Green Technology - Articles - Zimbio

Hybrid Hummer Hums

Mon, 15 Jul 2008 16:43:00 GMT

posted by gormanwvzb
Huh? A Hummer hybrid? Yes, the picture you see is of a Hummer H1 Hydraulic Hybrid. Hybra Drive Systems and Gates Corporation built this Hummer H1 with a fully hydraulic power train.

So, what is an hydraulic hybrid and what should anybody think about them? Much like any other hybrid, there is an gas/diesel engine that is mated with another motor powered by some other source. Most passenger car hybrids are gasoline engines with battery-powered, electric motors, while hydraulic hybrids don't use batteries, but rather hydraulic accumulators to store energy. Hybrid batteries are store approximately 1.3 Kw/hr, while hydraulic accumulators "...have power densities of roughly 500 kW/kg, according to Jim O’Brien, founder and chief technology officer for Hybra Drive Systems, a start-up focusing on the development of hydraulic power trains." (found at DesignNews.com)

They work this way, from Design News:

Design concepts for hydraulic hybrids vary, but the car’s engine powers a hydraulic pump motor, which charges a high-pressure accumulator. The accumulator, in turn, drives one or more additional pump motors connected to the wheels. A second lower pressure accumulator completes the hydraulic circuit. Depending on the design, there may be one pump motor to drive a pair of wheels through a differential or one pump motor per wheel for an all-wheel-drive version with independent torque control. During braking, the pump motors on the wheels reverse themselves, re-charging the accumulator and capturing energy that would otherwise be lost to heat.

OK, so why is this better than an electric hybrid and why isn't it available today? For one reason, it will be easier to dispose of hydraulic fluid than it is to recycle hybrid batteries. Secondly, because they are just so efficient over battery hybrids.

"Kargul (Technology Transfer Director at National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab) says the gains came from three sources — running the engine at its sweet spot, operating the vehicle with the engine off and capturing braking energy. The regenerative braking capabilities of these systems... can far outshine the electric hybrids... made possible by the high power density of accumulators. Kargul says the EPA’s hydraulic hybrids typically capture at least 70 percent of the braking energy otherwise be lost to heat. He estimates electric hybrids capture more like 20 to 25 percent, because their batteries... have comparatively poor power density. “You would have to triple the size of the batteries to come close to 70 percent,” he says.

Although hydraulic hybrids are now being used in pilot programs on mainly commercial trucks, there are passenger cars being tested also. The current delay to mass acceptance is that the hydraulic pumps are big and expensive. Additionally, the most efficient system will have to do away with the typical, mechanical transmission.

While these challenges aren't insurmountable, they do allow for battery hybrids to rule the roost, so to speak. Fortunately, the free market is learning about this concept, and have begun to catch on. Parker Hannifin, Siemens and Eaton Corporation are the leaders in providing the hydraulic components, not to mention successful companies in their own right.

Installing a 3kW Wind Turbine in the DR

Thu, 10 Nov 2006 18:56:39 GMT

posted by ioman01

When we began considering how best to tackle the various aspects of how alternative and renewable energy are being, and/or can be, utilized in the Dominican Republic, we decided to ask a DR1 member who always has expert advice to offer on the subject of wind turbines, to do one or more "guest blogs" for us on what kind of wind turbine systems are being installed in the DR for off-grid home or business purposes. "Georgios," who installs such systems in the DR, kindly agreed to share with us some examples and discuss the kinds of considerations and calculations that do into installing and running them. We hope Green Team blog readers find this useful and informative.

To provide Green Team blog readers with an idea of the type of wind power set-ups possible in the DR, we�d like to share with you the example of a 3 kw wind turbine Pro-Radius installed at Cabrera, on the north coast of the DR, on April 10, 2006. The pictures provided here are for that particular project.

The owner wanted a wind energy system for his home sufficient to charge a double battery bank of 12 batteries at 2V, 1000AH each ( a total of 24 battery cells). The house is away from the grid, totally stand alone.

Currently, the existing 22 KW diesel genset runs for about 5-6 hours a day to power the swimming pool pump, washing machine & dryer, a well pump and charge the battery banks for later use in the afternoon and night.

Given the owner�s house location and after detailled wind data collection the 3 kw wind turbine was selected and installed as a primary charging source having the genset as a back-up for low wind periods. The target is 75 � 90% fuel savings, which sets the payback period at approximately 5-6 years.

For the moment, the pool pump remains untill the new solar pool pump arrives which will rent the diesel generator idle for days at a time, saving fuel and cutting down on noise and emmissions.

Due to the high elevation of the property (720 feet above sea level), the home is not equipped with AC units. The owner will replace the electric clothes dryer with a propane model to limit further fuel consumption. In addition, the majority of light bulbs have been changed to halogen, reducing the power requirements even more.

The cost of the wind turbine & tower in the Dominican Republic is about $9,500 US. Included are the controller/charger c/w diversion load element and wiring to the base of the tower.

Additional costs involved in this project were the
120 feet trenched wire connection to the battery room, the concrete foundation, and crane expenses. The crane is used only to assemble and erect the tower/turbine due to the weight of the equipment (turbine body & tower weigh over a ton). No further crane service is needed for the 15 year lifetime of the turbine.

As seen on the pictures, this is a 15 meter tower with tilting capability for easier service and most of all protection against hurricane force winds. During a hurricane, the tower can be lowered to the ground via an electric winch and the turbine can be strapped down until the hurricane passes. The same procedure is reversed to tilt up the turbine in order to resume power production. No crane required. The tilt tower feature is specifically designed for the Caribbean region because of its frequent hurricane force wind environment.

Once a year the turbine must be lowered to perform the required maintenance. This includes blade inspection and balancing, lubrication, main bearing check and slip ring inspection. Any signs of corrosion must be addressed with marine grade paint. A typical yearly maintenance procedure should take about 5-6 hours.

Other wind turbine projects are carried out as well. These projects include the installation of smaller wind turbine and towers. Pictures and commentary to follow in a few weeks. For questions or comments you don�t wish to post to the blog, please email me at proradius@on.aibn.com

-- Georgios

Abandoned Solar Power Plant --- What a waste :(

Sun, 8 Oct 2007 07:59:00 GMT

posted by colclink

Description:
The remote Carrizo Plain's status as one of the sunniest places in the state was exploited by the solar power industry from 1983 to 1994. This was by far the largest photovoltaic array in the world, with 100,000 1'x 4' photovoltaic arrays producing 5.2 megawatts at its peak. The plant was originally constructed by the Atlantic Richfield oil company (ARCO) in 1983. During the energy crisis of the late 1970's, ARCO became a solar energy pioneer, manufacturing the photovoltaic arrays themselves. ARCO first built a 1 megawatt pilot operation, the Lugo plant in Hesperia, California, which is also now closed. The Carrizo Solar Corporation, based in Albuquerque, NM, bought the two facilities from ARCO in 1990. But the price of oil never rose as was predicted, so the solar plant never became competitive with fossil fuel-based energy production (Carrizo sold its electricity to the local utility for between three and four cents a kilowatt-hour, while a minimum price of eight to ten cents a kilowatt-hour would be necessary in order for Carrizo to make a profit). Another photovoltaic facility was planned for the site by the Chatsworth Utility Power Group, and with an output of 100 megawatts it would have been many times larger than the existing facility. But the facility never got off the drawing board. The Carrizo Solar Company dismantled its 177 acre facility in the late 1990's, and the used panels are still being resold throughout the world.
Location:
Carrizo Plain (POINT(-120.0384634351 35.3756103515))(show on map)
Address:
CASan Luis Obispo County
Visitor Info:
Off I-58, 50 miles east of San Luis Obispo and 70 miles west of Bakersfield. Apparently totally removed now.
Links:
http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages/BainCalif/CAL400/PHOTOVOL.HTML http://www.tnccalifornia.org/preserves/carrizo/

Cellencor testing microwave drying for ethanol plants

Thu, 14 Mar 2008 17:45:00 GMT

posted by mus302
New energy-saving technology being commercially-tested for ethanol plants

Cellencor’s microwave drying system is on-site at Corn Plus facility for eight days

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – March 13, 2008 – Ethanol plants could significantly reduce their energy costs while at the same time increase the value of their byproducts with an exciting new technology that will begin commercial testing today in Winnebago, Minnesota. An innovative microwave drying process developed by Cellencor Corporation is being field-tested for the first time at Corn Plus, one of the largest ethanol facilities in the State of Minnesota.

A pilot system has been installed on site at Corn Plus that will operate for eight days to determine how well the Cellencor-patented technology works in conjunction with an actual ethanol plant. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, began meeting with Cellencor representatives about seven months ago and have helped the start-up firm make connections to other business partners and to Corn Plus so that they could test their cutting-edge technology.

“We are very excited about the potential of Cellencor’s microwave drying system and the dollar savings and new profit streams it could bring to ethanol plants across the country,” said Doug Litwiller, Alliant Energy Project Manager. “This technology may not only replace more expensive natural gas-fired drying processes but it could also greatly enhance the market value of an ethanol plant’s byproduct.”

The Cellencor industrial microwave drying line has been shown to be more efficient and reliable than traditional energy-intensive natural gas-fired distillers wet grain dryers in tests at Iowa State University’s BECON Facility. The experiment process line at the university also provided research on Cellencor’s enzyme-enhancemental process of an ethanol plant’s co-product – dried grains with solubles. The technology adds enzymes prior to low temperature drying, which improves the nutritional value of the co-product by ten to twenty percent. This provides higher quality feed for cattle, swine or poultry which can be sold for a higher price than what current ethanol plants receive for their co-product.

While research and testing of the technology is ongoing, initial results have been very positive. Estimates are that ethanol facilities could realize up to 20 percent or more in operating cost savings by utilizing the Cellencor industrial microwave drying process and the enzyme-enhanced dried grains with solubles. The simple payback on installing the system should be in the two to five year range but partners are hopeful that the commercial testing at Corn Plus will yield more data.

“We applaud Corn Plus for agreeing to test this process at their plant in Winnebago and we are hoping for strong results,” added Litwiller. “Corn Plus was the first in the United States to utilize a one-of-a-kind fluidized bed reactor technology at an ethanol plant and now they are helping us research another ground-breaking process.”

The basic goal of Cellencor’s microwave drying technology is to improve the bottom line for ethanol plants by significantly reducing drying energy cost, providing significant water recovery, having more reliable drying equipment and outputting higher-value animal feed. After the testing at Corn Plus, the company will refine the design of its microwave drying process and move ahead with feed trials.

About Alliant Energy

Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Interstate Power and Light, the company's Iowa utility subsidiary, serves approximately 530,000 electric and 235,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.alliantenergy.com.

About Cellencor Corporation

Cellencor Corporation is a new company whose mission is to reshape the economics of the global renewable energy industry. Transformative technology will be offered to ethanol and other cellulosic energy providers that will enhance the value of ethanol production co-products; significantly reduce process energy consumption; and, dramatically reduce an ethanol plant’s carbon footprint. The company’s initial focus will be working with corn-based ethanol producers, however, the processes and technologies can be effectively used with other biomass feedstock. Cellencor Corporation will also partner with key suppliers to the renewable energy business in order to offer complete solutions that make economic, scientific, and environmental sense.

Green Roofs in China, Helping Beijing Breathe

Wed, 26 Jun 2008 15:35:00 GMT

posted by gormanwvzb
The greatest inspiration for me to blog about green roofs was my trip to Shanghai, China in January of 2008. There I saw incredible air pollution, which literally was choking.

While I sat in several different office buildings, many stories into the skyline, I observed huge swaths of flat roofs, mostly black, sitting idle. Additionally, I remembered the discussion about how energy starved Shanghai is, as well as concerns about water.

As one of my meetings ran long, and somewhat boring, I began to map out a strategy of how Shanghai could adopt green roofs, reduce air pollution, and minimize stormwater runoff. I admit, the plan was grandiose, so that's why I settled on a blog instead.

It turns out that in 2006, several stories ran about green roofs in Beijing, where, according to the US embassy, has worse air pollution than Shanghai. Here are some quotes from articles at that time.

"The Beijing Linked Hybrid project, a self-contained city of linked vertical buildings designed by Holl, includes hundreds of apartments as well as stores and schools, and every roof is green. Storm water collected in rooftops will help feed a self-sustaining water system to protect the buildings against water shortages in Beijing, Holl explained.

"They want it and they're willing to pay for it," Holl said of his Chinese clients.

China launched a nationwide drive last month to make energy-saving buildings that help ease fuel shortages and reduce greenhouse gases. The country has also signed an agreement with the United Nations to promote environmentally friendly practices in staging the 2008 Beijing Olympics." from "Landscape architects tend to a green roof" found at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12512892/.

From the Christian Science Monitor:

""There isn't much pressure for us to promote the green concept," said science ministry official Yang Guoxiong at last week's green inauguration.

"The national government has incredible intentions for a green future." says Mr. Mars. "Really mind-boggling. But we are in an interesting paradox, and I am asking, 'Is it better to have high ambitions, or to be realistic?' " http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0403/p07s02-woap.html

Let's hope the rest of China can catch the green roof wave and bring clean air to their cities and citizens.