Tag: Electrical Engineering

The World’s First Electric Monster Truck

The World’s First Electric Monster Truck

The World’s First Electric Monster Truck

10/15/18

“What is the best way for Americans be green and sustainable?”

 

I have to admit something. As an American, I love monster trucks. I think its glorious how these big over-sized pieces of machinery can move around and crush puny smaller cars. It’s the perfect amalgamation of art and science, and is really really fun to watch. But as a Californian, Renewable Energy Engineer, and Climate Hawk I am worried about the climate emissions that these vehicles have.

Luckily, American ingenuity has no boundaries. Introducing the ODYSSEY Battery BIGFOOT No. 20 Monster Truck, or E-BIGFOOT. The E-BIGFOOT is the world’s first fully electric monster truck, powered by 36 ODYSSEY PC1200 car batteries, of which 30 are dedicated custom-built DC electric motor. With absolutely zero petroleum usage, this vehicle will not emit any harmful pollutants into the atmosphere during its operation. Whether you like monster trucks or not, this is an amazing step forward for implementing sustainability in entertainment.

 

Image credit newatlas.com

How Microgrids Can Help Indigenous Communities

How Microgrids Can Help Indigenous Communities

How Microgrids Can Help Indigenous Communities

10/14/18

“How can indigenous communities benefit from the deployment of microgrids?”

 

The freedom brought by Distributed Energy Resource technologies such as microgrids can benefit almost anyone. But one group which can greatly reap the rewards are indigenous communities. By being able to generate their own non-pollutive energy independent of any outside regulator, they will be able to develop more resource independence and greatly enhance their quality of life.

 

Photo credit http://www.pembina.org

Why Increasing Battery Supply for Night Time Energy Supply Can Result in Massive Decarbonization

Why Increasing Battery Supply for Night Time Energy Supply Can Result in Massive Decarbonization

Why Increasing Battery Supply for Night Time Energy Supply Can Result in Massive Decarbonization

10/13/18

“What will be one of the biggest drivers of energy sustainability with batteries?”

 

Battery supplies are increasing at an exponential rate. But one of their greatest applications will be in night-time energy storage. By being able to integrate with solar and wind, people will be able to reduce their reliance on pollutive peaker plants for energy generation during night time. This is Why Increasing Battery Supply for Night Time Energy Supply Can Result in Massive Decarbonization.

 

Image credit thenightskyinfocus.files.wordpress.com

The Port of Long Beach is Getting a Microgrid

The Port of Long Beach is Getting a Microgrid

The Port of Long Beach is Getting a Microgrid

10/12/18

“How is the port of Long Beach becoming more sustainable?”

 

Big news everyone! The Port of Long Beach, one of the largest in the United States and right by my hometown of Los Angeles, is receiving a big upgrade. Specifically, it will soon be receiving a brand new microgrid designed by the world famous Schneider Electric! This project, consisting of a 300-kW solar array, a 250-kW microgrid-extending mobile battery energy, A 500-kW diesel generator, and a plethora of power monitoring and control technologies, which go towards making the port resilient in the face of a power outage and achieving its goal of becoming a net-zero green port. All I can say is that I am super stoked that The Port of Long Beach is Getting a Microgrid.

 

Image credit http://pacifictycoon.info

 

Grid Capacity Expansion

Grid Capacity Expansion

Grid Capacity Expansion

10/11/18

“How can we expand the capacity of the gird?”

 

Like everything in the universe, the demand for electricity changes with the flow of time. And when demand exceeds supply, more generation needs to take place. This occurs in the form of Grid Capacity Expansion, increasing the energy potential of the grid.

 

Photo credit Windpower Monthly

Amplifiers

Amplifiers

Amplifiers

10/10/18

“How can we amplify an electronic signal?”

 

Signals are the fundamental driver behind all electronics. However, sometimes the output of one component is too low to be read by other components. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, why don’t we simply amplify the incoming signal with another component? This is known as an amplifier and is used for all sorts of electronic devices.

How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities

How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities

How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities

10/08/18

“How will Microgrids be useful for rural and isolated communities?”

 

Traditional power transmission infrastructure is not beneficial for rural and remote communities. Long power lines from centralized generation sources are prone to failure and are expensive to maintain. Plus, due to their limited lifespan, they will have to be replaced which can greatly drive up costs!

To solve this, we need to completely rethink how we transmit electricity. One possible solution is to implement microgrids with distributed energy resources. This will take away the need for complicated transmission, and can enable grid independence. This is How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities.

 

Image credit: smedia2.intoday.in

Why Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing

Why Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing

Why Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing

10/05/18

“Why does solar energy make sense for manufacturing?”

 

In honor of National Manufacturing Day here in the US, we here at Isaac’s Science Blog have decided to make a special report on how solar PV can be used in manufacturing.

 

Factories and manufacturing processes use most of their energy during the daytime. The energy costs and carbon emissions of this can be offset by using solar pv systems on roofs and on nearby arrays. This makes the manufacturing system not only much more efficient but also affordable. An example of this can be seen in the Tesla Gigawatt Factory’s solar roof. As a result, Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing.   

 

Image credit futurism.com

How Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency

How Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency

How Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency

10/03/18

“How can Machine Learning Help with Resiliency?”

 

As the effects of Climate Change become more apparent, governments and communities will need to use every tool at their disposal to help bring resiliency. Something that can provide great assistance is Machine Learning. By being able to predict when weather patterns will cause disruption, individuals can act ahead of time and be prepared. Therefore, Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency.