Category: Policy

How to Reduce Energy Demand for Washing Machines

How to Reduce Energy Demand for Washing Machines

How to Reduce Energy Demand for Washing Machines

05/09/19

“How can we reduce energy demand for washing machines?”

Washing machines have become fundamental to human life. However, they are also extremely energy intensive and intense on the environment. So how can we use our engineering and policy mindset to solve this? Well, this can be accomplished with three methods.

1. Demand-side response By shift use of washing machines away from peak hours, we can ensure that not only does it tax the grid less but potentially use more clean energy.

2. Model upgrades: By replacing older machines with newer, more energy efficient models, their energy intensity will drop.

3. Reducing usage: By using washing machines less and replacing them with passive drying mechanisms such as hanging clothes, energy consumption will drop.

All of these are How to Reduce Energy Demand for Washing Machines.

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.

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 Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled

How Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled

How Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled

04/27/19

“Exactly how much of a plastic bottle can be used after its been used?”

In the United States, plastic water bottles can be found everywhere. Whether it be in the supermarket for grocery shopping or on the picnic blanket for plying. However, the plastic that makes these bottles pose numerous threats to the environment. This can be mitigated through recycling. But exactly how much of the material be recycled? Well, if the bottle is made from a polymer known as PET, then approximately 62% of it can be recovered! This is How Much of a Plastic Bottle Can Be Recycled.

Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar

Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar

Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar

04/26/19

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

Utility-scale solar often competes with rooftop solar. Although we here at Isaac Science Blog believe in the value of both, we also like to inform of the costs and benefits. The main advantages of utility-scale solar are that it is cheaper and can be put over brownfields. These are the Advantages of Utility-Scale Solar over Rooftop Solar.