Electric Earth Index
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
CHAPTER 7 Design and Development of Small Wind Turbines
CHAPTER 7 Design and development of small wind turbines Lawrence Staudt Center for Renewable Energy, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland. For the purposes of this chapter, “small” wind turbines will be defi ned as those with a power rating of 50 kW or less (approximately 15 m rotor diameter). Small electricity-generating wind turbines have been in existence since the early 1900s, having been particularly popular for providing power for dwellings not yet con- nected to national electricity grids. These turbines largely disappeared as rural electrifi cation took place, and have primarily been used for remote power until recently. The oil crisis of the 1970s led to a resurgence in small wind technology, including the new concept of grid-connected small wind technology. There are few small wind turbine manufacturers with a track record spanning more than a decade. This can be attributed to diffi cult market conditions and nascent technol- ogy. However, the technology is becoming more mature, energy prices are rising and public awareness of renewable energy is increasing. There are now many small wind turbine companies around the world who are addressing the growing market for both grid-connected and remote power applications. The design fea- tures of small wind turbines, while similar to large wind turbines, often differ in signifi cant ways. 1 Small wind technology Technological approaches taken for the various components of a small wind turbine will be examined: the rotor, the drivetrain, the electrical systems and the tower. Of course wind turbines must be designed as a system, and so rotor design affects drivetrain design which affects control system design, etc. -
Lewis Wave Power Limited
Lewis Wave Power Limited 40MW Oyster Wave Array North West Coast, Isle of Lewis Environmental Statement Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary March 2012 40MW Lewis Wave Array Environmental Statement 1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 1.1 Introduction This document provides a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES) produced in support of the consent application process for the North West Lewis Wave Array, hereafter known as the development. The ES is the formal report of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken by Lewis Wave Power Limited (hereafter known as Lewis Wave Power) into the potential impacts of the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of the development. 1.2 Lewis Wave Power Limited Lewis Wave Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh based Aquamarine Power Limited, the technology developer of the Oyster wave power technology, which captures energy from near shore waves and converts it into clean sustainable electricity. Aquamarine Power installed the first full scale Oyster wave energy convertor (WEC) at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, which began producing power to the National Grid for the first time in November 2009. That device has withstood two winters in the harsh Atlantic waters off the coast of Orkney in northern Scotland. Aquamarine Power recently installed the first of three next-generation devices also at EMEC which will form the first wave array of its type anywhere in the world. 1.3 Project details The wave array development will have the capacity to provide 40 Megawatts (MW), enough energy to power up to 38,000 homes and will contribute to meeting the Scottish Government’s targets of providing the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020. -
Aquamarine Power – Oyster* Biopower Systems – Biowave
Wave Energy Converters (WECs) Aquamarine Power – Oyster* The Oyster is uniquely designed to harness wave energy in a near-shore environment. It is composed primarily of a simple mechanical hinged flap connected to the seabed at a depth of about 10 meters and is gravity moored. Each passing wave moves the flap, driving hydraulic pistons to deliver high pressure water via a pipeline to an onshore electrical turbine. AWS Ocean Energy – Archimedes Wave Swing™* The Archimedes Wave Swing is a seabed point-absorbing wave energy converter with a large air-filled cylinder that is submerged beneath the waves. As a wave crest approaches, the water pressure on the top of the cylinder increases and the upper part or 'floater' compresses the air within the cylinder to balance the pressures. The reverse happens as the wave trough passes and the cylinder expands. The relative movement between the floater and the fixed lower part is converted directly to electricity by means of a linear power take-off. BioPower Systems – bioWAVE™ The bioWAVE oscillating wave surge converter system is based on the swaying motion of sea plants in the presence of ocean waves. In extreme wave conditions, the device automatically ceases operation and assumes a safe position lying flat against the seabed. This eliminates exposure to extreme forces, allowing for light-weight designs. Centipod* The Centipod is a Wave Energy Conversion device currently under construction by Dehlsen Associates, LLC. It operates in water depths of 40-44m and uses a two point mooring system with four lines. Its methodology for wave energy conversion is similar to other devices. -
Technology Feature: the Oyster 16
ISSUE Technology Feature: The Oyster 16 April 2013 Featuring: Aquamarine Power In the latest edition of our newsletter, LRI interviewed Martin McAdam, CEO at Aquamarine Power. Their wave-powered energy converter - Oyster - is among the leading technologies in About Us the UK’s burgeoning marine energy sector. A commercial scale demonstration project is currently operational, and the sites for GreenTechEurope.com Aquamarine Power’s prospective wave farms have been secured (GTE) is a production of and fully permitted. The company is currently looking for London Research corporate equity investors to provide £30m to complete their International (LRI), a global commercialisation program. research and consulting firm with expertise in the Sooner than you think: utility scale marine energy The Oyster wave power device is a buoyant, hinged flap energy, environment, and Who is Aquamarine Power? which is attached to the seabed at depths of between 10 infrastructure sectors. GTE Aquamarine Power is an Edinburgh based wave and 15 metres, around half a kilometre from the shore. is a video-based energy technology and project developer which technology platform Oyster's hinged flap - which is almost entirely underwater conducts their R&D with Queen’s University Belfast - pitches backwards and forwards in the near-shore showcasing innovative and demonstrates their technology in the Orkney waves. The movement of the flap drives two hydraulic technologies from Europe. Islands, Scotland. Their unique approach to pistons which push high pressure water onshore via a developing both the technology and the project site The GTE Newsletter subsea pipeline to drive a conventional hydro-electric is aimed at easing the obstacles within the process turbine. -
Technological and Operational Aspects That Limit Small Wind Turbines Performance
energies Review Technological and Operational Aspects That Limit Small Wind Turbines Performance José Luis Torres-Madroñero 1 , Joham Alvarez-Montoya 1 , Daniel Restrepo-Montoya 1 , Jorge Mario Tamayo-Avendaño 1 , César Nieto-Londoño 1,2,* and Julián Sierra-Pérez 1 1 Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050031, Colombia; [email protected] (J.L.T.-M.); [email protected] (J.A.-M.); [email protected] (D.R.-M.); [email protected] (J.M.T.-A.); [email protected] (J.S.-P.) 2 Grupo de Energía y Termodinámica, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín 050031, Colombia * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 19 October 2020; Accepted: 17 November 2020; Published: 22 November 2020 Abstract: Small Wind Turbines (SWTs) are promissory for distributed generation using renewable energy sources; however, their deployment in a broad sense requires to address topics related to their cost-efficiency. This paper aims to survey recent developments about SWTs holistically, focusing on multidisciplinary aspects such as wind resource assessment, rotor aerodynamics, rotor manufacturing, control systems, and hybrid micro-grid integration. Wind resource produces inputs for the rotor’s aerodynamic design that, in turn, defines a blade shape that needs to be achieved by a manufacturing technique while ensuring structural integrity. A control system may account for the rotor’s aerodynamic performance interacting with an ever-varying wind resource. At the end, the concept of integration with other renewable source is justified, according to the inherent variability of wind generation. Several commercially available SWTs are compared to study how some of the previously mentioned aspects impact performance and Cost of Electricity (CoE). -
The Economics of the Green Investment Bank: Costs and Benefits, Rationale and Value for Money
The economics of the Green Investment Bank: costs and benefits, rationale and value for money Report prepared for The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills Final report October 2011 The economics of the Green Investment Bank: cost and benefits, rationale and value for money 2 Acknowledgements This report was commissioned by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Vivid Economics would like to thank BIS staff for their practical support in the review of outputs throughout this project. We would like to thank McKinsey and Deloitte for their valuable assistance in delivering this project from start to finish. In addition, we would like to thank the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the Carbon Trust and Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL), for their valuable support and advice at various stages of the research. We are grateful to the many individuals in the financial sector and the energy, waste, water, transport and environmental industries for sharing their insights with us. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors and not those of BIS or any other party, and the authors take responsibility for any errors or omissions. An appropriate citation for this report is: Vivid Economics in association with McKinsey & Co, The economics of the Green Investment Bank: costs and benefits, rationale and value for money, report prepared for The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, October 2011 The economics of the Green Investment Bank: cost and benefits, rationale and value for money 3 Executive Summary The UK Government is committed to achieving the transition to a green economy and delivering long-term sustainable growth. -
Draft Energy Bill: Pre–Legislative Scrutiny
House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee Draft Energy Bill: Pre–legislative Scrutiny First Report of Session 2012-13 Volume III Additional written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be published on 24 May, 12, 19 and 26 June, 3 July, and 10 July 2012 Published on Monday 23 July 2012 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited The Energy and Climate Change Committee The Energy and Climate Change Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department of Energy and Climate Change and associated public bodies. Current membership Mr Tim Yeo MP (Conservative, South Suffolk) (Chair) Dan Byles MP (Conservative, North Warwickshire) Barry Gardiner MP (Labour, Brent North) Ian Lavery MP (Labour, Wansbeck) Dr Phillip Lee MP (Conservative, Bracknell) Albert Owen MP (Labour, Ynys Môn) Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative, Tamworth) John Robertson MP (Labour, Glasgow North West) Laura Sandys MP (Conservative, South Thanet) Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrat, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) Dr Alan Whitehead MP (Labour, Southampton Test) The following members were also members of the committee during the parliament: Gemma Doyle MP (Labour/Co-operative, West Dunbartonshire) Tom Greatrex MP (Labour, Rutherglen and Hamilton West) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. -
Design and Access Statement April 2015 FULBECK AIRFIELD WIND FARM DESIGN and ACCESS STATEMENT
Energiekontor UK Ltd Design and Access Statement April 2015 FULBECK AIRFIELD WIND FARM DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT Contents Section Page 1. Introduction 2 2. Site Selection 3 3. Design Influences 7 4. Design Evolution, Amount, Layout and Scale 9 5. Development Description, Appearance and Design 14 6. Access 16 Figures Page 2.1 Site Location 3 2.2 Landscape character areas 4 2.3 1945 RAF Fulbeck site plan 5 2.4 Site selection criteria 6 4.1 First Iteration 10 4.2 Second Iteration 11 4.3 Third Iteration 12 4.4 Fourth Iteration 13 5.1 First Iteration looking SW from the southern edge of Stragglethorpe 14 5.2 Fourth Iteration looking SW from the southern edge of 14 Stragglethorpe 5.3 First Iteration looking east from Sutton Road south of Rectory Lane 15 5.4 Fourth Iteration looking east from Sutton Road south of Rectory Lane 15 6.1 Details of temporary access for turbine deliveries 16 EnergieKontor UK Ltd 1 May 2015 FULBECK AIRFIELD WIND FARM DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT 1 Introduction The Application 1.8 The Fulbeck Airfield Wind Farm planning application is Context 1.6 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process also submitted in full and in addition to this Design and Access exploits opportunities for positive design, rather than merely Statement is accompanied by the following documents 1.1 This Design and Access Statement has been prepared by seeking to avoid adverse environmental effects. The Design which should be read together: Energiekontor UK Ltd (“EK”) to accompany a planning and Access Statement is seen as having an important role application for the construction, 25 year operation and in contributing to the design process through the clear Environmental Statement Vol 1; subsequent decommissioning of a wind farm consisting of documentation of design evolution. -
Online Course Small Wind Power – Planning
Online course Small wind power – Planning © Renewables Academy (RENAC) AG This copyrighted course is part of the series of online study programmes offered by the Renewables Academy AG. The course materials are provided exclusively for personal or curriculum and course- related purposes to enrolled students and registered users only. Any further use of this material shall require the explicit consent of the copyright and intellectual property rights holders, Renewables Academy AG. This material or parts of it may neither be reproduced nor in any way used or disclosed or passed on to third parties. Any unauthorised use or violation will be subject to private law and will be prosecuted. Berlin, 2020-03-12 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Learning objectives of the course ........................................................................................... 3 1.2 Introduction to the course ...................................................................................................... 3 2 Project planning .............................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Environmental impacts............................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Social impacts ......................................................................................................................... -
Aquamarine Power Response
Strengthening strategic and sustainability considerations in Ofgem’s decision making Aquamarine Power’s response 1. Introduction “With a quarter of the UK’s generating capacity shutting down over the next ten years as old coal and nuclear power stations close, more than £110bn in investment is needed to build the equivalent of 20 large power stations and upgrade the grid. In the longer term, by 2050, electricity demand is set to double, as we shift more transport and heating onto the electricity grid. Business as usual is therefore not an option.i” Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2010 The coming decades will see a radical shift in the way in which electricity is generated and how it is paid for, and we welcome this discussion paper. We believe marine energy – wave and tidal power – offers a potential new energy source which can make a significant contribution to the UK and global energy mix in the decades ahead. But we are concerned the current charging regime fails to take account of the particular economic challenges faced by these early stage technologies, and as a consequence there is a danger that wave and tidal energy will be ‘locked out’ of any future energy scenario. This would mean UK consumers would miss out on a new form of energy which has the potential to drive down consumer bills in the long term, and also that UK would miss out on a major economic opportunity to become a global leader in new technologies. As project Discovery stated, the lowest domestic fuel bills would be likely to be realised under the ‘Green Stimulus’ scenario in which the UK reaches its 2020 renewable energy targetii. -
Wind Power: Energy of the Future It’S Worth Thinking About
Wind power: energy of the future It’s worth thinking about. »Energy appears to me to be the first and unique virtue of man.« Wilhelm von Humboldt 2 3 »With methods from the past, there will be no future.« Dr. Bodo Wilkens Wind power on the increase »Environmental protection is an opportunity and not a burden we have to carry.« Helmut Sihler When will the oil run out? Even if experts cannot agree on an exact date, one thing is certain: the era of fossil fuels is coming to an end. In the long term we depend on renewable sources of energy. This is an irrefutable fact, which has culminated in a growing ecological awareness in industry as well as in politics: whereas renewable sources of energy accounted for 4.2 percent of the total consumption of electricity in 1996, the year 2006 registered a proportion of 12 per- cent. And by 2020 this is to be pushed up to 30 percent. The growth of recent years has largely been due to the use of wind power. The speed of technical development over the past 15 years has brought a 20-fold rise in efficiency and right now wind power is the most economical regenerat- ive form there is to produce electricity. In this respect, Germany leads the world: since 1991 more than 19.460 wind power plants have been installed with a wind power capacity of 22.247 MW*. And there is more still planned for the future: away from the coastline, the offshore plants out at sea will secure future electricity supplies. -
No2nuclearpower 1 1. Sellafield
No2NuclearPower No.59 February 2014 1. Sellafield - poor progress, missed targets, escalating costs, slipping deadlines and weak leadership 2. Plutonium – no clear strategy 3. European Commission State Aid Investigation 4. European Targets 5. Horizon – GDA 6. NuGen – an AP1000 in 4 years? 7. Day of the Jellyfish 8. NDA’s intermediate-level waste plans 9. Waste Transport 10. ECO disaster 11. Solar Prospects 12. Nuclear Innovation nuClear news No.59, February 2014 1 No2NuclearPower 1. Sellafield - poor progress, missed targets, escalating costs, slipping deadlines and weak leadership Nuclear Management Partners – the consortium overseeing the clean-up of Sellafield – should have their contract terminated if performance does not improve, says Margaret Hodge, Chair of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The bill for cleaning up Sellafield has risen to more than £70bn, according to a report from the public accounts committee. A new report (1) from the Committee says progress has been poor, with missed targets, escalating costs, slipping deadlines and weak leadership. The MPs made a series of recommendations focusing on the role of Nuclear Management Partners (NMP). The report concluded that the consortium was to blame for many of the escalating costs and the MPs said they could not understand why the NDA extended the consortium's contract last October. (2) Damning criticism of the consortium was also revealed in a series of hostile letters written by John Clarke, head of the NDA. Mr Clarke accused Nuclear Management Partners (NMP) of undermining confidence and damaging the entire project’s reputation, as well as criticising Tom Zarges, the consortium chairman, of setting “unduly conservative” targets.