By Energy Section at August 3, 2010 | 9:32 pm | 0 Comment
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Education set, Renewable energy science; Horizon Fuel Cell; Demonstrate the working of energy technology system on a miniature scale; Includes: wind turbine kit, solar photovoltaic panel, electrolyzer, PEM fuel cell, hydrogen storage system… More >>
Horizon Fuel Cell Renewable Energy Kit; Demonstrates working of energy technology system
By Energy Section at August 3, 2010 | 10:46 am | 0 Comment
Many of us have some knowledge regarding “renewable energy”, some have concerns but the majority doesn’t know much. Here below are some very important things you should definitely know regarding this hot topic that may enlighten you for future decisions. A change in the way and methods to provide electric energy worldwide is becoming more and more widespread and urgent.
Clean vs not clean
As you may already know solar and wind power are two most diffuse renewable sources with an incredible and clean potential and with no damage for the environment and our lives. Traditional non-renewable sources such as coal and oil, on the other hand, are the most exploited and damaging power sources on the Earth with a huge impact on the environment and our lives. You may find interesting that only the 0.02% of the whole solar energy that reaches the surface of our planet would be enough to provide the energy we consume worldwide with no extraction or transport expenses.
Prices
In terms of money it may be true that coal and oil energy is cheaper in comparison with wind and solar energy but not in terms of lives. In fact studies have demonstrated that while 50,000 people a year -only in the United States- die for causes attributable to air pollution most of which is created by coal fueled power plants, no one dies for causes attributable to wind, solar or other renewable energy fueled power plants. So if one of the most advanced countries pays with the death of 50,000 people a year for its energy how much will other countries where the level of security is much lower pay? There is more, do you think that the life of “50,000″ people a year is worth the effort of trying to produce a bit more expensive (for now) but safe renewable energy? It has to be said that nowadays the prices for wind energy production have consistently dropped to the level where they can easily compete with traditional power production systems and solar energy’s technologies are in the perspective to cut 90% of the production prices by 2010 at no life cost.
The best renewable sources available
Indubitably the best renewable sources are wind and solar energy. And many are the reasons why we should say this: They are the most ancient energy sources available and since they influence our planet no damages have been caused. Human kind has already been using wind energy for at least 5,500 years for various reasons, and solar energy is vital for the whole ecosystem. Wind and solar energy ere constantly and widely spread, there is no need to mine or extract them, they are given to us for free Our global power consumption is a tiny fraction of their full potential They can easily be implemented in remote areas Best of all the pollution produced exploiting them is equal to 0
My hope is that now you have seen some of the benefits of renewable sources you’ll have a clearer vision and stronger consciousness on what renewable energy is and what it can do for us from now to years to come. There is much more to be said about this hot topic but it’s not possible to do so in a short article like this, anyway I would like to encourage you to do more research because every effort is worth.
In conclusion the free gift we have received with renewable sources is something that cannot be left behind or neglected anymore; it’s something that can make life better in a better world.
By Energy Section at August 2, 2010 | 3:30 am | 5 Comments
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This revised edition of The Renewable Energy Handbook focuses on the unique requirements of off-grid living as well as using “green” energy for homeowners who remain connected to the electrical utility. The book contains chapters on: Energy efficiency and economics Home heating and cooling and domestic water heating Photovoltaic, wind, and micro-hydro energy generation Battery selection and inverters Backup power, wireless communications, etc. It includes comprehe… More >>
By Energy Section at June 24, 2010 | 10:24 am | 0 Comment
Ken Daniel, of Security Advisors Worldwide, or SAW, a renewable energy security advisory company contracted by Jetstream Wind, Inc. recently returned from the island of Haiti.
I understand that you and Security Advisors Worldwide had a very successful trip to Haiti. There doesn’t seem to be a great deal of media coming from this nation as to the daily lives of Haitians, the environmental issues they face, or the energy issues they’re looking at.
So that we can have a better picture, can you begin by talking about what it’s like for average citizens in Haiti on any given day?
Mr. Ken Daniel:
On an average morning in Haiti, people there don’t wake up to the possibility of electricity like we do here. They pretty much use coal to warm themselves in the morning. There also aren’t the refrigeration capabilities like here in the states, so they walk to the market everyday to get whatever food they can prepare and eat that given day.
As far as the issue of water goes, in the capitol of Port-au-Prince there was some running water, and I would see people on the exteriors of buildings filling up their water containers. But out in the rural areas, it’s more difficult and being pumped out of wells.
Along the roadways are fifty-five gallon plastic drums filled with water. Haitian citizens basically walk some distances to these to get their daily water since there aren’t many vehicles owned by private citizens.
There’s obviously not a large availability of electricity in Haiti, which seems odd in this day and age. Where does this issue stem from?
Ken:
There’s a hydro-plant that rests in-between Port-au-Prince and Hesh. It was actually built by Americans in the early part of the last century and has been around for a very long time. Put simply, it’s just old and doesn’t kick out enough power.
All of the power lines that we take for granted here in the US, actually have cobwebs growing on them in Haiti. And then, with the bad weather, hurricanes and such, there were numerous poles leaning at 45 degree angles with wires coming out of them.
The only real power was in the capitol of Port-au-Prince and it goes off regularly. Mostly though, what I saw were people with candles and bags of coal to cook their food. Really, unless you are a person with a little bit of money and can afford to be affluent, you can’t rely on the comfort of being able to depend on electricity.
With the hurricane situation, the lack of food and good shelter, renewable energy quite possibly could be the key to bringing in some the needed electricity to help with the situation.
This would be the first renewable energy technology being developed on an island, which is monumental. Would it be more difficult creating wind, solar, or hydrogen power on an island in the middle of the ocean as opposed to it being developed on a mainland?
Ken:
In this particular place, almost everything that is needed can literally be brought to the land. With hydrogen technology for example, an area of land is cleared where it won’t require much manipulation as this technology is easily able to be placed. An added benefit to that is there won’t be any deforestation.
With solar technology, another small piece of land within a vast spread of land is cleared and the technology placed upon it. Lines won’t have to be ran over long expanses of land for fuels, diesel, or natural gas. There won’t ever be an oil spill or pipes in the ground that corrode.
So it doesn’t seem to be too difficult. Exporting equipment out of the United States and importing to an island would be the main issue to be dealt with. Jetstream Wind would have to look at building an airstrip so that they can cargo fly equipment in. Most building materials would have to be imported from the U.S., which is 300 miles off the coast of Miami, and would either come in by cargo plane or shipped in by sea.
It would be a benefit to take the time and see if there was anything available on the island that can readily be used, salvaged and recycled.
The terrain in Haiti (being an island) is more than acceptable. There are mountains, which means the wind is constantly blowing across them. There’s plenty of sunshine shining on the hills that are vast, rounded and able to be navigated. Even the new hydrogen technology can easily be implemented there.
If Haiti were to bring renewable energy in, it could be put anywhere. It wouldn’t have to be placed in a major metropolitan area, and the power from the renewable energy plant(s) could run to the pre-existing grid. The hope would be, however that Haiti itself would help to re-build the infrastructure so that all of this power could get to the homes, schools, hospitals, businesses and other places where electricity is vitally needed.
The truth is that they would have to wait far longer to get any other type of an energy program in, such as coal for example. There are also some pretty severe issues with deforestation happening at present, and so I would think that renewable energy is really the only way to go for Haiti right now.
Looking at the environmental impact of renewable energy on Haiti, would you say that there would be any, at all, created from this technology?
Ken:
As compared to a coal-fired plant here in the United States, no, other than having to clear small pieces of land to put things on.
There are many countries that simply have to have energy right now, and this is by far the cleanest way to get it. Nuclear is not the answer. It leaves a long-standing residue as a result of that power. Natural gas and coal also lead to numerous environmental concerns.
The fact is that we can’t rely on oil for our needs any longer and I don’t want to see any more damaging changes in the land. This won’t. And the residue from this technology won’t be a bigger burden for the Earth. What’s cleaner than water?
But it really doesn’t matter what country it’s in as far as getting the renewables to work for people. It’s the technology that Jetstream Wind has that hits the central point of this whole thing. In other words, if the technology can get there and the transmission lines can get ran, then this can work almost anywhere.
Working through the issues of basic infrastructure, transmission, politics, and environment, a company like Jetstream Wind is the right answer for those people.
Did the Haitian government welcome you and the possibility of a Jetstream Wind collaboration?
Ken:
Yes. I was treated very well. I was able to meet with the US Ambassador to Haiti, the advisor to the President of Haiti, several Prime Ministers, and the necessary others that would become involved should we all come together and build a renewable plant there.
Other than simple barriers with the French-Creole language, it was a very successful meeting and everyone was excited. It went from one meeting to five or six, with them wanting me to speak with as many leaders as possible in my short time there.
This is a major project of which Jetstream Wind would probably want to share some sort of responsibility. How deeply would the country of Haiti be involved and responsible in re-powering their nation?
Ken:
The United States created a bailout for the auto industry. The country of Haiti will possibly need to create a financial bailout for their energy problem. They’re probably going to have to put some money into the system to start readying themselves for this type of project.
Having the years of experience in large military operations, I’ve learned to back-plan for anything. In other words, I can see the end result, but before I can get there I have to first go all the way back to where it begins. It begins by asking questions…a lot of them.
In order for renewable energy to be a reality in Haiti, the Haitian government has to ask themselves some questions so that Jetstream Wind and Security Advisors Worldwide can do our jobs.
How will they find the necessary people needed for this large of a project? How will they train these people? Where are the people located and where is the transportation going to come from to move these people? How will they communicate?
There is a lot of work to be done from taking out old transmission lines and putting in new ones, to breaking ground on the energy plant itself. Power poles will be placed on every block. New construction companies will be built, taking into account everything that goes with that including the huge amount of labor needed.
We can also take into account the education necessary to work with a project of this type, creating a national boost in knowledge. Anything from taking down a power line to managing a company with the large workforce will have to be covered.
It’s not only about the end result of the plant supplying renewable energy to the people. It also includes the entire scope of the process beginning with Haiti’s choice and ability to prepare for it.
In seeing the potential, meeting the representatives, and observing the culture, what is the one thing that you come back with?
Ken:
I come back with the insight that the country of Haiti is only a two and half hour flight from Miami. It’s not so far away that we can’t touch it with our assistance.
Little kids are walking distances, carrying the water they needed for the day. You have to remember we as a human race have also been to the moon. We’re building a space station. How is it possible that an island, so close to the United States is in the situation it is?
This has the capacity of creating and developing a whole new job infrastructure and economy. It is a prime example of renewable energy quickly effecting the situation for the better.
The capability is there to get it done. The land is there, the people are motivated, and the technology is ready to go. With the help of the Haitians in getting the infrastructure ready, a whole new way of life can arise from this for the people of Haiti, and also the same possibility for other people and nations all over the world.
What strikes me the most from our conversation about renewable energy is its ability to cross borders, boundaries, cultures, political policies, and even world religions without leaving heavy footprints of various unwanted agendas.
Thank you once again, Ken, for sharing this information showing how people and technology can come together to create a clean, economically stable world for our future and our children’s futures.
Click here if you would like more information about Security Advisors Worldwide (SAW).
Ornesha De Paoli
Green Ascension ~ Evolving People on an Evolving Planet
Ornesha De Paoli is a published author and owner of Green Ascension ~ Evolving People on an Evolving Planet.
Green Ascension assists humanity in making the transition to a new, clean Earth by bringing together all of the most important issues of our time in a very simple fashion.
By Energy Section at June 4, 2010 | 12:04 am | 0 Comment
One of the most natural forms of energy that you have in existence today is geothermal energy. This energy comes from the heat present within the earth and it can be employed in a variety of different forms. The origins and the application of geothermal energy are explored in this article.
Geothermal energy is the Earth’s heat. It is the end result of the fusion of dust and gas which happened about four billion years ago.
Deep inside the earth’s core and approximately about 4,000 miles deep, the temperature is about 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Geothermal energy has been used for everything from bathing to relaxation and cooking as well as heating. The first geothermal generator was created in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1912 the United States followed with their attempt at creating geothermal power with The Geysers in California. The energy is now produced in over 21 countries of the world.
You can find geothermal energy deep in the ground. The heat at the core of the Earth flows outwards. When it flows the heat is transferred to surrounding rock layers known as the mantle. When temperatures and pressures increase, the rock then melts and becomes magma. Magma then moves to the surface of the earth and takes along the heat with it. If magma gets to the surface of the earth it becomes lava otherwise it stays below the earths crust and heats up the rocks and surrounding water. These temperatures can get as high as 700 degrees Fahrenheit. When water travels to the surface it becomes hot springs or geysers. Most of this water however gets trapped in fractured and porous rocks which are known as geothermal reservoirs. The heat also becomes a form of energy.
Hot water or steam that comes from a reservoir can easily exert a force that spins a turbine connected to the generator in order to produce electricity. Cooled water is then returned to the reservoir in order to reheat. In order to determine other locations of geothermal underground waters further research, exploration and testing are required. When the necessary spots have been located, drilling can then be carried out in order to create the production wells that supply water to the surface of the earth in order to generate power in geothermal plants.
The costs of constructing geothermal plants and geothermal wells are quite high, the costs of producing electricity tends to be much less over time. The fuel is reliable and stable and has no need for transportation. White smoke that is seen over geothermal power plants isn’t smoke but steam. During operations however, hazardous gases may be brought up from the underground.
The United States is the biggest global producer of geothermal energy. Unfortunately the global interest in geothermal energy is low and only accounts for a small portion of the global energy supply. Research and experience will produce new means and technologies that will aid you in accessing geothermal energy. Renewable energy sources must become the major source of energy in the years to come. Fossil fuels are constantly being depleted and reducing the quality of air that we enjoy. Over time geothermal energy might become much more attractive. Reduction in the costs of implementation of this energy source might in time lead to a better future for this source of renewable energy.
By Energy Section at April 17, 2010 | 3:40 pm | 4 Comments
Album Description
In the young 21st Century, two realizations are dawning on the world’s population: we are hopelessly dependent on petroleum, which is only going to get more expensive; and global warming, caused mainly by our burning of fossil fuels, will impact civilization in ways that we’re only beginning to grasp. Stepping in to fight both of these massive problems are the rapidly evolving technologies that harness renewable energy. We will see how air, water, earth, and fire are … More >>
By Energy Section at March 17, 2010 | 6:34 am | 5 Comments
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Renewable Energy Science Kit. Build a working wind turbine. Harness mechanical energy to lift weights. Generate electricity to light an LED and charge a battery. Learn the physics of wind turbines. Discover how wind occurs and why it is such a good energy source. Includes full-color, 32 page experiment manual…. More >>
Thames & Kosmos Alternative Energy and Environmental Science Wind Power
By Energy Section at January 12, 2010 | 10:50 pm | 4 Comments
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Numerous job opportunities await in the fast-growing field of renewable energy. Grab this handy book and discover how green energy can be a part of your future. Job sectors include solar and wind energy, biofuels, hydrogen energy and fuel cells, geothermal energy, hydro energy, green building, climate study, energy management and efficiency, and much more. Various jobs within each sector (engineering and technical positions, project management, R&D and sales/marketi… More >>
