Posts Tagged ‘Systems’

Renewable Energy Systems – Encouraging Developments

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

Facts About Solar Energy Systems

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Arizona Solar Energy, Arizona Solar Energy Systems

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

…But, with the growing concern on the state of the earth, there is really a need to find other means of energy aside from what power plants are using right now. Where do you place yourself?Whether you are an advocate of clean energy or simply care about where your finances go, looking at the pros and cons of residential solar energy system will help you choose on whether to exchange or not.ProsSolar energy is free. Did you know that the earth absorbs 174 pettawatts of solar radiation? This means that we have more than enough source of free energy to power every house in the world. Unfortunately, most of our energy is still drawn from oil, gas and coal. But in recent years, there is a steady increase of demand for alternative and renewable energy like solar power. It is estimated that the demand for alternative sources of energy will increase by 53% between 1999 and 2020.Solar energy is clean, renewable and sustainable. Because the energy produced from the sun’s rays does not produce byproducts like those from fossil fuel power plants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury or carbon dioxide), it does not contribute to pollution. Accordingly, the increase in the use of solar energy and other alternative forms of energy will decrease the demand for greenhouse gases-producing power plants.The price of photovoltaic cells is steadily decreasing. The demand for solar panels has risen by 57% in the United States in 2007 and is steadily increasing on a monthly basis. The increase in demand results to the improvement of solar technology as a total. The prices of photovoltaic cells have declined on the average of 4% every year over the past 15 years.Solar panels can be installed on most rooftops, eliminating the problem of finding a suitable place for installation. Solar panels require small or no maintenance. The original photovoltaic cells technology is used for most satellites orbiting our earth today which are not maintained at all. Many solar panel manufacturers give 25 to 40 years warranty on their harvest.Because most areas of the country receive a substantial amount of sunlight right through the year, solar panels can be installed somewhere.Many states in the country give tax credits and rebates to households who want to install solar energy system. Check with your state government the cost of these incentives.ConsWhile the prices of PV cells are in constant decline, the cost of installation is substantially high compared to the current electric cost. But the excellent thing is, after your initial cash out, you don’t have to pay every month on electric bills for the rest of your life.On areas cities and areas with gray pollution problem, solar energy may not work as fine. Weather can also affect the efficiency of solar energy. If it is raining, overcast weather or if there is a hurricane, the solar panels’ efficiency is decreased.You are only producing energy during day time.These are general pros and cons you might encounter when considering the conversion to solar energy system. It would be best if your choice is based on place, cost, budget, rebates, tax credits and practicality.

7 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Small Wind Energy Systems

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

7 Most Frequently Questioned Questions About Small Wind Energy Systems

1. How many turbines are needed to power a household or farm?

 

For a home or farm, one turbine is normally installed. The turbine’s size is chosen to meet the energy requirements given the available wind resource. Turbines with power ratings from 1 kW to 25 kW are typically used.

 

For village electrification applications, both single and multiple turbine installations are common, and turbines up to 100 kW in capacity may be used.

 

2. How much land is needed for a small wind system?

 

The actual space required for a small wind turbine tower is reasonably small. It can be as small as one square yard, but as a general rule, at least one-half acre is recommended for a single small turbine installation.

 

3. What size tower is used for a small-scale wind turbine?

Usually a tower between 80 and 120 feet in height is supplied with the wind

turbine. Towers of this height bring to somebody’s attention the turbine above turbulence generated by

obstacles (such as buildings and trees) on the ground. Also, wind velocity increases with greater altitude, so wind turbine performance improves with height.

 

How do small turbine expenditure compare to the expenditure of other alternatives?

 

Small wind turbines (ranging in size from 250 watts to 50 kW) are evenly the least

expensive source of power for remote sites that are not connected to the utility system.

 

A study by the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment found wind to be

cheaper for meeting remote loads than diesel generators, photovoltaics, or utility transmission line extensions. (Micro-hydro also was found to be less expensive in many locations.)

 

Fusion systems–wind/photovoltaic, wind/diesel, and other combinations–can evenly provide the most well-organized and cost-effectual option for rural electrification. Photovoltaics (PV)– the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity–is evenly used to supplement wind power since PV tends to operate best in low wind months. Diesel generators or batteries can be used for backup power and to maintain power production during low wind seasons.

 

One study of an Frosty community with once a year average wind speeds of 15 mph

compared the cost of a 500-kW diesel system to that of a 200-kW diesel generator and four mid-sized wind turbines. If found that the wind/diesel combination cost greatly more to install ($378,000 versus $125,000), but would deliver fuel savings of $90,000 per year, paying for itself in less than three years.

 

4. Why are small wind turbines better than diesel generators or extension of utility lines in developing countries?

 

Small wind turbines are better because they are more sustainable and place forward a number of other socioeconomic benefits. Wind systems come in smaller sizes than diesel generators and have a shorter construction lead time than extending the utility lines (”grid”). For grid extension distances as fleeting as one kilometer, a wind system can be a lower cost alternative for small loads. While wind turbines cost more initially than diesels, they are evenly much better from the user’s point of view because of typical foreign aid practices.

 

Donor agencies, for example, typically supply diesels at no cost, but leave operational expenditure (fuel, maintenance and replacement) to be supplied by the local people. These expenses (in particular, fuel and parts) require scare hard currency. This usually leads to limited utilization and a shortened diesel lifetime due to inadequate maintenance.

 

Many countries must also import their fossil fuels, further magnifying the burden imposed by diesels.

 

5. How do small wind turbines compare with other renewable energy technologies suitable for decentralized rural electrification?

 

Wind power is very competitive with photovoltaics (solar), biomass, and diesel

generators, but is usually more expensive than micro-hydro. Wind is also very attractive for the ease with which the technology can be transferred to developing countries.

 

Generally speaking, wind power complements these other power sources by providing a least cost approach under certain conditions. This expands the range of potential projects, pointing to the day when decentralized electrification projects will be implemented on the same scale as current utility line extension projects. In many situations, the lowest-cost centralized system will be a fusion system that combines wind, photovoltaics and diesel.

6. Aren’t wind turbines too “high-tech” for rural people?

 

The high technology of a wind turbine is in just a few manufactured components such as the blades. A wind turbine can really be much simpler than a diesel engine, and also require substantially less attention and maintenance. Some types of small turbines can operate for extended periods, five years or more, without any attention. With training and spare parts, local users can support the wind turbine equipment they use.

 

7. What companies make small wind electric systems?

 

The following AWEA members manufacture small wind electric systems:

 

What companies make water pumping wind turbines?

The following AWEA members manufacture water pumping wind turbines:

Alternative Energy Systems May Create Low Cost Power

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Each time the price of electricity increases, people start seriously searching for alternative energy systems to reduce their electrical consumption. Many others but, are searching for way to reduce their reliance on energy produced by fossil fuels or nuclear power, looking at the natural and renewable resources such as the sun and the wind. While hydroelectric generators have been used for many years as alternative energy systems, not every area has access to the water power needed for its production.
Different areas of the country place forward different options for alternative energy based on their environment. Areas with consistent winds may be ultimate for making power through windmills and places with an abundance of sunshine may supply enough solar energy to reduce the reliance on natural gas, coal and oil. Many of the technologies are available today but remain in limited use making them viable seems unlikely in the near future.
Additionally, the cost of these new forms of power generation is greatly higher than the current methods of gas, coal and oil. While technological advances take up again, there remains insufficient support from habitual power suppliers to push thu use of alternative energy systems into the forefront.
Cost, Convenience Weighed Against Conservation
With the tradition of being able to flip a thrash and have lights come on imbedded in society’s history, the thought of alternative energy is not imperative for many people. But, those who reside in areas of the country where the power grid is too far away to make connection simple, the use of alternative energy systems is by now underway. Having a cabin in the woods powered by solar power provides clean, low-cost energy for use when habitual methods are not available.
Additionally, they can connect to a fusion system that uses solar power and generators for the times of small or no sunshine and still have all the available power they require. Those using windmills to generate electricity find the silence of their surgical procedure a welcome respite from generators and cost of petrol or diesel needed for them to run. Combining solar and wind power systems is still under development.
Critics claim the installation expenditure of alternative energy systems far outweigh the benefits of cheaper power, but proponents insist the initial expenditure will fall once people know the benefits of not being dependent on fossil fuels and when the time comes that habitual methods of generating power are not available they will be ready.

Wind Energy Systems- A Realistic Source of Residential Wind Energy?

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Many countries around the world are by now using wind energy systems in large numbers. In order to know the impression that wind energy can have on our future, it is vital to know how it is generated. Here is a look at the wind energy generation process.1. The wind turbine blades start to rotate with the action of the wind on them.2. The spinning of the blade produce a shaft inside the gearbox at the top of turbine to rotate.3. The shaft is connected to a gearbox which in turn starts rotating with increasing speed.4. The rotational energy is converted into electrical energy by a generator. This is achieved with the use of magnetic fields.5. The electricity from the wind turbines reaches the transformer which converts it to the right voltage for the distribution system.6. The power is then ready to be supplied to consumers and is distributed from the power grid.This is the basic process used for obtaining electricity from wind energy systems. Two types of turbines are used: two-blade and three-blade. A two-blade turbine faces away from the wind and a three-blade turbine faces into the wind. People thinking of using small turbines for their homes should keep in mind, that it’s highly unlikely that they could power your entire house with less than a dozen turbines. The best solution is to use the turbines, but also remain connected with the power grid and make use of solar energy also through the use of solar panels which you can also make yourself. Then when there is no wind or the wind turbine is not supplying enough electricity you can thrash to the power coming from the grid. Wind turbines were originally used to grind corn. But, the work done in wind energy development has enabled us to harness the energy of the wind to provide electricity and protect our environment from pollutants.

Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Meaning of wind energy: Its sources; Nature of the main wind energy conversion systems
Several factors related to the environment can combine to transform solar energy into wind. The surface of the planet earth is, by nature, not uniform. These uneven earth terrains can only be unequally warmed up by the sun. As a natural consequence, some places on the planet remain cooler than certain other areas. The air in the warm regions weighs less due to lower density levels. Hence, it starts to go up. The void hence produced gets soon taken up by the colder, denser air that rushes in from the local areas. This type of motion in air produces a type of kinetic energy (or motional energy). Wind energy can be bought by properly processing this kinetic energy by completely updated machines. Wind energy turbines and wind mills are the two wind energy conversion systems that are most commonly in use.
The different wind energy conversion systems
Mechanical energy or electrical power can be obtained from properly treating wind energy, by the wind energy generators, according to the specific requirements. Two such generators have been named above. Electricity is obtained from wind energy by using wind turbines. Wind mills can process wind resources to generate mechanical energy. Which one of the two conversion systems is more well-organized, or can cut down expenditure more can be deduced from an in-depth study of these systems.
The way of working of wind turbines is rather simple. A habitual wind turbine generally has two to three blades. These blades are place up to a rotor, which is then implanted on to a main shaft. The shaft, in turn, is attached to an electric generator. When the latter starts to go, electric power starts to get produced. Wind turbines that are supposed to generated electricity are usually place up on raised sites that are about 30 meters (or, 100 feet) raised from the ground amount. A desirable quantity of electricity can be obtained from these turbines, since the latter get less roiling winds (with greater velocities) at those sites. The number of blades of a windmill is, on the other hand, the most crucial determinant of the efficiency of the latter devices. The ability to produce outputs also varies with the speed at which wind blows in an area. Tjaskers, wind pumps are some of the types of windmills (differentiated on the basis of their functions). Tjaskers are used to pump up water from places which need a smaller head. On the same token, wind pumps are those wind mills that are used in wells or drainage areas for pumping out water. The water thus obtained can be used by human beings. The cattle can also taste this water. A comparative study of the couple of wind energy conversion systems mentioned above is evenly required to find their efficiency and relative cost levels.
Pros and cons of using wind energy conversion systems
The popularity of wind energy system is currently on a consistent upward trend. The fact that, it uses a free source of fuel – the wind, which is also easily renewable, is a significant produce of this growing popularity. Nor do these systems, unlike their fossil fuel plant predecessors, emit environmentally damaging greenhouse gases that can pollute the atmosphere. Hence, the risks of acid rains or hurt of the layers of the layers of the atmosphere (by the greenhouse gases) disappear when these wind energy conversion systems are used. These systems generally are place up on ranches in rural areas, for the best performance. The supply of wind is plentiful as well, with no chances of exhaustion as long as the sun remains present. Fiscal practicality is a further advantage of these wind energy units, since farmers can take up again earning a steady flow of income from the land they take on lease for setting up these energy units. The wind power units take up only a tiny section of this land, making such income generation possible all round the year.
Despite there are manifold benefits of these wind energy systems, the latter has a notable downside too. Wind flow is an involuntary phenomenon which can be rather irregular, not reaching the required places within the scheduled time. Also, these wind energy units should ideally be built at sites located far away from posh areas. Thus, the places that really need the electricity from these plants might not get it.
But, this drawback has not come in the way of the wind energy plants becoming increasingly standard all over the world. Indeed the present day world needs an energy source that can sustain the atmosphere and can be renewed.
It is simply impossible to remain unacquainted of the innumerable benefits of wind energy conversion systems. It is recommended that you set up such a system at your home, after learning about them from a manual. Such a manual would have detailed stepwise instructions on the installation of the system, the wiring patterns used, the places where low-cost components, along with free batteries, can be found, and the necessary safeguards. You will also get to know which part of the home would be ultimate for installing the system. Once correctly installed, these wind energy conversion systems give off varied financial and ecological benefits.

How to Rethink Residential Solar Energy. How Solar Systems Work. (part 2)

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

You are contributing to a cleaner environment by upgrading to solar generated electricity. You are also taking a step toward energy independence when you start using solar power in your home.

To better know solar electric systems and how they work, you first need to know the technical components making up a residential solar energy system.

New solar rental air force are emerging that place forward solar power in new and simple ways. There are a number of solar panel rental offers now on the market. They place forward energy efficiency in your home, better control and tracking of home power, and make a home’s electricity air force more reliable, and renewable.

This article clarifies, certain, and illustrates the parts and pieces going into a residential solar energy unit.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

The primary components of a home solar system are the Solar (PV) panels. These panels utilize solar cells to exchange sunlight frankly into home electricity. A group of solar cells hooked together make a solar panel. A single solar panel can produce 250 watts (w) of electricity when the sun is bright at maximum capacity. The panels then route power through an inverter where a controller determines how to distribute the power right through your home.

Solar Energy Controller and Inverter

The controller is the device that monitors and manages the distribution of electricity produced by a residential solar energy system. Its capability extends even further by monitoring and managing the flow of energy between the house, the solar (PV) panels & system, and the local utility company. Evenly these controllers also have the ability to manage lesser storage through the use of batteries for more flexibility and control.

Coupled with the controller is the brains of the surgical procedure; the inverter. An inverter is in essence an electronic path that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). An inverter allows the 12 or 24 volt DC power produced from solar panels to supply AC power to operate all of the electrical needs around your house.

Solar Array Mounting and Connection Components

Connection components are made up of electrical wiring and the rail mounting structure. Several solar panels are arranged into a grid, open by a rail mounting device, and connected together to make a solar (PV) array. Electrical wiring is needed to connect the solar panels to the controller, then to your meter box, and then to your utility company via the existing electricity grid. Small bonus solar energy equipment is needed, other than the panels, controller and inverters, wiring, and the roof mounting system.

The mounting rail is a further simple structure that secures your solar (PV) array to your roof with the small need to drill holes through your singles. It is constructed with sturdy materials and engineering, allowing for quick assembly of the solar panels.

Rental Options for Residential Solar Energy Systems

Homeowners now have the ability to generate electricity right at home in safe, simple, and environmentally conscious way. Residential solar energy systems exchange sunlight (i.e. photons) frankly into usable home electricity. Residential solar energy systems, now offered to homeowners on a rental basis, provide a new source of reliable electricity and they enhance electric air force without expensive investments in solar buys.

In a future article, we will take up again this series related to residential solar energy systems. We will clarify in common terms how to measure the power of the sun. One objection evenly voiced by homeowners researching home solar power relates to the feature of the sunlight.

Is too cloudy? Is it too foggy? How does snow effect solar cell output? We will show how to calculate your sunlight hours and to determine if your part of the country gets adequate sunlight hours to have a solar system make significance.

How Energy Automation Systems Inc. (EASI) Reduces Your Energy Costs Immediately

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Energy Expenditure Affecting Business Owners Energy expenditure have risen globally, threatening the growth of businesses everywhere. Some of the toughest-hit organizations are those that own or lease property and pay for electricity. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 36 percent of total energy use and 65 percent of electricity consumption. So, when electrical energy expenditure rise, businesses demand a solution. Energy Automation Systems, Inc. (EASI), an international chief in energy-saving technology, can reduce energy expenditure by reducing the electrical energy waste and consumption by now present in your facility today.

A Real Solution Energy Automation Systems Inc. (EASI) designs, manufactures and installs systems that reduce electrical energy consumption and improve power feature in commercial and industrial conveniences by enhancing the efficiency of electrical systems with no trade off in performance. Energy Automation Systems work passively, requiring no routine maintenance, and they function in virtually any facility that consumes electricity. The company’s proven systems can reduce a facility’s electrical energy consumption by 30% or more – and your savings are backed by a written guarantee, underwritten by a major insurance company.

Energy Automation Systems has installed customized energy conservation systems for decades for many thousands of clients in more than 60 countries around the world. Energy Automation Systems Founder and CEO Joseph Merlo has more than 30 years of experience in the energy conservation business and has helped countless companies reduce their energy expenditure. Paul Bleiweis, Head of Energy Automation Systems, leads development of the company’s unique portfolio of energy-saving harvest. As a result of their leadership, Energy Automation Systems clients have included General Electric, British Petroleum, Apollo Management, Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and ConAgra Foods, as well as many other companies, large and small.

If your business is looking for a long-term solution to rising energy expenditure, stay the company’s corporate Web site at: www.energyautomation.com. If you want to learn more about the company’s executive leadership, click here for a bio on Joseph Merlo and Paul Bleiweis.

A Unique Opportunity As a result of rising energy expenditure, demand for Energy Automation Systems Inc. (EASI) systems is growing around the world. For years the company provided its systems frankly to customers, but increasing demand lead the company to develop a unique business opportunity in which individuals can become Affiliates of the company and market its harvest to customers around the world.

For a brief overview of the Energy Automation Systems business opportunity, stay www.energysavingbusiness.com.

For an in-depth look at the Energy Automation Systems opportunity, including video interviews with current Energy Automation Systems Affiliates and customers and a detailed overview of Energy Automation Systems product portfolio, stay www.easibusiness.com.