatives, and now it will be picked up for debate in the Senate this fall. There is big money involved in the final version of the bill as it currently stands. Currently, there is an $18 billion loan guarantee in the cap-and-trade bill for companies in the nuclear power and renewable energy industries. These government contracts are expected to be very lucrative for a number of companies. If the bill is passed with this loan guarantee in place, it would be wise for investors to track which companies are able to position themselves to land these projects because it will most likely drive a company’s stock up quite nicely. Many companies in the nuclear power industry also have a heavy international presence, which means their bottom line each year is very exposed to volatile moves in the currency market. A Forex broker can oftentimes provide more information on how companies hedge against this volatility in order to protect company profits.
Economical Solar Panels to Yield More Energy
Economical Solar Panels to Yield More Energy
There has been research work going on to increase the efficiency of the cost-effective amorphous solar panels. TU Delft has been the center where this research work is being developed. The research will directly help in increasing the efficiency of amorphous solar cells – from a 7% to a 9%. Crystalline silicon is most commonly used in silicon solar cells which increases the production cost quite significantly. There is a more economical type of solar panels using amorphous silicon using rather thin films of silicon. The production cost is comparatively less with these panels.
The disadvantage of amorphous solar cells is that they do not have as high a yield as the cells that use crystalline silicon. Compared to the yield of about 18% from the crystalline silicon, the amorphous silicon cells have been yielding only about 7% until now.
Staebler-Wronski effect:
The reason for the comparatively low yield of amorphous silicon panels is because they are suffering from Staebler-Wronski effect which reduces the yield from 10% to 7% in the very first hours of sun exposure. Not much has been known about why this effect occurs and that too why with the amorphous silicon solar panels.
Research on amorphous silicon solar cells:
Gijs van Elzakker has been doing research on amorphous solar cells and presented his research paper for his Ph D on this subject on July 6, 2010. He focussed on how to make the amorphous cells give a higher yield. He realized overcoming the Staebler-Wronski effect will go a long way in improving the performance of amorphous solar panels.
Mitigating the Staebler-Wronski effect:
The thin silicon film layers in the amorphous solar panels are made of silane gas (SiH4). Van Elzakker found out that Staebler-Wronski effect can be alleviated by diluting the silane gas with hydrogen at an optimum ratio. In Van Elzakker’s words, “We showed that the influence of the Staebler-Wronski effect can be considerably reduced in this way.
Applying findings in production:
Inventux Technologies, a German Company, has already started utilizing Gijs van Elzakker’s findings in production. Thanks to this principle, a yield of 9% is expected from deploying the amorphous silicon solar panels the way Van Elzakker visualized.
Monday, July 26, 2010
BIG CLIMATE BILL NIXED FOR THE YEAR.
BIG CLIMATE BILL NIXED FOR THE YEAR.
A tenfold growth in solar is expected in the next five years.
Do we really need a massive climate bill?
You’d think this would be the perfect year to enact significant climate and energy legislation here in the US. The Deepwater Horizon mess in the Gulf of Mexico has rallied more troops against oil, and the hot, hot, really hot summer in much of the country has likely turned many global warming deniers into believers.
But there will be no major climate and energy bill this year. It’s an election year and Senate Democrats are watching their backsides and their cushy seats afraid the Tea Party will take them away. The House passed a comprehensive energy and climate bill last year.
Senate Democratic leaders instead say they’ll be offering a bill that’s like one of those flavored bottled waters: mostly water with a hint of taste. Supposedly in the bill there’s a provision for funding more home energy efficiency improvements (good idea) and another to promote natural gas vehicles. (If these Senators hadn’t noticed, the Obama administration is pushing for electric drive, not natural gas. Car builders aren’t particularly interested in pressurized gaseous fuels nowadays.)
Don’t be surprised if this bill is headed for the circular file.
So those cap and trade opponents need no longer worry. Cap and trade is gone for this year. Obama will have only 2011 to do something about climate change. He wouldn’t attempt such a contentious issue in his reelection year, 2012.
However – going out on a limb here – I wonder if a massive climate and energy bill is even necessary. The purpose of a big bill would be to move the nation towards cleaner energies in a big way. Maybe lots of little bits of legislation, the kind that no one beyond Washington notices, but often get bipartisan support, would get the job done. Further, maybe current laws and initiatives already on the books at federal and state levels are enough to do the energy cleanup job, at least for the next few years.
For example in a small bit of legislation, both houses of Congress have approved in committee bipartisan support for bills designed to jump start the deployment of electric vehicles and infrastructure in the country. The legislation “echoes recommendations put forward by the Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale,” according to a press release from the group.
There’s some proof as well that relying on existing federal and state tools can build more clean energy capacity and reduce greenhouse gases. A new study from the World Resources Institute (WRI) concludes that, “if they act aggressively, and if US EPA’s authority is preserved, the federal government and states can put the United States on a near-term course to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but longer-term reductions remain uncertain.”
WRI goes on to say that “The analysis finds that if the federal government and states move aggressively through 2016, agencies—chief among them the US EPA and the Departments of Transportation and Energy – could successfully use existing authorities to put the country on a trajectory to meet the Obama Administration’s reduction target “in the range of” 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.” Moving aggressively is key and the WRI considers three scenarios, each representing a level of technical feasibility and corresponding regulatory ambition by federal agencies and state governments.
The WRI feels that after 2016 additional tools to cut emissions will be needed.
The marketplace has been responding well to existing federal and state incentives as well as state renewable energy portfolio standards to build clean energy capacity and cut emissions. Solar energy is the poster child here.
Solarbuzz, a globally recognized market research-based business focused on the solar energy and photovoltaic industries, says in a new report that the US solar market is on track to grow tenfold by 2014. Within the next five years, Solarbuzz forecasts the market will grow to between 4.5 and 5.5 gigawatts, a rate of growth of about 30 percent per year. Even in a slow economic environment the US solar market grew 36% in 2009: Pretty good for bad times.
Solarbuzz thanks current incentives and mandates for growth in the industry.
It shouldn’t be very hard to pass new legislation here and there to keep the green energy industry expanding. Even states whose congressmen are opposed to sweeping national legislation are willing to vote yes on bills that help them at home.
Links:
World Resources Institute (WRI):
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action.
Solar Buzz:
United States PV Market 2010 (fee)
http://www.solarbuzz.com/USGridConnect.htm
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
A tenfold growth in solar is expected in the next five years.
Do we really need a massive climate bill?
You’d think this would be the perfect year to enact significant climate and energy legislation here in the US. The Deepwater Horizon mess in the Gulf of Mexico has rallied more troops against oil, and the hot, hot, really hot summer in much of the country has likely turned many global warming deniers into believers.
But there will be no major climate and energy bill this year. It’s an election year and Senate Democrats are watching their backsides and their cushy seats afraid the Tea Party will take them away. The House passed a comprehensive energy and climate bill last year.
Senate Democratic leaders instead say they’ll be offering a bill that’s like one of those flavored bottled waters: mostly water with a hint of taste. Supposedly in the bill there’s a provision for funding more home energy efficiency improvements (good idea) and another to promote natural gas vehicles. (If these Senators hadn’t noticed, the Obama administration is pushing for electric drive, not natural gas. Car builders aren’t particularly interested in pressurized gaseous fuels nowadays.)
Don’t be surprised if this bill is headed for the circular file.
So those cap and trade opponents need no longer worry. Cap and trade is gone for this year. Obama will have only 2011 to do something about climate change. He wouldn’t attempt such a contentious issue in his reelection year, 2012.
However – going out on a limb here – I wonder if a massive climate and energy bill is even necessary. The purpose of a big bill would be to move the nation towards cleaner energies in a big way. Maybe lots of little bits of legislation, the kind that no one beyond Washington notices, but often get bipartisan support, would get the job done. Further, maybe current laws and initiatives already on the books at federal and state levels are enough to do the energy cleanup job, at least for the next few years.
For example in a small bit of legislation, both houses of Congress have approved in committee bipartisan support for bills designed to jump start the deployment of electric vehicles and infrastructure in the country. The legislation “echoes recommendations put forward by the Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale,” according to a press release from the group.
There’s some proof as well that relying on existing federal and state tools can build more clean energy capacity and reduce greenhouse gases. A new study from the World Resources Institute (WRI) concludes that, “if they act aggressively, and if US EPA’s authority is preserved, the federal government and states can put the United States on a near-term course to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but longer-term reductions remain uncertain.”
WRI goes on to say that “The analysis finds that if the federal government and states move aggressively through 2016, agencies—chief among them the US EPA and the Departments of Transportation and Energy – could successfully use existing authorities to put the country on a trajectory to meet the Obama Administration’s reduction target “in the range of” 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.” Moving aggressively is key and the WRI considers three scenarios, each representing a level of technical feasibility and corresponding regulatory ambition by federal agencies and state governments.
The WRI feels that after 2016 additional tools to cut emissions will be needed.
The marketplace has been responding well to existing federal and state incentives as well as state renewable energy portfolio standards to build clean energy capacity and cut emissions. Solar energy is the poster child here.
Solarbuzz, a globally recognized market research-based business focused on the solar energy and photovoltaic industries, says in a new report that the US solar market is on track to grow tenfold by 2014. Within the next five years, Solarbuzz forecasts the market will grow to between 4.5 and 5.5 gigawatts, a rate of growth of about 30 percent per year. Even in a slow economic environment the US solar market grew 36% in 2009: Pretty good for bad times.
Solarbuzz thanks current incentives and mandates for growth in the industry.
It shouldn’t be very hard to pass new legislation here and there to keep the green energy industry expanding. Even states whose congressmen are opposed to sweeping national legislation are willing to vote yes on bills that help them at home.
Links:
World Resources Institute (WRI):
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action.
Solar Buzz:
United States PV Market 2010 (fee)
http://www.solarbuzz.com/USGridConnect.htm
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Friday, July 23, 2010
Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc.'s Green World Water™ Announces Website Launch
Green World Water™ Prepares to Sell Company's First Nuclear Desalination System
BOISE, Idaho, Jul 22, 2010 -- Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AEHI) today announced the launch of http://www.greenworld-h2o.com/. The site will be used to promote and sell commercial Green World Water(TM) nuclear desalination systems, some of which are poised to sell before the end of the year.
"We already had visitors to the site before its official launch, which is gratifying because we have a large number of countries that have expressed interest in our product and this site is now offering the additional information they need to make an informed decision," said Don Gillispie, AEHI CEO.
The site will be used to further explain the Green World Water product, but it also demonstrates exactly how a nuclear desalination system differs from any other, mainly coal, natural gas and wind. In every category nuclear has clear advantages in price, volume of clean water produced, cost to process water from the ocean and co-generation of electricity.
"It is exciting for us and to our potential clients that we can produce clean water from the ocean for as low as 35 cents per cubic meter. Other systems are doing the same thing, but with a cost between $2 and $12 per cubic meter. The great thing about nuclear desalination is that the sale of electricity from the same plant will actually pay for the cost of the water production," said Gillispie.
Green World Water desalination systems can process up to 400,000 cubic meters of clean water every day and use power generation to pump the water hundreds of miles inland, which will reduce, if not eliminate the problems of drought and dirty water in many parts of the world. That is enough water to fill a reservoir more than a mile wide, by 10 meters deep every month with clean water.
Green World Water will use 650 MWe or 1100 MWe reactors and through a partnership with Hyperion Power Generation, the company may soon add Hyperion's refrigerator-sized 25 MWe reactor to the list as well.
International drought conditions are creating havoc in many countries and according to the United Nations, it won't be long before one-third of the world's population will have little to no access to clean water. It is estimated that the problem will increase by 40 percent in the next 15 years.
About Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (http://www.alternateenergyholdings.com/) -- Alternate Energy Holdings develops and markets innovative clean energy sources. The company is the nation's only independent nuclear power plant developer seeking to build new power plants in multiple non-nuclear states. Other projects include Energy Neutral(TM), which removes energy demands from homes and businesses (http://www.EnergyNeutralinc.com) Colorado Energy Park (nuclear and solar generation), and Green World Water(TM), which assists developing countries with nuclear reactors for power generation (http://www.GreenWorld-H2O.com), production of potable water and other suitable applications. AEHI China, headquartered in Beijing, develops joint ventures to produce nuclear plant components and consults on nuclear power.
The GWW™ System
• Nuclear + Desalination = Water & Energy
• Scalable to your needs
• Reactors available in 650 MWe & 1100MWe
• Built to international safety standards
• Lifetime fuel supply and support programs
• Modular design for future expansion
• U.S. design with Generation 3 safety features
• Zero carbon emissions
• Will last 60+ years with proper maintenance
• Pays for itself
• Green World Water™ has financing options
BOISE, Idaho, Jul 22, 2010 -- Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AEHI) today announced the launch of http://www.greenworld-h2o.com/. The site will be used to promote and sell commercial Green World Water(TM) nuclear desalination systems, some of which are poised to sell before the end of the year.
"We already had visitors to the site before its official launch, which is gratifying because we have a large number of countries that have expressed interest in our product and this site is now offering the additional information they need to make an informed decision," said Don Gillispie, AEHI CEO.
The site will be used to further explain the Green World Water product, but it also demonstrates exactly how a nuclear desalination system differs from any other, mainly coal, natural gas and wind. In every category nuclear has clear advantages in price, volume of clean water produced, cost to process water from the ocean and co-generation of electricity.
"It is exciting for us and to our potential clients that we can produce clean water from the ocean for as low as 35 cents per cubic meter. Other systems are doing the same thing, but with a cost between $2 and $12 per cubic meter. The great thing about nuclear desalination is that the sale of electricity from the same plant will actually pay for the cost of the water production," said Gillispie.
Green World Water desalination systems can process up to 400,000 cubic meters of clean water every day and use power generation to pump the water hundreds of miles inland, which will reduce, if not eliminate the problems of drought and dirty water in many parts of the world. That is enough water to fill a reservoir more than a mile wide, by 10 meters deep every month with clean water.
Green World Water will use 650 MWe or 1100 MWe reactors and through a partnership with Hyperion Power Generation, the company may soon add Hyperion's refrigerator-sized 25 MWe reactor to the list as well.
International drought conditions are creating havoc in many countries and according to the United Nations, it won't be long before one-third of the world's population will have little to no access to clean water. It is estimated that the problem will increase by 40 percent in the next 15 years.
About Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (http://www.alternateenergyholdings.com/) -- Alternate Energy Holdings develops and markets innovative clean energy sources. The company is the nation's only independent nuclear power plant developer seeking to build new power plants in multiple non-nuclear states. Other projects include Energy Neutral(TM), which removes energy demands from homes and businesses (http://www.EnergyNeutralinc.com) Colorado Energy Park (nuclear and solar generation), and Green World Water(TM), which assists developing countries with nuclear reactors for power generation (http://www.GreenWorld-H2O.com), production of potable water and other suitable applications. AEHI China, headquartered in Beijing, develops joint ventures to produce nuclear plant components and consults on nuclear power.
The GWW™ System
• Nuclear + Desalination = Water & Energy
• Scalable to your needs
• Reactors available in 650 MWe & 1100MWe
• Built to international safety standards
• Lifetime fuel supply and support programs
• Modular design for future expansion
• U.S. design with Generation 3 safety features
• Zero carbon emissions
• Will last 60+ years with proper maintenance
• Pays for itself
• Green World Water™ has financing options
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
U.S. Army Dips a Toe in Wind Power Waters
The U.S. Army has just flipped the switch on its first wind power project, a single wind turbine at the Tooele Army Depot in Utah. That might sound like small potatoes but it’s a giant step forward for the U.S. military, which has been cautious about wind power primarily due to concerns over radar interference. The installation took more than five years to come to fruition, starting with an approval process in 2005.
Though the military has been reticent about wind power, it has been surging into a clean energy future on other fronts. For the past several years it has been moving rapidly to convert its operations to other forms of renewable energy such as solar and geothermal. That comes along with an aggressive push for energy conservation and biofuels, too, as well reducing the use of toxic chemicals and preserving habitats on Department of Defense lands.
Tooele Army Depot, Wind Power, and Solar Power
Tooele provides a pretty good illustration of the variety of future-oriented energy tactics that the military is pursuing at its many facilities. The single wind power turbine alone is expected to generate 1.5 megawatts annually, saving more than $200,000 in current electricity costs. Tooele is also installing passive solar heating walls on 11 buildings, and these perforated metal sheets are expected to save about $100,000 annually in heating costs. Meanwhile, last year the base won an award for a water conservation program that reduced usage by almost 100 million gallons annually.
Energy Independence for the U.S. Military
With the solar and wind installations, along with other conservation efforts, Tooele is already within shouting distance of 7.5% reliance on renewable energy, a federal goal that kicks in two years from now in 2013. The depot’s energy manager isn’t stopping there. He envisions more turbines, geothermal power, and other measures to make the base completely energy independent and self sustaining. As for drill baby drill, that’s nowhere in the picture.
Though the military has been reticent about wind power, it has been surging into a clean energy future on other fronts. For the past several years it has been moving rapidly to convert its operations to other forms of renewable energy such as solar and geothermal. That comes along with an aggressive push for energy conservation and biofuels, too, as well reducing the use of toxic chemicals and preserving habitats on Department of Defense lands.
Tooele Army Depot, Wind Power, and Solar Power
Tooele provides a pretty good illustration of the variety of future-oriented energy tactics that the military is pursuing at its many facilities. The single wind power turbine alone is expected to generate 1.5 megawatts annually, saving more than $200,000 in current electricity costs. Tooele is also installing passive solar heating walls on 11 buildings, and these perforated metal sheets are expected to save about $100,000 annually in heating costs. Meanwhile, last year the base won an award for a water conservation program that reduced usage by almost 100 million gallons annually.
Energy Independence for the U.S. Military
With the solar and wind installations, along with other conservation efforts, Tooele is already within shouting distance of 7.5% reliance on renewable energy, a federal goal that kicks in two years from now in 2013. The depot’s energy manager isn’t stopping there. He envisions more turbines, geothermal power, and other measures to make the base completely energy independent and self sustaining. As for drill baby drill, that’s nowhere in the picture.
More Power to Electronics Thanks to Nano-scale Wires
Today a long-standing electronic dream has become a reality thanks to research done by a team of scientists from Bar-Ilan University, Israel, supported by U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Producing superconducting nano-scale wires to facilitate faster and more powerful electronic devices has been the long-time ambition which had eluded achievement until now.
Difficulty conquered:
Until today superconductor’s coherence length size needed to be large and very thin wires were not successful superconductors. But the research has shown that small-size coherence lengths can be successfully used both within the layered copper-oxide superconductors and out-of-plane, the coherence length can be even less. The other plus point was that they worked in warmer temperatures, circumventing the costly cooling process.
Taking another step forward:
The Brookhaven team tried to transpose the same superconductivity onto a thin film material by etching the pattern of wires and create layered superconducting thin films. Using molecular beam epitaxy, they are building a material made of alternate copper-oxide layers and lanthanum and strontium. This technique has been successfully used previously to fabricate superconductivity-retaining thin films within one copper-oxide layer.
The new material spells success:
The team ‘etched’ thousands of loops in a pattern by using electron-beam lithography. All these loops of ‘nano-wires’ were only 25 nano-meter diameter width and 150-500 nano-meter long. These arrays with the loop pattern were cooled to below about 30K and were found superconducting which was shown by the electrical resistance shown by the arrays. They tried how the loop resistance will change with external magnetic fields.
With yet another plus quality:
Another feature that came to light which delighted the scientists was the fact that there was oscillation-type change in resistance with the introduction of external magnetic field. The large-amplitude-oscillation frequencies corresponded to the different units of magnetic field strength that were acting on the loops.
More useful than ever:
In Brookhaven Lab physicist, Bosovic’s words, “A material with such a discrete, switchable form of magneto-resistance — especially from the superconducting to the non-superconducting state — could be extremely useful for engineering new devices.” Ivan Bozovic and his team’s work – a result of German-Israeli cooperation – was funded by German Research Foundation with a scholarship grant by Israel Ministry of Science.
Hope for future:
This research can lead to understand the mechanism of superconductivity better which will lead to more advanced designs of new materials for many other practical applications.
Difficulty conquered:
Until today superconductor’s coherence length size needed to be large and very thin wires were not successful superconductors. But the research has shown that small-size coherence lengths can be successfully used both within the layered copper-oxide superconductors and out-of-plane, the coherence length can be even less. The other plus point was that they worked in warmer temperatures, circumventing the costly cooling process.
Taking another step forward:
The Brookhaven team tried to transpose the same superconductivity onto a thin film material by etching the pattern of wires and create layered superconducting thin films. Using molecular beam epitaxy, they are building a material made of alternate copper-oxide layers and lanthanum and strontium. This technique has been successfully used previously to fabricate superconductivity-retaining thin films within one copper-oxide layer.
The new material spells success:
The team ‘etched’ thousands of loops in a pattern by using electron-beam lithography. All these loops of ‘nano-wires’ were only 25 nano-meter diameter width and 150-500 nano-meter long. These arrays with the loop pattern were cooled to below about 30K and were found superconducting which was shown by the electrical resistance shown by the arrays. They tried how the loop resistance will change with external magnetic fields.
With yet another plus quality:
Another feature that came to light which delighted the scientists was the fact that there was oscillation-type change in resistance with the introduction of external magnetic field. The large-amplitude-oscillation frequencies corresponded to the different units of magnetic field strength that were acting on the loops.
More useful than ever:
In Brookhaven Lab physicist, Bosovic’s words, “A material with such a discrete, switchable form of magneto-resistance — especially from the superconducting to the non-superconducting state — could be extremely useful for engineering new devices.” Ivan Bozovic and his team’s work – a result of German-Israeli cooperation – was funded by German Research Foundation with a scholarship grant by Israel Ministry of Science.
Hope for future:
This research can lead to understand the mechanism of superconductivity better which will lead to more advanced designs of new materials for many other practical applications.
Alaska Airlines: Transportation and Aviation Leaders Launch Sustainable Biofuels Initiative.
Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University have announced a strategic initiative to promote aviation biofuel development in the Pacific Northwest. The first regional assessment of its kind in the United States, the "Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest" project will look at biomass options within a four-state area as possible sources for creating renewable jet fuel.
The comprehensive assessment will examine all phases of developing a sustainable biofuel industry, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. It will include an analysis of potential biomass sources that are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, including algae, agriculturally based oilseeds such as camelina, wood byproducts and others. The project is jointly funded by the participating parties and is expected to be completed in approximately six months.
"By transitioning to a more fuel-efficient fleet and adopting technology to follow more direct flight paths, Alaska Airlines has made significant strides in minimizing the environmental impact of our flying in the communities we serve," said Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer. "Through this initiative, we are joining other key stakeholders in our region to explore the development of alternatives to jet fuel that could further reduce our carbon footprint."
"Developing a sustainable aviation fuel supply now is a top priority both to ensure continued economic growth and prosperity at regional levels and to support the broader aim of achieving carbon-neutral growth across the industry by 2020," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh.
The assessment process will be managed by Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based environmental nonprofit organization, which will align the effort to sustainability criteria developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The project objective is to identify potential pathways and necessary actions to make aviation biofuel commercially available to airline operators serving the region.
The project will begin in July with a kickoff meeting, followed by additional meetings throughout the assessment process. The group of biomass producers, refiners, airport operators, environmental and government organizations, airlines, academic representatives and Boeing will address issues such as scale, commercial viability and environmental considerations.
Because biomass sources absorb carbon dioxide while growing and can have higher energy content than fossil-based fuel, their increased efficiency and use as aviation biofuel could potentially save millions of tons of aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Air travel currently generates approximately 2 percent of man-made carbon emissions, and the industry has set aggressive goals to lower its carbon footprint, including the use of aviation biofuel when it becomes available. Today flying is one of the most efficient forms of travel based on average aircraft load factors and fuel use per seat-mile. Because the airline industry directly generates approximately 8 percent of global GDP, it is a critical factor in regional and domestic economic growth. (7/12/10)
Links:
Alaska Airlines
http://www.alaskaair.com/
Related:
--- Bio-Jet Fuel: Better Than Fuel from Fossils.
--- Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute and Industry Team to Study Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants.
The comprehensive assessment will examine all phases of developing a sustainable biofuel industry, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. It will include an analysis of potential biomass sources that are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, including algae, agriculturally based oilseeds such as camelina, wood byproducts and others. The project is jointly funded by the participating parties and is expected to be completed in approximately six months.
"By transitioning to a more fuel-efficient fleet and adopting technology to follow more direct flight paths, Alaska Airlines has made significant strides in minimizing the environmental impact of our flying in the communities we serve," said Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer. "Through this initiative, we are joining other key stakeholders in our region to explore the development of alternatives to jet fuel that could further reduce our carbon footprint."
"Developing a sustainable aviation fuel supply now is a top priority both to ensure continued economic growth and prosperity at regional levels and to support the broader aim of achieving carbon-neutral growth across the industry by 2020," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh.
The assessment process will be managed by Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based environmental nonprofit organization, which will align the effort to sustainability criteria developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The project objective is to identify potential pathways and necessary actions to make aviation biofuel commercially available to airline operators serving the region.
The project will begin in July with a kickoff meeting, followed by additional meetings throughout the assessment process. The group of biomass producers, refiners, airport operators, environmental and government organizations, airlines, academic representatives and Boeing will address issues such as scale, commercial viability and environmental considerations.
Because biomass sources absorb carbon dioxide while growing and can have higher energy content than fossil-based fuel, their increased efficiency and use as aviation biofuel could potentially save millions of tons of aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Air travel currently generates approximately 2 percent of man-made carbon emissions, and the industry has set aggressive goals to lower its carbon footprint, including the use of aviation biofuel when it becomes available. Today flying is one of the most efficient forms of travel based on average aircraft load factors and fuel use per seat-mile. Because the airline industry directly generates approximately 8 percent of global GDP, it is a critical factor in regional and domestic economic growth. (7/12/10)
Links:
Alaska Airlines
http://www.alaskaair.com/
Related:
--- Bio-Jet Fuel: Better Than Fuel from Fossils.
--- Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute and Industry Team to Study Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Cell Phone Chargers to go Green on the Alternative Energy Scene
Cell Phone Chargers to go Green on the Alternative Energy Scene
Today cell-phones have become an integral part of our life and are the most used mode of communication. More prevalent the use of cell-phone, more imperative is the need to curtail eco-pollution that emanates from the huge number of still-in-use and out-of-use cell phones. Toxic products like lead, mercury, cadmium and other materials pose a real threat to our ecosystem. Handset manufactures, recognizing the need of the hour, are showing great interest and emphasis on manufacturing not only environmentally-friendly handsets but also eco-friendly chargers.
Next generation phones:
The need for mobile communication to go green has brought forward innovative new designs with latest technology & expertise to satisfy the customers. Solar energy, kinetic energy and wind energy are a few of the energy sources that will be harnessed to power the handsets.
Solar energy for towers:
India with one of the largest markets for cell-phones has proposed plans for cell-phone towers that are powered by solar energy. China Mobile, the leading Chinese telecommunication operator, has already set up the world’s biggest solar-energy-powered base station in China.
Powered by radio frequency:
Nokia is trying to manufacture cell-phones that will use ambient radio waves. Their prototype can harness 50mW of power from radio waves. This is sufficient to power the cell-phone in standby mode.
Solar power for cell-phones:
All major players in the cell-phone manufacturing industry are now busy into launching solar-powered cell-phones. Pop by LG, Blue-earth by Samsung and two other Sharp Models are all new prototypes using solar power.
Cell-phone chargers:
With eco-friendly cell-phones gaining popularity, cell-phone chargers are also going green. Many are the chargers that will be made with environmentally friendly materials and powered by renewable energy sources.
More future ideas:
Since solar power is unavailable at night time, the idea of using kinetic energy to generate electrons is now being explored. Motion of any form is utilized to generate power for charging the phone. Using airbed foot pumps to drive an embedded turbine to generate energy and convert it to electric power is now being tried.
Unconventional sources:
There are a number of plans on the anvil like fuel cells which can generate power from water; generating power from sources that are unconventional like cold drink or alcohol. So the day is not far off when the mobile communication goes totally green and uses only power made from renewable energy.
Call Treasure Valley Wind and Solar in Boise Idaho for all of your Alternative Energy Needs.
Rob Sorenson is a Green Energy Consultant and will do a FREE Home or Business Energy Audit
to determine the system that best fits your needs. (208)353-6636
Today cell-phones have become an integral part of our life and are the most used mode of communication. More prevalent the use of cell-phone, more imperative is the need to curtail eco-pollution that emanates from the huge number of still-in-use and out-of-use cell phones. Toxic products like lead, mercury, cadmium and other materials pose a real threat to our ecosystem. Handset manufactures, recognizing the need of the hour, are showing great interest and emphasis on manufacturing not only environmentally-friendly handsets but also eco-friendly chargers.
Next generation phones:
The need for mobile communication to go green has brought forward innovative new designs with latest technology & expertise to satisfy the customers. Solar energy, kinetic energy and wind energy are a few of the energy sources that will be harnessed to power the handsets.
Solar energy for towers:
India with one of the largest markets for cell-phones has proposed plans for cell-phone towers that are powered by solar energy. China Mobile, the leading Chinese telecommunication operator, has already set up the world’s biggest solar-energy-powered base station in China.
Powered by radio frequency:
Nokia is trying to manufacture cell-phones that will use ambient radio waves. Their prototype can harness 50mW of power from radio waves. This is sufficient to power the cell-phone in standby mode.
Solar power for cell-phones:
All major players in the cell-phone manufacturing industry are now busy into launching solar-powered cell-phones. Pop by LG, Blue-earth by Samsung and two other Sharp Models are all new prototypes using solar power.
Cell-phone chargers:
With eco-friendly cell-phones gaining popularity, cell-phone chargers are also going green. Many are the chargers that will be made with environmentally friendly materials and powered by renewable energy sources.
More future ideas:
Since solar power is unavailable at night time, the idea of using kinetic energy to generate electrons is now being explored. Motion of any form is utilized to generate power for charging the phone. Using airbed foot pumps to drive an embedded turbine to generate energy and convert it to electric power is now being tried.
Unconventional sources:
There are a number of plans on the anvil like fuel cells which can generate power from water; generating power from sources that are unconventional like cold drink or alcohol. So the day is not far off when the mobile communication goes totally green and uses only power made from renewable energy.
Call Treasure Valley Wind and Solar in Boise Idaho for all of your Alternative Energy Needs.
Rob Sorenson is a Green Energy Consultant and will do a FREE Home or Business Energy Audit
to determine the system that best fits your needs. (208)353-6636
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wind power on a smaller scale carries potential
Wind power on a smaller scale carries potential
If Abigail Stutzman has anything to say about it, small wind turbines will someday dot backyards across the Midwest.
The fifth-grader at Starside Elementary School in De Soto, Kan., has an interest in the environment, including helping to recycle much of her family's trash. But she has bigger plans, inspired by her school's recent installation of a turbine.
"When I grow up, I want to live off the grid," she said.
Much of the attention given to wind energy is for large utility-scale wind farms full of huge, three-blade generators. That's where most wind power is likely to be generated.
But the idea of producing wind energy just for a home, business or small town continues to fire the imagination of those seeking self-sufficiency.
Small wind turbines have blades from 12 to 56 feet in diameter. One popular model for smaller homes has 12-foot blades, which can produce about 30 percent of the home's power.
Small-scale wind projects accounted for less than 1 percent of installed wind capacity in 2009. But the concept has plenty of supporters who believe small turbines can provide an important supplement to utility-provided electricity.
Small projects can face big obstacles, and progress has been much slower than many hoped. Initial costs can be daunting and take more than 15 years for a homeowner to recover.
Turbines need more maintenance than some other types of renewable energy, such as solar panels. And the trees and buildings in urban areas like Kansas City, Mo., mean that a standard-style turbine, to take full advantage of the wind, could need a tower more than 100 feet tall, increasing costs and possibly violating zoning laws.
The turbines also can be noisy, another strike against them in urban neighborhoods.
August Huber III, CEO of commercial building company A.L. Huber, said small turbines eventually would find their place. He has installed a wind turbine at his company's Overland Park, Kan., offices.
The turbine, which uses scoops instead of blades to gather the wind, is designed for slower wind speeds in urban areas and is quieter than a traditional small turbine.
Similarly, DST Realty, a major Kansas City real estate developer, is planning a demonstration project at 18th Street and Broadway that will have two turbines designed for urban areas. A traditional turbine has a horizontal generating axis, designed for stronger winds. But the DST project's turbines each will have a vertical axis.
As to how well they will work, DST Realty Vice President Steve Taylor said, "We'll see."
Prospects look brighter in more sparsely populated areas.
August Spencer and his wife, a retired couple who live in eastern Jackson County, Kan., bought a traditional small turbine more than a year ago. The Spencers had enough land to put their turbine on a 45-foot-tall tower, which should give the average eight- to 14-mile-an-hour winds needed to be efficient.
"It can be real good like today, when I'm receiving 20-mile winds," Spencer said recently.
That experience can be replicated, said the experts, if you want to make the investment and do your homework.
Susan Brown is manager of business development for the Energy Savings Store in Lenexa, Kan., which sells solar collectors and wind turbines. Brown, who once helped lead opposition to the coal-fired plant that KCP&L is now building near Weston, has a wind turbine at her home north of Platte City, Mo. She said the benefits go beyond the economic.
"Every kilowatt I'm producing, I'm not giving asthma to a child," she said.
But she discourages many with an initial interest in buying a wind turbine. Despite the Midwest's wind resources, a turbine can be a worse buy than a solar-energy system, depending on location and on tax credits and other incentives.
An installed 2.4-kilowatt wind system for an average residence can cost about $20,000 and supply about a third of the home's demand for electricity. Despite a 30 percent federal tax credit, Brown figures repaying the cost would take roughly 16 years.
That can make it competitive with a solar-energy system, which also qualifies for the federal tax credit. But solar gets the edge when Kansas City Power & Light's solar rebate is included. This can knock 20 to 25 percent more off the price. (Check your city's utilities to see if they offer additional rebates.)
"We usually don't recommend wind turbines for Kansas City," Brown said.
However, a growing number of schools are showing interest in turbines, although producing power often is a secondary reason. The Starside Elementary turbine in De Soto will recharge batteries and run an electric train, but its main purpose is teaching students about renewable energy. Students asked for the turbine and helped raise money for it.
"We worked long and hard for these things, and the kids are really proud of it," said Paula Henderson, a counselor at the school.
Kansas City Kansas Community College is slightly more ambitious, with a wind turbine that can produce about $100 worth of electricity in four days. It also is used to train students who want jobs repairing wind turbines.
The potential of small wind is clearer in places like Beloit, Kan., northwest of Salina, Kan., and in the heart of wind country. This is where All Things Exterior - which sells siding, roofing and windows - has invested in its own turbine.
By taking advantage of the brisk wind and the renewable-energy tax credits, along with depreciation rules that reduce the price for businesses, the company expects a payback in seven to eight years, said Troy Odle, the company's account manager.
All Things Exterior believes there is enough of a market for small turbines that it is planning to sell them.
"It's not because we want to be tree huggers, but it's the right thing for America," Odle said.
Small-town America, in fact, has had success with smaller wind projects.
Rock Port, Mo., and Greensburg, Kan., don't own turbines, but they do get electricity from wind-generation projects developed for them. The Greensburg project produces enough power for 4,000 homes.
The projects were developed or financed by John Deere Wind Energy, which had been a major developer of wind energy for small towns but recently announced it was getting out of the business. The John Deere subsidiary, which has offices in Johnston, Iowa, declined to reveal what was behind the decision.
Interested small towns could buy and operate wind turbines on their own. This has been done across the country, including once in Kansas with mixed results.
Jetmore, north of Dodge City in western Kansas, had $250,000 gathering little interest in a bank account and decided to buy two reconditioned turbines to provide some power to town residents.
They began operating last year, but after a few months the blades fell off one turbine, which more recently has had vibration problems. The company that sold the turbines is making repairs, but the town no longer expects a payback in seven to 10 years.
"We found out why no one else had done one of these," said Lea Ann Seiler, director of economic development for Jetmore. "But I still think it was worthwhile."
What could be the future is companies like BTI Wind Energy in Greensburg, the Kansas town that was destroyed by a tornado in 2007. The community is emphasizing the use of renewable energy as it rebuilds.
Brad Estes and his family had the town's John Deere dealership, and they decided to buy a wind turbine as they rebuilt. That experience led them to start BTI, which sells turbines and aims to help others get into wind energy.
BTI now extends into several states, offering help to homeowners, businesses and schools.
"In the wide open spaces of Kansas, we should be able to do this all day long," Estes said.
FUELING THE FUTURE
How small-scale wind energy stacks up in the Midwest:
- Strength: Consistently strong wind in many rural and semi-rural areas.
- Drawbacks: Buildings and trees make wind less efficient in urban areas. Wind systems can be relatively high maintenance. Connecting to the grid to sell back any excess power can be tricky.
- Cost considerations: A homeowner could need more than 15 years to recoup a system's initial costs. But a 30 percent federal tax credit helps, and depreciation provisions help businesses further. Stable institutions such as schools also can get long-term financing to spread out the costs.
- Short-term potential: Limited in cities, but alternate turbines designed for urban areas are being tested.
- Long-term potential: Better in rural areas.
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/12/1264365/wind-power-on-a-smaller-scale.html#ixzz0tTm5cJyR
By STEVE EVERLY - McClatchy Newspapers
If Abigail Stutzman has anything to say about it, small wind turbines will someday dot backyards across the Midwest.
The fifth-grader at Starside Elementary School in De Soto, Kan., has an interest in the environment, including helping to recycle much of her family's trash. But she has bigger plans, inspired by her school's recent installation of a turbine.
"When I grow up, I want to live off the grid," she said.
Much of the attention given to wind energy is for large utility-scale wind farms full of huge, three-blade generators. That's where most wind power is likely to be generated.
But the idea of producing wind energy just for a home, business or small town continues to fire the imagination of those seeking self-sufficiency.
Small wind turbines have blades from 12 to 56 feet in diameter. One popular model for smaller homes has 12-foot blades, which can produce about 30 percent of the home's power.
Small-scale wind projects accounted for less than 1 percent of installed wind capacity in 2009. But the concept has plenty of supporters who believe small turbines can provide an important supplement to utility-provided electricity.
Small projects can face big obstacles, and progress has been much slower than many hoped. Initial costs can be daunting and take more than 15 years for a homeowner to recover.
Turbines need more maintenance than some other types of renewable energy, such as solar panels. And the trees and buildings in urban areas like Kansas City, Mo., mean that a standard-style turbine, to take full advantage of the wind, could need a tower more than 100 feet tall, increasing costs and possibly violating zoning laws.
The turbines also can be noisy, another strike against them in urban neighborhoods.
August Huber III, CEO of commercial building company A.L. Huber, said small turbines eventually would find their place. He has installed a wind turbine at his company's Overland Park, Kan., offices.
The turbine, which uses scoops instead of blades to gather the wind, is designed for slower wind speeds in urban areas and is quieter than a traditional small turbine.
Similarly, DST Realty, a major Kansas City real estate developer, is planning a demonstration project at 18th Street and Broadway that will have two turbines designed for urban areas. A traditional turbine has a horizontal generating axis, designed for stronger winds. But the DST project's turbines each will have a vertical axis.
As to how well they will work, DST Realty Vice President Steve Taylor said, "We'll see."
Prospects look brighter in more sparsely populated areas.
August Spencer and his wife, a retired couple who live in eastern Jackson County, Kan., bought a traditional small turbine more than a year ago. The Spencers had enough land to put their turbine on a 45-foot-tall tower, which should give the average eight- to 14-mile-an-hour winds needed to be efficient.
"It can be real good like today, when I'm receiving 20-mile winds," Spencer said recently.
That experience can be replicated, said the experts, if you want to make the investment and do your homework.
Susan Brown is manager of business development for the Energy Savings Store in Lenexa, Kan., which sells solar collectors and wind turbines. Brown, who once helped lead opposition to the coal-fired plant that KCP&L is now building near Weston, has a wind turbine at her home north of Platte City, Mo. She said the benefits go beyond the economic.
"Every kilowatt I'm producing, I'm not giving asthma to a child," she said.
But she discourages many with an initial interest in buying a wind turbine. Despite the Midwest's wind resources, a turbine can be a worse buy than a solar-energy system, depending on location and on tax credits and other incentives.
An installed 2.4-kilowatt wind system for an average residence can cost about $20,000 and supply about a third of the home's demand for electricity. Despite a 30 percent federal tax credit, Brown figures repaying the cost would take roughly 16 years.
That can make it competitive with a solar-energy system, which also qualifies for the federal tax credit. But solar gets the edge when Kansas City Power & Light's solar rebate is included. This can knock 20 to 25 percent more off the price. (Check your city's utilities to see if they offer additional rebates.)
"We usually don't recommend wind turbines for Kansas City," Brown said.
However, a growing number of schools are showing interest in turbines, although producing power often is a secondary reason. The Starside Elementary turbine in De Soto will recharge batteries and run an electric train, but its main purpose is teaching students about renewable energy. Students asked for the turbine and helped raise money for it.
"We worked long and hard for these things, and the kids are really proud of it," said Paula Henderson, a counselor at the school.
Kansas City Kansas Community College is slightly more ambitious, with a wind turbine that can produce about $100 worth of electricity in four days. It also is used to train students who want jobs repairing wind turbines.
The potential of small wind is clearer in places like Beloit, Kan., northwest of Salina, Kan., and in the heart of wind country. This is where All Things Exterior - which sells siding, roofing and windows - has invested in its own turbine.
By taking advantage of the brisk wind and the renewable-energy tax credits, along with depreciation rules that reduce the price for businesses, the company expects a payback in seven to eight years, said Troy Odle, the company's account manager.
All Things Exterior believes there is enough of a market for small turbines that it is planning to sell them.
"It's not because we want to be tree huggers, but it's the right thing for America," Odle said.
Small-town America, in fact, has had success with smaller wind projects.
Rock Port, Mo., and Greensburg, Kan., don't own turbines, but they do get electricity from wind-generation projects developed for them. The Greensburg project produces enough power for 4,000 homes.
The projects were developed or financed by John Deere Wind Energy, which had been a major developer of wind energy for small towns but recently announced it was getting out of the business. The John Deere subsidiary, which has offices in Johnston, Iowa, declined to reveal what was behind the decision.
Interested small towns could buy and operate wind turbines on their own. This has been done across the country, including once in Kansas with mixed results.
Jetmore, north of Dodge City in western Kansas, had $250,000 gathering little interest in a bank account and decided to buy two reconditioned turbines to provide some power to town residents.
They began operating last year, but after a few months the blades fell off one turbine, which more recently has had vibration problems. The company that sold the turbines is making repairs, but the town no longer expects a payback in seven to 10 years.
"We found out why no one else had done one of these," said Lea Ann Seiler, director of economic development for Jetmore. "But I still think it was worthwhile."
What could be the future is companies like BTI Wind Energy in Greensburg, the Kansas town that was destroyed by a tornado in 2007. The community is emphasizing the use of renewable energy as it rebuilds.
Brad Estes and his family had the town's John Deere dealership, and they decided to buy a wind turbine as they rebuilt. That experience led them to start BTI, which sells turbines and aims to help others get into wind energy.
BTI now extends into several states, offering help to homeowners, businesses and schools.
"In the wide open spaces of Kansas, we should be able to do this all day long," Estes said.
FUELING THE FUTURE
How small-scale wind energy stacks up in the Midwest:
- Strength: Consistently strong wind in many rural and semi-rural areas.
- Drawbacks: Buildings and trees make wind less efficient in urban areas. Wind systems can be relatively high maintenance. Connecting to the grid to sell back any excess power can be tricky.
- Cost considerations: A homeowner could need more than 15 years to recoup a system's initial costs. But a 30 percent federal tax credit helps, and depreciation provisions help businesses further. Stable institutions such as schools also can get long-term financing to spread out the costs.
- Short-term potential: Limited in cities, but alternate turbines designed for urban areas are being tested.
- Long-term potential: Better in rural areas.
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/12/1264365/wind-power-on-a-smaller-scale.html#ixzz0tTm5cJyR
By STEVE EVERLY - McClatchy Newspapers
Plant a Windbreak to Reduce Home Energy Costs
Plant a Windbreak to Reduce Home Energy Costs
Reducing your home energy costs can be as simple as planting a few trees in the right location surrounding your house. An effective windbreak can reduce the amount of money you spend on your heating bill by deflecting and slowing down gusty, cold winds in the wintertime.
Cold winter winds usually come from the west and northerly directions. Evergreen trees and shrubs, such as conifers and cedars, do not lose their foliage over winter and provide an excellent barrier against strong winds. This Arbor Day website has an excellent graphic depicting how effective a windbreak can be to reduce wind speed around your home.
The rule of thumb for planting windbreak greenery is that a windbreak should be no more than the distance of one to two tree heights from your house. Consider planting some trees and shrubs around your home to reduce your home heating bill!
Reducing your home energy costs can be as simple as planting a few trees in the right location surrounding your house. An effective windbreak can reduce the amount of money you spend on your heating bill by deflecting and slowing down gusty, cold winds in the wintertime.
Cold winter winds usually come from the west and northerly directions. Evergreen trees and shrubs, such as conifers and cedars, do not lose their foliage over winter and provide an excellent barrier against strong winds. This Arbor Day website has an excellent graphic depicting how effective a windbreak can be to reduce wind speed around your home.
The rule of thumb for planting windbreak greenery is that a windbreak should be no more than the distance of one to two tree heights from your house. Consider planting some trees and shrubs around your home to reduce your home heating bill!
Scientists Revisit Power from Potatoes
Scientists Revisit Power from Potatoes
This could very well be the magic formula for future power generation. Yes, scientists are busy crafting what is now called as “solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.” These are absolutely eco-friendly batteries – based on the hidden powers of potatoes – which will be an economical answer to the growing power needs of developing and developed countries.
Simple sustainable solution:
There are still places in the world where basic infrastructure for lighting and other electrical needs is insufficient. The researchers at Hebrew University are now trying to create magic out of humble common potatoes to provide a solution for generating power to meet this need.
Potato powered battery:
It is the salt-bridge capacity that is latent in treated potato tubers which makes them the ideal medium for generating power easily and economically. An easy process of electrolysis is used in the construction of the simple yet efficient battery. A slice of our ordinary potato, zinc and copper electrodes are all that go to make the battery. By boiling the potato, the electric power is increased 10 times more than with the non-boiled potatoes, and the longevity is also greatly increased.
Similar to conventional batteries:
The principle scientists use to better the performance of the traditional batteries is almost similar. The less the salt-bridge resistance in the potato-power battery, the longer and more efficient the batteries are.
Potato power demonstrated:
The treated potato power batteries (with low power electricity) were used to power LEDs. These batteries can provide lighting, power telecommunication and transfer of information in the developing non-OECD populated areas. Where there is insufficient access to proper electrical infrastructure, these eco- and environmentally friendly green generators of power will be found useful.
Scientists’ gift:
Prof. Haim D. Rabinowitch, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment and Alex Golberg, School of Computer Science & Engineering, Hebrew University, jointly with Prof. Boris Rubinsky, University of California, Berkeley, carried out the research – sponsored by Yissum Research Development Company Ltd, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research was into electrolytic process in living matter that can be used for many applications, including generation of electric energy like for self-powered implanted medical electronic devices.
Cost effective:
Cost-wise also potato-powered batteries are more viable. The 1.5 volt D cells and Energizer E-91 cells proved to be more costly – about 5-50 times more than these vegetable powered cells. Not only potatoes but other treated vegetables can be utilized to provide clean and inexpensive green energy. But potatoes win hands down as vegetable of choice to power the battery due to their high production and easy availability.
This could very well be the magic formula for future power generation. Yes, scientists are busy crafting what is now called as “solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.” These are absolutely eco-friendly batteries – based on the hidden powers of potatoes – which will be an economical answer to the growing power needs of developing and developed countries.
Simple sustainable solution:
There are still places in the world where basic infrastructure for lighting and other electrical needs is insufficient. The researchers at Hebrew University are now trying to create magic out of humble common potatoes to provide a solution for generating power to meet this need.
Potato powered battery:
It is the salt-bridge capacity that is latent in treated potato tubers which makes them the ideal medium for generating power easily and economically. An easy process of electrolysis is used in the construction of the simple yet efficient battery. A slice of our ordinary potato, zinc and copper electrodes are all that go to make the battery. By boiling the potato, the electric power is increased 10 times more than with the non-boiled potatoes, and the longevity is also greatly increased.
Similar to conventional batteries:
The principle scientists use to better the performance of the traditional batteries is almost similar. The less the salt-bridge resistance in the potato-power battery, the longer and more efficient the batteries are.
Potato power demonstrated:
The treated potato power batteries (with low power electricity) were used to power LEDs. These batteries can provide lighting, power telecommunication and transfer of information in the developing non-OECD populated areas. Where there is insufficient access to proper electrical infrastructure, these eco- and environmentally friendly green generators of power will be found useful.
Scientists’ gift:
Prof. Haim D. Rabinowitch, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment and Alex Golberg, School of Computer Science & Engineering, Hebrew University, jointly with Prof. Boris Rubinsky, University of California, Berkeley, carried out the research – sponsored by Yissum Research Development Company Ltd, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research was into electrolytic process in living matter that can be used for many applications, including generation of electric energy like for self-powered implanted medical electronic devices.
Cost effective:
Cost-wise also potato-powered batteries are more viable. The 1.5 volt D cells and Energizer E-91 cells proved to be more costly – about 5-50 times more than these vegetable powered cells. Not only potatoes but other treated vegetables can be utilized to provide clean and inexpensive green energy. But potatoes win hands down as vegetable of choice to power the battery due to their high production and easy availability.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Building The Ultimate Solar Cell?
Building The Ultimate Solar Cell?
The ultimate step in utilizing solar power is to convert maximum energy from sun into electricity. This will make solar power highly cost-advantageous compared to other traditional power sources. Capturing energy wasted as heat from the sun can increase solar conversion efficiency greatly. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is on-going to make this happen.
Not all solar energy utilized:
Actually only about 31% of solar energy is converted into electricity. The rest of the energy is not able to be harnessed as it becomes heat – as ‘hot electrons’ – which is lost very quickly because electrons cool down very fast. Capturing almost all solar energy and converting to electricity is the goal of the ‘ultimate solar cell’.
Utilizing the hot electrons:
Since half the solar energy is lost as heat, the first step will be to slow down the cooling rate of these electrons. The second step will be to capture the hot electrons and use them before the heat energy gets dissipated and lost. And harness the heat energy taking the electrons out via a conducting wire with minimal energy loss.
Semiconductor nanocrystals – quantum dots:
Quantum dots play a pivotal role in the transfer of hot electrons. The research showed that the hot electrons can be transferred to a titanium dioxide electron conductor with the help of photo-excited lead selenide nanocrystals (quantum dots). The aim is to minimize energy loss by having the most effective conductor wire. This will allow the fast removal of electrons from the solar cell before they cool down.
Solar power – the best energy source:
With growing awareness of dwindling sources of fossil fuels, green, environmentally friendly, bio-renewable energy sources are beacon lights of energy sources in future. Solar energy will be the most efficient and common source of such energy. This research is an important step in the creation of the ultimate solar cell.
The team:
Chemist, Xiaoyang Zhu, University of Texas, Austin, led the team consisting of William Tisdale, Brooke Timp, David Norris and Eray Aydil – all from the University of Minneso and also Kenrick Williams, from University of Texas.
The ultimate step in utilizing solar power is to convert maximum energy from sun into electricity. This will make solar power highly cost-advantageous compared to other traditional power sources. Capturing energy wasted as heat from the sun can increase solar conversion efficiency greatly. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is on-going to make this happen.
Actually only about 31% of solar energy is converted into electricity. The rest of the energy is not able to be harnessed as it becomes heat – as ‘hot electrons’ – which is lost very quickly because electrons cool down very fast. Capturing almost all solar energy and converting to electricity is the goal of the ‘ultimate solar cell’.
Utilizing the hot electrons:
Since half the solar energy is lost as heat, the first step will be to slow down the cooling rate of these electrons. The second step will be to capture the hot electrons and use them before the heat energy gets dissipated and lost. And harness the heat energy taking the electrons out via a conducting wire with minimal energy loss.
Semiconductor nanocrystals – quantum dots:
Quantum dots play a pivotal role in the transfer of hot electrons. The research showed that the hot electrons can be transferred to a titanium dioxide electron conductor with the help of photo-excited lead selenide nanocrystals (quantum dots). The aim is to minimize energy loss by having the most effective conductor wire. This will allow the fast removal of electrons from the solar cell before they cool down.
Solar power – the best energy source:
With growing awareness of dwindling sources of fossil fuels, green, environmentally friendly, bio-renewable energy sources are beacon lights of energy sources in future. Solar energy will be the most efficient and common source of such energy. This research is an important step in the creation of the ultimate solar cell.
The team:
Chemist, Xiaoyang Zhu, University of Texas, Austin, led the team consisting of William Tisdale, Brooke Timp, David Norris and Eray Aydil – all from the University of Minneso and also Kenrick Williams, from University of Texas.
Friday, July 9, 2010
JUICE UP TAX CREDITS TO STIMULATE A GREEN ECONOMY
JUICE UP TAX CREDITS TO STIMULATE A GREEN ECONOMY.
Coincidentally, as Obama’s economic stimulus package runs out the US economy shows signs of losing steam. Job creation is feeble. The economy can’t be allowed to fall off a cliff again. Action should be taken now.
In an election season a deficit-concerned Congress won’t be in the mood to pass a mega-spending bill, but tax cuts are always popular.
Obama wants to build a clean energy economy. Why not expand and extend existing tax breaks for clean, renewable and efficient energy to continue efforts already underway to do so?
Let’s take a look at a few Federal tax incentives for efficient and renewable energy now on the books:
--- The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit is a personal tax credit that covers the installation of certain energy efficient water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central air conditioners, building insulation, windows, doors, roofs, some circulating fans used in qualifying home furnaces, as well as some biomass fuel stoves.
The credit, taken off the bottom line of a homeowner’s tax return, is for 30 percent of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements. But the total amount of the credit is a miserly $1500 for all improvements combined. That cost may include labor costs or just the cost of the qualified equipment.
This credit is set to expire at the end of 2010. Why not extend it another few years and double (or more) the amount of the credit to at least $3000?
-- The Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit is another personal tax credit (again off the bottom line of taxes due for a given year) that covers solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, wind energy, fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps and other solar electric technologies.
Like the energy efficiency tax credit, it’s for 30 percent of the installation, but for qualifying solar, wind or geothermal for systems installed beginning in 2009 there is no maximum amount of the credit. If the system cost is, for example, $20,000, the credit, the amount off your tax bill, would be $6000. If the credit brings your tax bill below zero the excess credit may be carried forward to the succeeding tax year.
This fairly generous credit is set to expire at the end of 2016. Still, why not increase the amount of the credit to 40 or even 50 percent?
--- For vehicles, there are a number of tax credits for alternative fuels including diesels, natural gas, propane, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The credits are specific to certain models and the expiration date varies depending on the number of vehicles sold
The biggest tax break available – up to $7500 – is for upcoming electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Yet that tax break isn’t forever and will phase out at the beginning of the second calendar quarter after the manufacturer produces 200,000 eligible vehicles. That could be quite a while, since these vehicles are expected to sell relatively small numbers. Still, why not be more generous with the tax credit and increase it to say $10,000?
There are other energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits, of course, that are aimed at business and industry. There are probably extensions and expansions possible within those provisions.
Many states also have additional tax incentives such as sales tax relief for renewable energies. The states often follow the lead on what Washington does.
Overall, energy tax credits are a plus all-around for the economy.
Those making the energy efficiency or renewable energy investment will likely see a reduction in fuel and/or electric bills. Money not spent on energy can be spent elsewhere in the economy, or perhaps saved.
The equipment purchased for homes, such as solar panels, solar water heaters, high efficiency air conditioners, for example, may be entirely US made (great for those US factories), may be imported or be some combination of the two. In any case, some jobs will be created in manufacturing. However, all of the equipment has to be installed by professionals, definitely creating jobs and new business.
As for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, there is already considerable investment in manufacturing vehicles and components here in the US, in part because of the first stimulus package and in part because of legislation enacted under President Bush. Being more generous with those tax breaks should draw in more buyers, increase production rates creating jobs in US factories and perhaps even encouraging the development of more models.
There is a down side, of course. Tax breaks mean taxes not entering the US Treasury, and it’s possible that these enhanced incentives would increase the deficit. However, that possibility would have to weigh against the creation of new jobs which would send income tax dollars to the government. Further, in saving money on energy people will have more disposable income which could be spent, with some of that eventually finding its way into the Treasury. Finally, cutting energy is the gift that keeps on giving. As long as the energy technology keeps functioning the savings in dollars and cents will be like a newfound source of income year after year.
The President and Democrats in Congress are still thinking of a climate and energy bill this year. The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will make passage of that bill easier but not guaranteed. So, instead of fighting for a new energy and climate policy, why not continue efforts for new economic stimulus using energy at its core? Stimulating the economy, cutting conventional energy consumption, adopting cleaner energy with the side-benefit of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, would all be part of the same package
Links:
Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Credits
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Coincidentally, as Obama’s economic stimulus package runs out the US economy shows signs of losing steam. Job creation is feeble. The economy can’t be allowed to fall off a cliff again. Action should be taken now.
In an election season a deficit-concerned Congress won’t be in the mood to pass a mega-spending bill, but tax cuts are always popular.
Obama wants to build a clean energy economy. Why not expand and extend existing tax breaks for clean, renewable and efficient energy to continue efforts already underway to do so?
Let’s take a look at a few Federal tax incentives for efficient and renewable energy now on the books:
--- The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit is a personal tax credit that covers the installation of certain energy efficient water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central air conditioners, building insulation, windows, doors, roofs, some circulating fans used in qualifying home furnaces, as well as some biomass fuel stoves.
The credit, taken off the bottom line of a homeowner’s tax return, is for 30 percent of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements. But the total amount of the credit is a miserly $1500 for all improvements combined. That cost may include labor costs or just the cost of the qualified equipment.
This credit is set to expire at the end of 2010. Why not extend it another few years and double (or more) the amount of the credit to at least $3000?
-- The Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit is another personal tax credit (again off the bottom line of taxes due for a given year) that covers solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, wind energy, fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps and other solar electric technologies.
Like the energy efficiency tax credit, it’s for 30 percent of the installation, but for qualifying solar, wind or geothermal for systems installed beginning in 2009 there is no maximum amount of the credit. If the system cost is, for example, $20,000, the credit, the amount off your tax bill, would be $6000. If the credit brings your tax bill below zero the excess credit may be carried forward to the succeeding tax year.
This fairly generous credit is set to expire at the end of 2016. Still, why not increase the amount of the credit to 40 or even 50 percent?
--- For vehicles, there are a number of tax credits for alternative fuels including diesels, natural gas, propane, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The credits are specific to certain models and the expiration date varies depending on the number of vehicles sold
The biggest tax break available – up to $7500 – is for upcoming electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Yet that tax break isn’t forever and will phase out at the beginning of the second calendar quarter after the manufacturer produces 200,000 eligible vehicles. That could be quite a while, since these vehicles are expected to sell relatively small numbers. Still, why not be more generous with the tax credit and increase it to say $10,000?
There are other energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits, of course, that are aimed at business and industry. There are probably extensions and expansions possible within those provisions.
Many states also have additional tax incentives such as sales tax relief for renewable energies. The states often follow the lead on what Washington does.
Overall, energy tax credits are a plus all-around for the economy.
Those making the energy efficiency or renewable energy investment will likely see a reduction in fuel and/or electric bills. Money not spent on energy can be spent elsewhere in the economy, or perhaps saved.
The equipment purchased for homes, such as solar panels, solar water heaters, high efficiency air conditioners, for example, may be entirely US made (great for those US factories), may be imported or be some combination of the two. In any case, some jobs will be created in manufacturing. However, all of the equipment has to be installed by professionals, definitely creating jobs and new business.
As for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, there is already considerable investment in manufacturing vehicles and components here in the US, in part because of the first stimulus package and in part because of legislation enacted under President Bush. Being more generous with those tax breaks should draw in more buyers, increase production rates creating jobs in US factories and perhaps even encouraging the development of more models.
There is a down side, of course. Tax breaks mean taxes not entering the US Treasury, and it’s possible that these enhanced incentives would increase the deficit. However, that possibility would have to weigh against the creation of new jobs which would send income tax dollars to the government. Further, in saving money on energy people will have more disposable income which could be spent, with some of that eventually finding its way into the Treasury. Finally, cutting energy is the gift that keeps on giving. As long as the energy technology keeps functioning the savings in dollars and cents will be like a newfound source of income year after year.
The President and Democrats in Congress are still thinking of a climate and energy bill this year. The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will make passage of that bill easier but not guaranteed. So, instead of fighting for a new energy and climate policy, why not continue efforts for new economic stimulus using energy at its core? Stimulating the economy, cutting conventional energy consumption, adopting cleaner energy with the side-benefit of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, would all be part of the same package
Links:
Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Credits
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Before You Start to Build Your Own Wind Turbine for Home...5 Simple Facts You Should Know
Before You Start to Build Your Own Wind Turbine for Home...5 Simple Facts You Should Know
If you already have studied and gained enough knowledge on how to build a wind turbine and ready to move your gear to build your own wind turbine, then you should read this article before you start anything yet. It is for your own good and you should treat it as a pre-caution, so that you won’t make any grave mistakes or waste your time and money during your project on the mid-way.
It would appear that a lot of us every day are actively searching for cheaper ways to produce electricity for our homes which can only be a good thing. The thing that is driving our search for cleaner, cheaper, renewable energy sources could be down to any number of factors. High utility prices are no doubt one thing and the need for a greener environment may be another.
One thing is quite clear however – home wind turbines can provide for both of these needs and they are super cheap, fast and easy to build.
Here are the 5 simple facts that you should know before you start to build your own wind turbine, and to avoid if possible:
1 ) Before you installing your home wind turbine, make sure that you check the average wind speeds that blow in your areas. If the wind blows is too low, then it is wise for not installing any wind generator system, as your wind turbine probably won’t able to collect enough kinetic energy to produce any sufficient electricity.
2 ) Try to place your wind generator in the best possible site for maximum results, flat areas are generally is a best place to collect the kinetic energy as there won’t be any huge obstacle or debris to stop your wind turbine to collect the energy. Try to avoid hilly areas.
3 ) Checking on the local permit requirements first as you doesn’t want to be charged over thousands of dollars without any particular reasons and from nowhere. Some of the regions does not approve of the usage of wind generator or windmill.
4 ) If you are live in a small towns or city, make sure that you discuss your wind turbine plans with your neighbors before you installing a wind generator to avoid any unnecessary opposition. It is better to avoid such conflicts when you can. After all, it is understandable that your neighbors or anyone would make an opposition on something that they don’t understand the purpose of your plan.
5) Believe the system. Focus and concentrate your mind during the project. There is a high chance that you won’t be finish your wind generator and will give up if you continue being doubters or naysayer.
Residential Vertical Wind Turbines are a great way to produce free electricity for your home. Some units can be expensive on startup costs however you must think of a wind turbine as a long term investment – you will be ahead in the long run. If you are not able to finance a wind turbine I strongly suggest that you have a good look at getting your hands on the Green DIY Energy wind turbine kit – it is the most effective design that we have come across as well as being a simple process to build and install, not to mention at $150 the payback period may only take a few weeks!
Still not sure? Why not check out our review on the best wind turbine plans.
If you already have studied and gained enough knowledge on how to build a wind turbine and ready to move your gear to build your own wind turbine, then you should read this article before you start anything yet. It is for your own good and you should treat it as a pre-caution, so that you won’t make any grave mistakes or waste your time and money during your project on the mid-way.
It would appear that a lot of us every day are actively searching for cheaper ways to produce electricity for our homes which can only be a good thing. The thing that is driving our search for cleaner, cheaper, renewable energy sources could be down to any number of factors. High utility prices are no doubt one thing and the need for a greener environment may be another.
One thing is quite clear however – home wind turbines can provide for both of these needs and they are super cheap, fast and easy to build.
Here are the 5 simple facts that you should know before you start to build your own wind turbine, and to avoid if possible:
1 ) Before you installing your home wind turbine, make sure that you check the average wind speeds that blow in your areas. If the wind blows is too low, then it is wise for not installing any wind generator system, as your wind turbine probably won’t able to collect enough kinetic energy to produce any sufficient electricity.
2 ) Try to place your wind generator in the best possible site for maximum results, flat areas are generally is a best place to collect the kinetic energy as there won’t be any huge obstacle or debris to stop your wind turbine to collect the energy. Try to avoid hilly areas.
3 ) Checking on the local permit requirements first as you doesn’t want to be charged over thousands of dollars without any particular reasons and from nowhere. Some of the regions does not approve of the usage of wind generator or windmill.
4 ) If you are live in a small towns or city, make sure that you discuss your wind turbine plans with your neighbors before you installing a wind generator to avoid any unnecessary opposition. It is better to avoid such conflicts when you can. After all, it is understandable that your neighbors or anyone would make an opposition on something that they don’t understand the purpose of your plan.
5) Believe the system. Focus and concentrate your mind during the project. There is a high chance that you won’t be finish your wind generator and will give up if you continue being doubters or naysayer.
Residential Vertical Wind Turbines are a great way to produce free electricity for your home. Some units can be expensive on startup costs however you must think of a wind turbine as a long term investment – you will be ahead in the long run. If you are not able to finance a wind turbine I strongly suggest that you have a good look at getting your hands on the Green DIY Energy wind turbine kit – it is the most effective design that we have come across as well as being a simple process to build and install, not to mention at $150 the payback period may only take a few weeks!
Still not sure? Why not check out our review on the best wind turbine plans.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Residential Wind Power & Wind Turbine Advantages – Are YOU Missing Out?
Residential Wind Power & Wind Turbine Advantages – Are YOU Missing Out?
Residential Wind Power is an excellent means of generating electricity. Currently solar power and wind power are becoming extremely popular all over the world due to the costs of installation being so low and how effective home made energy is.
Residential Wind Power is capable of providing results that will have your full satisfaction and it offers the possibility to easily save up to 75% off your electricity bill. In some cases you are able to save 100% on your electricity bill, and sell the excess to the power company. It is possible to generate enough required energy needed with just a wind power system but this can also be shared with a solar energy system for even better results. The wind power system would be the better option if you live in an area with windy conditions. A solar power system will work best in sunny conditions however this could differ depending on geographical location. Sometimes the season will not matter especially if you are located close to the equator, here you are able to take advantage of the sun all year round. Other areas like in U.S in Mount Washington are known for a consistency of windy weather. If both the sun and wind are plentiful in your area, you could benefit from the combined power of the two. Assessing the overall metrological conditions of the area where you reside is a good way of determining which resource would be the most suitable.
It is not a difficult task to build a home wind power generator. Any DIY enthusiast is capable of assembling a wind generator – especially with the motivation and dedication behind you to really to steer you in the right direction to conquer this project you would need a step-by-step guide. This type of guide will guide you through the process in a comprehensive manner. The most suitable guide to help will provide details of materials and equipment you may need and step by step instructions, the procedures, and all technical aspects. Once you have the manual you will also need to get your hands on some basic power and tools.
The size of your wind power generator or wind turbine will depend mostly on the individual power requirements of your home. For example, 2000 watts and higher, then a larger wind power generator would be your best choice. But if your requirements are around 700 to 2000 watts of power then a smaller wind turbine or wind generator would be plenty.
If you are thinking about home wind power the most commonly used are the smaller generators rather than the massive industrial type. A larger generator becomes a lot more complex to build and install rather than a smaller one. However this would also depend on how much space you have and on your budget, there is nothing to specify that this coldn’t be achieved at home. If you are looking at building or installing a wind power generator and only have a small amount of space, then it’s advisable to go smaller, at least for the first time.
It’s important with whichever size of wind turbine you choose to go with, that it is constructed properly and that it maintains a strong foundation. For a wind turbine to give great results consider the height as better winds are captured at higer altitudes. A good turbine will guarantee a constant supply of electricity, regardless of the intensity of the wind.
How can we not take advantage of the many benefits we get from using wind power at home, what could be better than clean energy that doesn’t give off harmful emissions, environmentally friendly, installation is very affordable and to top it off its free. Also wind power doesn’t just stop at homes. It is also becoming more common in commercial areas. Today there are lots of office buildings that are already running exclusively off wind power.
A home wind power system is very capable of producing surplus energy. In that case, you could sell that surplus quantity to various utility companies, which are eager to purchase it and earn some extra money. Imagine saving on your elecricity bill, producing clean energy and having the opportunity to sell any surplus energy just by using wind power at home. Bottom line is that there are absolutely no downsides to generating your own electricity derived from wind power. A positive outcome is without doubt what you should only expect.
Residential Wind Turbines are a great way to produce free electricity for your home. Some units can be expensive on startup costs however you must think of a wind turbine as a long term investment – you will be ahead in the long run. If you are not able to finance a wind turbine I strongly suggest that you have a good look at getting your hands on this do it yourself wind turbine kit – it is the most effective design that we have come across as well as being a simple process to build and install, not to mention at $150 the payback period may only take a few weeks!
Still not sure? Why not check out our review on the best wind turbine plans.
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 8th , 2010
Residential Wind Power is an excellent means of generating electricity. Currently solar power and wind power are becoming extremely popular all over the world due to the costs of installation being so low and how effective home made energy is.
Residential Wind Power is capable of providing results that will have your full satisfaction and it offers the possibility to easily save up to 75% off your electricity bill. In some cases you are able to save 100% on your electricity bill, and sell the excess to the power company. It is possible to generate enough required energy needed with just a wind power system but this can also be shared with a solar energy system for even better results. The wind power system would be the better option if you live in an area with windy conditions. A solar power system will work best in sunny conditions however this could differ depending on geographical location. Sometimes the season will not matter especially if you are located close to the equator, here you are able to take advantage of the sun all year round. Other areas like in U.S in Mount Washington are known for a consistency of windy weather. If both the sun and wind are plentiful in your area, you could benefit from the combined power of the two. Assessing the overall metrological conditions of the area where you reside is a good way of determining which resource would be the most suitable.
It is not a difficult task to build a home wind power generator. Any DIY enthusiast is capable of assembling a wind generator – especially with the motivation and dedication behind you to really to steer you in the right direction to conquer this project you would need a step-by-step guide. This type of guide will guide you through the process in a comprehensive manner. The most suitable guide to help will provide details of materials and equipment you may need and step by step instructions, the procedures, and all technical aspects. Once you have the manual you will also need to get your hands on some basic power and tools.
The size of your wind power generator or wind turbine will depend mostly on the individual power requirements of your home. For example, 2000 watts and higher, then a larger wind power generator would be your best choice. But if your requirements are around 700 to 2000 watts of power then a smaller wind turbine or wind generator would be plenty.
If you are thinking about home wind power the most commonly used are the smaller generators rather than the massive industrial type. A larger generator becomes a lot more complex to build and install rather than a smaller one. However this would also depend on how much space you have and on your budget, there is nothing to specify that this coldn’t be achieved at home. If you are looking at building or installing a wind power generator and only have a small amount of space, then it’s advisable to go smaller, at least for the first time.
It’s important with whichever size of wind turbine you choose to go with, that it is constructed properly and that it maintains a strong foundation. For a wind turbine to give great results consider the height as better winds are captured at higer altitudes. A good turbine will guarantee a constant supply of electricity, regardless of the intensity of the wind.
How can we not take advantage of the many benefits we get from using wind power at home, what could be better than clean energy that doesn’t give off harmful emissions, environmentally friendly, installation is very affordable and to top it off its free. Also wind power doesn’t just stop at homes. It is also becoming more common in commercial areas. Today there are lots of office buildings that are already running exclusively off wind power.
A home wind power system is very capable of producing surplus energy. In that case, you could sell that surplus quantity to various utility companies, which are eager to purchase it and earn some extra money. Imagine saving on your elecricity bill, producing clean energy and having the opportunity to sell any surplus energy just by using wind power at home. Bottom line is that there are absolutely no downsides to generating your own electricity derived from wind power. A positive outcome is without doubt what you should only expect.
Residential Wind Turbines are a great way to produce free electricity for your home. Some units can be expensive on startup costs however you must think of a wind turbine as a long term investment – you will be ahead in the long run. If you are not able to finance a wind turbine I strongly suggest that you have a good look at getting your hands on this do it yourself wind turbine kit – it is the most effective design that we have come across as well as being a simple process to build and install, not to mention at $150 the payback period may only take a few weeks!
Still not sure? Why not check out our review on the best wind turbine plans.
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 8th , 2010
Small Roof Mounted Wind Turbines Set to Power Rural India: Tata
Small Roof Mounted Wind Turbines Set to Power Rural India: Tata
Tata, one of the largest business groups in India is planning to launch innovative clean energy technologies in rural areas as it plans to grab the opportunity of India’ rapidly expanding power sector.
The Tata Power Company, a subsidiary of the Tata group, plans to test a 2 kW wind turbine which would generate enough electricity to meet the basic demands of an small rural home. With several thousand villages still not connected with the national grid this micro turbine could prove highly beneficial.
The 2 kW turbine which can be mounted on rooftops would be enough to power multiple ceiling fans (rated 60 W) and bulbs/lights (rated 40 W). Even more appliances if battery systems are coupled with the wind turbines.
The Tata’s have been investing heavily in clean energy technologies and distributed power generation. Another of its subsidiaries, Tata BP Solar has setup pilot projects to test and demonstrate power evacuation technology to main grid from rooftop solar panels.
Need for (Clean) Distributed Power Generation
India needs tremendous amounts of energy resources not only for rural electrification but also to meet the rising demands in the big cities. Coal reserves are in short supply, with limited domestic gas reserves India is heavily dependent on imports which are mostly entangled with strategic tug-of-wars be it the case of losing oil & gas blocks to China or ditching plans for energy partnership with Iran under pressure from the US.
Nuclear energy expansion, too, has many roadblocks – concerns about safety, waste disposal & civil liability and fuel shortages.
Although dwindling, indigenous coal reserves are still the backbone of India’s power generation sector with more than 70 percent of power generated by coal-fired power plants. The Indian government has been opposing mandatory emission reduction targets arguing that it needs to provide cheap, coal-fired power to its millions of villages.
Now India already has a voluntary goal to reduce its carbon intensity by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels and it will have to agree to mandatory and absolute emission reduction. Therefore, it is India’s own interests that it seriously considers renewable energy technologies which can take up a substantial burden of the power generated in the country in the medium to long term.
Advantages of Distributed Power Generation
Distributed power generation has several other advantages in the case of India. Being a large country it is difficult to expand transmission lines to the remote places. Distributed power generation makes redundant the various parameters that an independent power system needs to match with the central grid for efficient power evacuation. An article by Grist’s David Roberts sheds light on the advantages of distributed power generation.
The effectiveness of intelligent grids will be enhanced by new ways of storing electricity at the building and neighborhood levels. It is energy storage coupled with the smart grid, Alford says, “that enables grid security, grid stability and power quality.”
Shifting of power generation of centre from traditional power plants to homes and communities would ensure reduction in losses due to power theft and would also improve the stability of the grid. India lost a staggering 88,327 MW due to power theft in 2007-08.
Power generation through localized clean energy technologies would not only reduce India’s carbon emission output but could also reduce power wastage as people would possibly value this resource more when them produce it ‘themselves’, at their homes.
One benefit of energy localism that is difficult to quantify but nonetheless significant is that it engages a city’s residents in a more active civic role: People sort their trash, they manage their power consumption, they get involved.
Local involvement at the most fundamental level of the society could initiate and fuel a sustainable revolution in the power generation sector.
Lastly, the entry of one of the largest companies in the country in a dormant sector boosts confidence in the investors and opens countless avenues of employment generation for millions. Investment thrusts from the private sector, supported by government-backed incentives and international cooperation could eventually transform India’s power sector into a profit-making sector that would fuel competition, accelerate clean energy revolution and bring the best quality services to the customers.
Residential Wind Turbines are a great way to produce free electricity for your home. Some units can be expensive on startup costs however you must think of a wind turbine as a long term investment – you will be ahead in the long run. If you are not able to finance a wind turbine I strongly suggest that you have a good look at getting your hands on this do it yourself wind turbine kit – it is the most effective design that we have come across as well as being a simple process to build and install, not to mention at $150 the payback period may only take a few weeks!
Tata, one of the largest business groups in India is planning to launch innovative clean energy technologies in rural areas as it plans to grab the opportunity of India’ rapidly expanding power sector.
The Tata Power Company, a subsidiary of the Tata group, plans to test a 2 kW wind turbine which would generate enough electricity to meet the basic demands of an small rural home. With several thousand villages still not connected with the national grid this micro turbine could prove highly beneficial.
The 2 kW turbine which can be mounted on rooftops would be enough to power multiple ceiling fans (rated 60 W) and bulbs/lights (rated 40 W). Even more appliances if battery systems are coupled with the wind turbines.
The Tata’s have been investing heavily in clean energy technologies and distributed power generation. Another of its subsidiaries, Tata BP Solar has setup pilot projects to test and demonstrate power evacuation technology to main grid from rooftop solar panels.
Need for (Clean) Distributed Power Generation
India needs tremendous amounts of energy resources not only for rural electrification but also to meet the rising demands in the big cities. Coal reserves are in short supply, with limited domestic gas reserves India is heavily dependent on imports which are mostly entangled with strategic tug-of-wars be it the case of losing oil & gas blocks to China or ditching plans for energy partnership with Iran under pressure from the US.
Nuclear energy expansion, too, has many roadblocks – concerns about safety, waste disposal & civil liability and fuel shortages.
Although dwindling, indigenous coal reserves are still the backbone of India’s power generation sector with more than 70 percent of power generated by coal-fired power plants. The Indian government has been opposing mandatory emission reduction targets arguing that it needs to provide cheap, coal-fired power to its millions of villages.
Now India already has a voluntary goal to reduce its carbon intensity by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels and it will have to agree to mandatory and absolute emission reduction. Therefore, it is India’s own interests that it seriously considers renewable energy technologies which can take up a substantial burden of the power generated in the country in the medium to long term.
Advantages of Distributed Power Generation
Distributed power generation has several other advantages in the case of India. Being a large country it is difficult to expand transmission lines to the remote places. Distributed power generation makes redundant the various parameters that an independent power system needs to match with the central grid for efficient power evacuation. An article by Grist’s David Roberts sheds light on the advantages of distributed power generation.
The effectiveness of intelligent grids will be enhanced by new ways of storing electricity at the building and neighborhood levels. It is energy storage coupled with the smart grid, Alford says, “that enables grid security, grid stability and power quality.”
Shifting of power generation of centre from traditional power plants to homes and communities would ensure reduction in losses due to power theft and would also improve the stability of the grid. India lost a staggering 88,327 MW due to power theft in 2007-08.
Power generation through localized clean energy technologies would not only reduce India’s carbon emission output but could also reduce power wastage as people would possibly value this resource more when them produce it ‘themselves’, at their homes.
One benefit of energy localism that is difficult to quantify but nonetheless significant is that it engages a city’s residents in a more active civic role: People sort their trash, they manage their power consumption, they get involved.
Local involvement at the most fundamental level of the society could initiate and fuel a sustainable revolution in the power generation sector.
Lastly, the entry of one of the largest companies in the country in a dormant sector boosts confidence in the investors and opens countless avenues of employment generation for millions. Investment thrusts from the private sector, supported by government-backed incentives and international cooperation could eventually transform India’s power sector into a profit-making sector that would fuel competition, accelerate clean energy revolution and bring the best quality services to the customers.
Residential Wind Turbines are a great way to produce free electricity for your home. Some units can be expensive on startup costs however you must think of a wind turbine as a long term investment – you will be ahead in the long run. If you are not able to finance a wind turbine I strongly suggest that you have a good look at getting your hands on this do it yourself wind turbine kit – it is the most effective design that we have come across as well as being a simple process to build and install, not to mention at $150 the payback period may only take a few weeks!
Dock Here for Clean Renewable Solar Energy!
Dock Here for Clean Renewable Solar Energy!
This can very well happen in the near future with billboards advertising – bold and strong, beckoning electric vehicles for recharging. Already in Berlin-Adlershof, this is happening. The largest independently functioning solar charging station is offering high-quality, computerized and completely safe kind of solar charging to electrical cars. Electric-power cars’ handicap – finding a place for recharging on the run – is now being conquered by this power refill station. Precise calculated billing, electronic identification for access and automatic safety flaps are added attractions. And no queues to bug you! At a time, eight vehicles can be recharged!
Components of solar station:
What makes this station so unique? Three great components – a mover to generate electricity, a battery to store the power efficiently and an intelligent and totally computerized connector system -for charging and billing – add to up to make this station come true.
1. Mover:
A biaxial photovoltaic 12-module generator which follows the sun generating 40% more energy than normal mono-axial systems – from Solon stable.
2. Storage Unit:
A vanadium redox flow battery acting as storehouse to store 100kWh that is capable of providing 10kW at any time – an ideal storage anywhere for any kind of renewable energy – be it solar, biomass or wind generated.
3. Electrical Connector/charging system – Completely computerized:
A unique system with software to monitor the outlet and manage the charging very optimally and particularly intelligently. A GSM modem to control the flow of communication between the external services. Individually accessible outlet socket modules, with motorized flap and other electronic gadgetry, to do the billing precisely and accurately identifying the user.
Charges all electrically driven vehicles:
This stand-alone charging station provides clean renewable solar energy charges not just for cars, but for all electric vehicles. Quite a few Vectrix electric scooters are running merrily on the city roads and Solon Campus used by Solon staff.
A combined effort:
The solar charging station, Younicos turnkey offer, is the fruit of the combined efforts of Solon’s Photovoltaic power plant, Cellstrom’s Vanadium Redox flow battery, and Younico’s intelligent charging system. All hands to let the fossils stay put in peace and the world run on cleaner CO2-free energy!
Alternative Energy News
This can very well happen in the near future with billboards advertising – bold and strong, beckoning electric vehicles for recharging. Already in Berlin-Adlershof, this is happening. The largest independently functioning solar charging station is offering high-quality, computerized and completely safe kind of solar charging to electrical cars. Electric-power cars’ handicap – finding a place for recharging on the run – is now being conquered by this power refill station. Precise calculated billing, electronic identification for access and automatic safety flaps are added attractions. And no queues to bug you! At a time, eight vehicles can be recharged!
Components of solar station:
What makes this station so unique? Three great components – a mover to generate electricity, a battery to store the power efficiently and an intelligent and totally computerized connector system -for charging and billing – add to up to make this station come true.
1. Mover:
A biaxial photovoltaic 12-module generator which follows the sun generating 40% more energy than normal mono-axial systems – from Solon stable.
2. Storage Unit:
A vanadium redox flow battery acting as storehouse to store 100kWh that is capable of providing 10kW at any time – an ideal storage anywhere for any kind of renewable energy – be it solar, biomass or wind generated.
3. Electrical Connector/charging system – Completely computerized:
A unique system with software to monitor the outlet and manage the charging very optimally and particularly intelligently. A GSM modem to control the flow of communication between the external services. Individually accessible outlet socket modules, with motorized flap and other electronic gadgetry, to do the billing precisely and accurately identifying the user.
Charges all electrically driven vehicles:
This stand-alone charging station provides clean renewable solar energy charges not just for cars, but for all electric vehicles. Quite a few Vectrix electric scooters are running merrily on the city roads and Solon Campus used by Solon staff.
A combined effort:
The solar charging station, Younicos turnkey offer, is the fruit of the combined efforts of Solon’s Photovoltaic power plant, Cellstrom’s Vanadium Redox flow battery, and Younico’s intelligent charging system. All hands to let the fossils stay put in peace and the world run on cleaner CO2-free energy!
Alternative Energy News
Building Out the Green Power Superhighway
White paper, FERC fi lings move transmission agenda
Inadequate transmission capacity remains a signifi cant barrier to
renewable energy development in the U.S. Nearly 300,000 MW of
wind capacity (enough to generate 20 percent of U.S. electricity) is
being delayed due to transmission limitations. Underscoring that
fact, AWEA and the Solar Energy Industries Association issued a
white paper titled “Green Power Superhighways: Building a Path
to America’s Clean Energy Future,” offering policy solutions to get
more power lines off the drawing boards and into the ground. AWEA
also fi led with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
on the key issue of transmission cost allocation, calling on FERC to
broadly spread costs of transmission to all those who benefit.
4 Planning: Interconnection-wide (regional) planning is
needed for transmission networks to move renewable power
from remote areas to population centers.
4 Paying: A simple mechanism is needed to pay for
transmission lines to ensure that everyone who benefi ts from
them shares in the cost.
4 Permitting: Stronger federal certifi cation and siting authority
is needed to ensure that transmission lines are built when
and where they are needed.
States and regions tackle transmission issues
While federal transmission policy remains under heated discussion
as part of pending energy legislation, states and regions are where
key decisions on transmission investment are being made. Texas
and the Southwest Power Pool (Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts
of surrounding states) are seeing investment in new power lines
and infrastructure due to favorable transmission cost allocation
policies. The wind industry will be closely watching the Midwest
Independent System Operator to see if it adopts similar policies.
Transmission lines that pay for themselves
A number of studies have documented that building new
transmission will reduce consumers’ electric bills by billions of
dollars per year, particularly when that transmission is built to
access renewable resources like wind energy (see chart below).
The utility system operator in Texas estimated that a $4.9 billion
investment in transmission to access wind could pay for itself in
fewer than three years by reducing the use of natural gas, saving
consumers $1.7 billion per year on their electric bills.
Wind power can be integrated reliably and cheaply
As wind penetrations grow higher in the U.S. and Europe in 2010,
utilities and grid operators should become more comfortable
with this new and variable source of electricity. Several major wind
integration studies slated for release in 2010 are expected to add
further evidence that wind can be reliably integrated with the grid
at low cost. As wind continues to become a larger part of our
electric power system, however, the wind industry will be keeping
its eye on nascent efforts by some fossil fuel competitors to
impose new and unfair costs on wind plants.
Can U.S. improve 20% Wind by 2030 Report Card in 2010?
In July 2009, AWEA issued its fi rst annual progress report card
on the U.S. Department of Energy’s “20% Wind by 2030”
Report (www.20percentwind.org). The U.S. received a solid “B”
for its progress toward reaching 20% of electricity supply from
wind energy by 2030, but could be “at the high-water mark”
for wind without a strong, immediate, long-term national policy
commitment to renewable energy. Prepared by an in-house team
of AWEA experts, the report card examines progress in four key
areas–Technology Development, Manufacturing, Siting, and
Transmission & Integration.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)