"New Energy Economy": an Exercise in Magical Thinking
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Lecture 10: Tidal Power
Lecture 10: Tidal Power Chris Garrett 1 Introduction The maintenance and extension of our current standard of living will require the utilization of new energy sources. The current demand for oil cannot be sustained forever, and as scientists we should always try to keep such needs in mind. Oceanographers may be able to help meet society's demand for natural resources in some way. Some suggestions include the oceans in a supportive manner. It may be possible, for example, to use tidal currents to cool nuclear plants, and a detailed knowledge of deep ocean flow structure could allow for the safe dispersion of nuclear waste. But we could also look to the ocean as a renewable energy resource. A significant amount of oceanic energy is transported to the coasts by surface waves, but about 100 km of coastline would need to be developed to produce 1000 MW, the average output of a large coal-fired or nuclear power plant. Strong offshore winds could also be used, and wind turbines have had some limited success in this area. Another option is to take advantage of the tides. Winds and solar radiation provide the dominant energy inputs to the ocean, but the tides also provide a moderately strong and coherent forcing that we may be able to effectively exploit in some way. In this section, we first consider some of the ways to extract potential energy from the tides, using barrages across estuaries or tidal locks in shoreline basins. We then provide a more detailed analysis of tidal fences, where turbines are placed in a channel with strong tidal currents, and we consider whether such a system could be a reasonable power source. -
Energy Budget of the Biosphere and Civilization: Rethinking Environmental Security of Global Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
ecological complexity 5 (2008) 281–288 available at www.sciencedirect.com journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ecocom Viewpoint Energy budget of the biosphere and civilization: Rethinking environmental security of global renewable and non-renewable resources Anastassia M. Makarieva a,b,*, Victor G. Gorshkov a,b, Bai-Lian Li b,c a Theoretical Physics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 188300 Gatchina, St. Petersburg, Russia b CAU-UCR International Center for Ecology and Sustainability, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA c Ecological Complexity and Modeling Laboratory, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0124, USA article info abstract Article history: How much and what kind of energy should the civilization consume, if one aims at Received 28 January 2008 preserving global stability of the environment and climate? Here we quantify and compare Received in revised form the major types of energy fluxes in the biosphere and civilization. 30 April 2008 It is shown that the environmental impact of the civilization consists, in terms of energy, Accepted 13 May 2008 of two major components: the power of direct energy consumption (around 15 Â 1012 W, Published on line 3 August 2008 mostly fossil fuel burning) and the primary productivity power of global ecosystems that are disturbed by anthropogenic activities. This second, conventionally unaccounted, power Keywords: component exceeds the first one by at least several times. Solar power It is commonly assumed that the environmental stability can be preserved if one Hydropower manages to switch to ‘‘clean’’, pollution-free energy resources, with no change in, or Wind power even increasing, the total energy consumption rate of the civilization. -
Considering Biodiversity for Solar and Wind Energy Investments Introduction
IBAT briefing note Considering Biodiversity for Solar and Wind Energy Investments Introduction The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool provides a such as mortality of birds and bats at wind farms and indirect mechanism for early-stage biodiversity risk screening of impacts, such as the development of new roads which lead to commercial operations. The rapid shift in energy investments other pressures on the ecosystem. Fortunately, many impacts from fossil fuels to renewable energy requires banks and to the most vulnerable species can be avoided as sensitivity investors to take new considerations into account to avoid mapping has repeatedly shown that there is ample space unintended negative environmental impacts from their to safely deploy renewable energies at the scale needed investments. The International Union on the Conservation to meet national targets¹ and avoid globally important places of Nature (IUCN) - an IBAT Alliance member - has recently for biodiversity.² produced new guidelines on ‘Mitigating Biodiversity Impacts Adequate diligence will be required to ensure that responsible Associated with Solar and Wind Energy Development’. investing is applied to renewable energy financing. Instruments, This briefing note complements the IUCN/TBC Guidelines such as green bonds³ and sustainability-linked loans,4 equity and supports IBAT users to understand the potential investment into thematic funds, or sovereign bonds will biodiversity impacts from this fast-growing area of finance. continue to play a major role in helping to finance this sector. Large areas of land and oceans are needed to site renewable With the increasing appetite for investment in environmentally energy infrastructure to meet rising energy demands in areas sustainable projects, there is a danger that biodiversity impacts of economically viable wind and solar resource. -
Wind Energy Glossary: Technical Terms and Concepts Erik Edward Nordman Grand Valley State University, [email protected]
Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Technical Reports Biology Department 6-1-2010 Wind Energy Glossary: Technical Terms and Concepts Erik Edward Nordman Grand Valley State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/bioreports Part of the Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, and the Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons Recommended Citation Nordman, Erik Edward, "Wind Energy Glossary: Technical Terms and Concepts" (2010). Technical Reports. Paper 5. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/bioreports/5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Biology Department at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Technical Reports by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The terms in this glossary are organized into three sections: (1) Electricity Transmission Network; (2) Wind Turbine Components; and (3) Wind Energy Challenges, Issues and Solutions. Electricity Transmission Network Alternating Current An electrical current that reverses direction at regular intervals or cycles. In the United States, the (AC) standard is 120 reversals or 60 cycles per second. Electrical grids in most of the world use AC power because the voltage can be controlled with relative ease, allowing electricity to be transmitted long distances at high voltage and then reduced for use in homes. Direct Current A type of electrical current that flows only in one direction through a circuit, usually at relatively (DC) low voltage and high current. To be used for typical 120 or 220 volt household appliances, DC must be converted to AC, its opposite. Most batteries, solar cells and turbines initially produce direct current which is transformed to AC for transmission and use in homes and businesses. -
The Deep, Hot Biosphere (Geochemistry/Planetology) THOMAS GOLD Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Contributed by Thomas Gold, March 13, 1992
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 89, pp. 6045-6049, July 1992 Microbiology The deep, hot biosphere (geochemistry/planetology) THOMAS GOLD Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Contributed by Thomas Gold, March 13, 1992 ABSTRACT There are strong indications that microbial gasification. As liquids, gases, and solids make new contacts, life is widespread at depth in the crust ofthe Earth, just as such chemical processes can take place that represent, in general, life has been identified in numerous ocean vents. This life is not an approach to a lower chemical energy condition. Some of dependent on solar energy and photosynthesis for its primary the energy so liberated will increase the heating of the energy supply, and it is essentially independent of the surface locality, and this in turn will liberate more fluids there and so circumstances. Its energy supply comes from chemical sources, accelerate the processes that release more heat. Hot regions due to fluids that migrate upward from deeper levels in the will become hotter, and chemical activity will be further Earth. In mass and volume it may be comparable with all stimulated there. This may contribute to, or account for, the surface life. Such microbial life may account for the presence active and hot regions in the Earth's crust that are so sharply of biological molecules in all carbonaceous materials in the defined. outer crust, and the inference that these materials must have Where such liquids or gases stream up to higher levels into derived from biological deposits accumulated at the surface is different chemical surroundings, they will continue to repre- therefore not necessarily valid. -
Hydroelectric Power -- What Is It? It=S a Form of Energy … a Renewable Resource
INTRODUCTION Hydroelectric Power -- what is it? It=s a form of energy … a renewable resource. Hydropower provides about 96 percent of the renewable energy in the United States. Other renewable resources include geothermal, wave power, tidal power, wind power, and solar power. Hydroelectric powerplants do not use up resources to create electricity nor do they pollute the air, land, or water, as other powerplants may. Hydroelectric power has played an important part in the development of this Nation's electric power industry. Both small and large hydroelectric power developments were instrumental in the early expansion of the electric power industry. Hydroelectric power comes from flowing water … winter and spring runoff from mountain streams and clear lakes. Water, when it is falling by the force of gravity, can be used to turn turbines and generators that produce electricity. Hydroelectric power is important to our Nation. Growing populations and modern technologies require vast amounts of electricity for creating, building, and expanding. In the 1920's, hydroelectric plants supplied as much as 40 percent of the electric energy produced. Although the amount of energy produced by this means has steadily increased, the amount produced by other types of powerplants has increased at a faster rate and hydroelectric power presently supplies about 10 percent of the electrical generating capacity of the United States. Hydropower is an essential contributor in the national power grid because of its ability to respond quickly to rapidly varying loads or system disturbances, which base load plants with steam systems powered by combustion or nuclear processes cannot accommodate. Reclamation=s 58 powerplants throughout the Western United States produce an average of 42 billion kWh (kilowatt-hours) per year, enough to meet the residential needs of more than 14 million people. -
Communication & Media Studies
COMMUNICATION & MEDIA STUDIES BOOKS FOR COURSES 2011 PENGUIN GROUP (USA) Here is a great selection of Penguin Group (usa)’s Communications & Media Studies titles. Click on the 13-digit ISBN to get more information on each title. n Examination and personal copy forms are available at the back of the catalog. n For personal service, adoption assistance, and complimentary exam copies, sign up for our College Faculty Information Service at www.penguin.com/facinfo 2 COMMUNICaTION & MEDIa STUDIES 2011 CONTENTS Jane McGonigal Mass Communication ................... 3 f REality IS Broken Why Games Make Us Better and Media and Culture .............................4 How They Can Change the World Environment ......................................9 Drawing on positive psychology, cognitive sci- ence, and sociology, Reality Is Broken uncov- Decision-Making ............................... 11 ers how game designers have hit on core truths about what makes us happy and uti- lized these discoveries to astonishing effect in Technology & virtual environments. social media ...................................13 See page 4 Children & Technology ....................15 Journalism ..................................... 16 Food Studies ....................................18 Clay Shirky Government & f CognitivE Surplus Public affairs Reporting ................. 19 Creativity and Generosity Writing for the Media .....................22 in a Connected age Reveals how new technology is changing us from consumers to collaborators, unleashing Radio, TElEvision, a torrent -
LGST 642X Q2 2016 Syllabus 101816
LGST 642x Big Data, Big Responsibilities: The Law and Ethics of Business Analytics Q2 2016 | MW 10:30am-12pm | JMHH F65 Overview Significant technologies always have unintended consequences, and their effects are never neutral. A world of ubiquitous data, subject to ever more sophisticated collection, aggregation, analysis, and use, creates massive opportunities for both financial gain and social good. It also creates dangers in areas such as privacy and discrimination, as well as simple hubris about the effectiveness of management by algorithm. This course introduces students to the legal, policy, and ethical dimensions of big data, predictive analytics, and related techniques. It then examines responses—both private and governmental—that may be employed to address these concerns. Instructor Associate Professor Kevin Werbach Department of Legal Studies and Business Ethics 673 Huntsman Hall (215) 898-1222 [email protected] (best way to reach me) Office Hours: Monday 12:30-2pm, or by appointment Learning Objectives Good data-driven decision-making means not just generating solutions, but understanding how to use them. Some of the most sophisticated firms in terms of data science expertise have already gotten into trouble over concerns about privacy, security, manipulation, and discrimination. Failure to anticipate such issues can result in ethical lapses, public relations disasters, regulatory sanctions, and even legal liability. My goal is to help you develop the skills to use analytics in the most responsible way, while remaining focused on your business objectives. After completion of the course, you should be able to: 1. Identify where algorithms depend on human judgments or assumptions. 2. -
Hydropower Technologies Program — Harnessing America’S Abundant Natural Resources for Clean Power Generation
U.S. Department of Energy — Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program — Harnessing America’s abundant natural resources for clean power generation. Contents Hydropower Today ......................................... 1 Enhancing Generation and Environmental Performance ......... 6 Large Turbine Field-Testing ............................... 9 Providing Safe Passage for Fish ........................... 9 Improving Mitigation Practices .......................... 11 From the Laboratories to the Hydropower Communities ..... 12 Hydropower Tomorrow .................................... 14 Developing the Next Generation of Hydropower ............ 15 Integrating Wind and Hydropower Technologies ............ 16 Optimizing Project Operations ........................... 17 The Federal Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program ..... 19 Mission and Goals ...................................... 20 2003 Hydropower Research Highlights Alden Research Center completes prototype turbine tests at their facility in Holden, MA . 9 Laboratories form partnerships to develop and test new sensor arrays and computer models . 10 DOE hosts Workshop on Turbulence at Hydroelectric Power Plants in Atlanta . 11 New retrofit aeration system designed to increase the dissolved oxygen content of water discharged from the turbines of the Osage Project in Missouri . 11 Low head/low power resource assessments completed for conventional turbines, unconventional systems, and micro hydropower . 15 Wind and hydropower integration activities in 2003 aim to identify potential sites and partners . 17 Cover photo: To harness undeveloped hydropower resources without using a dam as part of the system that produces electricity, researchers are developing technologies that extract energy from free flowing water sources like this stream in West Virginia. ii HYDROPOWER TODAY Water power — it can cut deep canyons, chisel majestic mountains, quench parched lands, and transport tons — and it can generate enough electricity to light up millions of homes and businesses around the world. -
Stuxnet, Schmitt Analysis, and the Cyber “Use-Of-Force” Debate
Members of International Telecommunications Union and UN Institute for Training and Research confer on cyber security UN (Jean-Marc Ferré) UN (Jean-Marc Stuxnet, Schmitt Analysis, and the Cyber “Use-of-Force” Debate By ANDREW C. FOLTZ All Members shall refrain in ne of the many seemingly advance the specific criteria states will use in intractable legal issues sur- making such determinations. their international relations rounding cyberspace involves As discussed in this article, several ana- from the threat or use of force O whether and when peacetime lytic frameworks have been developed to help against the territorial integ- cyber operations constitute a prohibited use of assess when cyber operations constitute a use force under Article 2(4) of the United Nations of force.3 One conclusion these frameworks rity or political independence (UN) Charter. Notwithstanding a significant share is that cyber operations resulting in of any state, or in any other body of scholarly work on this topic and physical damage or injury will almost always manner inconsistent with extensive real-world examples from which to be regarded as a use of force. When these draw, there is no internationally recognized frameworks were developed, however, there the Purposes of the United definition of a use of force.2 Rather, what has were few, if any, examples of peacetime, state- Nations. emerged is a general consensus that some sponsored cyber coercion. More importantly, cyber operations will constitute a use of force, the prospect of cyber attacks causing physical —Article 2(4), Charter of the but that it may not be possible to identify in damage was largely theoretical.4 Beginning United Nations1 Lieutenant Colonel Andrew C. -
The New Investor Tom C.W
The New Investor Tom C.W. Lin EVIEW R ABSTRACT A sea change is happening in finance. Machines appear to be on the rise and humans on LA LAW LA LAW the decline. Human endeavors have become unmanned endeavors. Human thought and UC human deliberation have been replaced by computerized analysis and mathematical models. Technological advances have made finance faster, larger, more global, more interconnected, and less human. Modern finance is becoming an industry in which the main players are no longer entirely human. Instead, the key players are now cyborgs: part machine, part human. Modern finance is transforming into what this Article calls cyborg finance. This Article offers one of the first broad, descriptive, and normative examinations of this sea change and its wide-ranging effects on law, society, and finance. The Article begins by placing the rise of artificial intelligence and computerization in finance within a larger social context. Next, it explores the evolution and birth of a new investor paradigm in law precipitated by that rise. This Article then identifies and addresses regulatory dangers, challenges, and consequences tied to the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and computers. Specifically, it warns of emerging financial threats in cyberspace, examines new systemic risks linked to speed and connectivity, studies law’s capacity to govern this evolving financial landscape, and explores the growing resource asymmetries in finance. Finally, drawing on themes from the legal discourse about the choice between rules and standards, this Article closes with a defense of humans in an uncertain financial world in which machines continue to rise, and it asserts that smarter humans working with smart machines possess the key to better returns and better futures. -
Concentrating Solar Power: Energy from Mirrors
DOE/GO-102001-1147 FS 128 March 2001 Concentrating Solar Power: Energy from Mirrors Mirror mirror on the wall, what's the The southwestern United States is focus- greatest energy source of all? The sun. ing on concentrating solar energy because Enough energy from the sun falls on the it's one of the world's best areas for sun- Earth everyday to power our homes and light. The Southwest receives up to twice businesses for almost 30 years. Yet we've the sunlight as other regions in the coun- only just begun to tap its potential. You try. This abundance of solar energy makes may have heard about solar electric power concentrating solar power plants an attrac- to light homes or solar thermal power tive alternative to traditional power plants, used to heat water, but did you know there which burn polluting fossil fuels such as is such a thing as solar thermal-electric oil and coal. Fossil fuels also must be power? Electric utility companies are continually purchased and refined to use. using mirrors to concentrate heat from the sun to produce environmentally friendly Unlike traditional power plants, concen- electricity for cities, especially in the trating solar power systems provide an southwestern United States. environmentally benign source of energy, produce virtually no emissions, and con- Photo by Hugh Reilly, Sandia National Laboratories/PIX02186 Photo by Hugh Reilly, This concentrating solar power tower system — known as Solar Two — near Barstow, California, is the world’s largest central receiver plant. This document was produced for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a DOE national laboratory.