Articles tagged with Electricity
The Virginia Tech photonics center is developing single-crystal sapphire-based sensors for IGCC plants, which can operate reliably in high temperatures and corrosive environments. The project aims to improve the thermal efficiency of IGCC plants and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The book, Small Is Profitable, explains how properly sizing and siting electrical production can significantly increase the value of electrical resources. This leads to improved system planning, service quality, and avoided societal costs, making seemingly expensive technologies economically viable.
Researchers at the University of Houston are developing methods to manufacture huge solar cell arrays on the moon using materials from lunar soil. The goal is to generate enough electricity to supply a lunar base or colonies, as well as beam electricity back to Earth for use in local grids.
A lunar solar power system, proposed by Criswell, could supply up to 20 terawatts of electricity to Earth, enough for a population of 10 billion. The system would harness just one percent of the moon's solar power and beam it back to receivers on Earth via microwave beams.
UC Davis' entry, Yosemite, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that doubles fuel economy and reduces tailpipe emissions below California's strictest SULEV standards. The FutureTruck project, a joint government-industry initiative, aims to raise the environmental performance of popular SUVs while keeping their amenities.
A new optical laser sensor will reduce energy consumption by up to 30% and greenhouse gas emissions in the steel industry. The sensor, developed at the University of Toronto, measures thermal and chemical energy losses and adjusts parameters to lower energy consumption.
The institute will revamp the system for collecting generation reports, prepare white papers on wind energy potential and problems, and establish a program to map out California's wind resources. Data on wind resources is over 20 years old, highlighting the need for better forecasting.
Researchers have developed a new method called the Walker Diffusion Method (WDM) that accurately models fluid transport in porous materials. This approach uses simple probabilistic rules to calculate the movement of 'random walkers' through the material, revealing the overall physical structure and flow paths.
The University of Ulster will launch a 'green' power research centre with a £600,000 grant from the UK-based Science Research Investment Fund. The centre will focus on cutting-edge research into renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaics, and small hydro schemes.
Researchers found that death rates from brain cancer were close to expected levels for the general population, with no increased risk of lifetime or recent exposure. Socioeconomic factors played a role in increasing premature death risk, but not brain cancer risk.
A new computer-simulation tool developed at Purdue University has shown that a pre-cooling technique can reduce electricity costs for commercial buildings by as much as 41 percent during the hottest summer months. The tool takes into account factors like utility rates and climate to tailor the best strategy for individual buildings.
The Ninth Sede Boker Symposium on Solar Electricity Production will focus on ground-breaking work in solar power generation from around the world. Experts will share knowledge and problem-solving techniques with Arab and Israeli users of a large photovoltaic system designed for agricultural communities.
Mike McCormack warns of impending energy crisis in the US, citing depleted conventional oil and natural gas reserves. He also addresses the limitations of implementing solar and wind energy resources to meet America's Kyoto Treaty obligations.