Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Pulling Greenhouse Gases From The Air - Can It Be Done?
Pulling Greenhouse Gases From The Air - Can It Be Done?
This remains key to the appeal of air capture: Because greenhouse gases are dispersed around the globe, they can be extracted from the air anywhere. Carbon dioxide spewing from a tailpipe in Sao Paulo or a coal plant in China can be captured by a machine in Iceland or the Middle East because the atmosphere functions as a conveyor belt, moving CO2 from its sources to any sink. That’s important because while we can envision a world where most or all of the electricity we use comes from nuclear, solar or wind energy, or from fossil fuels where the CO2 is captured at the power plant, it’s harder to see how emissions from cars, trucks, trains, ships and planes can be eliminated. The beauty of air capture, Lackner and his colleagues explained, is that “one could collect CO2 after the fact and from any source….One would not have to wait for the phasing out of existing infrastructure before addressing the greenhouse gas problem.” Air capture plants, they wrote, could be located atop the best underground reservoirs for storing CO2, which may be in isolated locations. This fact is key to the business plans of all the air-capture startups. In only one regard was Lackner’s paper clearly mistaken — he estimated that the cost of air capture would be “on the order of $10 to $15 per ton,” a target that now looks wildly optimistic.
This remains key to the appeal of air capture: Because greenhouse gases are dispersed around the globe, they can be extracted from the air anywhere. Carbon dioxide spewing from a tailpipe in Sao Paulo or a coal plant in China can be captured by a machine in Iceland or the Middle East because the atmosphere functions as a conveyor belt, moving CO2 from its sources to any sink. That’s important because while we can envision a world where most or all of the electricity we use comes from nuclear, solar or wind energy, or from fossil fuels where the CO2 is captured at the power plant, it’s harder to see how emissions from cars, trucks, trains, ships and planes can be eliminated. The beauty of air capture, Lackner and his colleagues explained, is that “one could collect CO2 after the fact and from any source….One would not have to wait for the phasing out of existing infrastructure before addressing the greenhouse gas problem.” Air capture plants, they wrote, could be located atop the best underground reservoirs for storing CO2, which may be in isolated locations. This fact is key to the business plans of all the air-capture startups. In only one regard was Lackner’s paper clearly mistaken — he estimated that the cost of air capture would be “on the order of $10 to $15 per ton,” a target that now looks wildly optimistic.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
New Efficiency Record For Flexible Solar Panels
New Efficiency Record For Flexible Solar Panels
SoloPower uses innovative manufacturing technology to produce low-cost, high-efficiency CIGS-based photovoltaic cells. The CIGS cells are then packaged into unique, flexible, lightweight solar modules. The modules require less balance-of-system hardware and are easier to install than traditional solar panels.
SoloPower uses innovative manufacturing technology to produce low-cost, high-efficiency CIGS-based photovoltaic cells. The CIGS cells are then packaged into unique, flexible, lightweight solar modules. The modules require less balance-of-system hardware and are easier to install than traditional solar panels.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Unique Solar Trees Installation - Solar Energy
Unique Solar Trees Installation - Solar Energy
As property owners implement solar systems to save on energy costs and benefit the environment, they also appreciate the differentiation solar can provide the property and the city. Craig Merrigan, CEO of Spotlight Solar, the company that designed and manufactured the trees, commented that “the ultimate goal of the project is to make solar more visible and to increase the number of visitors to Discovery Place, where they can learn about renewable energy.”
As property owners implement solar systems to save on energy costs and benefit the environment, they also appreciate the differentiation solar can provide the property and the city. Craig Merrigan, CEO of Spotlight Solar, the company that designed and manufactured the trees, commented that “the ultimate goal of the project is to make solar more visible and to increase the number of visitors to Discovery Place, where they can learn about renewable energy.”
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wind Energy Industry Recovering
Wind Energy Industry Recovering
While global installed wind energy capacity increased dramatically during 2006-2009, the global recession sparked a 13.8% fall in annual additions during 2010, when major wind markets, including the US, Germany and Spain, faced economic struggles as a result of the global recession. These markets are soon expected to recover thanks to a huge order intake by major wind manufacturers across emerging regions. Wind power manufacturers worldwide received a high order intake in 2010, with expected delivery deadlines in 2011 and 2012, contributing to the large total of annual installations expected this year.
According to GlobalData, the value of the global wind repowering market has increased significantly during the last five years. In 2005, wind sites were repowered to an estimated cumulative capacity of 877 megawatts (MW). Since this time, the cumulative installed capacity has risen dramatically to 2,499.4 MW. Still, this explored capacity represents only around 17% of the total global repowering potential, which is estimated to exceed 50,000 MW by 2020.
In 2011, wind farms producing around 182.6 GWh of power were replaced with turbines capable of generating 773.7 GWh of power. In 2020, the repowered wind farms are expected to increase their power generation from 1,523.5 to 8,221.1 GWh due to the higher capacity and efficiency of the new turbines.
While global installed wind energy capacity increased dramatically during 2006-2009, the global recession sparked a 13.8% fall in annual additions during 2010, when major wind markets, including the US, Germany and Spain, faced economic struggles as a result of the global recession. These markets are soon expected to recover thanks to a huge order intake by major wind manufacturers across emerging regions. Wind power manufacturers worldwide received a high order intake in 2010, with expected delivery deadlines in 2011 and 2012, contributing to the large total of annual installations expected this year.
According to GlobalData, the value of the global wind repowering market has increased significantly during the last five years. In 2005, wind sites were repowered to an estimated cumulative capacity of 877 megawatts (MW). Since this time, the cumulative installed capacity has risen dramatically to 2,499.4 MW. Still, this explored capacity represents only around 17% of the total global repowering potential, which is estimated to exceed 50,000 MW by 2020.
In 2011, wind farms producing around 182.6 GWh of power were replaced with turbines capable of generating 773.7 GWh of power. In 2020, the repowered wind farms are expected to increase their power generation from 1,523.5 to 8,221.1 GWh due to the higher capacity and efficiency of the new turbines.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Revolution of Solar Panels in the Home: Benefits Beyond Savings
The Revolution of Solar Panels in the Home: Benefits Beyond Savings
Incentives Galore
Not only are cheaper electricity bills an incentive to use solar panels, but the government rewards homeowners for using them as well with significant rebates, tax credits and other incentive programs. In fact, in some states homeowners can get government assistance to buy the solar panels for installation.
Incentives Galore
Not only are cheaper electricity bills an incentive to use solar panels, but the government rewards homeowners for using them as well with significant rebates, tax credits and other incentive programs. In fact, in some states homeowners can get government assistance to buy the solar panels for installation.
Since solar panels are constantly generating electricity, homeowners that are unable to use all of that energy don’t have to worry about it going to waste. Instead, a homeowner can sell that solar power credit to the electrical companies for utility credits. Though, it is rare for a homeowner to not use their energy, those that travel or leave their homes for a few weeks can store enough energy to sell back, which means turning a profit on a renewable and green purchase.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Zero Energy Homes and Alternative Energy
Zero Energy Homes and Alternative Energy
One of the problems for the industry is that only switched on home buyers are going to be able to appreciate the benefits of a low carbon home. As with many purchases consumers and builders tend to go for the cheapest short term option, consumers worry about costs and builders about profits. Without a clear compromise these beneficial types of home are not going to make a significant enough impact so we will end up building outdated housing stock that is not going to be replaced for decades to come.
One of the problems for the industry is that only switched on home buyers are going to be able to appreciate the benefits of a low carbon home. As with many purchases consumers and builders tend to go for the cheapest short term option, consumers worry about costs and builders about profits. Without a clear compromise these beneficial types of home are not going to make a significant enough impact so we will end up building outdated housing stock that is not going to be replaced for decades to come.
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