Energy blogs

  • Graham7781
    Advances in solar cells modeled on the eyes of an insect
    3 Aug 2010 - 15:20 by Graham7781
    OpenEI Community Central

    Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are working to improve the design of solar cells by utilizing insect eyes as a model, specifically those of the common blowfly. Like all insects, the flies’ eyes are compound, meaning that there are many, individual macroscale eyes covering the surface of each larger eye. However, the particular shape of the blowflies’ eyes—a large hemisphere with numerous, smaller hexagonal-shaped eyes—appears to be an ideal design for improving the efficiency of solar cells. For this reason, the Penn scientists are using them as a model to develop biomimetic surfaces (surfaces that imitate the properties of biological tissues). Explains Akhlesha Lakhtakia, Godfrey Binder professor of engineering science and mechanics, “These eyes are perfect for making solar cells because they would collect more sunlight from a larger area rather than just light that falls directly on a flat surface.” The team has succeeded in producing template molds containing a limited number of blowfly corneas. Its next challenge will be to tile these templates together to form much larger surfaces, which can then be used to construct a new generation of solar cells.

    Full story at EcoSeed.

  • Graham7781
    Charging electric vehicles, wireless
    3 Aug 2010 - 14:40 by Graham7781
    OpenEI Community Central

    Electric vehicles may be able to utilize what is known as 'induction', or wireless charging. The technology, under research by the company Evatran, would be able to keep a car at full charge overnight. This could avoid the frustration of waking up to use your car only to find it uncharged having forgotten to plug it in the night before. The ease of use would be a huge benefit to electric car users.

    The induction charger would be a hub sitting on the garage floor. A vehicle would drive and rest over the hub, where it would enter the induction charger's electromagnetic field. This field would be recognized by a coil in the vehicle, which would convert it to electricity and help store the vehicle batteries at full charge.
    Wall to vehicle charging of electric vehicles creates another dilemma: the use of electricity for charging vehicles comes mostly from coal-fired power plants. This is why, currently, efficient diesel-powered vehicles are still much more popular. The induction charger would actually be 10% less efficient that wall charging, wasting much energy, but proponents believe that the peace of mind would force people to buy electric vehicles and spur these same people into investment in wind and solar renewable energy sources.
    Full story at ENN
  • Graham7781
    Cape Wind at a reduced rate
    3 Aug 2010 - 11:55 by Graham7781
    OpenEI Community Central

    Cape Wind and the state of Massachusetts have made an initial agreement to reduce the rates of the electricity that the project will supply in the first years of deployment. The agreement, reached by proponents of Cape Wind and Massachusetts' attorney general, means the initial price of electricity in the first year will be reduced from 20.7 cents to 18.7 cents, with an annual increase of 3.5 percent each year.

    Cape Wind, as mentioned in an earlier blog post, was approved as the first offshore wind project to be built in the United States earlier this year. The project, as with most large construction projects of its scale, was met with opposition from many different critics, including environmentalists. Nonetheless, the Cape Wind project will be built and eventually will supply Massachusetts with power from wind energy harnessed at the large wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

    This agreement is expected to ease the tension over the Cape Wind project but making electricity prices affordable for ratepayers. However, increases are to be expected. Cape Wind proponents argue that the increase is not the same level as fossil fuel price increases. Cape Wind proponents expect the project to help achieve the 3 percent renewable energy requirement for the state of Massachusetts.
    Full story at Ecoseed
  • Graham7781
    Britain aspires to cut emissions 80 percent by 2050
    2 Aug 2010 - 19:25 by Graham7781
    OpenEI Community Central

    In his inaugural energy statement to Parliament, Britain's Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne outlined a plan to significantly reduce the country's carbon footprint and dependence of fossil fuels. By doing so, he believes it is possible to decrease Britain's emission of greenhouse gasses fully 80 percent by 2050.

    Secretary Huhne's plan calls for a considerable increase in the use of renewable energy as well as promoting and incentivizing energy efficiencies, such as the use of smart meters and proper insulation by households. Marine energy, biomass, and energy generated via waste and anaerobic digestion will also be embraced. The Secretary explains his country's push for sustainability with an eye to Britain's present energy situation: "We are not claiming to be able to see the future with certainty. But we cannot continue on the current pathway: high-carbon, highly dependent on imports, highly volatile prices."
    Full story at EcoSeed.
  • Graham7781
    Purdue research on nuclear fusion brings a safer energy alternative closer to reality
    30 Jul 2010 - 13:38 by Graham7781
    OpenEI Community Central

    There are two main types of nuclear reactions: fusion and fission. In a fusion reaction, two light-atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus, resulting in the release of a large amount of energy. In a fission reaction, the opposite process occurs: a single atomic nucleus splits apart into two smaller parts (lighter nuclei). Though both reactions produce energy, fusion is deemed much, much safer, in that the precise requirements for the reaction to occur negate the possibility of a catastrophic accident that could release radioactivity into the environment. Just as importantly, it is estimated that a single fusion power plant could produce 10 times more energy than a conventional nuclear fission reactor. Unfortunately, at this time the wide-scale use of controlled fusion power is not yet a reality. But researchers at Purdue University are working hard to change that.

    In a joint effort with Princeton University, Purdue’s team of scientists is working to develop special coatings that can be used on the inside surfaces of a fusion reactor. The makeup of the coating is critical because it must have the ability to withstand the extreme heat generated within the reactor, a place where temperatures can reach millions of degrees. For this reason, Purdue’s research is focused on this "plasma-material interface." Among the materials being tested is one that contains lithium, which when applied to the graphite inner surface of the reactor creates an entirely new material during the reaction. The results have been positive. While there is still much work to be done, researchers are confident that someday the use of nuclear fusion power will take its rightful place as the safer, more efficient alternative to fission.

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