Overview of Alternative Energy
Transcript of Overview of Alternative Energy
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An Overview of Emerging AlternativeEnergy Technologies and its Impacton the Demand for Engineers and
Consultants
IEEE Consultants Network MeetingChicago/Rockford Section
March 30, 2009
Stafford Cuffe, Ph.D.Member: AMA, IEEE, SAE
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Introduction Global Drivers
Environmental forces of change has fueled the demand foralternative energy sources for the new economy.
Examples: globalization, high energy costs, climate change issues,labor factors, competitive factors, emerging technologies, socio-
economic factors, geo-political factors, global financial meltdown,new government regulations, federal stimulus funds, and newbusiness best practices.
Demand for oil will rise at about the rate of2.2% a year through 2012, primarilydriven by the developing world'sconsumption, which is rising threetimes as fast as in the OECD.Transportation fuels will be thelargest source of demand, by far.
Source: Neider, 2007
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Alternative Energy Sources
There are several popular alternative energy sources suchas: bio-fuel, wind, solar cell, fuel cell, and hydropower.
Scholars and subject matter experts agree that wind, solarcell and fuel cell have a higher rate-of-return and areattracting new players in the energy sector.
Some states (e.g., CA,CO, FL, MI, NM, OH, & TX) haveturned to alternative energy (i.e., wind, & solar) to reinventtheir stagnant economy fueled by the new stimulus energyfunds.
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Bio-ethanol and other Bio-Fuels
Energy In 2003, world ethanol production was 20 billion liters and Brazil
(sugar cane) and the US (corn) were the main players at thattime. Other countries are considering entering the ethanol fuelmarket with diverse raw materials base and could increase the
world production to 80 billion liters by 2020 (Gielen & Unander, 2005). Biofuels are mass transportation fuels produced by processing
vegetable oils such as soy, and palm. Also, bio-fuels arerenewable that can reduce green houses gas and emissionscompared to the standard petroleum based fuels.
bioethanol
Source: http://www.chemistry-in-context.com/articles/0117/Bioethanol.jpg
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W
ind EnergyThe Department of Energy isassisting universities and theprivate sector to develop clean,domestic and emerging
technologies to reduce Americasdependence on imported oil. In2006, wind power generated 2.454MW, a 26% increase and was thesecond largest contributor to USnational power grid over the lasttwo years.
Source: www.eere.energy.gov
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Grid-Connected Wind Applications
Small wind turbines (SWT) is used in grid-connectedapplications for residential, industrial or even, lately, urbanenvironments. The so-called distributed wind applications arepoised for rapid market growth in response to continuing energyprice increases and increased demand for on-site power
generation. Presently, the major share of development of this market is in
the US, Canada and Australia, in parallel with new trends in thedevelopment of distributed generation systems. This emergingmarket provides a new impulse to the development of SmallWind Turbine (SWT) technology.
Wind power can also be used to generate electricity in an urban
environment. This trend has mainly been seen in Europe,where the integration of SWTs in the built environment is beingactively discussed.
Source: www.wind-energy-thefacts.org
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Hydropower Energy
Emerging water power technologies suchas marine and hydrokinetic devices cantransform energy from waves, tides,ocean currents and the natural flow of
rivers into clean energy. Hydropoweraccounted for 7% of Americas electricpower and was 73% renewable in 2005.It is one of the oldest forms of energysources and was used thousands of yearsago to process grain into flour.
Sources: (1) www.eere.energy.gov (2) www.odec.ca
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Fuel Cells EnergyThere many types of fuel cells on themarket and trying to decide the besttype to match specific applications canbe very challenge for those individual
who may not be familiar with theemerging technology.
Most subject mater experts agree to besuccessfully commercializing fuel cellsproducts; suppliers should consider the
correct type of fuel cells to match thespecific application and marketconditions.
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Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
(P
EMFC) Solid electrolyte and porous carbon electrodes embedded with a
noble metal catalyst (i.e., platinum) are used in the constructionof PEMFCs.
Low temperature PEMFCs operate at 60-80C and have quick startup times.
High temperature PEMFCs operate at 100-200C and have alonger start up time before they can generate electricity.
Source: (1) Eisemann & Willis, 2004 (2) Anonymous2, n.d.
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Other Types of Fuel Cells
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)
DMFC is similar to PEMFC because its electrolyte is polymerbased. It is in the early stages of development operating at80 C with a low efficiency of less than 40%. However, it is
not a good candidate for commercialization because of itsimmature characteristics.
The electrochemical hurdles for DMFC include concernsabout methanol electro-catalysis and anode poisoning
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) operate at 600 to 1000C making it
the highest in the family of fuel SOFC are suitable for highpowered industrial applications such as power suppliers andgenerators with an efficiency of45%. Automotive and hotelload applications (e.g., tank silent watch, vehicle idling).
Source: Anonymous1, n.d.
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Solar Cells Energy Emerging solar cells technologies offers the best opportunity for
long term rate of return on investment and sustainabilitycompared to the other types of alternate energy sources.
Concerns about the environment can be a powerful driver forselecting solar cells products for applications.
Research data had reported that an average coal-fired powerplant emits 225 pounds of arsenic, 500 tons of particulates, fourpounds of cadmium, 5,000 tons of sulfur oxides, 114 pounds oflead, one million tons of carbon and 10,000 tons of nitrogenoxides annually.
20,000 US citizens die annuallydue to airborne particulatesgenerated by power plants.
Source: Solar Energy Fact Sheets, 2002
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Solar Cells Applications
Utility grid connected solarcell applications
Grid interactive systemsRemote solar cell applications
Consumer productsapplications
Utility grid connectedapplications
Grid interactive systems
Remote solar cellapplications
Sources: (1) www.solarpowerindustries.com/solar-applications.html)
(2) https://reader009.{domain}/reader009/html5/0526/5b088a994f342/5b088aa71275f.jpg
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Drivers for the Demand for EnergyEngineers and Consultants
Wave of retirements in the public and private sector
The Federal Stimulus Spending Bill (ARRA)
US Recession and loss of traditional high paying jobs
Increase demand for energy Climate change (global warming)
Increase in disposable or old economy skills sets
The end of the old economy and start of the new
Increase demand for data savvy professionals
Increase demand in power for data center computers Increase demand for professionals with multiple or cross
functional skills and/or degrees (i.e., BSEE, BSCS, MBA)
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Potential Consulting Opportunities
Fuel Cell Consultant $60 - $220/HR
Solar Cell Consultant $50 -$150/HR
Integration Consultant $60- $500/HR
Alternative Energy Consultant $55-150/HR
Renewable Energy Consultant $45-150/HR
Automotive Hybrid Fuel Consultant $55-$155/HR
Alternative Energy Technologist $40-$75/HR
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References Anonymous1, (n.d.). Development of Early Fuel Cell. www.fetc.com
Anonymous2, (n.d.). History of Fuel Cell. Retrieved fromwww.americanhistorysi.edu, June 1, 2008.
Bradford, T; Grama, S; Wesoff, E & Bhargava, A. (2007, August). The
Future of Thin Film Solar; Executive Summary.www.greentechmedia.com.
Eisenmann, & Willis, M. (2004, March 30). Fuel Cells: The HydrogenRevolution. Harvard Business School, Product no: 9-804-144
Gielen, D & Unanader, F (2005, March). Alternate Fuels: An EnergyTechnology Perspective. Report Number EET/2005/01. Paris, France
Malanson (2008). Nanosolar inkjet [solar cells] film rolls off the press at100 feet per minute. http://hwhuagong.com/20080619/nahttp
Neider (2007). Medium-Term Supply/Demand Growth of Oil.www.energyandcapital.com
Solar Energy Fact Sheets (2002). www.solardev.com/SEIA-cleanhealthy.php
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Contact Information
Stafford Cuffe Ph.D.
Member: AMA, IEEE, SAEE-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell Phone: (248)705-9043