Category: Engineering

Induction Cooking

Induction Cooking

Induction Cooking

05/08/19

“How can flameless cooking be done through magnetism?”

Preparing food is one of the most important elements of human life. Every culture has placed some form of emphasis on it, and cherishes it to the utmost. However, in the past in has relied on burning gas, coal, or wood to operate. Not only is this dangerous to the environment and human health but is also inefficient. But with the advance of new technology, cooking can be done in an entirely new way. Instead of having separate burners, the cookstove can be a flat magnetic plate. When activated, the magnets will induce eddy currents into the cookware, generating heat and cooking food. Not only is this much more energy efficient but also uses no flames! This Induction Cooking is a great way to decarbonize the world of cooking.

Image credit Wikipedia

Day-Ahead Energy Markets

Day-Ahead Energy Markets

Day-Ahead Energy Markets

05/07/19

“How can energy be purchased a day before it is produced?”

Energy is one of the most important facets of our civilization. So much so that it has to be predicted a day ahead of time to assure system stability. Since energy needs can be predicted a day ahead of time, energy can also be purchased wholesale by market participants a day beforehand. Although energy is purchased, it does not need to be generated in case the predicted need comes out to be lower. These Day-Ahead Energy Markets are used to ensure energy price stability.

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.

Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft

04/30/19

“How can aircraft be powered by hydrogen?”

The worst problems with aircraft and sustainability is the fact that they are powered by GHG-ridden fuels. This can be offset by creating aircraft powered by electrolysis-based hydrogen. This results in Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft.

Image credit
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Boeing_Fuel_Cell_Demonstrator_AB1.JPG/1200px-Boeing_Fuel_Cell_Demonstrator_AB1.JPG

How Plastic Bottles are Recycled

How Plastic Bottles are Recycled

How Plastic Bottles are Recycled

04/28/19

“How are plastic bottles recycled?”

Plastic bottles have become an emblem of recycling. However, how exactly are they be recycled? Well, first they must be collected from their bins and separated from all of the trash and other materials. Afterwards, the bottles must be cleaned of any food or liquid waste inside. The bottles must then be ground up and shredded into flakes, where they are melted down into rice-sized pellets that can be used in other products. Although not everything can be exacted, it still saves more energy and materials then not doing so. This is How Plastic Bottles are Recycled.