Energy Options » THERMAL

NEWEST TECHNOLOGY IN SOLAR PANEL DEVELOPED

Editor — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:20:42 +0000

Inexpensive Highly Efficient

Solar Cells Possible

ScienceDaily (Apr. 12, 2010) — Thanks to two technologies developed by Professor Benoît Marsan and his team at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) Chemistry Department, the scientific and commercial future of solar cells could be totally transformed. Professor Marsan has come up with solutions for two problems that, for the last twenty years, have been hampering the development of efficient and affordable solar cells.

His findings have been published in two scientific journals, the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) and Nature Chemistry.

The untapped potential of solar energy

The Earth receives more solar energy in one hour than the entire planet currently consumes in a year. Unfortunately, despite this enormous potential, solar energy is barely exploited. The electricity produced by conventional solar cells, composed of semiconductor materials like silicon, is 5 or 6 times more expensive than from traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels or hydropower. Over the years, numerous research teams have attempted to develop a solar cell that would be both efficient in terms of energy and inexpensive to produce.

Dye-sensitized solar cells

One of the most promising solar cells was designed in the early ’90s by Professor Michael Graetzel of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. Based on the principle of photosynthesis — the biochemical process by which plants convert light energy into carbohydrate (sugar, their food) — the Graetzel solar cell is composed of a porous layer of nanoparticles of a white pigment, titanium dioxide, covered with a molecular dye that absorbs sunlight, like the chlorophyll in green leaves. The pigment-coated titanium dioxide is immersed in an electrolyte solution, and a platinum-based catalyst completes the package.

As in a conventional electrochemical cell (such as an alkaline battery), two electrodes (the titanium dioxide anode and the platinum cathode in the Graetzel cell) are placed on either side of a liquid conductor (the electrolyte). Sunlight passes through the cathode and the electrolyte, and then withdraws electrons from the titanium dioxide anode, a semiconductor at the bottom of the cell. These electrons travel through a wire from the anode to the cathode, creating an electrical current. In this way, energy from the sun is converted into electricity.

Most of the materials used to make this cell are low-cost, easy to manufacture and flexible, allowing them to be integrated into a wide variety of objects and materials. In theory, the Graetzel solar cell has tremendous possibilities. Unfortunately, despite the excellence of the concept, this type of cell has two major problems that have prevented its large-scale commercialisation:

The electrolyte is: a) extremely corrosive, resulting in a lack of durability; b) densely coloured, preventing the efficient passage of light; and c) limits the device photovoltage to 0.7 volts.

The cathode is covered with platinum, a material that is expensive, non-transparent and rare. Despite numerous attempts, until Professor Marsan’s recent contribution, no one had been able to find a satisfactory solution to these problems.

Professor Marsan’s solutions

Professor Marsan and his team have been working for several years on the design of an electrochemical solar cell. His work has involved novel technologies, for which he has received numerous patents. In considering the problems of the cell developed by his Swiss colleague, Professor Marsan realized that two of the technologies developed for the electrochemical cell could also be applied to the Graetzel solar cell, specifically:

For the electrolyte, entirely new molecules have been created in the laboratory whose concentration has been increased through the contribution of Professor Livain Breau, also of the Chemistry Department. The resulting liquid or gel is transparent and non-corrosive and can increase the photovoltage, thus improving the cell’s output and stability.

For the cathode, the platinum can be replaced by cobalt sulphide, which is far less expensive. It is also more efficient, more stable and easier to produce in the laboratory
Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 14th April 2010

FRIDGES TALK TO EACH OTHER TO STAY COOL

Editor — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:53:24 +0000

Smart’ Fridges Stay Cool

By Talking To Each Other

CSIRO’s Sam West demonstrating the workings of the interactive management screen on one of the demonstration ’smart fridges.’ (Credit: Photo by CSIRO)

ScienceDaily (Jan. 22, 2009) — Smart’ fridges that run on renewable electricity and are capable of negotiating the most energy efficient way to keep food cold have been developed by researchers from CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship.

CSIRO’s Intelligent Energy team have developed a fridge capable of maintaining its average temperature while regulating its power consumption from renewable-energy generators, such as solar panels (photovoltaics) or wind turbines.

CSIRO Engineer, Sam West, says the smart fridges work as a network of distributed fridges, each fitted with control technology that allows them to communicate with each other via a network to share and store the energy provided by renewable-power generators.

“The fridges are designed to talk to each other, negotiating when it’s a good time to consume electricity and when it’s better not to,” Mr West says. “These scheduling decisions improve the quality of electricity produced by renewables and can help increase renewable uptake in the energy market.”

During the day, for example, supplies of electricity generated from photovoltaics can be interrupted by cloud cover resulting in periods of variable power supply.

“These fluctuations are bad for the electricity grid,” Mr West says. “Rapid variations in electricity flow can destabilise the grid and result in blackouts and other unwanted side-effects, but your fridge can help smooth out these fluctuations if it turns on and off at the right time.

“The fridges work together to decide when to cool down, and thus consume power, based on how much surplus power will be available. They are able to anticipate power shortages and change their running schedules accordingly to use as little power as possible during these times. In short, the fridges are working cooperatively to use the available power supply efficiently.”

The fridges can also be used to store energy.

“The surplus electricity produced by solar panels can be used to lower the fridge temperature a few degrees more than necessary to create a thermal energy store which will keep the fridge’s contents cold during the night,” Mr West says. “Another benefit is that by reducing the amount of electricity required during peak-demand periods, we can avoid the need to build more network infrastructure such as new power stations.

“Using less electricity is always preferable to generating more and is the simplest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Refrigeration can be very energy intensive but by harnessing renewable power this technology offers a low-emission solution to keeping food and other perishables cold.”

CSIRO is currently seeking commercial partners to further develop the technology.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 8th April 2010

THERMAL PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR HOME – REPORT DONE FOR FREE

Editor — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:16:50 +0000

Residential Mandatory Disclosure

Commencing with energy efficiency by May 2011, phase-in mandatory disclosure of residential buildings for energy, greenhouse and water performance at the time of sale or lease will be invoked. This scheme is being instigated by the Commonwealth Government and will unify the many existing State schemes that are now in existence. To put it simply if you are a home owner wishing to sell your house you must first acquire a certificate from a qualified assessor who will visit you in your home and conduct an energy efficiency survey of your home leaving you with a certificate that you can hand to a real estate agent who can then list your property for sale.

The details on your assessment will give all prospective buyers a window into your home allowing them a full picture of what they might be buying and would have a star rating for the energy effectiveness based along the same lines as for new homes. Unlike new homes that will have to be a 6 star rating in the future, an existing home will be given a star rating that is appropriate to the standard that is found by the assessor. From this the buyer will be able to decide on their preference to purchase a home with all the bells and whistles or something that might be less expensive but requires some upgrading work to meet a higher standard.

The assessment will cover the building envelope including roof, walls, doors and windows as well as the energy efficiency of key building services.

Star Ratings

A star rating is given as part of the Energy Efficiency Rating assessment of a building, it provides a simplified indication of how efficient the building is, ranging from 0 to 10 stars (initially the range was to 6 stars) in 0.5 star increments. This is similar to energy labeling of appliances, such as refrigerators. A 0 star rating is very poor and means the building shell does practically nothing to reduce the discomfort of hot or cold weather. A 5 star rating indicates good, but not outstanding, thermal performance. People living in a 10 star home are unlikely to need any artificial cooling or heating.

Higher energy efficiency standards for both residential and commercial buildings got the tick of approval at last year’s Coalition of Australian Governments’ (COAG) meeting but builders and energy groups argue the scheme needs further changes and sustainability experts would like to see it go further.

COAG agreed that from 2011 the energy efficiency rating for houses will increase from 5 to 6 stars. Mandatory disclosure of energy efficiency for commercial buildings will commence in 2010 and for residential buildings by 2011.

Written by Michelle Hislop fistofcurry@hotmail.com

and published by Henry Sapiecha 15th Jan 2010

CLEAN COAL POWER TO THE PEOPLE IN KOREA

Editor — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:04:18 +0000

KOREA DOES IT CLEAN IN COAL FIRED POWER PLANT

Boilers – a power plant’s heart Fluidised -bed boiler installation.

www.doosanheavy.com Internet link

Korea South East Power runs an eco-friendly power plant armed with state-of-the-art, high- efficiency environmental facilities – including a DeSOx & DeNOx System, and electrical dust collectors- but a new fluidised bed boiler is key to the operation.

Korea’s latest and largest coal-fired, eco-friendly,high-efficiency powerfacility – officially titled the Yonghung Thermal Power Plant Units 3and 4 – has been operating at optimal levels recently. This is all thanks to thenew core facilities and boiler equipment.

Run by Korea South East Power, the units are now part of an 870MW-class coal-fired power plantwhich uses ultra super criticaltechnology.

Moreover, the facility is aneco-friendly power plant armed with
state-of-the-art, high- efficiency environmentalfacilities (including desulfurisation, DeSOx & DeNOx System, and electrical dust collectors).
A company spokesman told IPA: “The completion of the Yonghung Thermal Power Plant Units 1 and 2 has contributed
to easing the imbalance between power supply and demand in the Seoul metropolitan region, and has helped
stabilise the nation’s electricity supplynetwork.

Generators 3 and 4 at the plantmake a significant contribution tostabilising the power supply during the peak power demand season in summer.” Power output
The Yonghung Thermal Power Plant Units 3 and 4 generate 13.6 billion kWh of electricity per year, enough to supply 4 million households.

In 2004 Doosan an initial contract for the supply of boilers for the site in an international bid hosted by KoreaSouth-East Power in 2004, beating out Japanese rivals.
Hard on the heels of this successful project, Doosna was recently contracted to supply equipment worth 100 billion won (£50m) for a project involving the supplyof Korea’s largest 340MW- class Fluidised- Bed Boiler for Yeosu Thermal Power Plant No. 2 operated by Korea South EastPower.
Doosan President & CEO Geewon Park commented: “The contract involved the supply of a 340 MW-class Circulating
Fluidised-Bed Boiler and supplementary facilities.

Unlike a Pulverized Coal Boiler, which is used in most conventional power plants, the Circulating Fluidised-Bed
Boiler is an eco-friendly boiler product which significantly reduces the emission of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and
sulphur oxide.

Another advantage is that it can use low-grade coal as fuel, effectively cutting fuel costs.” Cutting fuel costs with a Circulating Fluidised-Bed Boiler at Yeosu replacing the use of heavy oil, the plant will not only cut down fuel cost significantly, but also reduce pollutant emissions. Hence the utility facilities, once revamped, will transform into an
economical, eco-friendly power plant.
Under the contract, Doosan plans to design and produce the Circulating Fluidised- Bed Boiler and supplementary equipment at its Changwon Plant, and deliver them by December 2011. Doosan has also signed a licensing agreement with Foster Wheeler, a global market leader in Circulating Fluidised-Bed Boiler technology, in 2006.
Executive Vice President Dongsoo Suh said, “With the acquisition of the new project, Doosan has set a precedent in
the supply of a 340 MW-class Circulating Fluidised-Bed boiler, the largest scale of its kind in Korea and among the largest in
the world.”
He added: “As the use of low-grade coal is steadily increasing, Doosan will continue to win more orders for Circulating Fluidised- Bed Boilers not only in Korea but also in overseas markets in the future.” Doosan also won projects for
the construction of coal-powered thermal power plants adopting Circulating Fluidised-Bed Boilers in Thailand and the
Philippines in 2007.
On June 14th, 2009, Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction signed a contract worth 74 million euros (US$102
million) with MAPNA Boiler of Iran for the overall supply of eight heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) for four combined cycle thermal power plants in the Middle Eastern country. “The project entails the supply of two HRSGs to each of the four combined cycle thermal power plants located in Kahnooj, Iran.

Doosan plans to begin designing the equipment
based on its own technology in June, and is scheduled to supply them in phasesfrom April to December of 2010,” a
spokesman told IPA.
Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction secured the top spot in terms of global market share in 2003 thanks to the acquisition of HRSG orders worth 240 million euros(US$ 331 million) for the MFPNA combined cycle thermal
power plant, the world’s largest singlesuch project.

The company also won successive orders in the Middle East in
2007 and 2008. Dong Kyu Lee, head of the HRSG BU at
Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, told IPA: “Doosan was able to win the project thanks to the strong engineering
capacity we have demonstrated during the execution of our other projects in Iran.” IPA

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 16th July 2009

GEOTHERMAL $76M DEVELOPMENT IN GERMANY

Editor — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:28:35 +0000

German Giants Launch $76 Million Credit Initiative For Geothermal Development

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, development bank KfW and reinsurer Munich Re have launched a 60 million euros ($75.9 million) credit initiative for the expansion of geothermal power in Germany. The investment will be used to finance drilling of geothermal projects, a Munich Re statement said.

Geothermal projects are high-risk projects, due to the high drilling costs involved and do not guarantee availability of sufficient volumes of water at the required temperatures. This often leads to an investment risk of at least EUR 10m for each individual project, the statement said.

Up to 80% of the cost will be financed by KfW loans for deep geothermal wells by way of commercial banks. If no find is made and the project is declared a failure, the investor will not be required to repay the remaining loan amount.

The productivity risk involved and whether the project qualifies for the support scheme are all factors that will be assessed before the loan is granted. When the loan is applied for and the contract is signed, one-off fees must also be paid for which the investor receives an expert assessment of the deep geothermal project and technical support before and during the drilling phase.

Thomas Blunck, member of Munich Re’s board of management said, “This cooperation is intended to be a start-up, which will make it easier to finance projects in the field of renewable energy. The examination of the productivity risk by Munich Re prior to a subsidised loan being granted is particularly important. This is because the number of geothermal projects qualifying for subsidised loans largely depends on how successful existing projects turn out to be.”

Germany has three regions primarily considered to be geothermal hotspots: the molasse basin south of Munich, the Upper Rhine Rift, and the North German Plain.

The country’s largest geothermal power plant of a combined heat and power capacity of 38MW was the first to receive productivity risk insurance cover by Munich Re. It was erected in Unterhaching near Munich.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 23rd June 2009