Tag: Mechanical Engineering

Why The Durability of Vehicles Will Make it Difficult to Electrify the Electricity Sector

Why The Durability of Vehicles Will Make it Difficult to Electrify the Electricity Sector

Why The Durability of Vehicles Will Make it Difficult to Electrify the Electricity Sector

05/22/19

“Why will the lengthy longevity of cars impede climate progress?”

The transportation sector will need to become electrified in order to achieve decarbonization. One way to do this is to shift fleet compositions from petroleum to electric-powered vehicles. However, because vehicles tend to have lengthy longevity, they will be retired at slow rates, impeding turnover to electric vehicles. This is Why The Durability of Vehicles Will Make it Difficult to Electrify the Electricity Sector.

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.

Induction Cooking

Induction Cooking

Induction Cooking

05/08/19

“How can flameless cooking be done through magnetism?”

Preparing food is one of the most important elements of human life. Every culture has placed some form of emphasis on it, and cherishes it to the utmost. However, in the past in has relied on burning gas, coal, or wood to operate. Not only is this dangerous to the environment and human health but is also inefficient. But with the advance of new technology, cooking can be done in an entirely new way. Instead of having separate burners, the cookstove can be a flat magnetic plate. When activated, the magnets will induce eddy currents into the cookware, generating heat and cooking food. Not only is this much more energy efficient but also uses no flames! This Induction Cooking is a great way to decarbonize the world of cooking.

Image credit Wikipedia

Why Offshore Wind in the U.S Might Soon Face Logistic Bottlenecks

Why Offshore Wind in the U.S Might Soon Face Logistic Bottlenecks

Why Offshore Wind in the U.S Might Soon Face Logistic Bottlenecks

04/21/19

“Why is offshore wind in the U.S having logistic problems?”

Offshore wind in the United States is expanding at a rapid pace, particularly in the Northeast. However, since offshore wind turbines tend to extremely large in nature, it takes a large amount of transportation infrastructure such as cranes and heavy trucks for transportation logistics. Due to the limited supply of these components, these projects face the possibility of being stalled. This is Why Offshore Wind in the U.S is Facing Logistic Bottlenecks.

How Rooftop Solar Can Be Used as a Grid Resource

How Rooftop Solar Can Be Used as a Grid Resource

How Rooftop Solar Can Be Used as a Grid Resource

04/13/19

“How can rooftop solar be utilized for the grid’s needs?”
Rooftop solar is one of the fastest growing types of distributed energy resources. However, right now they are only used to provide power to the buildings of the owner. But what if we could use that extra energy to provide power for the grid? This would increase grid flexibility and allow for further decarbonization. This is How Rooftop Solar Can Be Used a Grid Resource.


Why Undergrounding Power Lines Makes Them More Vulnerable to Flood Damage

Why Undergrounding Power Lines Makes Them More Vulnerable to Flood Damage

Why Undergrounding Power Lines Makes Them More Vulnerable to Flood Damage

04/12/19

“Why is undergrounding power lines not recommended for flood-prone areas?”

Undergrounding power lines is a recommended course of action to build resilience against forest fires, storms, and heavy winds. However, this also makes them more prone to flood damage, as they will become submerged in water in the event of one. This is Why Undergrounding Transmission Lines Makes Them More Vulnerable to Flood Damage.