Techdiplomacy

The relatively constant flow of ocean currents carries large amounts of energy that can be collected and used to generate electricity. Ocean waters move continuously. Ocean currents flow in complex patterns affected by the wind, water salinity and temperature, topography of the ocean floor, and the earth’s rotation. The ocean currents are driven by wind and solar heating of the waters near the equator, though some ocean currents result from density and salinity of water. These currents are relatively constant and flow in one direction, compared to the tidal currents closer to shore. Some examples of ocean currents are the Gulf Stream, Florida Straits Current, and California Current. While ocean currents move slowly, they carry a great deal of energy because of the density of water. Water is 800 times denser than air, so for the same surface area, water moving 12 miles per hour exerts about the same amount of force as a constant 110 mph wind. Ocean currents contain a substantial amount of energy. It has been estimated that taking just 1/1000th, of the available energy from the Gulf Stream would supply Florida with 35% of its electricity. The United States and other countries are researching ocean current energy, including Japan, China, and some European countries; however, marine current energy is at an early stage of development. There are no commercial grid-connected turbines currently operating; to date, only a small number of prototypes and demonstration units have been tested. Some of these technologies have been developed for use with tidal currents in near-shore environments; these near-shore tidal current energy technologies are not analyzed in the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS. The most likely scenario would be, energy would be extracted from ocean currents by using submerged water turbines similar to wind turbines. These turbines would have rotor blades, a generator for converting the rotational energy into electricity, and a means of transporting the electrical current for incorporation into the electrical grid. Also, there would need to be a way to keep the turbines stationary, such as concrete caissons, pile driven foundations, or cables anchored to the sea floor. Additional components might include concentrators (or shrouds) around the blades to increase the flow and power output from the turbine. In large open areas with fast currents, it would be possible to install water turbines in groups or clusters to make up a marine current “farm”, with a predicted density of up to 37 turbines per square kilometer. Space would be needed between the water turbines to eliminate wake-interaction effects and to allow access by maintenance crews and their vessels. Alternatives to water turbine designs have been proposed, including having a barge moored in the current stream with a large cable loop to which “parachutes” are fastened. The parachutes would be pushed by the current, then closed on their way back, forming a loop similar to a large horizontal water wheel. For ocean current energy to be utilized successfully at a commercial scale, a number of potential technical challenges need to be addressed, including: • avoidance of cavitations (bubble formation); • prevention of marine growth buildup; • reliability; and • corrosion resistance. Ocean current energy technology project planning will need to consider species protection (including fish and marine mammals) from injury from turning turbine blades. Consideration of shipping routes and present recreational uses, such as fishing and diving, will be required when considering where to locate the turbines. Other considerations include risks from slowing the current flow by extracting energy. Local effects, such as changes of estuary mixing resulting in temperature and salinity modifications, might affect species in estuaries.

This is not an overnight fix for our energy needs. However, in time, with more research, this could become a viable form of renewable energy. What do you think? Comment on this or any other post, you’ll start a lively conversation. See you around the galaxy…

Wikipedia defines electric power transmission is the bulk transfer of electrical power (or more correctly energy), a process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. A power transmission network typically connects power plants to multiple substations near a populated area. The wiring from substations to customers is referred to as Electricity distribution, following the historic business model separating the wholesale electricity transmission business from distributors who deliver the electricity to the homes.[1] Electric power transmission allows distant energy sources (such as hydroelectric power plants) to be connected to consumers in population centers, and may allow exploitation of low-grade fuel resources such as coal that would otherwise be too costly to transport to generating facilities. Usually transmission lines use three phase alternating current (AC). Single phase AC current is sometimes used in a railway electrification system. High-voltage direct current systems are used for long distance transmission, or some undersea cables, or for connecting two different ac networks. Electricity is transmitted at high voltages (110 kV or above) to reduce the energy lost in transmission. Power is usually transmitted as alternating current through overhead power lines. Underground power transmission is used only in densely populated areas because of its higher cost of installation and maintenance when compared with overhead wires,and the difficulty of voltage control on long cables. A power transmission network is referred to as a “grid”. Multiple redundant lines between points on the network are provided so that power can be routed from any power plant to any load center, through a variety of routes, based on the economics of the transmission path and the cost of power. Much analysis is done by transmission companies to determine the maximum reliable capacity of each line, which, due to system stability considerations, may be less than the physical or thermal limit of the line. Deregulation of electricity companies in many countries has led to renewed interest in reliable economic design of transmission networks. However, in some places the gaming of a deregulated energy system has led to disaster, such as that which occurred during the California electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001.[2]

America’s infrastructure is changing in ways that its designers never anticipated. Distributed and intermittent electricity generation, such as wind power, is rapidly expanding, new smart meters are giving consumers more control over their energy usage, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may someday radically increase the overall demand for electricity. The evolution of America’s energy needs has forced scientists and engineers to re-examine the operations, efficiency and security of the national power grid. The creation of a more secure and efficient national power grid requires significant innovations in the way we transmit electricity and monitor its use. To better assess the challenges facing the power grid, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory hosted a workshop that brought together power system and modeling experts from federal agencies, national laboratories and academia. “Modeling and simulation have proved to be effective tools for the power industry on many levels,” said Mark Petri, Argonne’s technology development director and one of the workshop’s organizers. “We need to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach that will enable us to better understand the full implications of an evolving power grid as we plan for future demand and power sources.” The workshop centered on the need for new methods to simulate the national power grid by modeling the creation and flow of electric power as well as the grid’s connection to other critical infrastructures, such as transportation, gas, water and communications. Through detailed simulations of how electric power is supplied and transferred around the country, researchers can bolster not only the grid’s security but also its reliability, efficiency and resiliency. “Implementing smart grid technologies on a large scale will not be trivial,” Petri added. “The challenges go beyond technical and economic issues. The smart grid technologies could fundamentally change how national power grid systems operate and respond to disruptions.” Because of the great diversity of ways in which electricity is created, distributed and consumed, engineers face a challenge in creating reliable models of large power networks. They have to deal with the intermittent nature of some of the sources (like wind or solar), optimize how power is transmitted and balance economic, security and environmental priorities when finding solutions. “In the short-term,” Petri said, “these simulations could help devise ways to solve the problem of grid congestion, which currently costs consumers many hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Even small improvements in grid efficiency that better models and simulations would produce would make the investment cost-effective.” The workshop, which was sponsored by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, identified barriers that a national grid simulation capability would need to overcome to be effective. The findings of the workshop appear in the report “National Power Grid Simulation Capability: Needs and Issues.” According to Petri, an operational plan for a national power grid simulation capability that engages industry to better understand their needs, capabilities and concerns would support a more secure and reliable electric power grid system for the future. SOURCE: DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Wind is not only a good, clean source of energy, it’s also a way of generating more power quickly. Unlike a nuclear plant that would take anywhere from 10 to 15 years to go online, a wind farm can be up and running in as little as two years. And with the incentives for renewable energy that are part of the economic stimulus bill passed by the Senate in February ─ including a $7 billion renewable energy loan guarantee program, tax credits and extended bonus depreciation ─ wind energy is a power source that makes economic sense. It is true that the recent crisis in the financial markets has made banks more cautious about lending, requiring developers to provide 1.5 to 2 years worth of data in their loan applications. However, this delay in the financing process is mitigated by the fact that turbine manufacturers now have sufficient inventory to fill orders. To make a long story short ─ it’s a good time to look into wind power. Building and maintaining a relationship with the utilityOnce it has been determined that “building” a wind farm in a particular location makes sense, connecting it with the existing transmission system is the key challenge electrical engineers have to tackle.  The system must be designed so a single component failure or outage does not impact the rest of the system. It must also be compatible with other stations owned by the host utility to ensure that maintenance personnel are familiar with basic operating functions and do not have to be retrained. The developer’s station needs to meet the bulk power design requirements up to the point of voltage transformation that takes place at the demarcation line between developer and utility. Every utility has specific design requirements, both for the physical design and CAD drawing format. Establishing a design protocol up front helps avoid duplicating efforts. Simple matters such as switch numbering, protection and communication software and hardware design can become costly issues if they are not addressed early on in the process. To ensure good collaboration, detailed task responsibilities should cover areas like relay settings, SCADA and security. If the developer is providing the design of the new substation or the retrofit of the existing point of interface station, all documents and drawings must be submitted for approval. The same applies to primary equipment specifications and purchases. The utility should also be kept up to date on project schedule and milestone points for drawing approval and commissioning testing. When drawing up a project schedule, keep in mind that before the station is energized, the utility field personnel is likely to want to witness or even perform itself all relay, metering and communications equipment tests. Designing the new substationSome utilities have the capability to design and build the station, others prefer to outsource. In either case, the design of the station will depend on the topology of the site, equipment rations, and utility requirements in the given service area. Since the substation that ultimately connects the wind park generation to the high voltage grid is designed to be part of the overall interconnected system it needs to meet its overall requirements. Equipment ratings are influenced more by the through power flows than by the output of the wind park, since the utility would not want the point of interconnection (POI) station to limit ratings for the adjoining networks. Requirements for utility point of interconnection substations vary according to region and utility. If the POI falls into the bulk power transmission category, design criteria must fit the reliability requirements set by the National Electric Reliability Corporation as well as the regional reliability authority, for example the Northeast Power Coordinating Council or the Southern Electric Reliability Corporation as well as those established by the respective utility. Bulk power classification is determined by the way the transmission line is used to transfer power within the network. Unless the wind park is located next to a utility transmission line, it is most economical to convert the wind park output to a higher voltage and transmit power via overhead transmission lines to the POI near an existing line. Since the latter is owned and operated by the developer, its construction is typically not subject to utility approval, unlike the line construction, which is regulated by state and local government agencies. Keep in mind that the extent of the regulations can vary and depend on the voltage level as well as the length of the transmission line. Fiber optic interconnections: The devil is in the detailsIn a typical wind park, turbines are connected by fiber optics networks at three points: the turbine, the meteorological tower(s), and at the substation control module. Via these fiber optics systems, turbines communicate with a centrally located wind park management system that is located in the wind park substation. The technology used to establish this connection is proprietary to the turbine manufacturer. Depending on the size of the wind park the meteorological (MET) tower also communicates with the management system that tells the controller which direction turbines need to move in and at what pitch they need to move to provide optimum energy generation under real time wind conditions. In other words, the turbines are in constant two-way communication with the management system relaying data such as generation, power factor, alarm status, and SCADA information. With underground installations, the fiber optic cable is typically bedded above the three phase power cables in a common trench. In overhead installations, it is lashed to a messenger that is strung underneath the power cables. In the event that the cables need to be placed in duct work, for example in the event of a direction drill underneath the highway, the fiber optic network receives its own conduit. The key to a successful fiber optic network is to create a minimum number of splices. Each splice introduces decibel losses into the system. While it is tempting to splice the cable whenever the power cable needs to be cut, a dynamic and cooperative relationship between the engineer and the contractor can eliminate or re-route the network in the field in a way that greatly reduces signal losses. It is also important to note that reel management of the fiber optics during installation is critical and will result in faster, more efficient, and more economical installation. Complying with transmission system protection requirementsFederal and regional regulators require bulk power transmission lines to feature redundantly designed and installed protection systems. Their goal is to prevent a single point of failure from downing the entire system. To create this redundancy, each protection system must be based on a different principle and it is generally supplied by a different manufacturer. To give an example: System A could be a directional comparison blocking scheme over power line carrier while System B would be permissive overreaching transfer trip scheme communication over telephone circuits. Ultimately, the host utility will provide its protection standards and help decide which schemes will work best. Before any scheme can be designed, however, the engineering team and the utility need to assess available communication possibilities. Ideally, one of the systems would be a fiber optic link installed on optical ground wire cable — which is installed in the shield wire(s) at the top of the structure to provide protection for the transmission from lightning strikes — if that can be designed economically. Other viable options are power line carriers, T1 lines and microwave. Each protection system should also be connected to dedicated current transformers and voltage transformers. Exceptions can be made in the case of a single voltage transformer with independent secondary windings. The DC tripping systems also need to be independent. This requires dual batteries, chargers, trip coils, and source of station service. Oftentimes, a backup generator is required to provide continuity in the event of power loss at both station service supplies. Regulators also stipulate a physical separation of the two systems. Typically, relay and communication panels are separated in the control house, sometimes in different rooms. All cabling needs to be separated into independent raceways and conduits. Ultimately, the independent protection systems trip the same circuit breaker. Still, breaker failure protection is required, isolating the failed breaker locally and remotely tripping the backup breakers. OutlookA record-shattering year for the wind industry, in 2008 more than 8,300 megawatts of new wind energy were brought online. In addition, 55 new wind-related manufacturing facilities were opened, expanded, or announced. Given the political will to make renewable energy the energy source of choice, the wind industry is in an excellent position to contribute to the nation’s economic recovery and to reduction of carbon emission’s necessary to deal with global warming. Author: Brook Knodel is Deputy Engineering Manager – Electrical with Careba Mott MacDonald (CMM) an engineering firm which specializes in design of major power generation projects — including wind power, biomass, biodiesel and coal fired plants — plus distribution and transmission projects for power plant operators, power plant developers, industrial facility operators, equipment manufacturers, contractors and power distribution utilities. Based in Westwood, Massachusetts, CMM is a division of Mott MacDonald, a global engineering and consultancy firm delivering solutions in energy, transportation, construction, water and environment.

I would like to thank the scientists in various fields of endeavor, who helped me along the way with their research and writing and their wisdom.  I have named a few and some others will know who they are without any recognition from me, and these men have gained my respect as well.  We must do what we can to update our power grid in this country or we will not survive our climate crisis.  I’ll see you around the galaxy…

Fluor forms renewable energy business line 15 May 2009. This was the headline from a trade publication. Engineering and construction firm Fluor said it is forming a business line to focus on global renewable energy for clients in the solar, wind and biomass power markets. Fluor said the line will complement its nuclear, gas and solid fueled, and air quality control offerings. It will be led by Brad Friesen, a Fluor executive and former head of the company’s gas fueled line. “Fluor has designed and built renewable energy projects for more than 20 years and we will leverage that expertise for the benefit of our clients,” Friesen said in a statement.

I don’t know much, but I once worked as a consultant for Fluor and I can’t remember them being all that environmentally concerned. I suppose we must give these companies the benefit of doubt, but we must be careful as well. Read on, you’ll see what I mean.

The following comments were written by Jean Jerome Baudry, there is more information concerning Mr. Baudry at the end of his comments.

More than ever before the population wants GREEN! Practices, products, organic food, recyclable packaging, the list is never ending and more than ever, businesses are giving it to them. Businesses far and wide are claiming to go green, to the point where society needs a term to describe consumers being misled by a company regarding their environmental practices. The term ‘greenwashing’ was claimed to have originated from a NY suburban environmentalist named Jay Westerveld in 1986, although the actual practice originated somewhere in the 60s alongside the emerging environmentalist movement. It’s no wonder that greening your business has become so marketable when over half of the baby boomer population – some 40 million – are environmentally conscience consumers. Therefore greening your business can be an all around profitable endeavor from a marketing standpoint as well as a cost savings standpoint. The danger is when it comes to advertising a practice or an approach as green which isn’t reflected in the day to day operations. It’s simply fraudulent or better known as …greenwashing. The Think Green Alliance aims to provide a safeguard against “greenwashing,” which is common in the marketplace today when so few standards and regulations exist for determining whether a company is truly environmentally friendly and if so, just how environmentally friendly they are. The criteria for membership, established by Cybernomics, are simple but telling. Think Green Alliance members (1) must show tangibly that they have incorporated green principles into their business plan, (2) must have a concrete, measurable, and step-by-step approach to integration of these principles, and (3) must be committed to a continuous cycle of improvement. Think Green Alliance members span multiple industry verticals and therefore lend a multidisciplinary approach to companies looking to start adopting green principles into their business plan and operations, as well as provide a benchmark to companies who have already embarked upon a green plan. For more information on the Think Green Alliance, or to apply for membership for your company, please visit http://www.thinkgreenalliance.com. Jean Jerome Baudry founded Cybernomics in 1993 as a Professional IT Consulting, Management, and Support firm. Today, Cybernomics is a leader in Green IT and financially and environmentally sustainable solutions. Mr. Baudry is also the founder of the Think Green Alliance, a green business community dedicated to the promotion, development, and awareness of fiscally sound green business practices. For more information on Mr. Baudry or on Cybernomics, please visit http://www.cybernomics.net.

Mr. Baudry has expressed concern and has provided solutions to keep companies honest with regard to being environmentally friendly. As an environmentalist I applaud these efforts and as a consumer, I vow to investigate claims by companies that claim they are ‘green’. We need to know the truth, therefore avoiding ‘greenwashing’ that is becoming rampant. Anyway that’s what I think, tell us your opinion. In the meantime, see you around the galaxy…

President Obama in a speech before congress promised to double the amount of power generated by renewable energy in his first term. While this is a good start we simply must do more if we are to save our environment and create green jobs for Americans that need them.

The president has opened the issue, and now the private sector must respond. Last year (2008) was a good year for renewable energy, however the economic problems we are faced with this year are creating problems for renewable energy.

Economists expect as much as a 50 percent drop in new wind projects due to the difficulty in securing financing because of a tight credit market. This is not unacceptable as last year was a banner year. The problem is we need as many of these projects to go through as possible. Once we finance the wind projects we will need to update the power grid system or the areas in need of the power will not get it.

The players involved in renewable energy need capital in order to provide their services, however homeowners and buinesses desiring to upgrade to renewable energy need financing as well. The government and the private sector have to see that these funds become available. This is an opportunity to create jobs and to clean up the environment, as well as enable us to upgrade our power grid.

There is a new proposal to provide tax credits for a price to carbon dioxide polluters. They would buy these credits and then use them to continue polluting. To quote my teenage son, that sucks. Most of these people are utilities, electric companies and they bill their customers for anything they need. So I would pay these guys to keep polluting? I don’t think so, this is a bad idea and it should be ignored.

The reality is we must move forward, the future is well within our grasp. We have to go forward there is no alternative. The future is now! Our children will not survive if we make the wrong decisions now. We don’t have to give anyone the right to destroy our environment for money. We will generate all we need by making the right decisions.

I want to explain to everyone that if we do what is necessary we will suceed, if not we will to my sorrow fail. Renewable energy is not a pipe dream, it is the way that we will create a new beginning.

We will do ourselves a favor if we consider that however small, the president has alllocated funds for renewable energy in the federal budget, it is legitimate. The naysayers have not a leg to stand on. The rest is up to us, help this cause, write your elected officials, donate small sums, and raise your voice. See you around the galaxy.

The smokestack crew would like to share in the stimulus citing rising demand for electric power.
This group includes coal fired power stations, the oil industry, and all fossil fuel power plants. They are mobilizing their collective might in order to propogandize their Industry. Never mind the carbon dioxide emissions caused by their efforts.

We cannot forget the coal industry`s effort to market ‘clean’ coal which simply does not exist. The president once mentioned this myth while campaigning, he has not mentioned it since. I’m sure he was advised of the lack of veracity concerning ‘clean coal’. This effort by the coal industry shows the lengths they will go to in order to keep destroying our environment.

This industry has made some half hearted attempts to clean up some of their CO2 emmisions to no avail. There is no Incentive for them to do so. This is the problem, they have held sway for so long. Let me explain.

Coal fired power plants are not labor intensive, they are usually powered by a device called a programmable logic controller. This device is operated by one man in a control booth. Therefore the entire plant is operated by a single person. Not inducive to full employment is it? The power company charges top dollar and they have a small payroll to meet.

The renewable energy Industry is labor intensive. It has been shown that investing in renewables will create millions of jobs. The president has signed the stimulus and with help from a Colorado solar business operator has urged Americans to embrace renewable energy resources. We have no choice, we need to embrace solar, wind, and geothermal energy to power our society. There would be a resurgence of American pride in our accomplishments. Jobs would be created. Global warming could be stopped and the effects perhaps reversed. Careers could be made as we perfect this technology. The possibilities are limitless.

In order to get to the point, (I know it’s too late) I will paraphrase my title. The fossil fuel Industry will try to get a share of the stimulus package, and we should oppose that notion. They are desperate to maintain their windfall profits in the face of legislation requiring lower carbon emissions. We as a people need to keep this industry from benefiting from the stimulus package, fossil fuels are not the answer. Renewable energy is the only answer to America’s energy and economic needs. Write your elected officials!