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EnergyBC: Tidal Power - 2 views

  • his is somewhat balanced out by long plant lives of 100 years for the actual barrage structure, and 40 for the equipment, as well as low operating costs.
  • An estimate is given by researcher Eleanor Denny. Denny estimates that in order for a facility to be profitable, its capital cost should be less than €530,000 (~$700,000 USD) per MegaWatt which with the current technology is not a realistic goal, meaning that so far the industry produces negative net benefits.50
  • Canada's Race Rocks site, where a single turbine generator converts 65 kW of energy, cost $4,000,000.54 This figure was met with $3,000,000 investment from project partner EnCana's Environmental Innovation Fund, and a grant of just under $1 million awarded to Pearson College and their partners in the project.
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  • This plant produces about 100 times the power generated at Race Rocks. An investment of around €8.5 million ($11 million USD) made SeaGen a reality.
  • The environmental impacts of tidal barrage include hampered fish migration, forced water level changes on the basin behind the barrage, reduced salinity in the basin due to low quantities of ocean water, and reduced ability of currents to transport and suspend sediments
  • sustainable energy resources produce limited amounts of carbon dioxide emissions
  • , they are, by nature, reliant on the natural environment and therefore are vulnerable to the effects of climate change
  • Brief History of Tidal Power The energy stored in tides been known to people for many centuries. The earliest records of tidal mills are dated back to the 8th Century CE.7 The tidal mills were mainly used for grain grinding and were of similar design to the conventional water mills with the exception of the addition of a dam and reservoir. The industrial revolution increased demand for power but tidal energy never got off the ground, undercut by cheap fossil fuels and other developments which offered easier access to power generation. Existing tidal mills became as obsolescent as pre-industrial water-mills. The first large scale modern tidal electric plant started to operate in La Rance Estuary, St. Malo, France in the 1960s and has been operating ever since. In recent years the search for renewable, non-polluting energy sources and the increase in fossil fuel prices has encouraged renewed interest in tidal power.
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Tidal Power: Pros and Cons - 0 views

  • Day and night, the vast waters of the ocean press and recede along the shorelines of Earth’s every continent in accordance to the celestial movements of our planet in relation to the sun and the moon
  • ay and night, the vast waters of the ocean press and recede along the shorelines of Earth’s every continent in accordance to the celestial movements of our planet in relation to the sun and the moon
  • Records of ocean power conversion date back to 900A.D. where the power of tidal movement was used to grind grains. The first modern commercial tidal power was installed off the coast of St. Malo, in Northern France. Installed in 1965, it has been operating continuously since then, producing 240 MW with every tide.
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    how the tides move to create energy
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GENERATION TO THE NATION - 0 views

  • Wind is created when the sun hits the earth. The air above water and the air above the ground heat at different rates. Since the air above the ground heats faster, the warm air from the ground hits the atmosphere first. It then is pushed out toward the sea. As the air heads toward the sea, it gets colder and sinks back down to the sea level. This creates a current pushing the sea air toward the land in the form of wind. The stronger the sun's energy on the land and water, the faster the wind will circulate.
  • As the gearbox turns, it feeds the RPM into the generator, which transfers the energy into usable electrical energy and stores it. Large cables are attached to the generator that feed the electrical currents from the generators of all the wind turbines on the farm into one electrical storage area. The energy can then be transported through power lines around the area for commercial and home usage.
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    What makes wind. 
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The Physics of Tidal Energy - NYTimes.com - 0 views

  • a tidal energy project is moving ahead in Maine, with high costs but high hopes too. But the 180-kilowatt unit that the Ocean Renewable Power Company hopes to put under water next week is really just a first step. The big question is, how well will it withstand the force of the rushing water?
  • The region, the Bay of Fundy, is famous for strong tides, but the company has picked a spot called Cobscook Bay, where the current is relatively slow, an average of 5.8 knots, or 6.7 miles an hour. That is the speed at which the hardware will produce 180 kilowatts.
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    How it works, how fast the waves are
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Solar Power-Advantages and Disadvantages - 0 views

  • Advantage: Solar energy is a completely renewable resource
  • The Solar Cells and Solar Panels that are needed to harness solar energy tend to be very expensive when you first purchase them.
  • Solar powered panels and products are typically extremely easy to install
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World's fist commercial scale tidal energy generator nears completion - 0 views

  • April 4, 2008 Bristol based renewable energy company Marine Current Turbines has completed the first installation phase of the 1.2MW SeaGen Tidal System at Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough - a site chosen for its combination of fast tidal current and ability to provide shelter from bad weather which may hinder the construction process.
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Biofuels | Energy Sources | Chevron - 0 views

  • Biofuels are fuels made from recently living organisms. They can be divided into three categories: First-generation biofuels are made largely from edible sugars and starches. Second-generation biofuels are made from nonedible plant materials. Third-generation biofuels are made from algae and other microbes.
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How much power is generated in the United States by solar power? - 2 views

  • just over 843,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity were provided by solar power. The vast majority of that, more than 666,500 kWh, were produced in California. Roughly 14 percent of the total renewable energy generated in the U.S. in 2008 was solar energy. And remember that these numbers continue to grow each year. The solar industry has been growing on an average of 30-40 percent each year, and as the industry grows, so will the amount of clean, renewable power it puts out. Interested in Home Solar Energy? Fill in your details below and certified solar contractors will give you FREE estimates. What type of Solar Energy services are you interested in? * Please Select Solar Electrical Solar Thermal First Name * Last Name * Zipcode *
    • kenyonlau99
       
      GOOD INFO!
  • The EIA states that just over 843,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity were provided by solar power. The vast majority of that, more than 666,500 kWh, were produced in California. Roughly 14 percent of the total renewable energy generated in the U.S. in 2008 was solar energy. And remember that these numbers continue to grow each year. The solar industry has been growing on an average of 30-40 percent each year, and as the industry grows, so will the amount of clean, renewable power it puts out.
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    how much solar energy is being converted in the USA?
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    "How much power is generated in the United States by solar power? ted-vollgraff According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy accounted for 7 percent of U.S. energy consumption in 2008. Solar power accounted for only one percent. But, considering how much energy is consumed each year in the United States, that is still a decent bit of power. The EIA states that just over 843,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity were provided by solar power. The vast majority of that, more than 666,500 kWh, were produced in California. Roughly 14 percent of the total renewable energy generated in the U.S. in 2008 was solar energy. And remember that these numbers continue to grow each year. The solar industry has been growing on an average of 30-40 percent each year, and as the industry grows, so will the amount of clean, renewable power it puts out. "
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tidal energy - National Geographic Education - 0 views

  • Tidal energy is produced by the surge of ocean waters during the rise and fall of tides.
  • During the 20th century, engineers developed ways to use tidal movement to generate electricity in areas where there is a significant tidal range—the difference in area between high tide and low tide. All methods use special generators to convert tidal energy into electricity.
  • For most tidal energy generators, turbines are placed in tidal streams. A tidal stream is a fast-flowing body of water created by tides. A turbine is a machine that takes energy from a flow of fluid.
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  • The world's first tidal power station was constructed in 2007 at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. The turbines are placed in a narrow strait between the Strangford Lough inlet and the Irish Sea. The tide can move at 4 meters (13 feet) per second across the strait.
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    ". The United States has no tidal plants and only a few sites where tidal energy could be produced at a reasonable price."
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biofuel - Dpurdy on Diigo - 0 views

  • First generation biofuel are those fuel derived from vegetable or animal fats/oils, starch or sugar with the use of modern technology. 1. Let the base organic material (corn, sugarcane, wheat, etc) pass through a grinding meal to pulverize the selected material. 2. Then, liquefy it by placing the blend of water, grain powder and an enzyme that facilitates the breakdown of the grain compound into a high-heat cooker. 3. Cool it afterwards. Add another enzyme that will facilitate the conversion of starch into sugars which are then fermented, producing alcohol from the cooled mash. 4. Start the fermentation by adding yeast to the sugar mixture. The sugars will be broken down to ethanol (a form of alcohol) and carbon dioxide. 5. Distill the fermented mixture in order for the ethanol to separate from the solids. 6. Get rid of the water from the separated ethanol through a dehydration process.
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Biofuel Guide - Introduction to Ethanol and Biodiesel - 0 views

  • First generation biofuel are those fuel derived from vegetable or animal fats/oils, starch or sugar with the use of modern technology.
    • dpurdy
       
      Gallons per acre In the perspective of land use and agricultural efficiency, ethanol seems to be a good choice. The reason is that about 420 gallons of ethanol can be generated per acre in contrast to 60 gallons of biodiesel per acre soybeans. Consequently, the cost of soybean oil would significantly increase if biodiesel production is increased as well.
  • 1. Let the base organic material (corn, sugarcane, wheat, etc) pass through a grinding meal to pulverize the selected material. 2. Then, liquefy it by placing the blend of water, grain powder and an enzyme that facilitates the breakdown of the grain compound into a high-heat cooker. 3. Cool it afterwards. Add another enzyme that will facilitate the conversion of starch into sugars which are then fermented, producing alcohol from the cooled mash. 4. Start the fermentation by adding yeast to the sugar mixture. The sugars will be broken down to ethanol (a form of alcohol) and carbon dioxide. 5. Distill the fermented mixture in order for the ethanol to separate from the solids. 6. Get rid of the water from the separated ethanol through a dehydration process.
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    "Cellulose ethanol production is newly discovered experimental processes which can breakdown cellulose in woody fibers. This would only mean that through this method, ethanol from crop wastes, trees and grasses can be derived. It is significantly better since trees and grasses require small amount of energy in comparison to grains that must be replanted annually. "
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Wind turbine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views

  • The first electricity-generating wind turbine was a battery charging machine installed in July 1887 by Scottish academic James Blyth to light his holiday home in Marykirk, Scotland.[7
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Ocean Wave Energy Power Technology - History - 0 views

  • Currently, numerous wave power plants (so called wave farms) have been implemented throughout the world. Many different organizations have designed various wave power systems that differ in size, cost, and effectiveness. A wave farm is a collection of wave power systems in order to create mass quantities of power. One example of a wave power plant is the Aguçadoura Wave Farm in Portugal from Pelamis Wave Power Ltd. It is the first wave farm ever established and produces 2.25 megawatts of power. It was completed in 2008. Other wave farms, with other companies involved, have been proposed.
  • In contrast to tidal power, ocean wave energy plants do not make use of the energy difference between high tide and low tide, but generating energy from continuous wave motion. So, wave energy generation is the conversion of the forces from the motion of waves into usable energy.
  • Wave energy is considered a form of hydropower, although it is the wind blowing over the surface of the ocean causing waves. So in many ways, wave energy is also wind energy - with all the pros and cons.
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  • Wave energy is about using the energy of ocean waves for producing electrical current. It is a renewable energy resource and often confused with Tidal Power.
  • Wave power generation has been tested over the past century as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels to create electrical power, sea water desalinization, and reservoir pumping. Unfortunately, despite of all examinations and tests, the price for generating energy from ocean waves is still about twice as high as that of wind energy. Companies involved in wave energy generation hope to be able to cut 50% of the costs within the next couple of years.
  • During the 1970's gasoline crisis, wave power was pushed in order to be a good long term energy solution. Later, the energy crisis was resolved yet the leaps and bounds made in the innovation of wave power remained. Though there were not many wave power plants actually implemented, it has proven to be a benefit to modern resolutions with current power crises. Fuel prices are rising exponentially and the greenhouse effect is having potentially disastrous effects on the environment. There has never been more need for alternatives to fossil generated energy.
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Wave Energy: an Overview (Oxfordshire Climate Exchange) - 1 views

  • Waves are generated by winds blowing over the ocean surface.  Wave energy is effectively a stored and concentrated form of solar energy since the winds that produce them are caused by pressure differences in the atmosphere caused by the sun's differential heating of the earth's surface. Waves can efficiently transport energy for thousands of miles and retain their energy long after the winds that first created them have died down, which makes waves one of the most concentrated and consistent sources of renewable energy. 
  • Globally, the potential use of wave power is, unsurprisingly, limited to areas of the world where there are waves. On a global scale, this is dictated by global wind patterns, with the result that waves are more prevalent in the mid-latitudes (40-60(N/S), than nearer the equator where the lack of ocean wind is referred to as the 'doldrums'.  Interestingly, this potential for wave power contrasts with that of solar power, which is more effective in lower latitudes
    • dpurdy
       
      Location of wave power.
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  • it is widely anticipated that other types of renewable resources, including wave energy, will need to be developed in order to meet more challenging targets beyond 2020. 
  • As with most renewable energy sources, wave devices have no emissions during generation but the energy associated with the construction of the device does have small associated emissions.
    • dpurdy
       
      What do we need to do in the future to make this work.
  • it is essential that the current demonstration schemes are successful, to reassure future investors. The most important objective is to deploy full-size demonstration schemes in order to gain greater confidence in the most developed technologies (as in the EU's Atlas project). 
  • it will be necessary to significantly improve the network connections to the electricity suppliers.
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How we know human activity is causing warming | Environmental Defense Fund - 1 views

  • The theory of global warming is nothing new. The Nobel Prize-winning chemist Svante Arrhenius first proposed the idea of global warming in 1896. Carbon dioxide, he knew, traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. He also knew that burning coal and oil releases carbon dioxide (CO2).
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Biofuels | What are bio fuels and how are biofuels made - 0 views

  • Bio fuels are a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
  • Some examples are that of biodiesel, which entails growing crops that contain high amounts of natural oil then through a process of hydrogenation or refining a more compatible bio diesel, substitute is created.
  • These are examples of first generation biofuels and due to their nature they may or may not be long-term economically or environmentally viable.
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Infrastructure Battle: Renewable Tidal Energy vs. Telecommunications - 1 views

  • first tidal energy turbines
  • Both technologies require room for periodic ship-borne maintenance and repair access, with subsurface equipment which could impinge on the other facility if they're too close. And if one of the turbines breaks, as happened in 2010 with an earlier tidal turbine in the Bay of Fundy, PC Landing worries it could damage the nearby cable.
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Tidal power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views

  • The world's first large-scale tidal power plant (the Rance Tidal Power Station) became operational in 1966.
    • dpurdy
       
      This is a barrage system. Old tech.
  • Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power - mainly electricity.
  • Tidal power is extracted from the Earth's oceanic tides; tidal forces are periodic variations in gravitational attraction exerted by celestial bodies
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  • Tidal power is the only technology that draws on energy inherent in the orbital characteristics of the Earth–Moon system, and to a lesser extent in the Earth–Sun system.
  • A tidal generator converts the energy of tidal flows into electricity. Greater tidal variation and higher tidal current velocities can dramatically increase the potential of a site for tidal electricity generation
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    "tidal power has potential for future electricity generation. Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power."
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The History Of Biofuel - 0 views

  • First of all, biofuels come in many varieties, but in general, there are two main products, those that replace (or blend with) gasoline, and those that replace (or are blended with) middle distillate fuels, such as diesel fuel, or home heating oil.
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