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Utility Scale Solar Power

July 3, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

Many proposals have been submitted for gigawatt size utility scale solar power plants. Three examples include: The Desertec project; the Project Helios in Greece; and still another one is the Ordos solar plant in China. To put this vast resource in perspective, the total worldwide energy consumption from all sources is 15,223 TWh each year. A 2003 study concluded that the world can generate 2,357,840 TWh annually from large scale solar power plants alone if all the world’s deserts were used. Concentrated Solar Power Systems or CSP, is concentrated solar thermal and concentrating solar power which uses lenses and / or mirrors to focus a large area of solar thermal energy onto a small receiving area. When this concentrated light is converted to heat, making steam, electrical power can be generated.

Solar PV Farm in Germany

CSP has been widely commercialized and its growth is expected to continue. The CSP market has seen about 740 megawatts of generating capacity added between years 2007 and 2010 alone. CSP is different from CPV or concentrated photovoltaic. CPV concentrates sunlight and convert the light directly to electricity. CSP is being used to generate electricity. In most cases, the lenses and / or mirrors use tracking systems to increase efficiency and output. The concentrated light is used as a heat source for heating or as a heat source as in a conventional power plant. In CSP, the solar concentrators can also be used to supply industrial process steam for heating, and process cooling. Four common forms of concentrating technologies
  1. Dish Stirling engine systems are made of standalone parabolic reflector concentrating light onto a receiver placed at the reflector’s focal point. The reflector follows the sun along two axes.
  2. Solar Power Tower. This is made up of an array of dual axis tracking reflectors. The mirrors concentrate sunlight on a central receiver which is on top of a tower. The receiver boiler contains fluid which is heated and transferred to a secondary system where it is converted to steam to power a turbine generator. Power towers are efficient and have good energy storage potential.
  3. Parabolic Trough. Parabolic trough systems are made of a linear parabolic reflector concentrating sunlight onto a receiver tube placed along the reflector’s focal line. The receiver tube is filled with a primary working fluid and transfers heat to a secondary system where it can be converted to steam to power a turbine generator. The reflector tracks the sun during daytime.
  4. Concentrating Linear Fresnel Reflector. Fresnel reflectors are composed of many flat and thin mirror strips. The system concentrates sunlight onto control tubes containing the primary working fluid. Flat mirrors are expensive than parabolic reflectors and allows more reflective surface area.
CSP deployment began in 1984 in the US and expanded around the world until 1990. However, from 1990 until the mid 2000’s, no new CSP plants were completed. Recently, development has re-initiated and increased at a furious pace. Some studies indicate that concentrated solar power could supply up to 25% of the world’s energy by 2050. CSP technology has been recognized and will result in a significant positive impact on energy supply.

Filed Under: Solar Power Tagged With: concentrating linear fresnel reflector, CSP, dish stirling, electrical power, energy storage, parabolic trough, Solar Power, solar power tower, solar thermal, utility power, utility scale, utility scale solar power

Tracking the Sun with the Most Advanced Solar Trackers

July 2, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. A solar tracker is a generic term that is used to describe tools that adjust different payloads toward the sun. Payloads are reflectors, collectors, optical devices, lenses or photovoltaic (PV) panels. PV systems are the primary topic of interest in this article. By tracking the sun’s motion, solar trackers can increase the efficiency of solar power systems by 25% to 40%. Solar panel systems are positioned perpendicular to the sun’s rays in order to be most efficient, as the sun moves across the sky from east to west. Solar trackers have been around since 1980. Increase use in both commercial and residential solar energy projects have proven and improved solar capture efficiencies. The increase in usage by large scale commercial industry has made it possible to lower the costs and make more reliable tracking systems for homeowners and small to medium businesses as well. Horizontal and Vertical Solar Trackers. In areas where the sun’s rays in summer vary from winter by more than 60 degrees, it is more difficult to capture summer sunlight during winter time. Solar trackers help to solve this problem via a single axis horizontal tracker that follows the sun across the sky from morning to night. This optimizes the solar performance during the summer and spring days when the sun is higher in the sky. What works best in higher latitudes are the vertical axis trackers. These trackers enable solar panels to track the sun both in summer and winter declinations. Although more expensive by $3,500 (125 square feet of solar panels) to $6,500 (225 square feet of solar panels) compared to the cost of solar installation, azimuth or dual axis trackers can solve both problems simultaneously. Active and Passive Trackers. Active trackers operate on an electric motor activated by a controller. Passive trackers use compressed gas which causes the tracker to tilt when the gas is heated by the sun. Economic Benefits of Solar Trackers.
  • Depending on the location and the kind of solar PV tracking being used, the current breakeven point is for systems sizes between 500 to 600 watts.  The breakeven point is where the solar tracker system pay for itself and make the entire system economically positive. It will be more advantageous to use solar trackers than buying PV panels if one has six 75 watt solar panels being used with a solar PV tracker that tracks the sun from morning until night.
  • Using solar trackers during summer where the panels can generate the most electricity can build electricity surplus, which may be sold to the utility in some cases that can be used to offset during winter time.
  • The kind of tracker being used will depend on the location and the amount of sun received. In cold and windy places, a thermally operated system is not reliable because it is dependent on temperature to operate. Electronically operated systems are better in cold and windy places, as they do not depend on temperature capacity to move the panels.
  • Solar trackers are very valuable investment as they increase solar panels’ efficiency from 25% to 40%.
Solar trackers track the sun’s path throughout the day. It is a very useful addition to the solar energy systems.  

Filed Under: Solar Power Tagged With: active trackers, energy from the sun, passive trackers, photovoltaic panels, PV, renewable, solar power systems, solar trackers, sun's rays

Waste to Energy through Landfill Gasification

June 28, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. Gasification is the thermal decomposition of organic materials at high temperatures in a limited oxygen environment. The process requires an initial heat supply to produce a combination of combustible gases like methane, hydrocarbons, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This combination of gases is called ‘syngas’ which can be stored or combusted as it is produced. It is through gasification that biomass to be converted effectively. The most advanced form of gasification can provide for carbon capture which is one way of reducing carbon emissions in successfully combating climate change. Characteristics of Landfill gas: Landfill gas (LFG) is generated in landfills through the decomposition of organic waste materials normally disposed in landfills. LFG is produced when micro organisms in a landfill break down biodegradable waste like paper and food waste. The main components are methane (50%) and carbon dioxide (48%). It is the methane content makes it a prized fuel source. Methane is a greenhouse gas more than 20 times as powerful as carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere.  LFG’s composition varies with the age of the landfill, weather conditions, characteristics of the waste and other factors. Dangers of Landfill gas: LFG is a grave threat to security, to human health and to global warming. It is dangerous for three reasons: (1) LFG becomes explosive when it escapes from the landfill and it mixed with oxygen, (2) It can replace oxygen in the air in closed spaces, enough to case asphyxiation, and (3) LFG is dangerous if the methane level reaches high enough concentrations to cause a fire or an explosion. Opportunities of Landfill gas: LFG can be an inexpensive resource if local environment regulations necessitate the gas to be extracted and flared away. LFG can help lower the costs of green power when it is combined with solar and wind energy. Electricity from LFG is expected to provide the largest portion of its green power after wind and hydro power. Utilizing Landfill gas: One way to produce energy from rubbish is to utilize landfill gas. Compressed solid wastes create methane gas. This gas can be trapped, piped to a small plant and combusted to turn a turbine and generate electricity. LFG is a low pollutant fuel with regards to emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, unburned hydro carbons and volatile organic emissions. Landfill gas process: Landfill gas is fired in a plant’s boilers creating super heated steam. The super heated steam is used to drive the steam turbine or generator to produce electric power. LFG is collected or extracted from landfills by drilling wells into the landfills and collect the gases through pipes. Once the LFG has been processed, it can now be combined with other natural gases to fuel conventional combustion turbines. In the United States, LFG users are one of the top users of renewable energy in the manufacturing industry sector. Landfill gas opportunities: For many applications, landfill gas can be used as an alternate for natural gas either as a direct source or energy or as a fuel for electric production. Municipalities and other companies have realized the great potential for energy within their reach through the LFG. Landfill trash and garbage generates a naturally occurring gas that can be utilized to displace the conventional fossil fuels.

Filed Under: Renewable Energy Tagged With: biodegradable waste, energy source, fossil fuels, gasification, landfill, landfill gasification, lfg, organic materials, thermal decomposition

Cogeneration: How it Works?

June 27, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. Combined Heat and Power technology (CHP) or cogeneration is the process of converting exhaust gas into electricity and heat in a single process at the point of use. How does it work? Cogeneration uses a single process to produce electricity and heat or cooling.  Heat and power demand requirements vary from one place to another. The plant characteristics must be chosen carefully and matched to the local needs. Routine operational performance verifications must be established to match components of the system to demand needs as close as possible. Cogeneration system is consisted of four elements
  1. Primary mover (Engine)
  2. Electricity generator
  3. Heat recovery system
  4. Control system
Cogeneration’s suitability Many industries have been using cogeneration for a long time already due to its practical propositions for wide range of industries such as process industries, public and commercial sector buildings, and district heating schemes for which all have great heat demand. Below are renewable fuels than can help the value of cogeneration
  1. Pharmaceutical companies
  2. Paper and pulp manufacturing
  3. Breweries and distilleries
  4. Ceramics
  5. Brick and cement factories
  6. Food, textile, timber and minerals processing
  7. Motor industries
  8. Glasshouses and horticulture
Buildings and structures
  1. Hotels
  2. Shopping malls
  3. Hospitals and nursing homes
  4. Resort and leisure centers
  5. Office buildings
  6. Residential houses
Renewable energy
  1. Poultry and farm sites
  2. Woodland
  3. Agricultural wastes
  4. Sewage treatment works
Energy from waste
  1. Hospital waste incinerators
  2. Landfills
  3. Gasified municipal solid waste
  4. Municipal incinerators
The future of cogeneration  It is a well developed technology recognized worldwide as a better and cleaner alternative. Its future in the global energy market is secured with its capability to offer operational and environmental benefits. Environmental benefits
  1. Reduced carbon dioxide emissions
  2. Improved system performance
  3. Improved fuel efficiency
  4. Zero transmission losses
  5. Reduced energy consumed
Operational benefits
  1. Supply security
  2. Base load electric supply
  3. Legislative compliant
  4. Increased variety on heating and hot water
  5. Trigeneration – uses absorption mechanical chillers for cooling
Cogeneration technology: when to consider it?
  1. For increase energy efficiency.
  2. When new buildings and other structures are being designed.
  3. Power continuity.
  4. The re-development of existing sites.
  5. The installation of new boiler plants.
  6. For positive environmental impact.
  7. For improved financial performance.
  8. In support to the company’s green image.
Cogeneration systems are available from 33W to 100MG. They run on natural gas and by diesel, biogas or propane. This typical system is consists of an engine, combustion turbine and / or steam turbine. To produce hot water or steam, a waste heat exchange recovers waste heat from the engine and / or the exhaust gas. Cogeneration creates an amount of electric energy and process heat with 10% to 30% less fuel, more efficient that to create the electricity and process it separately.

Filed Under: Renewable Energy Tagged With: cogeneration, combined heat and power, energy efficiency, energy from waste, green image, power demand, trigeneration

Waste Heat Recovery: Clean Power Generation through Improved Efficiency without Water

June 26, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. Waste heat recovery systems collect excess thermal energy that would otherwise be exhausted or vented into the atmosphere. Some heat recovery systems cool hot exhaust from manufacturing processes, capturing excess heat and use it for power generation. What makes this possible is the use of organic working fluids with low vapor points and with high molecular densities. One of the major environmental concerns today is the increasing shortage of usable water. Industry such as lumber mills, utilities, steelworks, cement plants and many more other facilities typically overuse this vital resource. In order to produce materials and goods, each manufacturing process needs heat. The fastest and least expensive way to cool down processes is with the use of water, more specifically, vaporizing or literally, steam generation. Good news: Most of the fast moving water that flashes to steam can be captured, run through a turbine generator, generate electric power, condensed and feed back into the process. A condensing turbine uses the steam to recover energy. Bad news: There are about 2,300 gallons of water being wasted for every megawatt hour of energy being produced. Fresh water is one of the world’s scarcest natural resources. In the US, thermoelectric power accounts for 39% of all water consumption. That consumes more than 200 million of gallons of water each day. The majority of that power is used to cool down heated power production equipment. Why use water to cool down systems and equipment when for more than 50 years, there has been a water free technology that can be used. The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) originated from geothermal power and popularized in the late 1960s. It works on the principle as a traditional steam cycle with two notable exceptions:
  1. Instead of water, ORC uses a contained organic fluid.
  2. Does not need water for cooling.
ORC captures exhaust and cools it with the use of an environment friendly refrigerant which moves through a closed loop system, turns from liquid to steam and back to gas. The process generates continuous power, is totally self sustainable and with a lifespan of 20 years. Oil fields, cement plants, paper mills, steel mills are few of the large industrial facilities that both use waste heat and great amount of electricity. Through the use of waste heat recovery, the operations of these easily reduced their demand for traditional water cooling steam plants. This saves water by millions of gallons each year. The end product is clean energy that feeds back into the plant. In today’s economy, business owners must make business decisions that help the environment and actually help their businesses as well. One way to succeed is doing more with less. Using less means paying less. That is what waste heat recovery is all about. It helps equipment to use less resource while it saves business money. Across the United States, more and more industrial and power plant operators have worked with project developers on waste heat recovery systems. There are more than 25 completed projects already in the US alone with many more ongoing projects being developed.

Filed Under: Renewable Energy Tagged With: clean power generation, geothermal power, heat for power generation, heat recovery, ORC, steam plants, turbine generator, waste heat, waste heat recovery

Energy Storage: Pumped Hydro Storage Solutions

May 25, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. Pumped hydro storage entails pumping water to an elevated reservoir when excess or less expensive electricity is available (i.e., low demand times such as late night or early morning). Water is released to flow back down through a turbine generator when the electric power is needed. Electrical energy is both difficult and expensive to store, yet energy storage is extremely important, particularly for intermittent renewable energy. Pumped hydro is a mature technology and may well be, depending on topography, the least cost alternative for large scale energy storage. While hydro power is both stable and constant, the chief problem with the other renewable energy sources is that they are only available intermittently because the sun can supply energy for a limited number of hours per day (solar energy) and the wind doesn’t always blow (wind energy). The storage challenge of renewable energy therefore becomes of paramount importance. This is exactly why pumped hydro electric power has the edge, as storage systems have been in place and in use for many years. Water can simply be pumped into reservoirs during off peak hours and can be released to produce power used when demand for electricity is needed. Hydro power is the electricity generated from the gravitational force of water. It has its long history of usage. The first plants were built in 1890 in Italy and Switzerland. For the first half of the 20th century, many large hydro power plants were built, mostly in the USA, paving the way for big developments of this the largest form of renewable energy in the world.
  • It produces 21% of the renewable energy and supplies over 1/7 of the earth’s population with power.
  • It is a very positive energy source as it produces few fossil fuels or what is called green house gases.
  • It is very cost effective. No need for fuel and no need for fossil fuel fluctuations. No need for fossil fuels means they don’t create CO2 directly. Note: traditional fuel is often used to provide the power for pumper storage solutions
  • Hydro electricity produces the least of carbon dioxide when production, construction and running come into consideration
  • The hydro power plants can last long periods and are normally automated.
  • The dams for hydro power cost little to build. Return on investment (ROI) can be realized in a few years.
  • Reservoirs can also be used for fishing, sports and irrigation. They can be constructed in areas where flooding is prone.
A hydro electric power system has its disadvantages
  • It requires large areas of land and submerges a once dry area in water. This affects the natural surroundings and the local environment.
  • It can dissolve the oxygen content of water creating damage to the fishes. People living nearby would have to relocate because of this.
  • Reservoirs often become full of sediments because the water carries silt and deposits from the area, causing more problems to the dam.
Hydro electric power has its advantages and disadvantages. However, it is still one of the most important sources of power in our world today.

Filed Under: Water Power Tagged With: electricity demand, energy storage, hydro electric power, hydro power, hydro pumped, natural fuels, pumped hydro, renewable energy, reservoirs, traditional fuel

Worldwide Demand for Modular Water Filtration

May 18, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. Water from public sources may appear to be clean, fresh and safe to drink, but that is not always the case.  In many large lakes and other bodies of water, there exists vast breeding of bacteria and pathogens. Even running water, which appears to be pure, may have animal waste, sewage or industrial waste in it. The effects can be seen from the plants (water cress) growing near the banks of the river or lake. Behind the scenes of many pools, zoos, parks, cities and towns, are portable water filtration units that keep the environment safe for people and animals. This is not an easy task as it may seem for there is more to keeping swimming pools than just throwing in volumes and volumes of chlorine. The water has to be filtered constantly and used again in order to keep it always fresh, clean and to prevent diseases from breaking out. Research and high technology processes are applied to ensure water in any community is safe and meets appropriate clean and potable water standards. Modular water filtration devices are made in various different ways for many applications. These can be used to utilize different kinds of mediums in order to remove the bacteria from the water for drinking, bathing and swimming. Water sources in the community are filled with contaminants, like human and animal waste, mining sludge, and industrial wastes. It is human’s responsibility to clean up the mess it made, so it can leave a better world for the next generations to come. Portable or modular, as well as permanent water filtration devices and units can be used
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applications to clean and purify the water that is otherwise unsafe to use. Modular water filtration systems are very important during emergency cases like in natural disasters such as torrential downpours, earthquakes, landslides, flooding, mudslides, typhoons and political dilemmas. Flooding adversely affect water treatment plants and can contaminate available water resources. In times like these, modular water filtration systems can make an instant source of clean potable water for people to use for cooking, drinking and bathing. Companies and manufacturers of modular or portable water filtration devices can set these units up and delivered within short periods of time. Whenever and wherever there is an immediate need for fresh and clean or potable water, water filtration devices can be rented too. It is wonderful to know that there will be no situations where people in developed countries have to sacrifice to make use of water full of bacteria. It is also nice if the whole world would have the same access to clean and safe water. Clean and safe water can stop major world problems like poverty, diseases, and premature deaths. It is not feasible for a community to be productive and show development and progress if they can’t meet even the most basic needs of its people. It is important that water filtration be introduced to help them improve their quality of life.

Filed Under: Water Power Tagged With: clean water, filtration systems, fresh water, modular water filtration, potable water, potable water in times of calamities, safe water, water, water bacteria, water filter, water filtration devices, water is life, water pathogen

Diesel Generators for Distributed Power Production

May 16, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. Diesel generators have been in use for the last century. They have been in commercial use in various industries for more than a hundred years now. The primary purpose is to extract chemical energy from diesel fuel and convert it to electrical energy. Diesel generators are most often used when there is no direct access to utility power for homeowners, buildings and construction work sites and transportation. They serve as UPS or uninterrupted power supply to homes, hospitals, airports and other commercial businesses. Without power, businesses cannot maintain their operations. These generators are also used as back up for constant power supply, and totally relied upon as a trusted power source. Continuous power supply is very important to businesses regardless whether small scale or large scale industries. A diesel generator is perhaps the least expensive machine that can provide the best price compared to gasoline, propane and natural gas generators (depending on fuel cost). It is the few moving machine components, requires reasonably few repairs and maintenance. Other benefits you will enjoy when you acquire your own diesel generator.
  1. They are a less expensive alternative compared to a regular gasoline engine operation. Diesel fuels’ low costs and low maintenance requirements will result to lower operation costs for energy production. Energy produced through diesel can be used in many other power generations for industry appliances and applications. Lower energy costs also result to decreased production costs, thus moderating products’ prices in the market.
  2. Diesel is the most available among all the fossil fuels around the world. It can be found almost everywhere. It is very convenient for businesses that have field offices in remote areas and diesel generators can easily compensate energy requirements everywhere. It is the best economical energy solution.
  3. Diesel generators have another valuable advantage over other machines because they have high market value. They are very popular and easily re-sold. The after-sale value remains high.  Buy either a new one or as lightly used diesel generator for remote office use and sell it with little to no depreciation costs.
  4. In terms of stability and performance, diesel generators are very stable, reliable, scalable and show high performance. Diesel generators are commercially grade machines and can withstand extreme weathering and exhibit high performance during continuous use. They are highly preferred by industry experts because they have high fault tolerance.
  5. Available support for diesel engines is very common, thus when faced with any mechanical and technical problems, support is always available from local technician or mechanic. Any parts of the diesel machine that gets out of order, can easily be replaced.
  6.  A diesel generator is a multi-purpose machine. It is not designed for power generation only. It can be used to provide power in places where there are no other sources of energy available. Many electricity providers use diesel generators to generate commercial electricity. This can be supplied to consumers for a specific geographic location.
Diesel generators are very practical for use in residential, business, hospital, airports and other large scale industries.

Filed Under: Diesel Generators Tagged With: alternative energy, back up, chemical energy, diesel fuel, diesel generators, electrical energy, fossil fuel, gasoline, lower energy cost, multi-purpose machine, natural gas generators, power generation, power production, power supply, propane, uninterrupted power supply, ups, utility power

Gas Turbines … Generators

May 14, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. A gas turbine is a type of internal combustion engine that has a rotating compressor in its upstream coupled to a turbine in its downstream. In between is a combustion chamber. In the gas stream, energy is added where fuel is mixed with air and ignited. In the high pressure combustion chamber, the temperature is increased by the combustion driven expansion of the fuel.  The combustion’s by products are forced into the turbine section. From there, high volume and velocity gas flows straight through the nozzle and through the blades of the turbine, spinning the turbine that powers the compressor. In power turbines, this usually also drives the mechanical output shaft. Energy in to the turbine is transferred from the reduced temperature and pressure from the exhaust gas. Energy is then extracted in the form of compressed air or thrust, shaft power, and any combination of these. This energy is used to power aircrafts, trains, generators, ship and tanks. Gas turbines were originally developed for and used in the military and aerospace applications. Nowadays, these are used in many industrial applications. The same types of gas turbines used to power aircraft are used in power turbines for compressor, mechanical drive, generator and general applications. Currently, there is heavy spending worldwide to build gas turbine power plants in many countries, as power generation is one of the growing concerns. Environmental issues have increasingly become highlighted. Governments around the world are pressured to enforce strict regulation on the reduction of carbon emissions and the use of alternative fuels.  Gas turbine generators are favored for low emissions among traditional fossil fuel powered plants. Gas turbine power plants are basically dependent on fuel and air for combustion, and ultimately for generation. The process of generation involves combustion of fuel and air in the combustion chamber. Because of the gas turbines’ flexibility, they are often deployed as peak load machines. This is where gas turbines come in handy and work effectively when consumers are utilizing maximum use of power from the grid (i.e., late summer afternoons while industry is still working and consumers are heading home to turn on the AC). Gas turbines involve low installation and maintenance cost compared to other alternate fuels. An average gas turbine generator plant of 400 megawatts with three units can be built at a cost no more than 300 million dollars. Gas turbines are very low maintenance machines resulting in low operations and maintenance cost requirements. It takes several minutes to start a gas turbine, run up to full speed at no load and synchronize to the grid. This quick start machine feature is important especially when power is immediately needed. Power generators often start with diesel fuel before switching to natural gas for continuous operation. Gas turbine technology is continuously evolving since humble beginnings. Research is in progress to produce smaller, more efficient combustions chambers, better cooling engine parts, reduced emissions and more powerful gas turbines. On the emission side, research and development is underway for combustor technology to achieve near zero emissions. In the 1990’s compliant foil bearing were introduced to gas turbines which can withstand more than hundreds of start / stop cycles and do not require a bearing oil system. Photo Credit: Alstom

Filed Under: Gas Turbines Tagged With: alternative fuel, combustion chambers, combustor technology, compressor, cooling engine parts, gas turbine, gas turbines, generators, mechanical drive, natural gas, zero emission

Fuel Cells Save Money, Fuel and Mother Earth

May 7, 2012 by Liezel Magno Castro

This article is a continuation of our series about various topics in renewable energy. A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that produces electricity from external sources. Energy is created when two elements with opposite properties are placed in a fuel cell and react together. The energy created will continuously flow until there is nothing more to react. Fuel cells generate clean energy. The only waste product is water vapor. With today’s changing economy and increasing fossil fuel prices, many people are looking for alternatives. For these reasons, the technology on hydrogen fuel cell has developed. Fuel cell technology provides a wide array of important benefits and advantages including the following: Fuel Cells are Reliable Fuel cell technologies are more reliable as compared to traditional combustion engines. Researchers say that a technology such as this has shown reliabilities that can be applied to any kind of engine. With 100% reliability, it has proven to be more appropriate for the most demanding applications. Fuel Cells Raised Quality Power Fuel cell technologies provide a high quality of DC power, perfectly compatible to any kinds of electrical applications, specifically like electronics used inside the hospitals. By using fuel cells as the distribution product in energy networks, brown outs, black outs and power fluctuations can now be lessened or better, completely avoided. Fuel Cells are Clean Fuel cells technologies only produce water that comes from fueling hydrogen into the system. Regardless if it is powered by high-priced fossil fuels, polluting emissions produced less compared to other conventional technologies. Fuel Cells are Vibration Free Without the presence of moving parts, fuel cells are vibration free and are silent as night. Unlike traditional engine technologies that create sound / noise, fuel cells are quieter and no vibration at all even if it is made up of compressors, pumps and other parts. Fuel Cells Cost Although fuel cells are more expensive than fossil fuels, it is predicted that in the near future, fuel cell power will be less expensive and more efficient. The cost is an enticing advantage for the future. The above are just some of the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technologies. With this generation, a shift in usage can determine better effects than other traditional combustion engines. On the other hand, there are also several disadvantages such as the fact that fuel cells actually lose energy such that it cost more to produce energy. Other concerns include the tricky issues of finding feasible ways to produce, ship, and distribute hydrogen (used to fuel the fuel cell). And lastly, fuel cells are bulkier and bigger as compared to other energy sources. Bottom line and truth remains that using hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative fuel is in the long run, a positive effect on the environment. The only emission is water vapor, a lot environment-friendly than the toxic elements released into the air by burning fossil fuels and gasoline burning cars. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Hydrogen as an alternative fuel has the most promise over other alternative fuels.

Filed Under: Fuel Cells Tagged With: alternative fuel, combustion engines, conventional technologies, dc power, electricity, emissions, energy, fossil fuels, fuel cell power, fuel cells, gasoline, hydrogen, hydrogen fuel, toxic elements, water vapor

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