scholarly journals Prelude to a Grid

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin D. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
New Energy ◽  
Economic Landscape ◽  
Natural Life

People in the Singida region of Tanzania have long utilized diverse energy sources for subsistence. The wind separates grain from chaff. The sun ripens the millet and dries it for storage. More recently, solar panels charge phones and rural electricity investments extend the national grid. Yet as an electric frontier, Singida remains only peripherally and selectively served by energy infrastructures and fossil fuels. This article sketches Singidans’ prospect from this space and time of energy transition. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted between 2004 and 2019, it asks: how do rural Singidans eke energy from their natural and social environment? How can ideas of the sun and of labour in Nyaturu cosmology inform understandings of energy? And how are new energy technologies reshaping Singida’s social and economic landscape? I theorize energy as a deeply relational and gendered configuration of people, nature, labour and sociality that makes and sustains human and natural life.

The Siren Song of Renewable Energy

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael H. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Water Heater ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Energy Needs

Renewable energy from the sun—which includes solar, wind, and water energy— can meet all of our energy needs and will allow us to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels for electricity production. At least, that is the “Siren song” that seduces many people. Amory Lovins, the head of the Rocky Mountain Institute, has been one of the strongest proponents of getting all of our energy from renewable sources (what he calls “soft energy paths”) (1) and one of the most vociferous opponents of nuclear power. A recent article in Scientific American proposes that the entire world’s needs for power can be supplied by wind, solar, and water (2). Is this truly the nirvana of unlimited and pollution-free energy? Can we have our cake and eat it, too? Let’s take a critical look at the issues surrounding solar and wind power. Let me be clear that I am a proponent of solar energy. I built a mountain cabin a few years ago that is entirely off the grid. All of the electricity comes from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with battery storage. The 24 volt DC is converted to AC with an inverter and is fed into a conventional electrical panel. It provides enough energy to power the lights, run a 240 volt, three-quarter horsepower water pump 320 feet deep in the well, and electrical appliances such as a coffee pot, toaster, and vacuum cleaner. But I am not implying that all of my energy needs come from solar. The big energy hogs—kitchen range, hot water heater, and a stove in the bedroom—are all powered with propane. Solar is not adequate to power these appliances. In 2010 I also had a 2.5 kW solar PV system installed on my house that ties into the utility grid. When the sun is shining, I use the electricity from the solar panels, and if I use less than I generate, it goes out on the grid to other users. If it does not produce enough for my needs, then I buy electricity from the grid.

scholarly journals New Energy Technologies: Microalgae, Photolysis and Airborne Wind Turbines

Sci ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Moriarty ◽  
Damon Honnery
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
New Energy ◽  
Near Term

Because of the near-term risk of extreme weather events and other adverse consequences from climate change, and, at least in the longer term, global fossil fuel depletion, there is world-wide interest in shifting to noncarbon energy sources, especially renewable energy (RE). Because of possible limitations on conventional renewable energy sources, researchers have looked for ways of overcoming these shortcomings by introducing radically new energy technologies. The largest RE source today is bioenergy, while solar energy and wind energy are regarded as having the largest technical potential. This paper reviews the literature on proposed new technologies for each of these three RE sources: microalgae for bioenergy, photolysis and airborne wind turbines. The main finding is that their proponents have underestimated the difficulties facing their introduction on a very large scale.

scholarly journals “Solar Energy. Now”. Anticipating and Fostering the Energy Transition at the Sun New Energy Conference

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 190026-190026
Author(s):  
Mario Pagliaro ◽  
Mario Pagliaro ◽  
Rosaria Ciriminna ◽  
Francesco Meneguzzo ◽  
Vittorio Loddo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
The Sun ◽  
New Energy

scholarly journals Solar Flower for Power Generation with Ability to Generate at Night

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (VII) ◽  
pp. 1579-1585
Author(s):  
Dr. Akhilendra Singh Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Growth Efficiency ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Artificial Light Source ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Generation Capacity

Today energy is the principle idea for socio-economic development. But because of incremental charge of environmental difficulty renewable strength offer a tremendous interest. This opportunity strength supply is constantly achieving more recognition because of non-stop discount in fossil fuels. It is the strength comes from solar, wind, rain etc. Among the non-conventional, renewable sources, sun power presents notable capability for conversion into electric power. Maximizing strength output from a sun is appropriate to growth efficiency. In order to maximize strength output, wishes to hold the panels aligned with the solar. This paper focuses with the generation capacity of solar energy during day time and as well as during night time. The proposed model guarantees the optimization of the conversion of sun energy into electrical energy via means of properly setting up the panel according with the input of artificial light source in night time and at the same time to that of the sun position during day time. An experimental prototype was built and results have proven the good performance. In future higher efficiencies of solar panels will prove a golden way in generation of solar power 4 times the input in the night time.

scholarly journals Solar Tracking System Untuk Lampu Taman STMIK AUB Surakarta Berbasis Arduino Uno

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Robby Rachmatullah ◽  
Dessyana Kardha ◽  
Dani Triwiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Turn On ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Arduino Uno ◽  
To Receive

The transfer of electrical energy sources from non-renewable fossil fuels to alternative renewable fuels can be made by utilizing solar energy. The working system of arduino uno solar tracking system for STMIK AUB garden lights is by capturing solar energy through solar panels which are then stored inside the battery where the charging process is controlled by solar charge controller. LDR functions to receive and identify the radiated light quantities which are then forwarded into the arduino uno and processed to drive the DC motor that has become one with the solar panel. If the day begins to darken the LDR will inform the arduino uno and then it will be processed by arduino uno to turn on the DC light.

scholarly journals Energy transition and willingness to pay for renewable energy: The case of environmental students

2021 ◽  
Vol 899 (1) ◽  
pp. 012048
Author(s):  
Evangelia Karasmanaki
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Sources

Abstract Examining willingness-to-pay (WTP) for renewable energy sources (RES) as well as views on energy topics can enable policymakers to design effective measures for facilitating the transition from fossil fuels to a renewable-based energy system. The aim of this study was to investigate environmental students’ willingness-to-pay for renewables and their views on various energy topics. Results showed that respondents preferred renewable-based electricity production to conventional energy production while solar energy emerged as the most preferred renewable type. In addition, most respondents were willing to pay for renewable energy but would pay relatively low sums of money per month. Moreover, respondents were divided over whether new lignite plants should be constructed in Greece. Finally, social media and special websites were the most favored media of daily information.

scholarly journals A Review of Solar Still Assessment with Various PCM Materials

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Pradeep Sen ◽  
Prof. Pankaj Badgaiyan ◽  
Prof. Bharat Girdhani ◽  
Prof. Shamir Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Still ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
Solar Distillation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Shallow Basin

Solar distillation purifies water by transferring sun's heat to a simple device. A shallow basin with a glass shield makes up the majority of the system, which is usually referred to as a solar even now. Evaporation takes place when the pool water is heated by the sun. Humidity rises, condenses on the shield, and drips into a drip tray, leaving salts, minerals, as well as the majority of contaminants behind. The oceans, that have a high salinity, are now the only nearly inexhaustible source of water supply.Separating salts from seawater, on the other hand, necessitates a huge amount of energy, that also, when derived from fossil fuels, can be destructive to the environment. As a result, desalination of seawater must be done using environmentally friendly energy sources. PCM which are solar,  are widely used to store solar radiation during the day and release it in the evening, in a wide range of solar applications

The Public Acceptance of New Energy Technologies

Daedalus ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger E. Kasperson ◽  
Bonnie J. Ram
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Gasoline Prices ◽  
The Public ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
New Energy ◽  
The U.S

In the wake of ominous results about the impending path of climate change, and with gasoline prices hovering around four dollars per gallon, the 2012 presidential and congressional campaigns are full of claims and counterclaims about the transformation of the U.S. energy system. Although much discussion has centered on the need for new energy technologies, this debate as yet has been narrow and limited. Meaningful deployment of any technology will raise questions of public acceptance. Little is known about how diverse publics in the United States will respond to the advent of new energy sources, whether they involve a “second renaissance” for nuclear power, a dash to embrace hydraulic fracking for oil and natural gas, or emerging prospects for renewable energies like wind and solar power. Yet public acceptance will determine the outlook. Adding further complication is the growing debate about traditional energy sources and the extent to which a fossil fuel – based energy system should continue to be central to the American economy. This essay explores the issues involved in public acceptance of stability and change in the U.S. energy system. We conclude with several recommendations for gaining a greater understanding of the public acceptance quandary.

Photochemistry and Excited-State Reactions of Oxides

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce C. Bunker ◽  
William H. Casey
Keyword(s):  
Excited State ◽  
Catalytic Decomposition ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Electromagnetic Spectrum ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Iron Oxide Particles ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Storage Technologies

The applied voltages that drive electrochemical processes (see Chapter 11) are only one of many energy sources that can be used to activate reactions in oxide molecules and materials. Another common energy source that drives many environmental and technological oxide reactions is light from the sun. Water plays a key role in many of these reactions. Imagine that you are on vacation floating in a warm ocean bathed by the sun. Many of the phenomena you experience, from your painful sunburn to the photosynthetic growth of the seaweed you see beneath you, are photoactivated processes. In this chapter, we highlight the roles that oxides play in photon-activated solar energy technologies. Also included are reactions stimulated by other nonthermal energy sources, including electrons in high-energy plasmas. Titanium oxide, found in common white paint, is the basis for much of the discussion, because this oxide is used in many photoelectrochemical energy storage technologies. The photochemistry of colloidal manganese- and iron-oxide particles suspended either in atmospheric droplets or in the upper photic zone of the ocean where the sunlight penetrates are discussed in Chapter 18. Such oxide reactions are important globally in the elimination of pollutants. Both industrial and environmental examples illustrate how oxides participate in a wide range of photoactivated chemical reactions, including the catalytic decomposition of water, photoelectrochemistry, and photoactivated dissolution and precipitation reactions. Before exploring excited-state reactions, we need to introduce the energy sources that provide such excitation. In most of this chapter, the excitation source of interest is light. Most of us are familiar with the electromagnetic spectrum, in which the energy of a photon is given by . . . E=hv=hc/λ=hcω (13.1). . . Here, h is Planck’s constant (h = 6.6 ·10 −34 J/second), c is the speed of light (3 ·1010cm/second), ν is the frequency of light (measured in Hertz or per second), λ is the wavelength of light (in centimeters), and ω is the wavelength expressed as wave number (measured per centimeter in infrared spectroscopy).

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