Month: February 2019

Cellulosic Ethanol

Cellulosic Ethanol

Cellulosic Ethanol

02/13/19

“How can we make potentially more sustainable fuels from plants?”

 

Fuel is the most common energy storage method in the world. Whether it is used in consumer vehicles, aircraft, or submarines, fuel seems to be present. However, the common petroleum or natural-gas derived fuel is quite disastrous for the environment, being one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas generation. So how can we make a cleaner substitute? Well, what if we were to instead make fuel from the stringy-fiber of a plant? This is known as Cellulosic Ethanol and has the potential to be a paradigm shift since it would not compete with existing food crops and does not emit greenhouse gasses. However, if land usage is implemented into the lifecycle analysis, then Cellulosic Ethanol is more destructive due to its intense water and land usage.

 

Image credit wi-images.condecdn.net

How Community Choice Aggregators Can Offer Cleaner Energy at Lower Rates

How Community Choice Aggregators Can Offer Cleaner Energy at Lower Rates

How Community Choice Aggregators Can Offer Cleaner Energy at Lower Rates

02/12/19

“How can community-sourced energy be cheaper and greener?”

 

There is a revolution brewing in the renewable energy world. While in the past residents and businesses were tied to one electric utility based on their geographic area, organizations known as Community Choice Aggregators are starting to sprout up and challenge this. Community choice aggregators or CCAs are non-profit organizations that procure power generation and deliver it to customers through a utility’s transmission lines. Since these do not operate for investors and only need to pay for energy and staff, they can give their customers better rates than traditional electricity service and focus on particular resources. To illustrate, just look at the CCA San Jose Clean Energy. Even though their energy portfolio is 45% Renewable Energy/80% carbon-free, they sell energy at rates 1% lower than the standard San Francisco Bay Area PG&E service which is 33% Renewable Energy/78% carbon-free. This is How Community Choice Aggregators Can Offer Cleaner Energy at Lower Rates!

  .

How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations

How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations

How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations

02/11/19

“Why is wave energy really helpful for island nations?”

 

Island nations are strapped when it comes to energy resources. Their small land area limits the potential for distributed energy resources and centralized power plants pose a large resilience risk and monetary expense. However, there might be one form of power that can be a game changer. Since islands are surrounded by water, the can harvest the kinetic energy from the waves crashing onto their beaches. Complimenting this with other renewables, island nations can achieve true self-sufficiency. This is How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations.

How Many Pieces of Paper Can a Single Solar Panel Produce in a Single Day?

How Many Pieces of Paper Can a Single Solar Panel Produce in a Single Day?

How Many Pieces of Paper Can a Single Solar Panel Produce in a Single Day?

02/10/19

“What is the amount of paper able to be produced by a single solar panel in a single day?”

 

Every industrial process in this world takes energy, and paper production is no different. According to calculations done by Stanford University, a single sheet of paper takes 138.0 kJ to produce. Since a typical solar panel can produce one kilowatt-hour (equivalent to 3600 kJ) in a single day, it can produce around 26 pieces of paper! Keep in mind that this is just a single solar panel, so a whole array will be able to produce much more. This is How Many Pieces of Paper Can a Single Solar Panel Produce in a Single Day.

The Works of Marie M. Daly

The Works of Marie M. Daly

The Works of Marie M. Daly

07/09/19

“Why is the work of Marie M. Daly (the first Black American Woman to receive a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the United States) so important?”

 

During her lifetime, Marie M. Daly was a prolific scientist. Trained as a Biochemist from Columbia University, she sought to understand the fundamental workings of the human body. During her career, she uncovered many of its secrets such as methods for the fractionalization of nuclear material to separate the essentials of a cell into its various components, The role of ribonucleoprotein in protein synthesis (which was later used in Watson and Crick’s discoveries of DNA structure), as well as work on cholesterol, hypertension, and creatine. In short, The Works of Marie M. Daly are paramount to our collective understanding of human biochemistry.  

 

Image credit Balis, M. E., Samarth, K. D., Hamilton, M. G., & Petermann, M. L. (1958). Role of the ribonucleoprotein particle in protein synthesis and the effects of growth hormone. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 233(5), 1152-1155.

Ultracapacitors for EVs

Ultracapacitors for EVs

Ultracapacitors for EVs

02/08/19

“What is one possible way to speed up EV recharge times?”

 

In order to achieve deep-decarbonization of transportation, the global vehicle fleet needs to become much more electrified. However, the long recharge times associated with electric vehicles are a roadblock for this to happen. One way to solve this would be to implement Ultracapacitors for EVs. Ultracapacitors have quick recharge times, low weight, and low degradation, making them a formidable option. The downside is that manny ultracapacitors lack the storage capacity found in traditional solid-state batteries. But if this problem gets solved, then expect a paradigm shift in the EV industry!

Image credit 468y981o84o43v2wo2600a0gcj-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com

Low Carbon Fuel Standards

Low Carbon Fuel Standards

Low Carbon Fuel Standards

02/07/19

“How can we ensure that our vehicles burn cleaner fuel?”

 

Vehicles gasoline is extremely pollutive. However, through a little bit of policy and technology, we can overcome this. If we were to mandate that all petroleum in vehicles only emit a certain amount of carbon per volumetric unit, it would force companies to innovate and invent/distribute cleaner fuel. This usually involves mixing or replacing petroleum in the vehicle with low-carbon alternatives such as biofuels. This is known as a Low Carbon Fuel Standard and is used in countries all over the world to control emissions.

Why Wind Turbines Can Provide Resiliency During Cold Waves

Why Wind Turbines Can Provide Resiliency During Cold Waves

Why Wind Turbines Can Provide Resiliency During Cold Waves

02/06/19

“How can wind turbines be useful for communities during extra cold times?”

 

During times of cold waves, traditional energy generation potential goes down. But this usually coincides with an increase of wind, which heightens the energy potential for wind turbines. This is Why Wind Turbines Can Provide Resiliency During Cold Waves.

Why Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work for Heavy Trucking

Why Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work for Heavy Trucking

Why Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work for Heavy Trucking

02/05/19

“Why might hydrogen fuels cells be the future of heavy trucking?”

 

In order to decarbonize heavy trucking freight transport, the replacement system needs to have high energy density and low weight so it doesn’t bog down the cars on their long rides. This way Hydrogen Fuel Cells would be perfect due to satisfying both of these. This is Why Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work for Heavy Trucking.