Category: Engineering

Why Seasonal Energy Storage is Necessary for Large-Scale Penetration of Renewables

Why Seasonal Energy Storage is Necessary for Large-Scale Penetration of Renewables

Why Seasonal Energy Storage is Necessary for Large-Scale Penetration of Renewables

03/14/19

“Why should we be able to store energy for months?”

Energy storage is the biggest bottleneck in the deployment of renewable energy. Not only are we currently limited in the amount we can store, but also the time, as decay occurs the longer it is stored. And with the deeper penetration of renewables, energy will have to be stored for longer durations, so that charge can be stored during the sunny summer months and extracted in the dark winter ones. This is Why Seasonal Energy Storage is Necessary for Large-Scale Penetration of Renewables.

Gas Flaring

Gas Flaring

Gas Flaring

03/12/19

“What happens to gas when it can’t be distributed somewhere?”

Gas is produced from the Earth at all times throughout the year. However, sometimes so much is produced that the local infrastructure can’t even transport it. As a result, this gas may be burned off into the atmosphere. This Gas Flaring not only needlessly increase global warming and wastes resources but is also done so much that the equivalent of 25 percent of the US oil consumption is burned off each year!

Why Airplane Windows are Round

Why Airplane Windows are Round

Why Airplane Windows are Round

03/10/19

“Why are airplane windows round?”

The low-pressure environment that airplanes fly at means that not only must they use a special glass but also a special shape. Because the internal pressure of the cabin is much higher than the external environment, the airplane will expand, inducing stress in the exterior. If square windows are used, then this stress will become overly concentrated and may break the plane. As a result, ovular windows must be used to ensure a smooth distribution of stress. This is Why Airplane Windows are Round.

How Relying Too Much on Natural Gas Can Hurt Resiliency

How Relying Too Much on Natural Gas Can Hurt Resiliency

How Relying Too Much on Natural Gas Can Hurt Resiliency

03/09/19

“How can natural gas be a detriment to resilience?”

In many conversations about the future of the electricity supply, natural gas is thought of as a great stabilizer. However, since it is also used for heating purposes, during cold winter months there may not be enough natural gas for both electricity and warmth, causing major problems. This is How Relying Too Much on Natural Gas Can Hurt Resiliency.

Power Density

Power Density

Power Density

03/08/19

“How can we describe the power output density capability of a particular device?”

Power supply is one of the foundations of modern technology. But some devices can supply more power than others. The amount of power that can be supplied by one mass unit of a material is known as the Power Density. In batteries, power density is usually contingent on the current output as voltage is typically held constant.

High-level Nuclear Waste

High-level Nuclear Waste

High-level Nuclear Waste

03/07/19

“What is the highest level of nuclear waste?”

During nuclear power generation, the energy in the fuel rods will become used up. Although it will no longer be effective in creating electricity, it will still be extremely radioactive. The most dangerous form of this is known as High-level Nuclear Waste. High-level nuclear waste must be carefully isolated in strong containers such as water entrapment systems to prevent any form of leakage.

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Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear Waste Management

03/05/19

“How can we manage radioactive waste?”

Nuclear power is one of the most hefty and carbon-free sources of energy on the planet. However, they also produce large amounts of nuclear waste which is not only deadly to human health but also does not stop being radioactive for tens of thousands of years! As a result, nuclear power operators will need to grapple with Nuclear Waste Management. This includes isolating the byproduct and designing containers such that no radiation escapes.

Image credit https://images.newscientist.com

Decarbonizing Air Travel

Decarbonizing Air Travel

Decarbonizing Air Travel

03/04/19

“How can we make air travel carbon-free?”

One of my favorite things to do is travel. Although I don’t get the opportunity often, I love the ability to see new lands, meet new people, and really change my perspective on the world. And one of my favorite parts is traveling to the destination by plane. Being able to gaze upon the entire world through my plane window almost makes me feel like a child again.

However, as a sustainability enthusiast, I feel bad every time I take a flight. I am aware that in one round-trip flight from San Francisco to New York I’ve generated about 20% of the greenhouse gases emitted by the average American car travel. In 1992, it accounted for 13% of all transportation emissions and is expected to grow in the coming years. As a result, Decarbonizing Air Travel is a necessity for achieving a climate-friendly world. This can be done through a multitude of sources, most notably replacement or decarbonization of jet fuel.