Energy Newsbriefs
Articles for December 6, 2010
ENERGY NEWSBRIEFS is a weekly current awareness service provided by the WSU Extension Energy Program Library and written by Angela Santamaria, WSU Energy Library Manager, to assist users in tracking developments in the energy field. To view past issues or to subscribe to receive an email notification of the publication of a new issue, go to the Energy Newsbriefs home.
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BIOMASS
The following two articles appeared in the November 2010 issue of Biomass Power & Thermal:
1. "Energy Tablets," by Lisa Gibson, Associate Editor, Biomass Power & Thermal, describes the development of a biomass compressor that, using much less energy than a pelletizer, has as its end product a large, extremely dense (and energy rich), tablet of biomass.
2. "Studying Switchgrass," by Anna Austin, Associate Editor, Biomass Power & Thermal, reports on the status of switchgrass as a viable energy crop in the future. The challenges are described.
DISTRIBUTED POWER
"Microturbine Technology Matures," by Stephen Gillette, Capstone Turbine Corporation, describes the technology and compares modern microturbines to more traditional gas turbines in terms of efficiency, emissions, interconnectivity, systems integration, and security. Three case studies are included: a wastewater-treatment plant, a university data center, and a research institute.
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
The following articles were published in the October 2010 issue of Maintenance Technology:
1. "Extending Chain Life," by C. David Larson, A. W. Chesterton Co., explains the problems that lead to the early failure of metal-pin- and-bushing chains and how to avoid them.
2. "The Green Edge," by staff, describes four green approaches/products incorporated into company operations that have saved energy and energy dollars. They include a power-generating cylindrical photovoltaic system, energy efficient transformers, electronic steam boiler controllers, and a system that provides continuous lubrication for wind turbine shaft-bearings.
POLICY
"US Department of Energy Pushes for CHP in Industry" was co-authored by Bob Gemmer, Industrial Distributed Energy Technology Manager, Industrial Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), et al. and was published in the September-October issue of Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production. DOE is encouraging the industrial sector to adopt combined heat and power (CHP) systems to make dramatic savings in energy consumption. The encouragement has included some financial assistance.
SMART GRID/SMART POWER
"Smart Power Generation at UCSD," by Gail Reitenbach, PhD, Managing Editor, Power, appeared in the November 2010 issue of that same journal. The focus is on the cutting-edge research center at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and its practice of developing on-campus (and campus-scale) applications of combined heat and power (CHP), energy efficiencies, climate change solutions, clean energy, sustainability, smart grids, and more.
SOLAR
"Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Applying the Electrical Requirements in Article 690" is a two-part article, based on the 2011 National Electrical Code and written by Mike Holt, NEC Consultant. It was published in two parts, one in each of two subsequent issues (September and October 2010) of EC&M (Electrical Design, Construction & Maintenance):
Part 1 covers installation (conductors), circuits (sizing, protection), and other issues.
Part 2 discuses fuses, wiring, grounding (systems and equipment), storage batteries, and more.
TRANSPORTATION
"Charging Ahead: Are Electric Plug-In Vehicles Ready For Prime Time?" by Arnold Nadler, Ph.D, M.E., was published in the October 2010 issue of Public Power Magazine. It is an excellent review of the technologies employed in hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric vehicles. It also discusses the demand of electric cars on electric utilities, on battery costs and savings, and other important, related issues.
WIND
"Integrating Wind and Water Power, an Increasingly Tough Balancing Act" was written by Peter Behr of ClimateWire and published in the New York Times on November 30, 2010. Hydropower has been the backup for intermittent wind power, but it is unlikely that this arrangement will work with the expected tripling of installed wind over the next five years. The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project is addressing the discrepancy between how much hydro can do and how much backup will be needed. Conservation, peak power shaving, and storing power are under consideration; all involve a smart grid that can detect wind surges and drops and then match them (via smart metering) with possible conservation or storage opportunities.
WORKFORCE ISSUES
"Study: Hydropower Potential Could Create 1.4 million Jobs" was written by Rakesh Radhakrishnan, Ph.D., Managing Consultant, Navigant Consulting Inc. It was published in the October 2010 issue of Hydro Review and carried on the related HydroWorld website. Navigant Consulting believes that 400,000 new MW of hydropower can be developed in the U.S. and, if it were, direct jobs having to do with the hydro projects, turbine design and manufacture, and the like would spur the creation of indirect jobs.
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