Alternative energy resources untapped in Pakistan
By Umer Bhatti THE Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) commissioned only one pilot project of producing electricity from wind energy in 2009 in collaboration with SUNEC China at Kalarkahar, having a capacity of 10x2KW while no practical steps were taken for power generation from solar energy.
According to sources, SUNEC China in collaboration with the AEDB had a programme to produce 1,000MW electricity by using wind power but it could only achieve 20KW power capacity.
A notable development regarding the development of alternative energy for electricity generation during 2009 was the successful completion of negotiations on Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) for setting up a 50MW wind power plant by the Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC). Sources in the Pakistan Electric Power Company said there were chances that the power plant would be inducted in the national grid within the first quarter of 2010.
Toward a more efficient use of solar energy
ScienceDaily (Apr. 14, 2011) — The exploitation and utilization of new energy sources are considered to be among today’s major challenges. Solar energy plays a central role, and its direct conversion into chemical energy, for example hydrogen generation by water splitting, is one of its interesting variants. Titanium oxide-based photocatalysis is the presently most efficient, yet little understood conversion process. In cooperation with colleagues from Germany and abroad, scientists of the KIT Institute for Functional Interfaces (IFG) have studied the basic mechanisms of photochemistry by the example of titania and have presented new detailed findings.
Even though hydrogen production from water and sunlight by means of oxide powders has been studied extensively for several decades, the basic physical and chemical mechanisms of the processes involved cannot yet be described in a satisfactory way. Together with colleagues from the universities of St. Andrews (Scotland) and Bochum and Helmholtz-Forschungszentrum Berlin, scientists at KIT’s Institute for Functional Interfaces, headed by Professor Christof Wöll, have succeeded in gathering new findings on the fundamental mechanisms of photochemistry on titanium dioxide (TiO2).
Titanium dioxide, or titania, is a photoactive material occurring in nature in the rutile and anatase modifications, the latter of which being characterized by a ten times higher photochemical activity. When the white TiO2 powder, which is also used as a pigment in paints and sunscreens, is exposed to light, electrons are excited and can, for example, split water into its components oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen produced in that way is a “clean” energy source: No climate-killing greenhouse gases are generated but only water is produced during combustion. Titanium dioxide is also used to manufacture self-cleaning surfaces from which unwanted films are removed through photochemical processes triggered by incident sunlight. In hospitals, this effect is used for sterilizing specially coated instruments by means of UV irradiation.
Commercial Solar Heating
Commercial Solar Heating is quickly becoming one of the most popular, affordable and cost-effective renewable energy projects for businesses of all shapes and sizes. With system efficiencies in the 70-80% range (compared to 15-20% for solar electric systems), lower system costs and skyrocketing heating energy costs, a Commercial Solar Heating system is one of the best investments any business can make (IGS’ long list of Commercial Solar Heating clients see this every month on their energy bills).
A Commercial Solar Heating System from IGS can be used for a variety of heating energy needs, including:
- Domestic Hot Water
This is the water that you use around the house or office every day. Typical domestic hot water uses include: showers, baths, cleaning, doing laundry, washing dishes and more. Your domestic hot water alone can account for more than 20-30% of your total energy costs, and a solar domestic hot water system can easily slash those costs by 50%, or more.
- Radiant & Space Heating
Using in-floor radiant heating loops, baseboard radiators, or a central forced hot air system, a solar heating system can easily cut 50%, or more, of your total home and office heating needs by providing a significant portion of the heat you require. A small radiant heating system for a home can easily eliminate the need for 1 or 2 tanks of heating oil every year – a significant savings when you consider the high price of heating oil today.
- Solar Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Heating
This is actually the most cost-effective (and most popular) use of solar heating technology in the world. You can specifically size and design a solar heating system for your pool or spa, or use your pool as a heat dump, where extra energy from your domestic hot water or radiant heating system is sent to when it is not needed for its main purpose. This is a great way to repurpose a solar radiant heating system in the summer months when you do not need anywhere near the amount of heat you require in the winter months for heating your home or office.
Make Solar Panels
“The Easiest And Safest Method to Make Solar Panels for Your Home, Cabin, RV, or Boat”
If you want to make solar panels you need to read this entire review. This is my uncensored review of what I really thought about the Green DIY Energy guide to make solar panels.
Note, that this a review…
…if you’re looking for the official Green DIY Energy website then click here.
Why am I writing this? Well, I had already been burned by another product with a fancy sales page that claimed I could make solar panels for cheap. That product was total garbage.
You will NOT learn to make solar panels from watching YouTube
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Stand Alone Solar Photovoltaic System Design
Planning a Stand Alone PV System
Stand alone or autonomous systems are not connected to the grid. Some stand alone systems known as PV-hybrid systems or island system, may also have another source of power, wind turbine, bio-fuel or diesel generator, etc.
A stand alone system varies in size and type, but 20Wp – 1KWp are quite common. The stand alone system is also known as an off grid system.
Wind Maps
To Buy a Wind Turbine or Become a Dealer, Please fill out our Contact Form. The system will automatically send you some additional info.
Using Wind Maps and Resources
San Mateo County RecycleWorks | Sustainability
Harnessing the Sun’s Power Solar Design, Heating Systems and Photovoltaics
Designing a New Home
Solar Water Heating
Centre Energétique et Procédés de l’Ecole des Mines Sophia Antipolis: Plasma
Plasma group researches deal with the development of thermal and non-thermal plasma processes for energy and environmental issues. These researches are presently structured in the frame of two out of three CEP research themes: Energy, Processes and Environment and Nanomaterials and Energy.
Theme 1: Energy, Processes and Environment
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California solar company acquires Maryland foothold
The San Mateo, Calif.-based company leases solar energy panels to home and business owners, eliminating the upfront costs that executives said often price people out. The company also installs, monitors and finances the projects itself in an effort to simplify the process.
The private company, which would not disclose its finances, boasts a staff of 1,000 and counts 10,000 solar projects that have been completed or are underway in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Texas, its current markets. Twelve employees in Clean Currents’ solar division will relocate to Silver Spring and be joined by 30 new hires to sell and install solar projects in the District and Maryland starting next month.
Clean Currents President Gary Skulnik said his company has “been dreaming for a long time of solar for the masses” and felt the leasing model presented by SolarCity could achieve that. He added that the sale’s undisclosed sum will allow the company’s remaining divisions to focus on “fun and new things,” the details of which will come in the months ahead.
Solar Power Home
If you want to convert your home to solar energy, then read this comparison of the advantages versus the disadvantages. In growing environmental and economic concerns, turning to a home powered entirely by the sun is a rising trend. Fossil fuel prices are going nowhere but up in the long term, and solar energy is a great way people are finding more money in the budget at the end of the month.
Advantages to solar energy:
One: When using solar power, your impact on the environment is lessened. You don’t have to be worried about affecting the air with pollutants in order to power your home. This advantage speaks to today’s rising concern over climate change and even simple stewardship of resources. Solar panels are a great way to address the issue.