Showing papers on "Renewable energy published in 1976"
TL;DR: The natural photosynthetic quantum-capturing mechanism of some plants may provide a design for a synthetic system that will serve as a renewable resource for material and fuel as discussed by the authors, which is called WDM.
Abstract: The natural photosynthetic quantum-capturing mechanism of some plants may provide a design for a synthetic system that will serve as a renewable resource for material and fuel. (WDM)
113 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present engineering criteria for selection of suitable chemical reactions, and consider in detail two systems, (a) methanol cycle and (b) ammonium hydrogen sulfate (AHS) cycle.
30 citations
01 Apr 1976
TL;DR: One resource that is renewable, one constantly replaced by energy from the sun, is the bark as discussed by the authors, a resource in which there is virtually no international trade, one nearly always used in the country in which it is produced.
Abstract: Energy is extremely important to all societies-but especially important to industrial societies. A characteristic of an industrial society is its enormous consumption of energy. Only in the past few years has there been a broad general concern about energy cost and supply. When petroleum prices increased by a factor of 3 to 4 in just a few months, we all became
aware of the importance of, and our dependence on energy supplied by other countries; and we became aware that many energy resources are nonrenewable-once used, they are gone forever. This paper concerns one resource that is renewable, one constantly replaced by energy from the sun. It is a resource in which there is virtually no international trade, one nearly always used in the country in which it is produced. That energy source is bark. By far the most important single use for bark (as well as for wood) is for energy. In 1972, nearly half the wood cut for man's use was for fuel (18), and associated with that wood was bark. Worldwide, more people are warmed by wood and bark than by any other fuel.
28 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a comprehensive survey of available energy resources and the technologies by which they can be exploited, which is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of physical sciences, engineering, and environmental studies, and also for specialists within the energy industries who wish to become acquainted with sectors other than their own.
Abstract: The aim of this book is to present a comprehensive survey of available energy resources and the technologies by which they can be exploited. It is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of physical sciences, engineering, and environmental studies, and also for the specialists within the energy industries who wish to become acquainted with sectors other than their own. It is hoped that it will also be a useful reference source for scientific writers and journalists. The first three chapters form a general introduction. The problems are outlined and natural energy flows on the Earth are related to the incoming solar flux. This demonstrates the ultimate dependence on the Sun for most of the energy resources and all food. Next, fossil fuels and their exploitation, electricity generation, and nuclear power are discussed and the treatment of resources ends with a consideration of natural power supplies. Emphasis is then changed from resources to the associated problems of waste, transmission, and storage, and for a concluding chapter the impact of the energy industries on people and an energy policy for the future are discussed. Although no subject is covered in great detail, the essential features are discussed in some depth andmore » there is a list of further reading material at the end of each chapter.« less
25 citations
TL;DR: The economics of terrestrial growth of vegetation for its energy content is far more favorable than other more sophisticated methods of large-scale solar energy conversion, such as mirrors, photovoltaics, etc as discussed by the authors.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the advantages of using a combined wind-solar power system to minimize energy storage requirements were discussed using typical northeastern US weather data using typical WDM (WDM) data.
14 citations
10 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, eight methods of obtaining energy from the oceans are presented: ocean thermal, kelp bioconversion, ocean waves, tides and tidal currents, ocean winds, ocean currents, salinity gradients, and ocean geothermal.
Abstract: Renewable energy resources are expected to minimize environmental impact and present none of the security and waste disposal problems associated with nuclear power plants. Eight methods, and a number of variants, of obtaining energy from the oceans are presented: ocean thermal, kelp bioconversion, ocean waves, tides and tidal currents, ocean winds, ocean currents, salinity gradients, and ocean geothermal. Each method is discussed in terms of concepts, geographic areas applicable, and development schedule and costs insofar as information is available. None of these methods produces ''excess'' heat into the environment, as do fossil-fuel and nuclear-power generating plants. Most of the methods represent relatively new technologies.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed multiplicity problems that are widespread and recommended solutions that can be adapted to the problems of most states. But the suggestions will still need to be matched to local conditions and legal precedent.
7 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: A subsidy to windmill users might be a better government approach than the construction of expensive prototypes as discussed by the authors, since the search for suitable windmill sites could be alleviated with better instruments to integrate wind speed.
Abstract: ERDA-commissioned studies have determined that, contrary to popular opinion, large-scale wind power could contribute a significant amount of power to meet human needs. Windmills have been in use over 2000 years, and have been vital to such endeavors as western irrigation. Failures of past large-scale projects are under study and new designs are sought to overcome problems of stress, erratic wind, energy storage, and esthetics. Since the wind is free, inexhaustible, and non-polluting, a national effort to overcome technological and economic problems is justified. Windmills, which are rated on output per unit capital cost rather than efficiency, can be improved by extracting more power from the wind or by making the machines less costly. A two-blade propeller can deliver 3000 to 3500 megawatt-hours a year, with 100,000 wind generators capable of supplying 15 percent of the U.S. electricity. Near-future applications for wind energy are small- and large-volume water pumping, battery chargers in remote locations, and supplementary sources for power grids. The search for suitable windmill sites could be alleviated with better instruments to integrate wind speed. An incentive program similar to that used for uranium prospecting could locate new sites overlooked by bureaucratic surveys. A subsidy to windmill users mightmore » be a better government approach than the construction of expensive prototypes. 8 references. (DCK)« less
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TL;DR: The tropical oceans collect and store vast amounts of solar energy; research in converting this energy to electrical power is already well advanced, and the prospects are promising that the costs can be reduced to make it competitive with power produced by conventional means; what the United States needs now is a more intensive program to demonstrate the economic feasibility as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The tropical oceans collect and store vast amounts of solar energy; research in converting this energy to electrical power is already well advanced, and the prospects are promising that the costs can be reduced to make it competitive with power produced by conventional means; what the United States needs now is a more intensive program to demonstrate the economic feasibility
01 Mar 1976
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined solar energy as one of the proposed alternatives and found that solar energy is unique in its possession of the desired characteristics as well as further important advantages, and therefore it therefore seems appropriate that the utilization of solar energy be designated as our highest priority energy development goal.
Abstract: There is a clear need for development of alternative energy sources to replace the depleting hydrocarbon fuels on which we depend for 3/4 of our energy. The characteristics that would be desirable of future energy sources are that they be extensive, inexhaustible, widely available and that they present the minimum hazards to health, the environment, and the "quality of life". Solar energy, as one of the proposed alternatives, is examined here; the principal subprograms are summarized and their present status is described. The state of development of the different solar technologies varies widely from solar heating of buildings that is ready for commercial development to ocean thermal generation of electricity that is in design stages. It is found that several are well enough advanced to be "under-used technologies" and their cost projections under conditions of industrial development are favorable. The time scale for significant contributions from solar energy is, by conservative estimates, 10 years. Among the proposed alternative energy sources we find that solar energy is unique in its possession of the desired characteristics as well as further important advantages. It therefore seems appropriate that the utilization of solar energy be designated as our highest priority energy development goal.
TL;DR: The major options of house-heating and cooling and electrical power production need to be examined as discussed by the authors, and it is more likely that solar energy will subsequently find wider acceptance when it can be converted into power and transportable fuels at remote solar power farms located in the arid regions of the United States and other lands that are fortunate enough to have these sunny regions.
Abstract: Solar energy could be a major resource for the semiarid regions of the United States and the world. This source of energy is a popular topic in the media at this time, but is it really the option which many would like to see or is it more likely to remain the illusion it has been up to now? Many ways of using solar energy have been proposed, and each appears to have a good technological basis. The additional factors that will see many solar schemes fall by the wayside are the hard facts of economics and the realities of social assimilation of technological advances.The major options of house-heating and cooling and electrical power production need to be examined. Home uses depend upon the degree to which people are willing to put up with the inconveniences associated with bulky roof-top units. It is more likely that solar energy will subsequently find wider acceptance when it can be converted into power and transportable fuels at remote solar power-farms located in the arid regions of the United States and other lands that are fortunate enough to have these sunny regions. The savings to the environment could be very considerable.
01 Feb 1976
TL;DR: The shift to solar energy, which is becoming competitive as a result of rising energy prices, could bring in a new economic revolution as mentioned in this paper, which could also bring in an economic revolution.
Abstract: The shift to solar energy, which is becoming competitive as a result of rising energy prices, could bring in a new economic revolution. Federal funds, now going to large corporations, should also be going to independent inventors and innovative entrepreneurs. Local zoning to protect ''sun rights'' and tax incentives to encourage solar installations will require little capital investment. Present solar systems are, in general, able to provide only secondary sources of power. As natural gas and heating oil become inaccessible, and resistance electric heating becomes prohibitively expensive, construction for solar heating will become feasible. ''Passive'' solar heating through architectural design and ''active'' heating systems using collectors could provide the third of the National energy demand that is used for space and water heating. Problems of comfort and aesthetics are under study to improve the attractiveness of solar energy investment. Efforts are being made to improve the Btu's per dollar through the use of cheaper materials, improved design efficiency, and the union of solar collectors with heat pumps. (DCK)
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The United Nations programs and activities in solar energy utilization are briefly summarized in this paper, concluding that the topics most suitable for international cooperation for solar energy can be classified in six categories: improvement of small solar devices; heating and cooling of buildings; production of bulk electric power; biological conversion; water storage of solar energy; and space applications.
TL;DR: In this article, the problem of transformng the energy of solar radiation into heat and electricity is reviewed, and the main attention is devoted to the possibility of heating up to fairly high temperatures, ~ 500°C, at which modern heat engines, turbines, etc., ensure efficient transformation of heat into electricity.
Abstract: The problem of transformng the energy of solar radiation into heat and electricity is reviewed. The main attention is devoted to the possibility of heating up to fairly high temperatures, ~ 500°C, at which modern heat engines, turbines, etc., ensure efficient transformation of heat into electricity. Schemes are examined which are based on the use of comparatively simple concentrators of solar radiation and selective collectors. It is shown that, in addition to selective coatings, selective" gas collectors are of great interest. The possibility of constructing large solar power stations is considered. At the end of the review, approximate estimates are given of the possible cost of a solar power station and the prospects for increasing the competitiveness of solar energy are discussed.
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: In this paper, the application of chemical engineering principles to large-scale collection of solar energy for production of electricity is discussed, and experimental work on energy storage and solar furnace chemical reactors is needed to evaluate practicability.
Abstract: There is substantial promise in the application of chemical engineering principles to large-scale collection of solar energy for production of electricity. Experimental work on energy storage and solar furnace chemical reactors is needed to evaluate practicability. Subsequent engineering for mass production of solar collection field components will then determine the economic feasibility of this approach to solar power compared with alternate options for energy procurement.
Journal Article•
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TL;DR: The use of incoming solar energy does not have this same heating effect, nor does it produce increased quantities of CO 2, SO 2, water vapor, or dust as discussed by the authors, and solar energy can be used directly as heat, converted to electricity, or stored as hydrogen or heat or in chemical systems.
Abstract: It is claimed that thermal-pollution hazards related to the massive use of fossil and nuclear fuels pose definite limitations on worldwide annual energy usage. Some scientists estimate that temperature changes caused by a worldwide fossil-fuel and nuclear energy usage of more than 3.0 x 10/sup 18/ Btu/yr would render the planet unfit for life. The use of incoming solar energy does not have this same heating effect, nor does it produce increased quantities of CO/sub 2/, SO/sub 2/, water vapor, or dust. Solar energy can be used directly as heat, converted to electricity, or stored as hydrogen or heat or in chemical systems. The world could use as much as 20 x 10/sup 18/ Btu/yr of incoming solar energy without unwanted side effects.
TL;DR: In this article, the underlying physics determining windmill design for efficient energy extraction is described, and the NASA-ERDA plan to build a 1.5 MW windmill in 1978 is described.
Abstract: The revival of interest in renewable energy sources has led to some ambitious projects for harnessing wind energy-in particular the NASA-ERDA plan to build a 1.5 MW windmill in 1978. The underlying physics determining windmill design for efficient energy extraction is described
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: In this article, solar applications in corn and rice grain drying, curing of tobacco and peanuts, heating of animal shelters, and heating of greenhouses and rural, especially on-farm, residences, and irrigation are discussed.
Abstract: This report briefly discusses solar applications in: corn and rice grain drying; curing of tobacco and peanuts; heating of animal shelters; heating of greenhouses and rural, especially on-farm, residences; and, irrigation.
TL;DR: The author stresses the materials technology that will be required in major developing systems for extracting, converting, distributing, and using energy--emphasizing that development of suitable materials often takes many years.
Abstract: The recovery and processing of industrial materials required about 16 percent of the total U.S. energy consumption in 1974. The interdependence of energy and materials has been increasing and will continue to increase as the more easily won raw materials are exhausted and as the energy conversion and utilization schemes become more sophisticated. The author stresses the materials technology that will be required in major developing systems for extracting, converting, distributing, and using energy--emphasizing that development of suitable materials often takes many years. A detailed schematic is shown that represents the energy sources; methods of processing, conversion, transmission, and storage; and forms of fuel energy that may exist in the near term, up to about 1990. The schematic indicates that uranium, gas, coal, and oil will probably still contribute more than 95 percent of the total energy flow in 1990. For the near term, coal liquefaction, coal gasification, water-moderated reactors, municipal waste, high-temperature turbines, and geothermal will contribute up to 5 percent. For the midterm, 1990 to 2005, fast breeder reactors, photovoltaic conversion of solar energy to electricity, MHD, and flywheels should contribute significantly. The projections for controlled fusion in the year 2005 and beyond are summarized. The magnitude ofmore » the problem involves sustained effort from universities, industrial organizations, and government laboratories, guided by close interplay with energy system designers. (MCW)« less
TL;DR: The United Kingdom is situated such that, until recently, it has been regarded as an unsuitable location for applications of solar energy as discussed by the authors, however, a considerable amount of work has been carried out over the past twenty years and, more recently, there has been a tremendous increase in all areas of activity.
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented an overall experimental research program to establish the technical and economic feasibility of using solar energy in agricultural operations and formulated recommendations for strategies to achieve adoption of solar energy components and systems in agriculture.
Abstract: Objectives pursued in this study are: (1) assessment of present agricultural operations to determine those with potential for use with solar energy; (2) development of recommendations for an overall experimental research program to establish the technical and economic feasibility of using solar energy in agricultural operations; and (3) formulation of recommendations for strategies to achieve adoption of solar energy components and systems in agriculture. Applications of solar energy to the following aspects of agriculture are examined: grain drying, tobacco curing, peanut drying, broiler housing, swine production, farm housing, greenhouses, and irrigation. Current fuel prices for each of the agricultural regions (determined by crop production) are also reviewed.
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: It is concluded that, for any appreciable contribution to future national requirements for central-station electricity, neither direct nor indirect solar energy (other than hydroelectric) is really suitable.
Abstract: The problem in using the sun to meet mankind's energy needs is not primarily scientific or technological. Solar-energy systems can, without question, be developed and made to work from an engineering standpoint. Rather, the central issue is whether once achieved they would be commercially feasible as a practical component of the nation's energy system in competition with alternative means for providing the same energy. It is from such an economic and commercial standpoint that Dr. Pollard evaluates the long-range potential of various ways of using solar energy. In effect, the technology is assumed to be successfully established, and he is concerned with visualizing the resulting system in operation by industry in the normal business of selling electricity, fuel, or equipment. The first section of the article discusses solar radiation used directly, and the second section analyzed indirect uses. It is concluded that, ''for any appreciable contribution to future national requirements for central-station electricity, neither direct nor indirect solar energy (other than hydroelectric) is really suitable.''
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01 Jun 1976
TL;DR: In this article, the Iowa Energy Policy Council attempted to describe some uses to which solar energy is being put in spring, 1976, and to anticipate some further future uses, but the report probably is not complete; while efforts were made to survey all such applications of solar energy in the state, there are activities of which the EPC and its staff may not be aware.
Abstract: In this report, the Iowa Energy Policy Council attempts to describe some uses to which solar energy is being put in spring, 1976, and to anticipate some further future uses. It is recognized that the report probably is not complete; while efforts were made to survey all such applications of solar energy in the state, there are activities of which the EPC and its staff may not be aware. Therefore, contributions of information are solicited which may further enlighten Iowans of uses and applications of solar energy to Iowa's particular demands. (WDM)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the life-cycle cost of solar heating and cooling systems with the conventional system costs, and showed that the latter is roughly equivalent to the former.
Abstract: a large heat energy demand which coincides to a great extent with the daylight and evening hours. Many of these buildings also have large roof areas relative to their volumes, allowing solar input to carry a high percentage of the heating and cooling loads. 2. Although some argue for solar energy basically from the standpoints of ecology and conservation, or urge it as insurance against future oil and gas shortages, from an economic viewpoint solar equipment for heating and cooling hospitality industry buildings can be justified through life-cycle cost comparison with conventional system costs. Under present costs for solar equipment (which are expected to decline), analysis showed solar heating and cooling roughly equivalent to conventional methods