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SUN LIGHTS THE WAY FORWARD

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:08:04 +0000

Global demand for all forms of energy is expected to increase by 54 per cent over the next twenty years, according to forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration.Another long-term forecast from the EIA puts world electricity demand in 2025 at nearly twice what it is now.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are the source of the majority of the world’s energy.They release energy during burning, but also simultaneously release carbon dioxide into the air. These conventional energy resources are finite and the emissions harmful to the environment, hence the growing urgency to develop renewable energy sources, such as wind, water, biomass, wood, geothermal, photovoltaic and sunlight.
Energy from the sun that reaches the surface of the earth is 6 000 times the amount of energy needed on earth a day. Solar energy has been used by humans to meet some of their energy needs since ancient times, but with growing global concern over environmental issues, it is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Solar power is increasingly becoming a viable alternative to fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas and is predominarly used for heating water and generating electricity.
From enormous sports stadiums and towering skyscrapers to isolated farmhouses and ordinary suburban households, solar power is increasingly becoming the cost-effective energy solution of choice.For eg, the newly finished 55 000 seater stadium in Taiwan is the world’s first stadium to use solar energy technology to produce power.The enormous nineteen-hectare structure was built for the 2009 World Games, and will produce enough power for its 3 300 lights and two huge television screens from nearly nine thousand solar panels on the stadium roof.
That’s solar power on a giant scale.For domestic energy needs on a much smaller scale however, solar power can also provide a cost-effective, low maintenance option.
According to Perth solar power specialists, Solar My World, homeowners will add value to their properties, make a positive contribution to the environment and reduce their power bills by installing solar panels on their properties.Two solar power systems, grid connect and off-grid, are available for property owners in Perth.
A grid connect system will supply solar power to the household via an inverter, and is generally used in more densely populated areas. If the system provides more energy than the property requires, the surplus can be diverted and ‘sold’ to the electricity grid.A standalone system uses a battery bank to store energy until required.This is used mainly in more remote areas where there is little or no access to conventional power supplies.
Solar power systems are versatile and can be designed for both AC and DC and can always be expanded to meet changing needs.
Energy is the largest single contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and there is a growing call for people to reduce their C02 emissions and protect the environment.As discussed earlier in this article, Taiwan’s new stadium is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by 660 tons a year by producing power from its solar panels.We have the power to save the world if we switch to solar power in our homes.

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How to Build a DIY Solar Power Generator

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:43:02 +0000

A residential solar power system can produce tremendous benefits for a homeowner in the area of reducing energy costs, which can cause large strains in an average American home by draining large amounts from the household’s monthly budget. Even a do-it-yourself or DIY solar power generator can reduce energy bills down to considerable levels. In some cases where the solar power backup generator is efficient enough, energy bills can drop to zero and even negative levels, meaning the household is actually returning excess power back to the utility companies.

A few solar power kits can be found on the internet and from other places offline. Prices are dropping considerably as further advancements make it possible for solar panels to be more affordable to the average American household. Build solar power generator kits are also available, or you can make one on your own. The following describes a procedure on how to build a solar power generator for only a few hundred dollars.

A Basic Procedure in Building Your Own DIY Solar Power Generator

The following describes a procedure of building a DIY home solar power generator capable of generating 100 watt-hours of electrical energy from a daily solar exposure of just 5 hours. This is enough to power a 25-watt load like a laptop, an electric fan or a small television for four hours.

* For this project, you will need a 12v solar power readily available in the market. You will also need a 4-amp charge controller and a 32 amp-hour battery. This sealed battery can store up to 400 watts of electrical energy and the charge controller can prevent the batteries from overcharging.

A direct current, or DC, is created when solar energy is converted by solar cells into electrical energy. In order to convert DC to AC power, a power inverter will be needed since typical household appliances use either alternating current or AC.

Along with the DIY solar power generator, a voltage meter should also be used in order to watch the electrical overload the generator created in addition to the electrical power levels during usage or charging.

For the enclosure, you can use a wooden or plastic container where you can easily drill holes where you could pass the insulated wiring for the battery and inverter. The solar panels are packaged separately and should be installed in a strategic location on your roof where it can receive maximum exposure to sunlight.

The manufacturer can provide you with wiring diagrams for you solar panel modules. The negative and positive leads of the panels, the battery and the charge controller should be properly identified first before making any connections. Ensure that polarities are matched during connections, otherwise your components will be damaged during operation.

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Ethanol Fuel Cell – Knowing about the Effectiveness of It

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:03:02 +0000

The first thing that you must comprehend before you learn more on the ethanol, ethanol fuel efficiency, as well as the practice of making the ethanol fuel is the ethanol fuel cell. The technology of ethanol fuel cell is truly is not something new-found seeing as until now, there are four major types of ethanol fuel cells that have been developed by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, this technology still startles people who learn it.

The Process on the Ethanol Fuel Cell

The producing the ethanol is placing the ethanol fuel cell as the main component that matter the most on the production method. Indeed, for most people who see it for the first time, the process of producing ethanol is very hard. The practice of producing ethanol is somewhat difficult due to crops that used to produce ethanol is very different. The most usual ingredient of producing the ethanol is the starches or sugars that are contained in the seeds of different crops even though there are also other types of ethanol that can be produced as well.

Basically the practice o making the ethanol fuel consists of four steps, which go as follows. The crop is first grown and then harvested, and then it is transported to the ethanol facility. Afterward, the starch or sugar is separated from the rest of the crop and fermented into ethanol, which is quite similar to beer.

Subsequently, yeast is added to help switch the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The third step is to cleanse the ethanol and make it unfit for consumption to prepare it for market use. Once this is completed, the ethanol is left to sit and then it is completed.

The process of making the ethanol fuel cell might have slightly differentiation since the type of ethanol produced is also different as well as the plant that made the ethanol. In the other hand, the basics all tend to remain the same and thus if you wanted to learn concerning ethanol production and how the fuel cells are used, this is valuable information.

If you are fascinated to learn more on the subject of ethanol fuel cell and how it is produced, you can get much other useful information from everywhere. With the recognition of ethanol, you can easily try to find the plant that can produce ethanol as well as the very wonderful procedure of making the ethanol fuel cell. In fact, ethanol has tons of benefit that humankind can get but not yet completely explored.

Are you still at sea of knowing more about ethanol fuel cell? Just look around and click the links your best answer herein!

Post from: Wind Institute.net

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Generate Electricity With a Wind Turbine

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:43:50 +0000

What is a wind turbine? A wind turbine is sometimes called a windmill or wind generator. Although the terms are used interchangeably, there is a small difference. The wind turbine is the device that makes use of the wind power to make mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is either utilized as is or converted to electricity. The windmill can use the energy “as is” for work such as grinding stones or extracting; whereas a wind generator uses the mechanical energy to produce electricity. What are the different types of wind turbines? There are two types of wind turbines, classified by their orientation:

The Simple Build Wind Generator Video

Horizontal Axis Turbines – The turbine blades turn along a horizontal axis.
Vertical Axis Turbines – These turbine blades turn along a vertical axis.

The type most commonly used is the horizontal axis turbine as it exceeds the vertical axis turbine in efficiency. What are the advantages of implementing a wind turbine? Let’s look at some of the benefits of a wind turbine:

Saving Power: Wind turbines utilize a free source of energy – the wind. Thus they are a cost-effective method of producing electricity. And since they don’t rely on non-renewable resources, they are also good for the earth as a whole.
Cost-Effective: After the initial installation expense, all you’ll ever be paying for is maintenence. The “fuel” is free!
Environment-Friendly: Wind turbines don’t give off harmful gases or otherwise adversely impact the environment.
A More Reliable Source of Energy: A wind generator can make you independent of the any utility company. Moreover, you avoid the hurdles of power outages.

Self Build Wind Power

What are the factors you should consider prior to installing a wind turbine? Although implementing a wind turbine is extremely beneficial for you and for others, you need to take care not to implement the solution in an incorrect way. Here are some things to consider in deciding whether to install a wind generator. Be sure the following two conditions are met:

A minimum of one acre
Local wind speed must be around 11 mph
Make sure the tower and the base are sturdily built. It is important to foresee the turbulence in the wind before you invest in the wind generator.
Ensure the correct height between the tower, the generator and the cells are achieved

A Domestic Wind Turbine in the Making

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Ethanol Fuel Cell – Understanding about the Usefulness of It

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:43:43 +0000

The first thing that you ought to understand before you learn more concerning the ethanol, ethanol fuel efficiency, as well as the process of producing the ethanol fuel is the ethanol fuel cell. The technology of ethanol fuel cell is in point of fact is not something new given that until now, there are four major types of ethanol fuel cells that have been developed by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, this technology still startles people who learn it.

The Practice on the Ethanol Fuel Cell

The producing the ethanol is placing the ethanol fuel cell as the most important component that matter the most on the production method. Actually, for most people who see it for the first time, the method of producing ethanol is very complicated. The procedure of producing ethanol is somewhat difficult as a consequence of crops that used to produce ethanol is very different. The most usual ingredient of making the ethanol is the starches or sugars that are contained in the seeds of different crops though there are also other types of ethanol that can be produced as well.

Essentially the procedure o making the ethanol fuel consists of four steps, which go as follows. The crop is first grown and then harvested, and then it is transported to the ethanol facility. Afterward, the starch or sugar is separated from the rest of the crop and fermented into ethanol, which is quite similar to beer.

Next, yeast is added to help change the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The third step is to cleanse the ethanol and make it unfit for consumption with the intention of prepare it for market use. Once this is completed, the ethanol is left to sit and then it is completed.

The procedure of making the ethanol fuel cell might have slightly differentiation as the type of ethanol produced is also different as well as the plant that made the ethanol. Yet, the basics all tend to remain the same and so if you wanted to learn on ethanol production and how the fuel cells are used, this is helpful information.

If you are fascinated to learn more regarding ethanol fuel cell and how it is produced, you can get much other useful information from everywhere. With the status of ethanol, you can easily try to find the plant that can produce ethanol as well as the very phenomenal procedure of making the ethanol fuel cell. Indeed, ethanol has tons of good thing that humankind can get but not yet completely explored.

Are you still at sea of knowing more about ethanol fuel cell? Just look around and click the links your best answer herein!

Post from: Wind Institute.net

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Energy Saving Commercial Air Con Unit Wins Competition

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:43:32 +0000

This years UC Davis Western Cooling Challenge winner has been announced as the denver based company, Coolerado Corp. The UC Davis challenge was designed to help manufacturers design better air purifiers and for retailers to find out more information about them.

Coolerado, the winner of this years challenge, won the competition with their H-80, five ton, commercial rooftop air conditioning unit after tests were undertaken by government officials. The tests found that the five ton unit uses less than half the energy used by a normal air con unit.

The results of these tests came as a big surprise for some after they were released from the US Government’s National Renewable Energy Labratory. Mark Modera, the UC Davis challenge director, originally thought that the rooftop cooling unit would only use 40% less energy, he was wrong. However, the test results found that the 5 ton air con unit actually uses a massive 80% less energy.

The Coolerado H-80, five ton, unit is mainly designed for use on rooftops of small commercial buildings. Each unit has the ability to cool anywhere between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet, certainly alot more than a simple ceiling fan.

No doubt with the annoucement of an energy saving air con unit, many companies will be looking to improve their green image by buying one of these units. Air con and HEPA air purifier units and they are normally considered to be a luxury, for that reason they are considered to be extremely bad in the eyes of environmental campaigners. Now that it’s been announced that the H-80 uses 80% less energy, it will become very popular with both companies and customers. No doubt many people never really think about the implications of keeping their favorite stores cool.

Although these tests have proven to be good news for the industry, we could soon see more good news as a result of these tests. A numer of other companies have also submitted their units for testing for the challenge, all of which have results expected back later this year. We’ll have to wait to see if any of them beat the H-80.

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Choosing Solar or Wind Power

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:43:25 +0000

Picking between the more common forms of green power system to install can be a somewhat daunting process. There are a set of factors to consider. First, what kind of property do you live in? If you have no yard space, there are still options in passive solar, but you are not likely to be able to install other forms of generators (although installation on the roof may be possible if you have access). Second, it’s important to consider what resources are available where you live. This is easier, but should take some evaluation.

Your Property

Putting in a green power system tends to take up a lot of space. The most efficient wind turbine installation involves yard space. Micro-hydro systems require a piece of land with running water. Even solar panels are more easily installed on the ground. Nevertheless, there are options. First, do you have access to the roof? If so, it is a worthwhile location on which to build green power generators. If you do not, you can still install passive solar systems, such as green windows and passive solar window boxes. Evaluate the design of your property and decide from there what kind of system you need.

Where you Live

A second key consideration is simply where you live. Some areas lend themselves to solar power due to large amounts of sunshine. This is great if you live in in the Southwestern US. On the other hand, if you live in a cloudier climate, you may want to look to wind systems. In truth, where there is less sun, there tends to be more wind. It is also worth noting that you need not live in the perfect climate in order to install green power. Solar panels may function better in Phoenix than Chicago, but they will still get sun in Chicago.

Backup

Choosing the type of power backup you will use is necessary if you truly want to have success in maintaining green energy as your primary form of power. For many, this is a battery bank. For others, it’s to tie your power system into an existing power grid. Either option has its ups and downs, but before installing a system, this should be considered.

Finances

Green power is, in the long-term sense, a money saver. However, you need a certain amount of money to begin your project. If your budget is constrained, consider one of the many online guidebooks that can show you how to build your own generators for as little as $150.

As a final note, building green energy saves on both finances and environmental impact. Most Western governments are providing tax breaks or grant incentives for building power. In addition, the money saved in utilities ads up over time

All this financial advantage means one thing, however. When you save money, it is because you are using less non-renewable energy. Thus, you can measure your impact on the climate by how much money you save. Given this, if you can manage time or money, there is a tremenous advantage to building green power- you can save money while saving the planet.

I wish you all good luck and good building!

Damon Westchester is the editor of build-green-power.com.

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How to Build a DIY Solar Power Generator

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:07:58 +0000

Homeowners can benefit greatly from a residential solar power system, specifically in the area of decreasing the cost of energy, which has caused a strain for many people by cutting into their budgets significantly. Even a do-it-yourself or DIY solar power generator can reduce energy bills down to considerable levels. In some cases where the solar power backup generator is efficient enough, energy bills can drop to zero and even negative levels, meaning the household is actually returning excess power back to the utility companies.

A Basic Procedure in Building Your Own DIY Solar Power Generator

A direct current, or DC, is created when solar energy is converted by solar cells into electrical energy. However, standard household appliances use AC or alternating current and you will need a power inverter to convert DC power to AC.

Along with the DIY solar power generator, a voltage meter should also be used in order to watch the electrical overload the generator created in addition to the electrical power levels during usage or charging.

For the enclosure, you can use a wooden or plastic container where you can easily drill holes where you could pass the insulated wiring for the battery and inverter. The solar panels are packaged separately and should be installed in a strategic location on your roof where it can receive maximum exposure to sunlight.

Follow proper wiring diagrams for your solar panel modules, which you can obtain from the manufacturer. The negative and positive leads of the panels, the battery and the charge controller should be properly identified first before making any connections. Ensure that polarities are matched during connections, otherwise your components will be damaged during operation.

Post from: Wind Institute.net

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Electronic Book Readers Will Have A Positive Environmental Impact

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:34:09 +0000

The US book and magazine industry was responsible for the felling of 125 million trees in 2008. A lot of publishing firms are environmentally conscious and use responsibly sourced wood pulp for their paper. In plain English, they plant a tree for every one they harvest. However, not all do this and even those who do generally fail to take account of the huge quantities of water and thermal energy used in the paper making process.

The carbon footprint of the average book is 7.5 kg of CO2 during its lifetime. However, if you drive to the bookstore in your car, buy your book, and then drive home again, the carbon footprint of that book is increased by a factor of two. It’s amazing how relatively small actions like this make such a difference.

So it should be no surprise to learn that electronic book readers – such as the Amazon Kindle – are kinder to the environment. Apart from the fact that no paper, ink or water are used in the production of electronic books, the delivery method – download from the internet using either standard connection or 3G wireless technology – is much more environmentally friendly.

Of course, it would be wrong to suggest that e-book readers have no environmental impact. Clearly they consume both energy and materials in the course of the manufacturing process of the reader device. They also need electrical power to work. However, even taking these factors into consideration, they are still much better for the environment than the continued use of traditional printed books, magazines and newspapers.

It is estimated that in 2009, e-book readers will be “carbon neutral” – the CO2 saved by the use of electronic media will almost exactly balance the CO2 used to manufacture and power the devices. In the near future, as usage of e-book readers grows, the manufacture and operating “cost” will be more than outweighed by the savings gained by avoiding the production, processing and distribution of traditional paper based books and magazines.

The majority of people will purchase their Kindle reader based on the fact that it’s convenient, trendy and that it offers a way for them to save money on books. The fact that it’s better for the environment may only be a secondary consideration for many – even so, it will have a very positive impact in the future.

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Choosing Solar or Wind Power

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:04:22 +0000

Your Property

Most of the power systems that we associate with green power- specifically solar panels and wind turbines- require outside space. Few properties have streams running through them, but if you are lucky enough to have such a property, there are many options for building micro-hydro systems. In all cases, there are options. If you have no outside space, you can look to the roof- while not ideal for wind (not impossible, just not ideal), it is a great place for a solar array. If you only have inside space, there are still passive solar systems that can be installed, such as window boxes relying on passive solar technology or windows based on the same technology.

Where you Live

Obviously, certain forms of green power are more efficient in different climates. in the Western US, solar power tends to be a better option than wind. But if you live on the plains or in the east, wind tends to be better. That said, installation of multiple systems is always a good option. In fact, the best energy systems rely on multiple forms of power generation so that natural forces do not prevent your system from shutting down. A week-long storm may reduce the efficacy of your solar generator, but if it brings wind along, then a turbine will be all the more effective. In addition, many forms of green power work where you might not think they would- you can still get power out of solar panel in a cloudy climate- albeit less than if you live in a desert.

Backup

Finances

Although green power ultimately saves money, how much you can spare to build the system in the first place. If you are on a very limited budget, consider buying an online guidebook. Many of these books teach you how to create your own system for as little as $200 or less. If you have more to spare, you can consider buying new systems or even having one installed.

Perhaps the most important result of this, however, is not financial. All that money you save is a great incentive. But for many, the greater incentive will that creating your own power constributes to saving the climate on a much larger scale.

Good luck building!

Damon Westchester is the editor of build-green-power.com.

Post from: Wind Institute.net

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