Month: May 2019

Ramadan and Astronomy

Ramadan and Astronomy

Ramadan and Astronomy

05/06/19

“What does the holiest month in Islam have to do with astronomy?”

Every year, Muslims all around the world will fast and refrain from sin for one month to fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam. But did you know that there is a connection to Astronomy? Well, every year Ramadan begins on the sighting of a crescent moon, since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This is the relationship between Ramadan and Astronomy.

Ramadan Mubarak!

!رمضان مبارك

Image credit https://gulfbusiness.com

Day Ahead Energy Forecasting

Day Ahead Energy Forecasting

Day Ahead Energy Forecasting

05/05/19

“How can an area’s energy needs be forecasted a day before it is actually produced?”

Energy is the lifeline to all modern day life. Whether it be charging up our laptops for work or keeping our food in the fridge cold. But in order to accomplish this energy must be generated and delivered for end use. To see how much energy is needed, utilities do something called Day Ahead Energy Forecasting in which utilities will use prior data and weather predictions to predict what energy load for the next day will need to be delivered.

Why Exporting Solar Energy over HVDC Lines During Summer Could Be Beneficial for California

Why Exporting Solar Energy over HVDC Lines During Summer Could Be Beneficial for California

Why Exporting Solar Energy over HVDC Lines During Summer Could Be Beneficial for California

05/04/19

“Why might exporting solar energy during fire season be in California’s benefit?”

Using HVDC for cross-border energy trading in and out of California is a fiery topic. Although it could achieve regional grid integration and help solve many indeterminacy issues, it also holds great risk in decreasing fire resilience if done during the fire-prone summer. Since we’ve already discussed some alternative against summertime export, it would only be fair to include solutions in support. Since California generates an oversupply of solar energy during the Summer, it can be exported to less sun-blessed states such as Oregon and Washington. Not only would this make-up for its winter deficits, but could also be used a policy leverage tool with other states. This is Why Exporting Solar Energy over HVDC Lines During Summer Could Be Beneficial for California.

Advantages of Rooftop Solar over Utility-Scale Solar

Advantages of Rooftop Solar over Utility-Scale Solar

Advantages of Rooftop Solar over Utility-Scale Solar

05/03/19

“What are the advantages of rooftop solar over utility-scale solar?”

In the solar energy resources world right now, there is a fierce debate over which technology should lead the way, rooftop solar or utility-scale. Although going for the utility way has its benefits, there are also advantages in rooftop distribution. Specifically, rooftop solar minimizes transmission loss by being closer to consumers, had more flexibility in orientation, can be easily tied to a battery, and gives people a sense of ownership. These are the Advantages of Rooftop Solar over Utility-Scale Solar.

Cross-Border Energy Trading

Cross-Border Energy Trading

Cross-Border Energy Trading

05/02/19

“How can energy be traded across borders?”

Energy is one of the most vital resources on the planet. But unfortunately, it is constrained by national borders. However, as energy systems evolve, so will the policy around them. Already, resource-constrained states and nations are in talks with trading energy with their overcapacity neighbors. This is developing in areas from the Western United States with California’s solar potential in the summer and its neighbor’s vast hydropower and wind reservoirs in the Winter and India with Neap, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Hopefully, Cross-Border Energy Trading will become more prominent in bringing peace, security, and resilience between nations.

The Problems with Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

The Problems with Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

The Problems with Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

05/01/19

“What are the barriers to the deployment of hydrogen aircraft?”

Aircraft powered by hydrogen fuels could have the potential to be a massive boon for deep decarbonization in aviation. Being able to be powered by a carbon-free energy source that is also mass-dense gives it an immense advantage over battery electric aircraft. Although Hydrogen is one of the most dense substances  by mass, it is one of the least dense by volume. This means that it will take up a significant share of an aircraft’s space, hampering flying opportunities. And just like in hydrogen-powered cars, directly burning hydrogen can be incredibly dangerous. These are The Problems with Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft.