Tag: Green energy

How Distributed Energy Resources Help National Security

How Distributed Energy Resources Help National Security

How Distributed Energy Resources Help National Security

02/10/18

“Does implementing distributed energy resources and national security go hand in hand?”

 

It is usually thought that renewable energy sources such as solar and wind cause danger onto communities due to their lack of centralization. However, can this feature actually be a security advantage? Well, it turns out that by having energy generation be distributed instead of in a centralized location like a power plant, the grid becomes less prone to attacks and can recuperate much faster in case of such an event. Therefore, Distributed Energy Resources actually help national security!

 

Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

02/09/18

“How can we create a central management system for distributed energy resources?”

 

Without a doubt, distributed energy resources are the way of the future. With their ability to efficiently generated clean and renewable energy in optimal locations, they can make a truly sustainable civilization possible. However, if left unregulated, they can wreak havoc on the grid, and destroy an efficiency associated with them. So how can we use our engineering mindsets to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to create a centralized control system that could monitor and actuate upon these systems? Well, this is the main idea behind Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems, and are a very hot topic for the future of energy research!

Photovoltaic Power Stations

Photovoltaic Power Stations

Photovoltaic Power Stations

02/01/18

“How can we make an industrial level of solar power generation?”

 

Solar photovoltaics are rapidly displacing traditional sources of power such as coal and nuclear energy. However, how exactly can we ensure that we can still obtain the same level of energy output as these technologies? Well, let’s use our engineering mindset to think of this. Well, we know that if we were to build a large number of solar panels, then our energy production would vastly increase. So what if were to simply create entire park-sized areas dedicated to solar panels? Well, this is the main idea behind Photovoltaic Power Stations, which are becoming some of the hottest items on the solar market!

Distributed Energy Resources

Distributed Energy Resources

Distributed Energy Resources

01/25/18

“How can we have true localized energy generation?”

 

In the past, most energy was generated through large, expensive and environmentally intensive engineering projects such as nuclear power plants and steam boiler systems. But with the advent of renewable energy, such infrastructure can now be rendered obsolete. Since Renewable energy sources can work with a few separated units and does not cause drastic environmental harm, they can be positioned close to homes and offices. As such we can realize something known as Distributed Energy Resources, which will explode in the coming years!

Energy Storage in Buildings

Energy Storage in Buildings

Energy Storage in Buildings

01/14/18

“Is there a problem with renewable energy and buildings?”

 

Renewable energy has large implications for building energy use. However, one of the major problems is that it had difficulty being integrated into the grid systems, as all of the energy comes in as an active form. Therefore, we must consider how to integrate energy storage in buildings, whether it be through batteries or other devices.

Does Global Warming Slow Down Wind Turbines?

Does Global Warming Slow Down Wind Turbines?

Does Global Warming Slow Down Wind Turbines?

01/13/18

“How can climate change slow down our renewable energy portfolio?”

 

Wind Energy is one of the most fundamental renewable energy resources. However, research performed by the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California Berkeley have shown that wind in the Northern Hemisphere is actually in decline as a result of climate change. As a result, the more the climate warms, the less potential wind will have! So do your part and make sure that you live sustainably so we can have more potential for clean energy!

Vehicle to Building Integration

Vehicle to Building Integration

Vehicle to Building Integration

01/08/18

“How can we integrate electric vehicles with buildings energy systems?”

 

With the ascent of building integrated renewable energy, the need for storage is now more important than ever. However, current forms can be quite expensive and difficult to implement. So how can we use our engineering mindset to think outside of the box for this problem? Well, many people now own electric vehicles, which have onboard batteries. So what if we were to connect these batteries to homes, enabling a quick and portable storage solution for renewable energy? Well, this technology is known as Vehicle to Building Integration, and will be a hot topic in the coming decade. V2B is very similar to Vehicle to Grid Systems, except that they work with buildings instead of grids

Solar Air Conditioning

Solar Air Conditioning

Solar Air Conditioning

12/23/17

“How can we have solar powered air conditioning?”

 

Solar PV is set to take the world of residential energy by storm, with its low-cost and emission-free technological prowess. However, it currently faces one serious bottleneck, HVAC systems. HVAC systems consume tremendous amounts of energy, and an affordable solar system powerful enough to run it could prove expensive.

 

Or at least it used to be.

 

With the advent of higher efficiency AC systems and cheap PV, Solar Air Conditioning is more science fact than science fiction. Solar AC not only has the potential to save on a voluminous emission load but also energy bills. With this milestone reached, expect even higher adoption rates of residential PV!

Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Building Integrated Photovoltaics

12/13/17

“How can we directly integrate photovoltaics into a building?”

 

Solar photovoltaic panels have revolutionized energy as we know it. And since buildings are some the highest consumers of energy, it would only be logical that panels be applied to them. But PV systems can be big and clunky and take up a lot of room.

 

Or do they have to?

 

Novel breakthroughs have resulted in the creation of a technology known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPs). These systems are directly integrated into the building envelope, allowing for much more flexible use. They can be put directly on rooftops, applied to the sides, or even constructed as transparent windows! However, there are numerous factors to consider when using building integrated photovoltaics. Shading may occur from other edifices, there may be deposition from weather, and a proper tilt angle depending on the geographic location must all be considered. Despite this, BIPs are an excellent foray for humanity into greater sustainability.