Category: Engineering

Phase Changing Materials for Solar Panels

Phase Changing Materials for Solar Panels

Phase Changing Materials for Solar Panels

09/08/18

“How can we use phase-changing materials to cool down solar panels?”

 

Solar PV is the fastest growing energy system in the world. But that doesn’t mean that it’s without its problems. When they become too hot, they become very inefficient and reject a lot of heat into nearby structures. One way to counter this is to attach a layer of Phase Changing Materials at the back of the panel. The phase-changing material is a material at its critical value so it can absorb a voluminous amount of latent heat without changing its temperature. Not only does it act as a passive heatsink but it can store this thermal energy to be used in other applications such as heating water. Phase changing materials are usually attached in a capsule behind the PV panel and have an air gap behind them to ensure cooling. This is a great example of Phase Changing Materials for Solar Panels.

California might be 100% Carbon-Free by 2045

California might be 100% Carbon-Free by 2045

California might be 100% Carbon-Free by 2045

09/07/18

“Will the world’s 5th largest economy be carbon-free by 2045?”

 

States around the world are launching bolder and bolder Renewable Energy targets. But one place might be shattering the all-time record. California, the 5th largest economy in the world, has recently passed in its Assembly SB 100, which mandates that the state must achieve 60% renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2045! If this passes the Senate and gets the Governor’s signature then this idea will become reality!

How Accurate Weather Prediction can Help Grid Resiliency

How Accurate Weather Prediction can Help Grid Resiliency

How Accurate Weather Prediction can Help Grid Resiliency

09/06/18

“How can weather forecasts help stabilize the grid?”

 

Weather forecasts have become apart of our daily lives. But did you know that they can also help with grid resiliency? By being able to forecast the future, we can obtain how large our cooling loads will have to be. And with this knowledge, we can get ancillary reserves ready when the time comes. This way, Accurate Weather Prediction can Help Grid Resiliency!

 

Virtual Power Plants

Virtual Power Plants

Virtual Power Plants

09/03/18

“How can distributed energy resources match the generation capacity of more traditional power plants?”

 

With the ascent of distributed energy resources, power plants are becoming an emblem of bygone days. However, many people still want to emulate the generation capacity. So how can we do this using our new technology? Well, what if we were to coordinate all of the distributed energy resources together such that they achieve the volume of traditional plants? These are known as Virtual Power Plants and are becoming a hot topic in renewable energy.

 

Image credit Solar Power World

Residential Batteries as a part of a Virtual Power Plant

Residential Batteries as a part of a Virtual Power Plant

Residential Batteries as a part of a Virtual Power Plant

09/01/18

“How can homeowners be apart of a virtual power plant?”

 

With the advent of the distributed energy future, residential batteries and virtual power plants are on the rise. However, can they interact with each other in any way? It turns out that through smart coordination, Residential Batteries can be apart of a Virtual Power Plant! This gives high hopes for homeowners who want to do their part to spread renewable energy.

 

Photo credit blog.csiro.au

 

Heat Pipes

Heat Pipes

Heat Pipes

08/31/18

“How can we have a completely passive thermal cooling mechanism?”

 

Thermal cooling is often required in many cases. But sometimes an active cooling solution may not be appropriate. So how can we have truly passive cooling? Well, what if we were to have a pipe with a working fluid, and have it constructed such that the heat source will heat up the medium to evaporation, which then moves along the pipe until it cools down and condensates, turning back into its original form and repeating the process? These are known as Heat Pipes and are an interesting application of passive cooling.

 

Photo credit www.myheatsinks.com

The Hydrogen Economy

The Hydrogen Economy

The Hydrogen Economy

08/30/18

“How can hydrogen power the industrial sector?”

 

In the 20th century, there was much talk about the “hydrocarbon technology”, where petroleum was the primary driver of industry. Whether it be the plastics made for common use or the oil that powered our cars, petroleum was everywhere. But with the advent of climate change, experts have agreed that we need to shift to a new model. This has caused the alternative idea of The Hydrogen Economy to surface, which is based off less pollution-intensive natural gas.

 

Image credit Triple Pundit https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjs4aDcoJbdAhVkwcQHHYdFDlcQjhx6BAgBEAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.triplepundit.com%2F2016%2F10%2Fu-s-pumps-30-million-hydrogen-economy%2F&psig=AOvVaw22-p3fdXOe8Ut07RIJ-p62&ust=1535769328455768

Thermal Mass

Thermal Mass

Thermal Mass

08/29/18

“How do buildings react to temperature changes?”

 

We have a conundrum. Temperatures change throughout the day, but inside a building it’s supposed to stay constant. And since some buildings are better about it than others, how can we quantify this phenomenon? Well, since this concept is a lot like inertia, Architectural Engineers have decided to call this Thermal Mass.  

How to Produce Hydrogen Gas using Ethanol

How to Produce Hydrogen Gas using Ethanol

How to Produce Hydrogen Gas using Ethanol

08/27/18

“How can we produce Hydrogen Gas using Ethanol?”

 

Natural Gas Reformation is currently the most popular way to produce hydrogen gas. However, a large amount of greenhouse gases are released in the process, contributing to climate change. So is there a more sustainable way to produce hydrogen gas? Well, it turns out that Ethanol is an amazing substitute for natural gas! Therefore, we can Produce Hydrogen Gas using Ethanol.