|
|
|
 |
 |
  |
|
2007 ENERGY TOUR: Day 15 July 9, 2007We spent the day in Louisville, Kentucky today. We saw the Kentucky Derby racetrack and had a tour of the downtown. Here are some more topics covered at the Solar 2007 convention over the weekend: Carbon sequestration technology and hybrid renewable energy systems. A lot of money is being spent on carbon sequestration technology, in other words how to keep doing what we are doing now (using fossil fuels) but keep the carbon from polluting the air. What would happen if this money was put into renewable energy research that could keep new carbon from polluting the air, or completely eliminate excess carbon from polluting the air? Everyone knows that fossil fuels are going to run out eventually and why not start preparing for that now by investing in new technologies instead of throwing money away on old technology. A hybrid system combines multiple energy generating technologies, such as wind, solar, and biomass. In a hybrid system the combined strengths of the technologies work together to overcome the weaknesses of the technologies thereby providing a more robust, consistent and predictable service. Wind and solar tend to complement each other well and tend to balance out seasonal differences between wind and solar energy. This is because during periods of high solar intensity wind is typically less abundant and wind is usually more abundant during low solar intensity. Because of the greater efficiencies and lower cost of solar thermal over solar PV, it is usually a good idea to use thermal technology for water and residential heating and use PV for electrical needs. Biomass can be a beneficial component of a hybrid system due to the fact that biomass can be easily and inexpensively stored for later use. Biomass is typically used in heating applications and can also be combined with a solar and steam turbine for electricity generation in a combined heat and power partnership. Hybrid systems are what the average homeowner will need to incorporate in order to free themselves from energy from non-renewable sources. Additionally, it will take a hybrid approach globally and within the USA to create a new energy paradigm. There is not necessarily one type of renewable energy that is better, some are more widely developed and used and different geographical areas will benefit most from different energy sources. Changing our energy future will require working together and technology combination. More tomorrow in inverters. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
