Energy Technology Marco Ordonez
Solar Power
Solar Power The conversion of sunlight into electricity. Solar Power can be done directly using photovoltaic's, or indirectly using concentrated power.
Concentrated Power Systems that involve the use of lenses, mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980 s.
Photovoltaics Solar cells, or photovoltaic cells is a device that converts light into a electric current using the photoelectric effect. The first solar cell was constructed in the 1880 s.
Photovoltaic Power Systems Solar cells produce direct current power which fluctuates with the sunlight s intensity. Requiring conversion to certain voltages or alternating currents, using inverters. Large amounts of solar cells are wired together to form arrays, then tied to an inverter, which produces power at the desired voltage.
Most residential systems are connected to this grid wherever available. Largely in developed countries with large markets.
Economics Despite the overwhelming availability of solar power, little are installed due to high installation costs. Solar Power systems use no fuels and typically last 25 to 40 years. Cost of installation is almost the only cost, due to little maintenance.
Future Potential By the year 2050 people on Earth will consume three times the amount of electricity that we use today. Within the next decade Solar energy technology is expected to become more efficient, that will make today's products pale in comparison. Orbiting solar energy arrays that could be capable of beaming the power they generate back to earth. Reducing the need for land and other development hurdles.
Wind Power
Wind Power Conversion of wind energy into a form of energy using wind turbines to make electrical power. Renewable source of energy. Little to no affects on the environment. Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution.
History Windmills were widely used in the Middle East and Central Asia. 1000 AD, windmills were used to pump seawater for salt-making in China and Sicily. Windmills were used for many agricultural uses such as grinding flour, and draining land for agriculture and for building.
Electrical Power Wind energy is the kinetic energy of air motion (wind). Turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. Power is used to generate homes, businesses, and schools.
Economics Low ongoing costs but a moderate capital cost. Marginal cost of wind energy once a plant is constructed is usually less than 1 cent per kw-h. As wind turbine technology improves, costs come down. Average turbine purchase cost: $8500
Future Potential Global wind power has doubled over the last 3 years, which now accounts for 2% of the world s electricity production. Wind energy will be a more cost effective source of electrical power. Airborne turbines: Turbines flying 1000ft or higher in the sky. Stronger and more consistent winds.
Hydropower
Hydropower Power derived from the energy of falling water. Hydro power, produces about 24 percent of the worlds electricity. Supplying more than 1 billion people with power. There are more than 2,000 hydropower plants operating in the United States, making hydropower the countries largest renewable energy source.
History Since Ancient times, hydropower has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices such as watermills, sawmills, textile mills, dock cranes, domestic lifts and paint making. Waterpower dates back to Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. Watermills were used to produce flour, saw timber and stone.
Hydropower Types Hydropower is used primarily to generate electricity. Conventional: Used in hydroelectric dams. Rivers: Captures kinetic energy in rivers and streams. Micro Hydro: Provides 10 megawatts or less and often have no artificial reservoirs. Pumped: Stores water pumped during periods of law demand to be released for generation when demand is high.
How it works. Hydropower plants capture and store large amount of water behind dams. This water strikes and turns the large blades of a turbine. As the turbine blades turn, so does a series of magnets inside generators. This energy is transferred to the transformer. Finally reaching the power lines.
Future Potential The United States has developed only 20% of its hydropower potential. Although hydropower is non-polluting, it still affects the ecosystem. Larger turbines are being invented, to reduce the amount of wildlife casualties.
Sources http://cr.middlebury.edu/es/altenergylife/hy dropower.htm http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/solar.h tm http://environment.nationalgeographic.com /environment/global-warming/wind-powerprofile/