Showing papers on "Renewable energy published in 1990"

Annual energy outlook

Abstract: The Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016), prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), presents long-term projections of energy supply, demand, and prices through 2040. The projections, focused on U.S. energy markets, are based on results from EIA's National Energy Modeling System (NEMS). NEMS enables EIA to make projections under alternative, internally consistent sets of assumptions. The analysis in AEO2016 focuses on the Reference case and 17 alternative cases. The AEO2016 report is a complete edition of the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) and includes the following major sections: Executive summary: highlighting key results of the projections Legislation and regulations: discussing evolving legislative and regulatory issues, including a summary of recently enacted legislation and regulations as incorporated in AEO2016, such as: the EPA's final rules for the CPP [1]; the California Air Resource Board Zero Emission Vehicle program [2]; the extension of the production tax credit for wind and 30% investment tax credit for solar [3]; the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships [4]; adoption of newly added or modified federal efficiency standards for residential and commercial appliances and equipment; and modifications to existing state renewable portfolio standard or similar laws [5]. Issues in focus: containing discussions of selected energy topics, including the effects of the CPP under alternative implementation approaches; the impact of Phase 2 standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles; a discussion that compares the Reference case to alternative cases based on different assumptions about the future course of existing energy policies; the impact on hydrocarbon gas liquids output from changing oil prices and related industrial development; and the sensitivity of steel industry energy consumption to technology choice. Market trends: complete summary by sector of the projections for energy markets comparing the AEO2016 Reference case and the alternative cases, illustrating uncertainties associated with the Reference case projections for energy demand, supply, and prices. Comparisons with other projections: comparing the AEO2016 Reference case to comparable aspects of projections provided by ExxonMobil, IHS Global Insight, International Energy Agency, ICF, BP p.l.c., National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc., and Wood Mackenzie, Inc., among others. Audience: Anyone interested and invested in energy market trends, potential changes in U.S. energy policies, rules, and regulations, and the potential role of advanced technologies in energy projections.

Renewable Energy Resources

Abstract: 1. Principles of Renewable Energy 2. Solar Radiation and the Greenhouse Effect 3. Solar Water Heating 4. Other Solar Thermal Applications 5. Photovoltaic Power Technology - PV 6. Hydropower 7. Wind Resource 8. Wind Power Technology 9. Biomass Resources from Photosynthesis 10. Bioenergy Technologies 11. Wave Power 12. Tidal-current and Tidal-range Power 13. Ocean Gradient Energy: OTEC and Osmotic Power 14. Geothermal Energy 15. Energy Systems: Integration, Distribution and Storage 16. Using Energy Efficiently 17. Institutional and Economic Factors Review 1: Electrical Power Review 2: Fluid Dynamics Review 3: Heat Transfer Review 4: Solid State Physics for Photovoltaics Review 5: Units and Conversions: Algebraic Method Appendix A: Units and Conversions Appendix B: Data Appendix C: Some Heat Transfer Formulas Appendix D: Comparisons of Technologies Short Answers to Selected Problems Index

Renewable energy sources

Abstract: Introduction to the report. Introduction and summary. The place of renewable energy as an energy source. Types of renewable energy source. Tidal energy. Wave energy. Wind energy. Small scale hydro- electric energy. Geothermal energy. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Solar thermal technologies and photovoltaics. Biofuels. System considerations. Environment. Integration of renewable energy sources in electrical power systems. Economics of renewable energy sources. The Watt Committee on energy Objectives, historical background and current program Member institutions of The Watt Committee on Energy. Watt Committee Reports. Index.

Handbook of Energy for World Agriculture

Abstract: Commercial and non-commercial energy. Energy for subsistence and development. Human energy capacity. Supplemental energy needs. Energy balance. World energy outlook. Economic considerations. Environmental considerations. Solutions to difficult problems. Energy use. Agriculture's share of commercial energy. Commercial energy use for agricultural inputs. Commercial energy use and cereal output. Commercial energy for fertilizer production and use. Commercial energy for farm machinery manufacture and use. Energy from human labour. Energy from draught animals. Commercial energy for pump irrigation equipment manufacture and operation. Commercial energy for pesticide production and application. Energy flow. Energy surveys and analyses. Regional and national examples. Small-scale hydroelectric power plants. The need for systems approach. Energy management. Germ plasm and its impact on energy use. Fertilizer and biological nitrogen fixation. Pest control. Irrigation. Mechanization of agricultural production. Energy management in the post-harvest system. Food processing. Energy and the food consumption system. Efficient energy management in agricultural is food business. Energy from biomass. Photosynthesis. Wood for fuel. Sources and availability of biomass feedstocks. Freshwater and saltwater plants. Classification of biomass fuels. Energy profiles. Biogas. Hydrogen. Ethanol. Methanol. Vegetable oil. Biomass feedstock. Solid fuels. Solar energy. Fundamentals of solar energy. Collection and storage. Agricultural applications. Future potential of solar energy. Wind energy. Fundamentals of wind power. Wind energy conversion systems. Wind system applications. Wind characteristics. Feasibility studies. Economics. Hydropower. Fundamentals of hydropower. Hydropower potential. Classification of hydropower plants. Reasons to consider small hydropower stations. Planning a hydropower project. The hydroelectric power system. Cost of a small hydroelectric plant. Small hydropower stations versus other alternative sources. Examples of hydropower and uses. Observations on the status of hydropower. Alternatives. Energy options. A framework for policy assessment and formulation. Increasing the energy supply. Decreasing energy demand through efficient management. Policy implications. Research needs. Technology assessment. The Indian Energy Center: a model for developing countries. Appendices: sources of further information conversion of units.

Loss of power supply probability of stand-alone wind electric conversion systems: a closed form solution approach

Abstract: A closed-form solution approach to evaluating the loss of power supply probability for stand-alone wind-electric conversion systems with energy storage is presented. A numerical example is included to illustrate the usefulness of the expressions developed. In particular, the results allow investigation of the relationship between the amount of energy storage and the loss of power supply probability under various operating conditions. These relationships can be used in the design of stand-alone wind-energy conversion systems to optimize certain objective functions such as total capital cost. >

Solar collectors, energy storage, and materials

Abstract: This volume was prepared as an extended, annotated bibliography in the solar thermal energy collection field, documenting the state-of-the-art in the late 1980s. It covers collectors of solar thermal energy, including salt gradient solar ponds, flat plate collectors, compound parabolic concentrators, and other stationary and tracking collection systems. Collectors that are used for building applications are emphasized since power and industrial applications are considered in other volumes.

Economics of Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract: Available online 21 September 2013

Maximum power point tracking: a cost saving necessity in solar energy systems

Abstract: It is argued that a well-engineered renewable remote energy system utilizing the principal of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) can be cost effective, has a high reliability, and can improve the quality of life in remote areas. A highly efficient power electronic converter for converting the output voltage of a solar panel or wind generator to the required DC battery bus voltage has been realized. The converter is controlled to track the maximum power point of the nput source under varying input and output parameters. MPPT for relatively small systems is achieved by maximization of the output current in a battery charging regulator, using an optimized hill-climbing, inexpensive microprocessor-based algorithm. Through field measurements it is shown that a minimum input source saving of 15% on 3-5 kWh/day systems can easily be achieved. >

A global action plan.

Abstract: The major points in Worldwatchs plan involve 1) development of energy strategies which protect the climate 2) expansion of forests 3) a substantial increase in efforts to meet food needs and 4) a halt to population growth. The consequence of "business as usual" is severe economic disruption social instability and human suffering. Energy strategies must be prioritized and reordered within 10 years. A safe effective way to curb use of fossil fuels which produce CO2 and account for 50% of the global warming is to improve energy efficiency to develop renewable energy sources and to abandon use of nuclear power. Use of existing technology has the most immediate largest effect. Solar hydro wind and geothermal technologies are much slower to develop and implementation has greater initial costs. An internationally consistent fuel-based tax on carbon content is also recommended. Investment in energy efficiency will be offset by reduced fuel bills for consumers and businesses. Forests which store 3 times the amount of carbon in the atmosphere contribute to CO2 buildup when cut down. Expanding forest cover in tropical countries means finding other ways to earn quick foreign exchange stimulate regional development and expand settlement areas. 130 million hectares of trees need to be planted just to meet demands for fuelwood and industrial wood products and to stabilize soil and water resources. 15 billion trees need to be planted each year for the next 15 years. Large food production increases are still possible in India Argentina and Brazil but few gains are expected in Japan China western Europe and North America. Subsistence farmers can boost production by multiple cropping intercropping biointensive gardening and composting of organic wastes. If food reserves tighten redirecting grain from livestock which amounts to 33% of a harvest is the only option for feeding the poor. Family planning (FP) will be instrumental in assuring food security. Countries with high growth rates must follow China and Japan in curbing population growth rapidly. This entails government commitment and an active national population education program widely available FP services and widespread improvements in economic and social conditions particularly for women. The several billion dollars/year needed from industrialized countries should be considered a "downpayment on the future."

Lunar System to Supply Solar Electric Power to Earth

Abstract: The capacity of global electric power systems must be increased tenfold by the year 2050 to meet the energy needs of the 10 billion people assumed to populate the Earth by then. Few studies directly address this enormous challenge. Conventional terrestrial renewable, nuclear, and coal systems can not provide the power. Solar power collected on the moon can meet these needs. It would be collected by large area, thin-film photovoltaics and converted into thousands of low intensity microwave beams. These beams would be projected from shared, large diameter synthetic apertures on the moon to receivers located anywhere on Earth. Engineering and cost models indicate that the Lunar Power System (LPS) is economically robust and can be built at a faster rate than all other power systems. Internal rates of return in excess of 40% per year may be feasible. LPS uses understood technology. It can be environmentally supportive rather than simply benign or damaging. LPS implementation can immediately channel national and world R&D aerospace and electronics capabilities into completely peaceful directions and enable human prosperity.

Hydrogen Fuel from Renewable Resources

Abstract: This article presents the results of an assessment of hydrogen production technologies and an evaluation of the technical and economic feasibilities of producing and using hydrogen from renewable resources. Technologies evaluated include biomass gasification and electrolysis of water using electricity generated from a variety of renewable energy sources. It was found that biomass gasification is the most economical process for renewable hydrogen production with methanol generated from synthesis gas, a near-term variant useful as a ground transportation fuel. Electrolysis is the most attractive option for large-scale production of hydrogen, provided cost reductions for the basic expense associated with electricity can be realized. For the long term, photoconversion offers the greatest promise of providing inexpensive hydrogen.

Power generation and the environment

Abstract: This book reviews environmental aspects of large-scale power generation. It includes historic background of present-generation patterns and a discussion of fossil fuel, nuclear energy, and renewable technologies.

Social costs of electricity generation: wind and photovoltaic versus fossil and nuclear

Abstract: This paper presents the results of research on the total costs to society of different technologies for electric power production in the Federal Republic of Germany. The analysis views electricity costs from a macroeconomic perspective and includes the internal or private costs as well as the social costs. The focus is on fossil and nuclear fuels as conventional energy sources on the one side and on wind and photovoltaic electricity as examples of renewable energy sources on the other.

Bimode uninterruptible power supply compatibility in renewable hybrid energy systems

Abstract: An alternative to inverters with add-on charging circuits or standby uninterruptible power supply (UPS) hardware, the bimode UPS, is discussed. The bimode UPS uses common circuitry and power components for DC-to-AC inversion and battery charging. It also provides an automatic and nearly instantaneous AC power transfer function when the engine-generator is started or stopped. The components of the renewable hybrid energy system are described to provide a background for understanding the bimode evaluation. Operating characteristics and requirements of each part of the system are provided. A short description of standby UPS is given, and a comparison of the two systems is made to establish their similarities; the similarities show how the UPS may be used in hybrid systems. Evolution of the UPS to the bimode UPS allows simplification of the hybrid system if the bimode UPS proves its compatibility with loads, batteries, and engine generator. The renewable conversion device operates independently of the UPS. The incorporation of the bimode UPS is discussed, and the Abacus bimode UPS is evaluated. >