Where Does The Wind Come From and How Much Energy is There?

Brian Hurley, M.Sc.

2008 Conference Paper Synopsis: The source of the wind is the sun. The winds come from the suns energy falling on the earth’s surface, giving rise to heating of the atmosphere. This leads to convection currents in the atmosphere, ie the movement of air due to changes in its density and pressure. We can gain an understanding of how global circulation works by developing simplified models of the processes that produce the global system. The physical drivers of the wind at a global scale and at the level of a wind farm are examined.

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Biomethane as a Vehicle Fuel – It’s the Vehicles, Stupid

By John Baldwin

2008 Conference Paper Synopsis:

1. Development of NGVs 2000 to 2008
2. 3rd generation NGVs launched in Q1 2009 – VW Passat on biomethane is the world’s best car in well to wheel CO2 terms
3. Potential biogas resource – The UK’s largest 3rd generation bio-fuel
4. Production of biomethane – Clean-up technologies and costs
5. Injection of biomethane into gas grids
6. EU Renewable Energy Directive
7. UK RTFO, ROCs and renewable heat support
8. Biomethane Eco-leadership projects
9. Conclusion – it’s the vehicles stupid

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Desert Rose – Fresh Water & Forest Cover

Desert Rose – Fresh Water & Forest Cover
By Dr Richard Lawson

2008 Conference Paper Synopsis: Desert Rose is a conceptual approach to using two resources – sunlight and seawater – that coastal tropical areas have in abundance to supply two resources that are in short supply and dwindling – fresh water and forest cover. It suggests that once past a critical point, the growth in forest and water tend to become a self-propagating system. Energy costings relating to developing this concept are addressed.

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An Accident Waiting to Happen – what lies behind the oil spikes.

While the oil market survived the recent storm surge of money, the inevitability of future waves of speculative money sweeping into the market, mean that an oil market meltdown is an accident waiting to happen. To follow the US approach to regulation of oil futures markets would be to try and solve today’s problems with yesterday’s tools.

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