Posts Tagged ‘energy production’
The development of green initiatives bring benefits to the environment
Such is the case of the Barefoot College project (“Barefoot College”) in Tilonia, India, where not only is promoting renewable energy production but also is changing completely illiterate women’s lives and their communities . The initiative is based on empowering hundreds of women, most of them grandmothers to make them specialists in solar energy. After learning about installing solar panels and batteries, they return to their communities and work to provide the only source of electricity in the area.
While the United Nations estimates that about 1.5 million people on the globe still live without electricity, projects such as the Barefoot College can not only offer this resource to thousands of people but also contribute to the development of the region changing lifestyle for all inhabitants of the area, especially for those women able to carry out the project.
Founded in 1972 by social activist Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy, the Barefoot College believes that solutions to the problems of the poor in rural areas are in the community, their traditional heritage and new technologies. With this in mind, from the 1990′s began to train young men and women are illiterate or semi-literate as engineers of solar energy. Since then, those most involved with the project were grandmothers, showing enthusiasm and ease in learning.
The first step is from the institution, bringing together citizens to inform them about the benefits of solar energy. Then he chooses women who take courses in Catalonia, who for six months will be prepared by other people who performed the training. Beyond the incentive is produced from the Barefoot College to the success of the project is fundamental commitment to the community, who must work collectively to monitor, manage and decide on installing solar panels.
As explained by the very founder of the institution, school trained 150 grandmothers from 28 countries, enabling around 10 000 households receive electricity from solar energy. It is, in short, a role model for their ability to teach about the natural and human potential to transform a community and grow hand in hand with sustainability.
Plans to make energy for the entire world in 2030
Resource depletion and pollution generated by this method is causing a real shift towards forms of production related to renewable energy.
Wind, earth, sun and sea are gaining prominence as clean sources in the not too distant future completely displace the traditional power grid. Experts say the change could occur in just 20 years and reach 2030 without the need for fossil fuels and continue to emit millions of toxic gases into the atmosphere.
While it really looks like a utopia, the study by Mark Delucchi and Mark Jacobson recently published in the journal “Energy Policy (Energy Policy) argues that clean technologies developed so far (wind, tidal, solar and geothermal) are capable of transforming entire global energy production.
As explained from Inhabitat, the numbers published in the report are staggering: a civilization with 100 percent renewable energy should be thought of 90 000 solar power plants of 300 MW, 1.7 billion of rooftop solar panels and 3 KW 4 million wind turbines of 5 MW. All this would require new infrastructure and radical changes in several areas as it would be transport, where vehicles should run entirely by renewable fuels and batteries.
While all this seems unattainable in such a short time, the study serves to demonstrate that more can and must turn to a more sustainable development. The change is already tangible in many parts of the globe where every day is starting new projects related to renewable energy. Only to invest more efforts and work in a global commitment to policies that lead to new initiatives and make them effective in different parts of the world.
Combining the power production from fossil fuels
Have more clean Energy economic benefits in the short term than their production costs would be far more numerous and frequent in the global energy supply.
But as yet are expensive to produce, while some countries invest in research, others are produced from renewable energies. In the following simulation model (created for the English case the BBC) can “play” to calculate the cost of electricity in our bill at end of month, combining electricity production from fossil fuels (like oil and coal ) with over-or under-production from sources “clean” wind, renewable, nuclear, etc.
The model is dynamic and entertaining, so he brings out in real terms (money) what it would cost today to produce electricity from, for example, replacing 50% of the fossil to renewable energy production.
Using alternative energy for their daily needs
Renewable resources for Energy production generally have the limitation that may not be available where needed, or when needed, but have the advantage of not polluting, or at least maintain the balance of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, like befouls. They are very effective. However, continued research is making them a real alternative, and more importantly, diversified, so that all electricity production does not depend on one or a few resources that may be missing at any given time.
In general, the industry-al production of electricity from renewable resources using the same technology as the traditional one: to rotate a turbine. The most important alternative energy:
1. – Wind. Wind energy is to harness the motive force of the wind to drive a turbine-generator. The basic principle is that of the old windmills. Wind turbines need steady winds, not necessarily strong, so that its location is limited to certain areas of the country: knolls, summits, mountain passes, etc… They are very large structures that cause a lot of noise, so it must be sufficiently away from inhabited areas. The proliferation of numerous wind turbines in one place can cause interference with wild birds. The fields are large wind farms dominated the landscape in many regions.
2. – Solar thermal. Solar thermal energy is to concentrate the sun’s rays on a boiler with water to drive a turbine as in a conventional power station. This technology has many limitations and that its location is limited to countries with many hours of sunshine and heat, and enough water. The problem is that sun and warmth rarely accompanied by water. To be profitable you need large facilities away from populated areas, deserts. Has the advantage that they can predict when it will be operational in good time, and combined with other technologies is very effective.
How to produce electricity has traditionally
Electrical energy production is one of the inescapable needs of every developed country and one of the most polluting. The biggest problem is that electricity can not be stored, and therefore must produce at the same time it is consumed.
Although there are other ways of producing electricity in industrial production is based on a single technology: can we turn a turbine connected to a generator. But to move the turbine requires a primary energy source. There are two basic ways to produce electricity, hydro power and thermal power.
Hydroelectric production consists of passing large amounts of water at high pressure through a turbine. Is a technology that requires a major intervention in space, because you need large quantities of water dam and have significant slopes. Has the advantage that it is a renewable primary energy and produces no emissions into the atmosphere. However, the precise conditions are not everywhere, so the total production depends on terrain and rainfall conditions. In addition, his great contribution is the impound of water produces significant changes in the environment, and adjust the next ecosystem. Technological advances in improving the efficiency of the turbines, allowing the creation of micro, which require much less infrastructure. Currently a small hydroelectric plant does not need more infrastructure than the old water mills. Thus, the landscape of the riverbanks, villages and cities, is filled with these mini.
Thermoelectric production involves passing hot air under pressure through a turbine. The hot air is obtained by boiling water and this water there are two technologies: the burning and nuclear fission. Plants that heat water are called burning power plants. Can use four types of fuel: bastard, oil, gas or biofuel.
1 .- The burning of coal is expensive, efficient and highly polluting. In addition to the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere other very harmful compounds such as sulfur. Is a non-renewable fossil resource.
2 .- The burning of oil is expensive, very effective and very clean. Generates a lot of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere. The oil that is burned in power needs to be refined, so that there is an intermediate industrial process also consumes energy and produces pollution. Is a non-renewable fossil resource.
The energy efficiency for the sake of continuity in the future
The growing global concern about the future of our planet has established an important point about the questioning of current patterns of energy production and consumption.
The challenge to this pattern is mainly due to energy resources are limited and found in certain parts of the world, to use this current pattern is causing serious health effects on humans and the environment.
Thus, nowadays we need to ensure energy security, we need to control pollution caused by burning fuels and minimize the greenhouse effect caused by the emission of atmospheric gases [GHG]. Every day we damage our climate by using fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) in transport, industry and produce electricity. Power generation from these fuels generate 61% of worldwide total of greenhouse gases.
In addition, there are other challenges that have become urgent. World energy demand is growing at a rapid pace. Not only countries like China are increasingly demanding more energy. Over-reliance on energy imports from a few countries, generating instability and insecurity in the supply and prices of oil and gas steadily increasing have placed energy security as a concern in the political agendas of governments worldwide.
Climate change is already affecting our lives and is expected to destroy the livelihood of many people in developing countries, many ecosystems and species in the coming decades. For this reason we must drastically reduce our GHG emissions, an important measure both from the standpoint of environmental, social and economic.
It was found that the average global temperature has been increased during the twentieth century of 0.6 + – 0.2 ° C, plus there is a real reduction in arctic ice cover and increased the frequency and intensity of so-called natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and torrential rains. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC), the forum of experts from the United Nations, is expected to increase in global temperature over the next 100 years of 5.8 ° Celsius, an increase much faster than experienced so now in the history of mankind. Facing this situation there is a growing consensus not to exceed 2 ° C increase in global temperature over pre-industrial era. To an increase of 2 ° C and above will be a dramatic increase in damage to ecosystems resulting social and natural disasters.
How energy use is not Excessive
All nutrients are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood has the fundamental aim to provide the body enough energy so you can make, the more efficiently and with the least possible cost, all its functions and also to provide the material needed to be establishing themselves replacing losses occurring during the development of these functions.
The man and the higher animals (heterogeneity organisms) get this energy through a process of oxidation of nutrients that are ingested through food. However, the cells for energy cannot use such substances directly, since cellular energy production relies almost entirely on a molecule called adenoid tropospheric, or ATP, which is synthesized from the above nutrients above.
The ATP has three phosphoric acid molecules which are linked together, these links are also easy to break and release large quantities of energy that will be used by all body cells. When a cell needs energy for any function, through a process of hydrolysis is separated from the tip of the ATP molecule of phosphate joints, causing a large release of energy (approximately 7,300 calories).
As a result of this reaction is a new compound with two molecules of phosphoric acid, adenoidal diphtheria or ADP, which, through a reversible reaction, then will join a new molecule of phosphoric acid, which is obtained, again, another ATP molecule.
As shown, the cells, through complex biochemical processes, are able to transform the potential energy in food in the diet in other types of energy needed to carry out its functions, such as kinetic energy development of motor activities, the thermal energy to trying to regulate its temperature, or electrical energy, which is to be used in conducting nerve impulses.
How The impact of Nuclear energy on the environment
Not everyone knows what are the exact characteristics of this type of energy production, and taking into account the influences to their use in the environment, as well as disadvantages they can be found in other aspects is always desirable to have a certain amount of information on nuclear power for so long be made aware of important issues such as the environment and the different forms of energy production, although not appears to directly influence the life of each in a consistent manner.
To begin with the information of nuclear energy should begin with the main features. This type of energy is obtained or released in a spontaneous way by different nuclear reactions, also called nuclear processes. It is very important to provide some basic information about nuclear reactions when talking about nuclear energy information. Information-energy-nuclear reactions are processes of transformation and combination of subatomic particles and nuclei, and can be both endothermic and exothermic, depending on whether the use or release energy.
The first, i.e. the endothermic are those that use energy to achieve them, and the opposite happens with the exothermic, when they occur, they release a certain amount of energy. It is also necessary to mention that they may consider nuclear power for example electric power purchased from a nuclear way, i.e. through nuclear reactions. As well as thermal energy can be obtained by these reactions, or any other type of energy. There are two ways to obtain nuclear energy, those that are through nuclear fusion, and they are using nuclear fission.
To begin with, nuclear fission occurs when the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more parties, and of course this is an exothermic reaction because it releases energy. On the other hand, nuclear fusion reactions are characterized gather a release energy of nuclei of atoms of similar charge and form a heavier nucleus and as explained above reaction also releases a certain amount of energy is therefore an exothermic process. On the other hand, there is some aspect of nuclear energy information which is not commonly spoken and is the same impact on the environment.
How alternative energy to saving natural resources
Regional Youth is committed to an “energy mix” for Catbrier, which should draw in his opinion the energy alternatives to optimize the region’s natural resources such as biomass, onshore and offshore wind, waves and small hydro. For the youth organization of the PRC should focus not only the energy production model in the onshore wind.
Regional Youth is committed to an “energy mix” for Catbrier, which should draw in his opinion the energy alternatives to optimize the region’s natural resources such as biomass, onshore and offshore wind, waves and small hydro. For the youth organization of the PRC should focus not only the energy production model in the onshore wind.
JRC calls for the Government to seek a balance in the development of farmland plan that is progressive and sustainable development and preserve the cultural heritage, archaeological and environmental Catbrier to alleviate the energy shortage experienced by the industry Catbrier.
It also calls for the creation of a transport network to ensure supply to industry and economic development of the region to consolidate the ‘T’ Catbrier.
The secretary general of the organization, Jorge Puente, emphasized in a statement that it Catbrier “appears” the opportunity to bet on renewable energy as a pillar of the future, as new economic impetus and new avenues of employment, while stressing the importance of energy conservation and efficiency, the promotion of environmental education, energy and commitment to ID I in this field.
Regional Youth held this weekend in Santana a day called ‘Renewable Energy: new production model for Catbrier’, in which they participated Luis Ignacio Beguiles Moran, professor of Electrical Engineering, Cerotic Javier Garcia, member of the Association Our Catbrier; Tetanus Rafael Perez, president of the Parliament’s Industry Committee of Catbrier, and Juan Emilio Hernandez Planck, CEO of Nexus Energy Agency in Catbrier.