A chart compiled by Wasserstoff-Energie-Systeme GmbH (h-tec) provides an easy to understand depiction of how fuel cells integrate with solar and wind energy solutions. Fuel cells provide the enabling technology that allows hydrogen to serve as the storage and transport agent. The solar energy that is produced during the daylight hours is used in an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen that in turn, is then used to operate the fuel cell producing electricity at night when it is needed. This process is called the solar-hydrogen energy cycle. Figure 1 illustrates the importance of energy storage in adopting alternative energies.

Figure 1 Solar-Hydrogen Energy Cycle

Demand for oil and hydrocarbon fuels continues to grow despite effort to conserve. Total Petroleum Consumption shows increasing oil demand from China and India while demand in the U.S. grows at a slower pace. With improving efficiencies and lower production costs, fuel cells could provide a solution to our appetite for oil in motor vehicles. Figure 2 describes how fuel cells and electrolyzers (fuels running in reverse) work.

Figure 2 Fuel Cells

Fuel cells are devices that convert chemical to electrical energy – in essence; it’s an electrochemical energy conversion device. In the chemical process of a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined into water, and in the process, the chemical conversion produces electricity. In the electrolyzer, an electrical current is passed through water (electrolysis) and is the reverse of the electricity-generating process occurring in a fuel cell.

Hydrogen fuel cells offer tremendous opportunity for storing and transporting energy enabling broad applications for home, business, motor vehicle and large-scale energy projects. The follow provides a review of current technologies applicable to hydrogen fuel cells. Factors to consider in using hydrogen fuel cells include operating efficiency, operating temperature range, and material used for the electrolyte (the catalyst that separates hydrogen) and fuel oxidant (that transfers the oxygen atoms).

Figure 3 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies

One of the most practical fuel cell technologies for motor vehicle use include Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) because it operates at normal ambient temperatures and offers high electrical efficiency. There are several useful web sites that illustrate the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells. h-tec and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory provide some very useful information on hydrogen fuel cells.

We are also seeing progress on fuel cell vehicles that could ultimately ameliorate are demand for oil, if not eliminate it entirely, all with no carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions. We see most major automakers developing hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles. GM is making progress introducing several models using GM’s Fuel Cell Technology.
Honda’s experimental hydrogen refueling station in Torrance, CA uses solar to produce hydrogen for their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Honda’s FCX .

The bottom line is that the availability of cheap oil is on the decline and without further research on alternative energies we may find the global economy in a very tenuous position. Further research into solar and hydrogen fuel cells could significantly reduce our dependence on oil.

Here is the original post: Green Econometrics

The conventional idea is the oil and gas that fuels our homes and cars started out as living organisms that died, were compressed, and heated under heavy layers of sediments in the Earth’s crust.  It’s a sound idea that can be replicated and observed.  The new idea, which has a been around for decades particularly in the former Soviet Union is that some of the oil and much of the gas deposits have another geophysical source.

A Current Art on the Planetary Carbon Cycle. Click image for a larger view.

For years scientists have debated whether some of these hydrocarbons could also have been created deeper in the Earth and formed without organic matter. Now for the first time, scientists at the Carnegie Institution’s Geophysical Laboratory with colleagues from Russia and Sweden have found that ethane and heavier hydrocarbons can be synthesized under the pressure-temperature conditions of the upper mantle —the layer of Earth under the crust and on top of the core. The research was published in the July 26, advanced on-line issue of Nature Geoscience.

The two smallest hydrocarbons methane (CH4) the main constituent of natural gas and ethane (C2H6) is used as a petrochemical feedstock and others associated with natural gas, are called saturated hydrocarbons because they have simple, single bonds and are blessed being fully saturated with hydrogen in the molecule.

The research group using a diamond anvil cell and a laser heat source first subjected methane to pressures exceeding 20 thousand times the atmospheric pressure at sea level and temperatures ranging from 1,300 F° to over 2,240 F°. These conditions mimic those found 40 to 95 miles deep inside the Earth. The methane reacted and formed ethane, propane, butane, molecular hydrogen, and graphite. The scientists then subjected ethane to the same conditions and it produced methane. The transformations suggest heavier hydrocarbons could exist deep down. The reversibility implies that the synthesis of saturated hydrocarbons is thermodynamically controlled and does not require organic matter.

The research group also ruled out the possibility that catalysts used as part of the experimental apparatus were at work, but they acknowledge that catalysts could be involved in the deep Earth with its mix of compounds.

Carnegie’s Alexander Goncharov a coauthor of the paper says, “We were intrigued by previous experiments and theoretical predictions.  Experiments reported some years ago subjected methane to high pressures and temperatures and found that heavier hydrocarbons formed from methane under very similar pressure and temperature conditions. However, the molecules could not be identified and a distribution was likely. We overcame this problem with our improved laser-heating technique where we could cook larger volumes more uniformly. And we found that methane can be produced from ethane.”

That reaction observation puts the deep hydrocarbon formation idea into the realm of observable possibilities.  That also leaves a huge hydrogen matter to resolve.  At those temperatures and pressures with only speculative other conditions the idea is able to gain some credible traction.

Professor Kutcherov, another coauthor, put the finding into context: “The notion that hydrocarbons generated in the mantle migrate into the Earth’s crust and contribute to oil-and-gas reservoirs was promoted in Russia and Ukraine many years ago. The synthesis and stability of the compounds studied here as well as heavier hydrocarbons over the full range of conditions within the Earth’s mantle now need to be explored. In addition, the extent to which this ‘reduced’ carbon survives migration into the crust needs to be established (e.g., without being oxidized to CO2). These and related questions demonstrate the need for a new experimental and theoretical program to study the fate of carbon in the deep Earth.”

The research offers a new take on the planetary carbon cycle.  The research does need supported as understanding the cycle in a more full way would help make humanity a better steward of the planet’s resources of carbon which is a prime element of all life.  The carbon cycle is one measured in millions if not hundreds of millions of years which is an important factor in managing the carbon available.

Even suppositional understanding would need research support from fields such as cosmochemistry, mineral physics, theoretical geochemistry, petroleum geology, organic chemistry, microbial ecology, high-pressure technology, diamond synthesis, geodynamics, evolutionary biology among many others.

That research got a major boost when on July 1st 2009 the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, well known for its basic science support, awarded the Carnegie Institution a $4 million grant over three years to initiate the Deep Carbon Observatory – an international, decade-long project to investigate the nature of carbon in Earth’s deep interior. Headquartered at the institution’s Geophysical Laboratory, the Deep Carbon Observatory will coordinate the efforts of hundreds of researchers from more than two dozen countries. Their multi-disciplinary research will focus on Earth’s poorly understood deep carbon cycle, including the largely unknown role of deep biology and the possible influences of this cycle on critical societal concerns related to energy, environment and climate.

The planet’s carbon cycle seems to be well understood as a process, but much more depth of understanding will make a big difference.  Carbon is critical and the planet’s cycle needs firm, high quality science applied before the types seen muckraking with the climate cycle kidnap it.

Author: New Energy and Fuel

The living wall, a concept that has not really caught on in the U.S. at least as an energy saving concept.

The idea of a living wall or green facade is as old as architecture itself, prominent in Europe and many other countries around the world. Everyone has seen buildings and homes covered in ivy and while this is literally a living wall, it is apparent that the motivation to allow the ivy to grow was not energy savings at the time.

Living walls and green facades are an untapped resource in themselves, the savings from placing a living wall on the south side of a structure can me immense in warmer climates saturated with air conditioning. There are even benefits in cooler climates if the plants chosen are an evergreen variety.

Living walls can take may shapes and forms as diverse as architecture and still the idea really is not as popular as one would think it could be. Many people associate living walls with that ivy covered building and many people understand that the ivy itself can cause damage to structures and can even create an eyesore under certain circumstances.

As energy costs rise, the green movement gathers strength and as our recent recession seems to have a life all it’s own many people are looking for innovative, easy and inexpensive ways to save energy. This very well could be one of those solutions if people would take the time to look at the concept a little closer.

Today many solutions such as cable restraints, wire panel grids and even modular vertical planters are available all intended to keep that living wall off the wall itself. These concepts are generally considered green facades.

The idea is simple but effective as it allows the plants to grow and spread while preventing or minimizing damage to the structure. We will all be seeing these solutions put into practice much more here in the U.S. as commercial facilities warm to the idea, plans are in the workings for even high rise office buildings to have living green facades installed on the sides of the building.

I am sure this will come as a surprise to many Americans and hopefully will increase the awareness of the concept and we will start to see many more living walls on homes around the country. This is definitely one concept that should be embraced as the benefits are far reaching for both your pocket book and the environment by reducing the heat island effect and improving air quality.

www.greenscreen.com

There are many sites on the web to learn more about living walls and green facades, where you can learn about what plants to use, do it yourself solutions and find out about the many products that are now available. The above link is one of those sites that is a good resource and starting point. Watch for living walls to pop up where you least expect them and watch for the diversity of the concept to grow in the next decade as the popularity increases simply by the awareness that will be generated by it’s use.

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Original post here: Ameri-Serv

Volvo Cars is currently evaluating the viability of a fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV). This year, Volvo has built and internally testing a small number of prototype versions of a BEV version of its C30. In addition to focusing on performance and safety, much of the focus is on integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.

Volvo C30 BEV In Blue

The electric Swedish stunner is built on the C30 hatchback and comes with all the safety, comfort and space we expect from Volvo.  The company already is working on a Volvo plug-in hybrid due in 2012, but seems to be building a city car with the C30.

Lennart Stegland, director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles, said in a corporate statement, “The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power.  This car’s excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting.”

Volvo C30 BEV. Click image for the largest view.

Are we seeing the slow death of the SUV, minivan and others with a birth of a city car, over the road car and other more energy wise vehicle types?  Or are we just seeing a new car class being born?  The Volvo C30 is far more substantial than the Smart Car and other two seat city car contenders.

The C30 BEV is limited to a top speed of about 130 km/h (80 mph)—more than sufficient, Volvo says, for a city car application. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) will take less than 11 seconds. The car would have a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles)—longer than the distance 90% of all Europe’s motorists drive per day and surely covers a wide swath of U.S. motorists as well.

Volvo C30 BEV Instruments. Click Image for the largest view.

Volvo’s battery choice for the C30 BEV is designed and developed in the U.S. by EnerDel, Inc., Ener1’s U.S. battery subsidiary. This adds to the recently announced collaboration with Volvo on the V70 model plug-in hybrid demonstration vehicles being road tested in Europe starting this fall, which are also using the EnerDel lithium-ion batteries.

Using EnerDel’s EV chemistry, hard carbon and mixed oxide in a lithium-ion battery pack, yields gross nominal power of 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is said to be considering a 12 kWh pack.  The EnerDel battery set is custom-made and is a split battery pack.  With an energy content of more than 24 kWh nominal energy, Volvo plans that 22.7 kWh is used to power the car.

The electric traction motor is located under the hood, just like the engine in a conventional front wheel drive car. One of the priorities of the Volvo project is to find the optimal placing of the battery. Most likely it will be the prop shaft tunnel and where the fuel tank normally is located. These locations are within the car’s optimized crumple zone in the most common collision scenarios.

Volvo C30 Battery Layout. .

Recharging the C30’s EnerDel battery pack via a household supply at 230V, 16A would take about eight hours.  That’s a rate similar to a mid sized window air conditioner, meaning consumers would only need a 20 amp 240 volt outlet where parking overnight.

Volvo has already built a small number of the cars and begun testing. Volvo says the early testing has focused largely on integrating the electric drive train with the rest of the car.

Volvo always emphasizes its focus on safety, saying that if it chooses to introduce an entirely new type of electric car on the market, it will be just as safe as any other car bearing the Volvo badge. Volvo has been working to theoretically identify all the electrification-related safety scenarios in the stages before, during and after a collision. After careful study of these scenarios, the company’s engineers will create solutions for handling each and every situation identified, “guaranteeing that any future electric cars fully match Volvo’s safety standards in every respect.”  Considering the Volvo record, that is as sure a thing as can be credible.

Volvo plans the main electrification track over the coming decades will be plug-in hybrids. That track applies in particular to the company’s larger car models. The combination of an electric motor and combustion engine is a solution that probably has the greatest potential from both the technical and commercial viewpoints.  Plug-in hybrids offer long range, good environmental performance and at the same time limited dependence on expensive battery technology while cutting back on the fossil fuel demand.

From the three point seat belt invented at Volvo and licensed without charge to anyone world wide, to the research and development of the O2 sensor (called lamdasond) also made available at very low license rates to encourage development worldwide, Volvo is a major innovator in motor vehicles. Maybe those ax carved body designs were early visions of what’s to come, and they did come.

Volvo’s Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars said, “The consumer must feel that this battery electric car is attractive both to drive and own. In order to ensure this, we feel that electric cars will have to be as comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars with other power sources. The learning from the C30 BEV project will help us to fulfill all these criteria and showcase Volvo’s determination to drive developments in the field of electrification.”

Volvo is currently owned and a division of sorts of the Ford Motor Company, the one last standing non-bankrupt U.S. automaker.  For all the storied past from Ford both good and bad, the current leadership have been excellent stewards.  Volvo is said to be available for sale, but the price must be very high.  It has to be, one would think, the Volvo status is the safest, sanest and efficient cars that are priced within reach of the U.S. and world middle class.  Volvo may be a small make, but its one of the major ones to watch.

The original post is created by: New Energy and Fuel

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The original is here: Home Controls

It is said that A 1-kilowatt of solar energy will prevent approximately 170 lbs. of coal from being burned, 300 lbs of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere and 105 gallons of water from being consumed each month!

An energy source so abundant, so pure, yet so wasted by many for so many centuries.The only reason beyond such a basic flaw is lack of application of technology efficiently.

But the tables have turned now…

The technological advancement in the past century has achieved many milestones. One such being the invention of SOLAR PANEL. In straight terms; solar panel could be defined as an array of small cells that produce electricity or heat when light shines on it.

But yet again, application of solar panel was more impractical due to many reasons like:

• Expensive in nature
• Less energy efficient
• Uncertainty due to climatic change
• Scalability

Research went on for many years on this vital product by many countries. For some decades, achieving the heights into solar generated power for your home electricity was viewed by many as not viable, tentative and pricey dream to human race.

But they say – “You do not choose a dream, but the dream chooses you by means of who can achieve it. And probably “solar generated power for your home electricity ” dream chose HUMANS. And one fine day it happened. An optimum point was achieved in both efficiency and expense for the product.

A skilled renewable energy specialist designed rather a simple method for you to construct solar panels by using low cost materials which could be found at any local hardware store. And you don’t even have to know the construction terminology to build this.

There happens to be quite a few people around the globe, who have been guided by this method to harness solar energy in the most efficient manner. And the best part is, some have even managed to earn a steady income by selling the unused, extra power they have generated to the local power supplier.

I am sure with this method, you would definitely be guided to harness solar energy in the most efficient manner and in turn rejuvenate the spirit of the earth.

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When a Nampa Idaho man made do it yourself modifications to his natural gas piping under his home the results were truly explosive.

September 21, 2009 Boise, Idaho – A man in Nampa Idaho made do it yourself modifications to his natural gas piping under his home and his home is now completely destroyed and he is recovering in the hospital with third degree burns.

The local gas utility company and fire department officials in Idaho reported that the homeowner apparently made repairs or modified his natural gas piping under his home in the crawl space. It was reported that his natural gas usage increased five fold in the days leading up to the home explosion.

While natural gas does not have any odor the gas utilities add odor before it is delivered to their customers and why this homeowner did not smell the gas in his home prior to the explosion is not clear. Only a small portion of this home remains standing and most of the home and it’s contents are in the neighbor’s yards and streets now. Truly amazing that he survived this explosion inside his home.

There is no code or law against any homeowners working on their own gas piping in their home in Idaho as in many states but there are specific codes and rules to follow. Ameri-Serv, Inc. Heating and Cooling recommends that homeowners get professional help when repairing or modifying their gas piping. If the homeowner does it themselves it is strongly recommended that the gas piping be pressure tested with air prior to allowing it to be placed back into service.

However, you can damage your home appliances if you do not perform the pressure test correctly. Terek Worley with Ameri-Serv, Inc. indicates that “If you are not sure how to pressure test your gas piping without damaging your appliances then you should call a professional to make sure you are not at risk.”

With today’s economic situation it is understandable that homeowners are doing more repairs to their homes. Ameri-Serv, Inc. Heating and Cooling wants the do it yourselfers to be extra careful when repairing or modifying their gas piping and not take unnecessary chances with their family and their home. Call a professional, gas piping repairs and modifications are not that expensive and having the assurance of the job done right is well worth the investment.

Count on Ameri-Serv for all your Gas Piping Repairs as well as your Heating and Air Conditioning systems repairs

Go here to see the original: The New Light

The sheer quality of these generators sets them apart from the rest and the thought processes which have gone into the development of them are shockingly simple, yet so unbelievably effective. The design has certainly been modified over the last few years since its beginning but what has emerged is a high quality magnetic electricity generator which is sheer mastery.

More and more people are now turning to this exceptional yet simple homemade DIY generator to power all or part of their home electricity as they are cheap, easy and great fun to build.

These generators will last a considerably long time and many thousands of people have taken the initiative to begin their magnetic energy project right from their own home or workshop. The single biggest issue is that it is highly unlikely that you will find these pre built. Second to this is that you will require the necessary parts and tools and of course, you will require a high quality guide to help you through your project.

MagniWork magnetic energy generator really stands out and sets the standard for building a homemade electricity generator. The simplicity and general layout is second to none and regardless of DIY experience, anyone can easily and quickly build a generator for their home. The guide is designed to walk you through the entire build project from start to finish whilst avoiding annoyance and frustration along the way.

These generators are also very cheap to build and all of the materials and tools required can easily be picked up at your local hardware store.

A homemade DIY Electrical Energy Generator truly is a masterful creation and the incredible surge in their popularity is not difficult to understand. If you would like to easily create your own free, clean and sustainable home electricity then you really should consider a MagniWork magnetic energy creator for your home.