Showing papers on "Renewable energy published in 1983"

Renewable Energy Sources and Developing Countries

Abstract: The role of renewable energy sources in meeting the energy needs of developing countries is examined in the context of the burgeoning fuel prices and the associated geopolitical realities and economic burdens. The acute energy needs and the unavailability of commercial fuels in the rural areas offer a rewarding opportunity for the utilization of locally available renewable energy sources. Small-scale decentralized integrated system concepts for harnessing renewable energy sources are discussed. The basic economic factors involved in the introduction of renewable energy sources in the rural areas of developing countries are outlined to assist the designer in the selection of appropriate components and system concepts.

Breeder reactors: A renewable energy source

Abstract: Based on a cost analysis of uranium extracted from seawater, it is concluded that the world’s energy requirements for the next 5 billion years can be met by breeder reactors with no price increase due to fuel costs.(AIP)

Progress in research toward outdoor biological hydrogen production using solar energy, sea water, and marine photosynthetic microorganisms

Abstract: In the early 1970s, the scientific community responded to the oil crisis by initiating new and vigorous efforts to develop alternative sources of energy. One of the approaches to dealing with this problem has been biological solar energy conversion. Within the limited amount of time since this initiative, some of these new biological solar energy conversion technologies are already making a contribution to the world's energy budget. However, most of the innovative technologies that first took root in the 1970s are still at the research rather than development stage. As part of this broad effort, the potential contribution of biological solar energy resources from the marine environment are being explored. With few exceptions, the role of marine photosynthetic organisms has taken a back seat to biosolar resources from the terrestrial environment. Over the past ten years, an intensive effort has been made to study the production of hydrogen gas by marine photosynthetic microorganisms. Experimentally, most of this effort has concentrated on (1) isolation of hydrogen-producing marine photosynthetic mircoorganisms, (2) revealing the biochemical mechanisms of hydrogen production, and (3) controlling and enhancing hydrogen production capability through environmental and metabolic regulation. The transition towards the development of applied outdoor hydrogen production systemsmore » is discussed. An overview of current concepts and experimental initiatives for establishing viable reactor systems in outdoor environments using solar energy and sea water is presented.« less

Load Following Impacts of a Large Wind Farm on an Imterconnected Electric Utility System

Abstract: A major issue encountered in the use of many of the renewable energy resources for the production of electric power is the variability of the resource itself. This paper presents the results of a dynamic simulation of the long term power system responses to changes in the load and generation patterns resulting from significant penetrations of renewable resource technologies. The renewable technology selected for this study is a large wind farm with a total output of 500 MW added to the 1979 generation base of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power system.

Renewable Resources from Forest Products for High Temperature Resistant Polymers

Abstract: Recently the price of crude oil and various petroleum fractions has been increased by about 20 times, beyond all expectations. The availability of oil and other petroleum fractions has also become very uncertain. The shortage of oil has led to the severe competition between fuel for energy and feedstock for petrochemicals. Although the entire petrochemicals including fertilizers and synthetic polymers consume less than 10% of the supply of crude oil, the demand for fuel for energy makes the prospect of assured supply of feedstock for petrochemicals at a reasonable price increasingly gloomier. The cost advantage of polymer material in general over other coventional materials such as metals and alloys, glass and ceramics etc. has already been eroded considerably by the price raise of curde oil. Never before have plastics been faced with such a tough competition from conventional materials. Oil as a feedstock is also not renewable and one day, sooner or later, it will dry out.

Impact Assessment of Wind Generation on the Operations of a Power System

Abstract: The impact of intermittent wind generation on the operations of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power system is investigated. The operations of the TVA power system are outlined, and the hypothetical reconfiguration of the TVA transmission system to accommodate wind generation is described. Simulations and analyses of wind generation impacts on unit commitment, unit predispatch, and automatic control of generation are also presented.

Renewable energy: the power to choose

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Hybrid Power Systems for Remote Sites - Solar, Wind and Mini Diesel

Abstract: This paper describes a hybrid power supply system for remote sites, ERICSSON SUNWIND, consisting of solar, wind and mini diesel generators. As the system uses both solar and wind generators the particular advantages of this combination are discussed. A highly reliable wind generator of vertical axis type will be described. It is virtually maintenancefree and equipped with unique lightning and overspeed protections. Also it is equipped with a microprocessor-based control system for output power optimization, which will be described in another paper presented at this INTELEC Conference. The system includes two reserve energy sources, i.e. the station battery and the mini diesel generator set. The minidiesel which uses DC-generation will be described together with its control equipment. Its most important characteristics are the simple auxiliary system and the start up safety.

Marine biomass program: anaerobic digestion systems development and stability study. Final report 1 Feb-31 Dec 82

Abstract: Marine biomass represents a significant potential worldwide energy resource that can be converted to methane by anaerobic digestion Through efficient biomass production, harvesting, and conversion techniques, competitive methane gas costs are achievable The objective of this research project is to develop and define an anaerobic digestion process for producing methane from giant brown kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) Kelp continues to show superior performance as a feedstock for gas production when compared with other particulate biomass feedstocks Further work on upflow solids reactors and two-phase reactor systems is expected to improve gas cost estimates over those made using other state-of-the-art reactors

Innovation traditions, energy conditions, and state energy policy adoption

Abstract: From 1974 to 1980, many conservation and renewable energy policies were adopted at the state level in the United States. Some states were particularly active in enacting such policies while others were totally inactive. The variation in state policy activity is only modestly related to the states' past policy innovation traditions and conservation/renewable energy opportunities. Differences in energy vulnerability, and the relative hardship imposed by the energy crisis, have apparently had even less impact on the adoption pattern. These weak or insignificant relationships are typical of other efforts to explain state energy policy variations and are attributed to six qualitative factors: Federal preemption and inconsistency, ambivalent public opinion, conflicting values, lack of information on state energy conditions, and ignorance of the impacts of renewable energy and conservation policies. The findings identify several actions to increase sensitivity toward state energy conditions in policymaking.

Value and cost analyses for solar thermal-storage systems

Abstract: Value and cost data for thermal energy storage are presented for solar thermal central receiver systems for which thermal energy storage appears to be attractive. Both solar thermal electric power and industrial process heat applications are evaluated. The value of storage is based on the cost for fossil fuel and solar thermal collector systems in 1990. The costing uses a standard lifetime methodology with the storage capacity as a parameter. Both value and costs are functions of storage capacity. However, the value function depends on the application. Value/cost analyses for first-generation storage concepts for five central receiver systems (molten salt, water/steam, organic fluid, air, and liquid metal) established the reference against which new systems were compared. Some promising second-generation energy storage concepts have been identified, and some more advanced concepts have also been evaluated.

Solar Radiation, Measurements and Availability in the Countries of South East Asian Region

Abstract: Solar energy being a renewable energy resource, increased efforts are being made in developed as well as developing countries towards its utilisation. The number of seminars and conferences held in recent years on solar energy is a clear indication of the growing research and development activities in many countries, including the region of South Ease Asia. Several applications of solar energy, ranging from simple solar water heating to complex megawatt power generation, systems, are under extensive investigation. We now know that even the fossil fuels on which the world is so dependent are nothing but stored solar energy over a long long period (millions of years). The sole objective of all our present day efforts is to find out how far we can use today’s solar energy for today’s needs.

Large Scale Fuel Farming in Brazil

Abstract: Brazil is the World's first nation to run a large scale program to replace liquid fuels derived from petroleum with biomass?a source of renewable energy. At the present time about 700,000 cars are using only alcohol produced from sugarcane as a motor fuel and all others consume a fuel of 20% anhydrous alcohol blended with gasoline. The National Alcohol Program ``PRO-ALCOOL'' foresees that in 1985 the production of 10.7 billion liters of alcohol (165,000 barrels of oil per day equivalent) will be necessary to supply cars and the chemical industry. This paper presents a brief review of the events leading up to the establishment of this program, some of the difficulties encountered and the impact of the program on society.

Still a Time to Choose ...Ten Years Later

Abstract: The United States' foremost energy accomplishment of the past nine years is conservation, and it can be compared directly with energy alternatives. However, if the United States is to overcome the national security and economic problems posed by continued energy dependence on oil imports, it must mount a comprehensive multibillion-dollar conservation strategy by making investments in available conservation measures, in R and D of even more-efficient technology, and in alternative domestic sources.

Steam generation using renewable energy

Abstract: SYNOPSIS As far as energy is concerned the necessary conditions for a stable world In the next century are: 1. The rich countries must provide real help to the poor ones to become self sufficient. 2. The rich countries must cut their extravagant use of limited fossil fuels and of electricity to a small fraction of the present figure; at the same time a worthwhile job must be found for everyone. The development of a minature power tower solar concentrator which can provide a few KW of power and boiling water even after the sun has gone down, with a low capital cost, is described. A combustion method is proposed which can enable baled wheat and rape straw, (at present burnt in the fields) to save Britain two million tons of oil a year by raising steam for power and ammonia synthesis for fertiliser.

Energy alternatives: what are their possible health effects?

Abstract: A survey of the literature dealing with energy, health, and the environment sums up the various adverse effects of nuclear power, coal mining and utilization, oil shale systems, tar sands, geothermal cycles, nuclear fusion, and solar schemes. Several sources of harmful exposure are common to all of these energy alternatives: resource extraction, milling and processing, construction and operation of the energy-producing unit, and environmental pollution. Although no system is innocuous, solar and fusion projects have less potential for adverse impacts than do nuclear fission and synthetic fuels. As oil and natural gas sources become depleted, government, industry, and the public should assess the alternative energy sources in terms of health risks and environmental pollution as well as economic viability. Moreover, lessons learned in the past regarding occupational hazards (as in coal and uranium mining, for example) might be applied to the emerging oil shale and coal conversion technologies.

California energy flow in 1982

Abstract: For the second year California's energy picture reflected the nationwide recession and conservation movement. Total use was down to 6.0 quads from 6.4 quads in 1980 and 6.3 quads in 1981. Preliminary data suggest that California usage fell slightly more than that of the US as a whole on a percentage basis. The largest change in primary supply was in crude oil. Oil imports from foreign and out-of-state sources declined 32% and 17% respectively. Despite take-or-pay contracts with oil suppliers, utilities were successful in lowering oil used for power generation by 66%. Abundant hydropower from a wet 1981-1982 winter augmented electrical supplies. Natural gas use in the state fell slightly. Power from nuclear sources remained well below historical highs due to continuing problems with the state's two licensed reactors. Purchases from small power producers by utilities (cogeneration, solid waste, wind, solar and small scale hydro) continued. Approximately 10% of new capacity in the next decade is anticipated to come from these sources. The largest cogeneration units to come on line in 1982 were in the 40 to 60 MW(e) range. Geothermal development reached 1GW(e) installed capacity.

Patterns of fuel and energy consumption in the U.S. pulp and paper industry - 1972-1982.

Abstract: Motivated largely by the economic benefits of energy efficiency, and as one of 10 energy-intensive groups targeted by DOE's energy conservation policy, the pulp, paper, and paperboard industry has invested billions of dollars since 1972. The industry achieved a 35.5% reduction in fossil fuel and purchased energy use per ton of output by 1982 compared to 1972. The industry also increased the use of self-generated and residue sources of energy from 40.4 to 51.7% of total energy used while increasing product output by energy 13%, reduced total oil consumption by 49% and total fossil fuel and purchased energy consumption by 22%, and exceeded the 1980 energy efficiency goal of 23% reduction in its adjusted use of fossil fuels and purchased energy per ton of product by an additional 3%. The report includes details and trends over the 10-year period. 22 figures, 27 tables.