RL34746.pdf (application/pdf Object) FAQ_wind.pdf (application/pdf Object) NoFreeWind - The Heavy Price We Pay for Windpower. Alternative Energy eMagazine - Low-cost and high performance heliostats | AltEnergyMag. The main conclusion of the comprehensive report of Sandia National Laboratories “Heliostat Cost Reduction Study” published in June 2007 is that the feasibility of the solar tower thermoelectric power plant goes through get reliable and efficient heliostats at a cost much lower than the different known solutions. The working group which took part this study, about 30 international experts, pointed out 100 $/m rate (base 2006) as target cost for heliostats at a long term defining a series of R&D projects to achieve it, among others, increasing the size, mega heliostats, reducing the cost of the drive or apply carousel designs.
Later, TITAN TRACKER presented its innovative technology, which allows the complete fulfillment of all these targets for the heliostats, both economical and technical, to facilitate commercial deployment of the CSP central receiver technology. Heliostat field in PSA www.psa.es History and state-of-the art Technical evaluation • The motor gears may be standard components. 912923_Heliostat_Cost_Reduction_Study-2007.PDF (application/pdf Object) Heliostat Project.
The Importance: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fossil fuels provide more than 85% of the energy consumed in the United States - including more than two thirds of the country's electricity[1]. The rapidly growing global demand for energy brings forth concerns about dwindling reserves of fossil fuels and the environmental consequences of burning them. Because of these concerns, the development of clean, renewable energy sources has become imperative. The problem with alternative energy technologies is that they must be at least as cost-effective as fossil fuels in order to compete with them as a viable energy source. One alternative energy source is the sun. The Tool: A heliostat consists of a large mirror and the mechanisms and circuitry necessary to control it, such that the heliostat tracks the sun and reflects the light onto a given target throughout the day. The U.S. is currently home to two government-funded heliostat research facilities.
References: World's largest Solar Power Tower Plant now on-line. 1.291 mirrored heliostats and a 54 story high tower the World's largest solar power tower plant located near Seville in Spain in now on line generating 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to supply 10,000 homes. May 1, 2009 Made up of more than 1200 mirrored heliostats surrounding a huge 54 story high tower, the world's largest solar power tower plant is now on line near Seville in Spain. Developed by Spanish engineering company Abengoa, the PS20 plant generates 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to supply 10,000 homes. Concentrating solar thermal technology has been used in desert areas in Spain and the southwest U.S. for decades and is seeing a resurgence as utilities seek to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A solar thermal plant generates electricity in much the same way a conventional coal fired or nuclear power plant does, only the heat source is different.
Paul Evans Post a CommentRelated Articles Just enter your friends and your email address into the form below. Solar Thermal: Which Technology Is Best? Tower, trough, dish or plate? No, those aren't your in-flight dining options. These are the main contenders for the future of solar thermal. And the answer as to which one is best is somewhat complicated. Solar thermal technology is the other white meat, according to Fred Morse, president of Morse and Associates and a senior advisor to Spanish power giant Abengoa. In Arizona alone, there are probably 13,000 square miles of relatively level (less than 1 percent slope), dry, sunny, empty, environmentally OK land that could accommodate thermal plants, says Morse, one of the world's experts on the subject.
Steve Cowman, CEO of Stirling Energy Systems, puts it closer to 7,000 gigawatts, but that's still big: The worldwide installed base of renewables came to around 140 gigawatts in 2006, he pointed out, touting industry estimates, and that includes biomass and wind. Last year, California experienced six days of peak demand. "[Solar thermal] will be cost competitive very soon," Morse said. 1. How to calculate solar and wind energy power solar panels and system size for solar electric and solar water (thermal) systems wind turbine generator systems.
America's leading solar calculator Updated Solar Pricing Information Updated Solar Rebates information Updated Utility Power Rates This estimator has been optimized for Solar Calculations for PV installations. If you wish to use the calculator to find out Wind, Pool or Water Heating, Solar Thermal or Solar Space Heating or Cooling, please click this link: Click here This Solar Calculator will compute the size and estimated cost to install a solar energy system for your home or building.
The solar calculator's financial analysis is based on energy bill savings you can expect and the net solar system cost, after tax credits and other incentives are applied. This is a simplified, "lay persons'" overview of how solar energy systems calculations are made. General Terms Photovoitaics (PV) is the direct conversion of light into electricity.
What is a solar rating? The solar rating is a measure of the average solar energy (also called "Solar Irradiance") available at a location in an average year. Coal reserves, coal exploration - World Coal Association. It has been estimated that there are over 861 billion tonnes of proven coal reserves worldwide. This means that there is enough coal to last us around 112 years at current rates of production. In contrast, proven oil and gas reserves are equivalent to around 46 and 54 years at current production levels. Coal reserves are available in almost every country worldwide, with recoverable reserves in around 70 countries. The biggest reserves are in the USA, Russia, China and India. Definitions Over recent years there has been a fall in the reserves to production (RP) ratio, which has prompted questions over whether we have reached 'peak coal'. Exploration activity is typically carried out by mining companies with short planning horizons rather than state-funded geological surveys.
All fossil fuels will eventually run out and it is essential that we use them as efficiently as possible. Coal Exploration Coal reserves are discovered through exploration activities. Uses of Coal - World Coal Association. Access to modern energy services not only contributes to economic growth and household incomes but also to the improved quality of life that comes with better education and health services. All sources of energy will be needed to meet future energy demand, including coal.
Coal has many important uses worldwide. The most significant uses of coal are in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing and as a liquid fuel. Around 6.6 billion tonnes of hard coal were used worldwide last year and 1 billion tonnes of brown coal. Since 2000, global coal consumption has grown faster than any other fuel. The five largest coal users - China, USA, India, Russia and Japan - account for 76% of total global coal use. Different types of coal have different uses.
The biggest market for coal is Asia, which currently accounts for over 67% of global coal consumption; although China is responsible for a significant proportion of this. How Much Coal Is Left. There are several measures of how much coal is left, based on various degrees of geologic certainty and economic feasibility. Published data range from how much is left at currently producing mines to total coal resources, which is an estimate of how much coal is likely to exist, both currently known and that which is postulated based on geological principles. The major measures are described below.
Did you know? As the easier-to-mine coal is used up, the remaining coal reserves will be harder to mine. In the past, advancements in mining technologies have tended to compensate for these impacts, so that mining costs have typically not increased despite the progression to more difficult to mine coal deposits. Coal reserves at producing mines Each year the U.S. As of January 1, 2012, the recoverable reserves at producing mines were 19.2 billion short tons. The amount of coal reserves at producing mines, however, is a small part of the total amount of coal that exists in the United States.
State Electricity Profiles. Energy consumption and production in Michigan « Drawing Detroit. On August 27, ballot language for the Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs proposal was approved. This proposal seeks to discover if registered Michigan voters are in favor of a constitutional amendment that requires utilities to obtain at least 25% of their electricity from clean, renewable energy sources. Given that this proposal is on the ballot, and that renewable and alternative energy resources are gaining more mainstream focus, Drawing Detroit has decided to create the following posts to explore the use of energy resources in the state. The above figure shows that in 2009 the state of Michigan spent more money on coal-produced energy than on any other type of energy resource.
Michigan produces energy resources such as nuclear power and biomass fuels in state while it imports all of its coal. As stated previously, Michigan’s number one energy expenditure is on coal. This has been the trend for at least the last 15 years, as shown by the graph above. Like this: Like Loading... Tags: Energy. Energy Overview 2011. Background Michigan is relatively limited in most energy resources and imports 97 percent of its petroleum needs, 82 percent of its natural gas and 100 percent of coal and nuclear fuel from other states and nations. These imports account for about 72 cents of every dollar spent for energy by Michigan’s citizens and businesses.
Michigan spent a total of $31.3 billion on all forms of energy in 2009 and of that amount $22.6 billion was for the energy resources imported from other states and nations. Michigan’s total energy consumption is relatively high, due in part to the State’s large population, northern climate and industrial sector. Michigan Population – 9.9 million, U.S. Petroleum Michigan has limited crude oil production from small wells scattered across the Lower Peninsula.
Once the crude oil has been refined, several petroleum product pipelines are used to transport the product to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula markets. Biofuels Natural Gas Electricity and Coal Renewable Energy. Updated Capital Cost Estimates for Electricity Generation Plants. The current and future projected cost of new electricity generation capacity is a critical input into the development of energy projections and analyses. The cost of new generating plants plays an important role in determining the mix of capacity additions that will serve growing loads in the future. New plant costs also help to determine how new capacity competes against existing capacity, and the response of the electricity generators to the imposition of environmental controls on conventional pollutants or any limitations on greenhouse gas emissions. The current and projected future costs of energy-related capital projects, including but not limited to new electric generating plants, have been subject to considerable change in recent years.
EIA updates its cost and performance assumptions annually, as part of the development cycle for the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO). The use of a common boundary for costing is also very important.