Group items tagged

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) today released the complete version of the Annual Energy Outlook 2010 (AEO2010), which includes 38 sensitivity cases that show how different assumptions regarding market and policy drivers affect the Reference case projections that EIA previously released in December, 2009. In addition to considering alternative scenarios for oil prices, economic growth, and the uptake of more energy-efficient technologies, the AEO2010 includes cases that examine the impact of changes in selected policies, such as the extension of existing policies that are currently scheduled to sunset as well as the sensitivity of natural gas shale production to variations in drilling activity and the size of the resource base.

Prysmian’s product portfolio at MEE 2011 will focus on the full range of state-of-the-art power cables including HV and EHV underground and submarine cable systems for applications such as interconnections between power grids, links between natural or artificial islands and the mainland, and connections to, or between, offshore oil production and wind power generation facilities. Prysmian will also be presenting a wide range of cables and systems for the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical industry – complex and integrated systems for power transmission and distribution, control and instrumentation for industrial applications - including innovative specialties such as Drylam™ and Airguard™ Cable System, cable solutions with enhanced features and reduced environmental impact, specifically designed for critical environments. To complete the available portfolio FP® fire resistant cables, Umbilicals and power distribution cable solutions will also be on display.

The other possible suggestions made by various researchers are to use these microwires for various applications including use in transistors, environmental monitoring devices and integrated circuits. Researchers were able to produce microwires in the range of 10-20 by heating and intentionally contaminating silicon wafer with copper in the atmosphere of silicon tetrachloride gas. In this way, researchers were also able to control the spacing and are hopeful that the process can easily be scaled up for full commercial production.

n 2010, thermal energy displaced hydro as the major source of energy generation for the Chilean Central Interconnected System.  Coal, natural gas, and diesel supplied over 50% of energy consumed while hydropower accounted for 48%.  This trend is expected to continue in 2011 if current water shortage conditions persist. (El Mercurio, 1/4/11)  Last year’s drought created a 26% increase in thermal generation as compared to 2009.

The Regional Energy Efficiency Strategy initiative led by Bun-ca has reported an energy savings of 9368 MWh over the past six years, equivalent to 4992 tons of carbon dioxide, by working with 190 companies in the industrial and commercial sectors to become more energy efficient.   Recently UNEP’s En.lighten study estimated that Costa Rica could save 276,000 MWh and $27.6 million per year if they changed all light bulbs to CFLs.  The cost of this change was estimated to be $22.63 million.  (El Financiero CR, 1/3/11)

The Mexican government is planning to invest four billion dollars to build a one thousand megawatt renewable energy storage facility in Northern Mexico.   The facility will use a special kind of sodium sulfide batteries for the project which is expected to be completed in the next six years.  (Clean Techies, 1/6/11)

For many decades, the transformers that populate our power grids have led a fairly one-sided existence. Now, however, their world is being shaken up and a lot more is expected of them: They should cater for the plethora of renewable power sources appearing on the grid; they are required to help maintain grid power quality; they are expected to do their bit in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and they have to fit in with smart grids. Of course, the traditional commercial pressures to decrease all-round costs, extend asset life, improve monitoring and optimize maintenance still remain.

Industrial waste heat management has seen rising levels of importance due to volatile fuel prices and also regulations to maximize energy conservation. As such, industries have started recognizing the necessity and advantages of industrial waste heat management. Till recent past much importance was being paid to recovering waste heat and reusing it as thermal energy. But now the focus is on new methods of waste heat recovery which convert even low grade waste heat into other forms of energy with increased feasibility. Low grade waste heat recovery, which has slowly been gaining prominence is expected to be a major driver for research in the future. This research service report presents analysis on current technology capability and expected future trends in technology adoption for industrial waste heat management. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to evaluate the application potential in the five most energy intensive industries – Cement, Oil and Gas, Steel, Pulp and Paper, and Glass to identify the industry with greatest future application potential. Based on inputs from technology developers and from the predicted market scenario, an evaluation was done.

The electronic content, and thus the interconnect content, has been increasing in light vehicles, and this trend will continue through this forecast period.

Aluminum wire increasingly is used in passenger car wire harnesses. To reduce weight and improve gas mileage, the automotive companies are turning to aluminum wire, among other solutions. Aluminum wire always has the potential issue of galvanic corrosion between the wire and the beryllium-copper or phos-bronze contacts. Companies like TE Connectivity and Delphi have come up with solutions that alleviate this concern.

Mexico’s opening of its energy sector to private participation will probably lead to a rapid acceleration in growth of manufacturing and services.