Ultra Light Rail – the Fast Track to Fuel Cells Introducing Fuel Cells to the Commercial Public Transport Market Fuel cells are now recognised as a key technology in the process of weaning the modern world from its dependence on fossil fuels and leading it into a new age of alternative energy. The principal obstacle […]
Read MoreHow Much Wind Energy is there? – Brian Hurley – Wind Site Evaluation Ltd.
Introduction
The starting point is an estimate of the total quantity of kinetic energy in the atmosphere. Lorenz gives 1.5 x 106Joules/m2 as the quantity of kinetic energy contained in the atmosphere(1). Smil gives a figure described as the annual “solar radiation reaching the earth” as equal to 5.8 x 1024Joules, or 1.84 X 1017W, and 360W/m2(2). Annual Solar radiation absorbed by earths surface(land and sea) 2.9 x 1024Joules, or 9.19 X 1016W, and 180W/m2. Note the solar constant is 1,366W/m2. Smil refers to a source from Lorenz(1976) that “atmospheric motion” was about 2% of 3.5PW insolation. ( Applying 2% to Smil’s 9.19 X 1016W giving 1.84 X 1015W with his figure for winds below 1km 1.22 x 1015W is the right order of magnitude
Read MoreBWEA MEDIA ROUNDTABLE AT BLOOMBERG, APRIL 8th 2009 9:30 to 11 am – PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE
BWEA (British Wind Energy Association) will be launching its first Budget submission, ahead of the Budget speech on April 24th. Following a consultation process led by the BWEA, the UK wind industry is putting forward proposals to the Treasury on how to maintain the momentum in the wind sector, on and offshore, during the […]
Read MoreHOUSE OF COMMONS SEMINAR ON LAND VALUE TAXATION, TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2009
PRESS RELEASE London, 16 March 2009 Hosted by Vince Cable MP Chaired by Nick Ross Panel of Speakers: – David Triggs, Executive Chair of the Henry George Foundation – Iain McLean, Professor of Politics, University of Oxford – Ashley Seager, Economics correspondent, The Guardian – Samuel Brittan, Economics commentator, FT, author – Molly Scott Cato, […]
Read MoreToronto gets feed in tarrifs – we don't – we wonder why.
Quote “Renewable energy in Ontario got a massive boost Thursday with the proposal of a fixed-price plan that, by June, could see the province paying out generous premiums to large and small generators of green power. The premiums – called advanced feed-in tariffs – are what the government guarantees to pay over the life a […]
Read MoreGas Turbines on the Isle of Man: A Case Study between the Manx Electricity Authority and Cranfield University. IDGTE paper at Cranfield, Thursday 19 March.
In the volatile energy market effective use of the available technological, energy and financial resources is now, more than ever, highly pursued. In a combined cycle power plant, gas turbines are the prime mover of power generation. Therefore, detailed understanding and monitoring of gas turbine performance, health condition and associated costs have a deep impact in the decision making process concerning the plant’s operational and maintenance strategy.
In this context, research collaboration between Manx Electricity Authority (MEA) and Cranfield University has been carried out since 2001 and a series of technologies and software have been and are still being developed at Cranfield University and some of them have been integrated into MEA Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant in Pulrose, Isle of Man. During this constructive and successful collaboration period, the University has been fortunate to acknowledge the industrial needs and make significant academic contributions through ongoing research projects jointly supported by both MEA and EPSRC. On the other hand, MEA has valued the complexity of asset management concerning the gas turbine and the combined cycle, therefore enhancing its trading and operational capabilities through the application of developed performance, diagnostic, trading and economic analysis software.
Read More"These Fossil Fools" – Catherine Mitchell – excellent article in the Guardian on futility of market solutions to climate change
The UK’s energy policy has to focus on lowering carbon emissions by a combination of renewable energy and reducing demand. This requires a system almost entirely different from that we have in place today: one that is conducive to innovation and change; and one that is flexible and resilient to all sorts of technological futures.
Read More"Green Grid" – Excellent article in New Scientist by David Strahan (The Last Oil Shock) on HVDC supergrids
Articles “Green grid” A version of this article was published in New Scientist on 12 March 2009. Original is here (This article was in part stimulated by the last Claverton conference held at Wessex Water, Bath where Dr Czisch spoke, and various discussions, (various discussions2), (various discussions3) (varous discusions4) on this website. Graeme Bathhurst is […]
Read MoreNATURE magazine promotes CHP, CHP/DH and Rankine cycle turbine for energy recovery.
Nature this month carries a very good article on using high temperature waste heat to generate power in a Rankine cycle, and strongly advocates the use of CHP and holds out Denmark as an example. http://tx1.fcomet.com/~claverto/cms/download/311/
Read MoreFrom Mr Lynn Jones, who recently retired from General Motors – The economic crisis explained
Too good not to pass on………….. This explains the source of the worldwide financial problem….. Seanie is the proprietor of a bar in Dublin . In order to increase sales, he decides to allow his loyal customers – most of whom are unemployed alcoholics – to drink now but pay later. He keeps track of […]
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