Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Solar Power Comes To Dauphin County!
For those of you who missed the news in October, the Dauphin County Commissioners unveiled a new municipal owned solar farm. The 4,340 solar panels sits on five acres of land and is one of the largest municipal owned solar farms in Pennsylvania.
Photo courtesy of Patriot News.
The farm will produce up to 1.4 million kilowatts per year, enough energy to produce between 18-20% of the electricity used in Dauphin County facilities.The entire Patriot News article can be found here.
Sources:
www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/10/dauphin_county_commissioners_u_2.html
The Philadelphia Naval Yard Gets A New "Efficient" Look
Take a stroll down to the Naval Yard in Philadelphia and you're bound to find the new Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC) for Energy-Efficient Buildings.
Founded in 2010, it is a federal multi-agency funding opportunity to help create an "Energy Innovation Hub to develop innovative energy efficient building technologies, designs and systems."
While many people are searching for solutions to integrating alternative energy into the nation's infrastructure, GPIC has a different primary goal. "GPIC is not focused on the alternative energy generation," said Christine Knapp, the Manager of Public and Client Relations at GPIC. "We are more focused on reducing energy consumption in the first place. The cheapest and cleanest energy is the kind you do not use."
Much of the $129 million in funding from the federal government came from the Department Of Energy. GPIC is supported by over 70 companies that range from banks and community organizations, to various industry associations. Penn State University is also very involved as the GPIC has 24 members with the University leading the way. "Penn State is the lead organization and helps to manage the overall success of GPIC by handling the funds directly from the Department Of Energy."
Whether it is designing new tools, integrating existing technology, trying to influence public policy, or collaborating on projects, GPIC hopes to transform the building retrofit environment, stimulate private investment and create jobs both in Philadelphia and the nation as a whole.
GPIC is also helping students learn about energy solutions. "We've also helped to start a new school at the Navy Yard called the Sustainability Workshop," said Knapp. "It's a full-day project-based learning program for high school seniors that allows them to learn and engage in energy efficiency efforts."
The work going on at the Philadelphia Naval Yard is just another example of efforts being done to find new and innovative ways to solve the many issues regarding how we use our energy. While there is much to be done, it is exciting to see this type of work take place in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Sources:
www.flyingkitemedia.com/features/sustainabilityworkshop1003.aspx
www.gpichub.org
Friday, December 2, 2011
Could Hydrogen Help Produce The Automobile Of The Future?
Another interesting energy source of the future is being researched at Penn State University. The H2E Center in State College is a place where over 100 researchers are taking part in long term research projects to develop ways on how to produce and consume hydrogen.
Though it's estimated some of these enhancements may not be available for several decades, the potential of large scale hydrogen production would be a breakthrough in the efforts to use more efficient and cleaner energy.
As stated on their website, "(a) new energy source must be cheap, renewable, and environmentally clean. Non-polluting hydrogen—energy-dense and the most abundant element in nature—meets two of these requirements in spades."
While the prospect of finding a new energy source is very exciting, Bruce Logan, a professor of environmental engineering and director of Penn State's Hydrogen Energy Center sees costs as a major concern. "We need cheaper and better materials; in every facet of development—for the catalysts and membranes that make up fuel cells; for the safe, efficient storage of hydrogen aboard vehicles; for the solar cells that will be key to hydrogen production."
It is true that large scale hydrogen power use for things such as a
n automobile may be several decades away. But through the work done at places such as the H2E Center at Penn State, we continue to see new breakthroughs in hydrogen technology.
For example, Penn State currently has one of the only hydrogen fueling stations on the east coast. Several utility vans, public transportation buses and fuel cell cars currently use the station.
No one debates the fact it will take a long time for hydrogen to become a major player when it comes to being the "fuel" for a car we drive. While the technology is there, the expense right now is too high. However, it is worth taking a look at what our future may look like. Tom Considine, a Penn State professor in natural resource economics believes hydrogen is what many people are hoping will be our dominant fuel source in the future. "Scientists, engineers, and politicians see the great promise of hydrogen as a clean fuel, (with) no pollution. That's the nirvana that everyone's looking for."
As scientists continue to research ways on how to bring the costs of hydrogen down, there are a number of other alternative energies people can use. As it pertains to cars, hybrids have been out for nearly a decade and just this year, the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt were introduced to the market as some of the first electric cars to come to America.
Because of the work being done at institutions like Penn State, it's a matter of when, not if, we see hydrogen power come to our homes.
Sources:
www.engr.psu.edu/h2e/AboutH2E.htm
www.engr.psu.edu/h2e/index.htm
www.rps.psu.edu/hydrogen/fill.html
www.rps.psu.edu/hydrogen/price.html
Photo Courtesy Of Joel Anstrom
Though it's estimated some of these enhancements may not be available for several decades, the potential of large scale hydrogen production would be a breakthrough in the efforts to use more efficient and cleaner energy.
As stated on their website, "(a) new energy source must be cheap, renewable, and environmentally clean. Non-polluting hydrogen—energy-dense and the most abundant element in nature—meets two of these requirements in spades."
While the prospect of finding a new energy source is very exciting, Bruce Logan, a professor of environmental engineering and director of Penn State's Hydrogen Energy Center sees costs as a major concern. "We need cheaper and better materials; in every facet of development—for the catalysts and membranes that make up fuel cells; for the safe, efficient storage of hydrogen aboard vehicles; for the solar cells that will be key to hydrogen production."
It is true that large scale hydrogen power use for things such as a
n automobile may be several decades away. But through the work done at places such as the H2E Center at Penn State, we continue to see new breakthroughs in hydrogen technology.For example, Penn State currently has one of the only hydrogen fueling stations on the east coast. Several utility vans, public transportation buses and fuel cell cars currently use the station.
No one debates the fact it will take a long time for hydrogen to become a major player when it comes to being the "fuel" for a car we drive. While the technology is there, the expense right now is too high. However, it is worth taking a look at what our future may look like. Tom Considine, a Penn State professor in natural resource economics believes hydrogen is what many people are hoping will be our dominant fuel source in the future. "Scientists, engineers, and politicians see the great promise of hydrogen as a clean fuel, (with) no pollution. That's the nirvana that everyone's looking for."
As scientists continue to research ways on how to bring the costs of hydrogen down, there are a number of other alternative energies people can use. As it pertains to cars, hybrids have been out for nearly a decade and just this year, the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt were introduced to the market as some of the first electric cars to come to America.
Because of the work being done at institutions like Penn State, it's a matter of when, not if, we see hydrogen power come to our homes.
Sources:
www.engr.psu.edu/h2e/AboutH2E.htm
www.engr.psu.edu/h2e/index.htm
www.rps.psu.edu/hydrogen/fill.html
www.rps.psu.edu/hydrogen/price.html
Photo Courtesy Of Joel Anstrom
Want A New Alternative Energy Solution? What About Your Nearest Landfill?
For decades, Americans throw out their garbage into a bin, take it to their driveway and wait for garbage men or women to take the trash to the nearest landfill. What if I were to tell you that trash could turn out to be an energy resource?
Areas such as Long Island are exploring this option as can been seen in an article by the Journal Of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. According to the report, large amounts of biogas are available to be mined in these landfills on Long Island, which at 118 miles long, is one of the largest islands in the country.
As reporter Stuart Fox notes, "that energy, in the form of biogas reserves produced by decomposing trash, is valued at over $100 million and could fulfill a significant portion of Long Island's power needs."
The study done by researchers from Stony Brook University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory goes into great detail about this new potential renewable resource and how it can help lower the dependency of other energy resources such as oil and coal. In addition, the study summarizes additional benefits about developing this type of energy including the "the potential to reduce waste management costs, reduce waste odors, and create local jobs and revenues."
The biogas discussed here occurs when bacteria breaks down organic products such as solid waste and wood products and subsequently produces a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane.
While the study notes the feasibility of extracting this gas, there are still several barriers in the way. First off, the cost of doing this in suburban areas (such as the Cumberland Valley for example) would be more expensive than if done in New York City. The report summary written by Stuart also mentions the fact that there are still additional technological advances that must be made. "Technology upgrades are needed to transform any kind of biogas reserve into pipeline quality gas," Stuart said.
With all of that said it is exciting to see time and resources are being spent on finding ways to one day use this type of renewable energy. There may indeed come a time when our trash helps produce electricity or even automotive fuel.
Sources:
jrse.aip.org/biogas_bonanza_rests_beneath_trash-packed_landfills
jrse.aip.org/resource/1/jrsebh/v3/i4/p043118_s1?view=fulltext
Areas such as Long Island are exploring this option as can been seen in an article by the Journal Of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. According to the report, large amounts of biogas are available to be mined in these landfills on Long Island, which at 118 miles long, is one of the largest islands in the country.
As reporter Stuart Fox notes, "that energy, in the form of biogas reserves produced by decomposing trash, is valued at over $100 million and could fulfill a significant portion of Long Island's power needs."
The study done by researchers from Stony Brook University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory goes into great detail about this new potential renewable resource and how it can help lower the dependency of other energy resources such as oil and coal. In addition, the study summarizes additional benefits about developing this type of energy including the "the potential to reduce waste management costs, reduce waste odors, and create local jobs and revenues."
The biogas discussed here occurs when bacteria breaks down organic products such as solid waste and wood products and subsequently produces a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane.
A look at the landfills of Pennsylvania
Source. governor.state.pa.us
While the study notes the feasibility of extracting this gas, there are still several barriers in the way. First off, the cost of doing this in suburban areas (such as the Cumberland Valley for example) would be more expensive than if done in New York City. The report summary written by Stuart also mentions the fact that there are still additional technological advances that must be made. "Technology upgrades are needed to transform any kind of biogas reserve into pipeline quality gas," Stuart said.
With all of that said it is exciting to see time and resources are being spent on finding ways to one day use this type of renewable energy. There may indeed come a time when our trash helps produce electricity or even automotive fuel.
Sources:
jrse.aip.org/biogas_bonanza_rests_beneath_trash-packed_landfills
jrse.aip.org/resource/1/jrsebh/v3/i4/p043118_s1?view=fulltext
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)