...greener sources of energy to make the planet pollution free and environment friendly. The major utilization of these sources with grid integration is the challenging task. It is therefore Distribution Generation particularly single phase rooftop Photo Voltaic system are major research area for grid integration, since these sources have huge opportunity of generation near load terminal. The rooftop application involving single phase Distribution Generation’s fed with Photo Voltaic source can be not only utilized for household use but the excess energy can be transferred to the grid through proper control scheme and adequate hardware. Photo Voltaic systems can generate high voltages. Safety is therefore very important in order to avoid accidents and damage of expensive components and equipment. For safety reasons, solar arrays are normally earthed, either by placing a matrix of metal in the ground under the array, or by using conventional earth rods. It is normally not necessary to protect solar array from direct lightning strikes, provided that their mounting structure is well earthed. However, inverters or other electronics controls connected to the array should be protected. Blocking diodes are installed in solar arrays to prevent reverse current flows into the modules, which may...
Words: 777 - Pages: 4
...City Panning SCI/362 ENERGY SOURCE | INITIAL SET UP COST | MONTHLY COST | ENERGY OUTPUT LIMIT | Solar Power | $3.5 billion | $300,000 | 1,000 Megawatts | City Planning The state of Florida is known as the sunshine state. It is probably most famous for its beautiful, tropical like weather. South Florida (City of Miami) is probably the sunniest place in the state of Florida. Due to the Miami’s almost constant exposure to the sun, it would make Miami an ideal place for a Solar Power Plant. To set up a solar power plant in Miami, a couple of necessities have to be established first. For example, one would need to know the initial set up cost for the energy production. The cost to set up solar power plant will cost approximately 3.5 billion dollars. So if the yearly budget only allotted ten billion dollars for set up cost, there could be the potential for three facilities to be built. Also, the monthly cost will have to be figured out and calculated. If the monthly cost was $300,000.00, and the yearly budget after the initial receipt of the 10 billion dollars for set up cost was 1 billion dollars per year, there could only be one solar power plant built. The building of three would take the plans over the allotted budget because, although there would be set up funds available, the monthly cost would fall short. Moreover, the energy output limit would have to be established and maintained. Take a look at the chart above, it would take 1,000 megawatts to power Miami...
Words: 866 - Pages: 4
...Renewable Energy Summary Renewable energy flows involve natural phenomena such as sunlight, wind, tides, plant growth (biomess) and geothermal heat. According to the International Energy Agency (2002), “Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.” Renewable energy resources and significant opportunities for energy efficiency exist over the world. Compare to other traditional energy resources like fossil fuel, which are concentrated in a limited number of countries. The rapid development of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and the technological diversification of energy resources, would provide a sustainable and stable supply of energy and a significant growth in economy for the world in a foreseeable future. History of Renewable Energy Prior to the development of coal in the mid 19th century, nearly all energy used was renewable. The oldest known use of renewable energy, in the form of traditional biomass to fuel fires, dates from 790,000 years ago (K. Kris, 2013). The second oldest usage of renewable energy is using the wild to drive ships over water. This can be traced back 7,000 years ago, to ships on Nile (The Encyclopedia of...
Words: 5063 - Pages: 21
... Alternative Energy What is Alternative Energy? It’s an energy generated, in ways that do not deplete natural resources or harm the environment. There are about four types of natural alternative energy. Each energy has a different element used to create energy. The types of energy are wind power, solar power, geothermal power, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy. In the next paragraphs, I’m going to explain the reasons why the world needs alternative energy and how the energy is harnessed. First type of alternative energy is wind power. Using large blades can capture the winds power. The wind causes the blade to rotate turning into electrical current. Electric generators harness all the energy and distribute it to small towns or larger scale towns. There are some advantages for using wind power. First, it causes no pollution. Meaning there are no harmful by-products. Keeping the world safe. Second, wind power is a renewable source; we will never run out of wind. Third, wind turbines can be placed practically anywhere. All you need is a good source of wind. As with any energy source, there are always some concerns. One concern is that wind is never constant. Some days there is significant amount of wind. Then the next day no wind at all. Another concern is that residents that live next to turbine blades think they are ugly. Second type of alternative energy is solar power. This is created by capturing the sun’s rays into solar cells also known as solar panels. The captured...
Words: 853 - Pages: 4
...Solar energy is simply the light and heat given off by the sun. most people actually want to know how we get power from solar energy. In other words, they really just want to know how we turn the sun’s heat and light energy into a usable power source. Both methods use solar panels to collect the solar energy but one process focuses on the sun’s heat and one process focuses on the sun’s light. The first process is called solar thermal which the energy works by harnessing the sun’s heat. The second process is the photovoltaic process Photovoltaic (PV) panels capture the light emitted by the sun and convert this energy into usable electricity. They do this by exciting the electrons in the solar energy which produces direct current (DC) electricity. DC electricity isn’t usable for most home needs. The DC electricity must go through a conversion process in a mechanical device known as an inverter. There many advantages of solar energy. The first one is Saving you money . After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE. It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all. Solar energy does not require any fuel. The second one is Environmentally friendly. Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment. It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical...
Words: 425 - Pages: 2
...The Law of Conservation of energy Environmental Science Unit 3 Individual Project The Law of Conservation of energy Environmental Science Unit 3 Individual Project Abstract This paper will discuss multiple forms of renewable energy. I will lay out the advantages and disadvantages of each form of renewable energy and how they affect people, wildlife, and our environment. The Law of Conservation of Energy The Law of Conservation of Energy states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant over time (is said to be conserved over time) although energy within the system can be changed from one form to another or transferred from one object to another (Law of Conservation, n.d.). This law applies to energy use in that we are taking a form of energy and changing it into a different form. We are not actually using up the energy but changing the form of it from one to another. An example of this can be solar energy. We take the energy from the sun and change it into usable energy for our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. This law also applies to energy conservation in that some energy is always wasted when being changed from one form into another. It is impossible to change energy without actually wasting some of it. In many energy conversions, more energy is wasted that is used for work such as automobile engines, they typically waste more than two-thirds of the total energy used, primarily through heat (Law of Conservation...
Words: 1612 - Pages: 7
...Title: SOLAR ENERGY: “SUNLIGHT into USEFUL ELECTRICITY” >Introduction< In today's climate of growing energy needs and increasing environmental concern, alternatives to the use of non-renewable and polluting fossil fuels have to be investigated. One such alternative is solar energy. Solar energy is quite simply the energy produced directly by the sun and collected elsewhere, normally the Earth. The sun creates its energy through a thermonuclear process that converts about 650,000,000 tons of hydrogen to helium every second. The process creates heat and electromagnetic radiation. The heat remains in the sun and is instrumental in maintaining the thermonuclear reaction. The electromagnetic radiation (including visible light, infra-red light, and ultra-violet radiation) streams out into space in all directions. Only a very small fraction of the total radiation produced reaches the Earth. The radiation that does reach the Earth is the indirect source of nearly every type of energy used today. The exceptions are geothermal energy, and nuclear fission and fusion. Even fossil fuels owe their origins to the sun; they were once living plants and animals whose life was dependent upon the sun. The sun is an inexhaustible source of energy. Solar energy is radiant energy from the sun caused by nuclear fusion in the sun’s core. The sun’s radiant energy reaches the earth in rays of sunlight. Solar energy in the form of heat and light sustains life on earth. Solar energy can also...
Words: 4127 - Pages: 17
...May 25th, 2010 English 1010 Prof. Mrs. Betancourt Energy emergency! Starting from humanity history, humans have been trying to create and establish new things to have better conditions at life. We know from physics lessons that if we want to do a new invention, we need energy in progress. The variety of energy sources actually enables people to obtain their needs in terms of this issue. Due to this fact, the usage of those energy sources has beneficial effects when they are used in the right progress. Sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind; hydro, oceanic and geothermal energies provide the needed energy for people efficiently and are the best options to improve our planet future. Firstly, economic benefits are very important for societies nowadays in the world. As a result of this, societies are trying to find cheaper way to produce energy. Here we can suggest geothermal energy. The source of geothermal energy is hot underground water. This kind of water can be found by sounding and this technique is not expensive. After making canals that water flow inside it is enough to finalize the progress. Energy types which are produced by sun are example of this situation. Besides from the normal risks, geothermal energy can also provide a cleaner source of energy. According to Energy Consumers Edge (ECE) “geothermal energy use does entail some environmental impact, but it is safe to say that the environmental benefits far outweigh the costs’’. Most geothermal...
Words: 968 - Pages: 4
...Renewable Energy Sources All energy sources can be labelled as RENEWABLE or NON-RENEWABLE. Some of the renewable energy sources are… * Solar energy * Hydroelectric energy * Wind energy * Wave energy * Tidal energy These will be continually available as long as the sun sends out radiation. The non-renewable energy sources consist of the fossil fuels which are… * Coal * Oil * Natural Gas * Nuclear fuels These fossil fuels have taken millions of years to form and we are currently using this form of energy faster than it can be replaced. Wind Energy The UK is the windiest country in Europe making it very appropriate for the use of wind turbines to produce energy. Wind energy is cheap and unlike fossil fuels does not give off dangerous waste and does not contribute to global warming. If wind turbines were at sea, we could generate three times as much energy than we need. The use of wind power in the UK would be a good idea because its natural, it's harmless, we can easily get it and it is greater in the winter months when the energy demand is highest. When the wind blows over the blades of a wind turbine, the aerofoil shape makes them turn. [IMAGE] This rotational energy can be transferred to an electrical generator or to a machine, a water pump for example. At the moment, wind power is not used as much as it should be because of 25% of people in the UK who are against the idea...
Words: 762 - Pages: 4
...Institution of affiliation Summary Renewable energy is that which uses natural phenomena such as wind, tide, sunlight, plant growth ( biomass), geothermal heat among others. In fact, it is said, “Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.” (Conference on New and Renewable Energy Technologies for Sustainable Development, Afgan & Carvalho, 2004). This chapter attempts to look at the various sources of renewable energy and how they can be applied in the shipping industry. The renewable energy resources are available across the globe. Unlike traditional sources of energy such as fossil fuel which is located in specific and limited areas, renewable energy sources can be found in most parts of the world. It is believed that with the rapid development of renewable energy coupled with the efficiencies, economies of various countries will sprout and the energy sector will pride itself with having achieved sustainability and stable supply of energy (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.), & United States. 2010). History of Renewable Energy Research has it that biomass is the oldest form of renewable energy whose use dates back to about 790,000 years....
Words: 2428 - Pages: 10
...Solar Panels Tangerine is a company that has continuously strived to differentiate ourselves from other banks within the market. Going green will not only help us achieve this separation from the competition, but it will also help lessen our carbon footprint. One possible strategy to consider for the green initiative is utilizing solar energy. The implementation of solar panels would provide our company with a plethora of benefits. Arguably the most important benefit would be the fact that solar energy is a truly renewable energy source. Seeing as it is dependant on the sun, it can be harnessed absolutely anywhere and is available every day. Another advantage of the utilization of solar energy is that it reduces electricity bills, another...
Words: 1296 - Pages: 6
...What is Solar Energy? Sunlight is a renewable energy source which can be converted into usable energy by solar panels. There are two main types of solar energy. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels directly convert solar energy into a usable form of energy using a PV cell containing a semiconductor material. CSP (concentrating solar power) on the other hand, concentrate energy from sunlight to a heat receiver which transforms energy from heat into mechanical energy, and in turn, solar thermal electricity. Converting Sunlight into Electricity Light striking a silicon semiconductor causes electrons to flow, creating electricity. Solar power generating systems take advantage of this property to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. Solar panels (also called “solar modulesE produce direct current (DC), which goes through a power inverter to become alternating current (AC) — electricity that we can use in the home or office, like that supplied by a utility power company. There are two types of solar power generating systems: grid-connected systems, which are connected to the commercial power infrastructure; and stand-alone systems, which feed electricity to a facility for immediate use, or to a battery for storage. Grid-connected systems are used for homes, public facilities such as schools and hospitals, and commercial facilities such as offices and shopping centers. Electricity generated during the daytime can be used right away, and in some cases surplus electricity...
Words: 1053 - Pages: 5
... Weighting: 25% The concept of renewable energy within Australia, particularly Solar Energy has a huge scope of serious development and benefit to our future energy needs. Our country to this date has the highest average solar radiation per square meter of any country in the world (Geoscience Australia, 2012). Even our solar radiation in the southern regions has a higher overall radiation than countries like Germany, who are one of the most developed nations in terms of Solar Energy. Since late 2012, 10% of Australian energy relies on renewable sources of which 0.03% is Solar (T. Flannery, V.Sahajwalla, 2012). Although this percentage is small, due to the continual evolution of the concept and the current state of the economy and particularly the feed-in tariffs schemes; Solar Energy in Australia is becoming progressively affordable. The current state of Solar Energy in Australia is advancing, though obstacles such as ecological impacts & risks, the heritage & cultural boundaries placed within Australia and the production disadvantages of solar systems itself act as large limitations in the development of the concept. Developments in Solar Energy facilities for large areas such as towns require a large amount of land. This is largely the case for the use of solar photovoltaic systems (AAS, 2010). Although within Australia, around 18% of mainland is considered desert and...
Words: 1637 - Pages: 7
...CHAPTER ONE Introduction Background: Solar energy has been recognized over the years as a reliable and alternative source of energy. Solar energy is the energy that comes to the earth from the sun. It is commonly known as sunlight. This energy arrives in form of electromagnetic radiation, which is energy that travels in waves. A variety of modern technology is able to capture, convert and distribute solar energy mainly in forms of electricity and heat. The sun is by far the earth’s most available energy resource. If more of it could be harnessed which is just a matter of time, it will provide more than ten times the today’s global demand for energy. It is well recognized because of the energy generation process, which is clean because the source is renewable not a natural resource and it is abundant enough to satisfy the demands of the whole world with future advancements in technology. Solar technologies are broadly characterized into two active and passive. The difference between the active and passive solar techniques is due to their collection, conversion and distribution. The active solar technique which is the main topic is the use of solar energy to replace other sources making it the main supply, while the passive technique is the use of solar energy as a back up or and alternate source of energy incase of any problems with the main supply. The main benefit of solar energy is the fact that it is not only sustainable, it is renewable and this means you can never...
Words: 2125 - Pages: 9
...1. Electrical Energy Electrical energy is indispensable in our life. Ranging from motion/power, heating/cooling, lighting and communication, all need electrical energy. To be more specific, examples of motion/power are the movement of cars, motor and so on. Examples of heating/cooling including the oven, air conditioner and refrigerator. Examples of lighting includes the lamp and flashlight that we always use in our daily life. And the examples of communication can be computer, mobile phone and television. Unfortunately, the supply of electrical energy is limited, that’s why we are always educated to save the electricity. There have 5 main sources of electricity. First of all, burning of fossil fuels, oil and natural gas, this is the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. Secondly, heat from underground hot springs can generate electricity as well, this is the conversion from heat energy. Thirdly, the kinetic energy from the movement of water with tides, or the movement of wind turbines drive by wind can be used to generate electrical energy as well. Fourthly, energy stored in the nucleus of atoms (nuclear energy) is an important source too, as when nuclear energy is released, heat is produced which can generate electricity. Lastly, solar energy deserve our attention as well. Light rays from the sun are usually captured by the photovoltaics and semiconductors to generate electricity. As we can see, we always can extract electrical energy from nature and made...
Words: 558 - Pages: 3