By Stefan Fassbinder / Published on Mon, 2009-08-31 08:33
Why do we need transformers? The answer is simple: impedance. If power losses in electricity distribution networks are to be kept within reasonable limits, then large amounts of electric power have to be transmitted across long distances at the highest feasible voltage. In absolute terms, the higher the trans-mission voltage, the smaller the current and hence the smaller the (resistive) power losses in the transmission cables. But increasing the transmission voltage also reduces a given power loss in relative terms.
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By HDK / Published on Wed, 2009-08-26 13:49
Electric vehicles have gained much attention in the last few years. Though the concept of electric vehicles is already known from history and almost every decade had an upsurge, a real breakthrough for this kind of transportation has yet to be made. The main reason was the limited capacity of the battery systems, but with new developments in the field of electricity storage, new battery systems are being developed with higher energy densities and longer lifetimes.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 14:29
ISO New England, which oversees New England’s bulk electric power system and wholesale electricity markets, recently established a Forward Capacity Market (FCM) that will pay suppliers to ensure sufficient capacity is available to meet future peak loads. Under the FCM, ISO New England projects the needs of the power system three years in advance and then holds an annual auction to purchase the resources necessary to satisfy the future regional requirements. This market is unique in that it allows energy efficiency and other demand resources to compete directly with generators.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 14:26
Panel leaders: Catherine Cooremans & Sylvie Douzou
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 14:24
Act! Innovate! Deliver! Reducing energy demand sustainably
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 11:12
In order to meet the requirements of Australia’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), energy providers in the state of Queensland have agreed to purchase green energy for State Government Buildings by supporting a program to install solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems in schools. The objective of the Queensland Solar Schools initiative is to provide schools with an educational resource that raises awareness about green energy technologies while reducing school electricity usage costs.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 11:10
This paper examines two community projects implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The first, Promoting Access to Energy Services to Foster Integration and Human Development for Disadvantaged Communities in Hungary and Slovakia with a Special Focus on the Roma, built on regional development work with isolated communities without reliable access to heat and electricity. The second, Energy Efficiency in Housing in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), focused on a network of communities where rebuilding was underway following the Balkans conflict.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 11:09
This paper analyses the effect of the novel market-based instrument of emission trading on investment strategies of local utilities in the climate friendly technologies of combined heat and power (CHP) and renewable energy resources (RES). We take the example of the German electricity sector, where the economic conditions have been subject to dramatic changes in recent years.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 11:08
This paper reviews three key initiatives undertaken in the historical city of Oxford to bring about reductions in energy-related CO2 emissions on a city-wide scale. The author has been part of all three initiatives.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 11:05
In 2005, SenterNovem, the Dutch Broadcasting Corporation, a publishing company and a consortium of local authorities launched ‘Energy Survival’; a renewing energy marketing strategy for children to create a demand for local energy actions. New elements are powerful branding and the use of cross media techniques through national TV, internet, local events and primary education. Through entertainment, Energy Survival influences children’s attitude towards energy consumption and its convincing relation with the environment.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 08:37
Power electronics is an innovative and expanding area in electrical engineering. Recent advances in high power devices permit the control and flow of electric energy efficiently. The digital nature of power switching devices makes the control of electric power switching circuits convenient with the use of digital signal processors. Power electronics has widespread applications in today’s industry such as in power supplies, variable speed drives, automotives, marine, etc.
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By Bruno De Wachter / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 05:30
NGOs and TSOs join forces
Historically, environmentally conscious NGOs and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) were for the most part diametrically opposed on the subject of high-voltage transmission lines. This makes it all the more remarkable that now two NGOs, including WWF, have joined an initiative that advocates an enforcement of the European transmission grid. Such enforcement is considered necessary to enable the integration of renewable energy systems.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Tue, 2009-08-25 03:18
This question was asked by a Leonardo ENERGY member who is supplying material for the wind sector and who wonders what the future will bring.
To answer this question, we first need to understand the current situation in this rapidly-evolving field. According to the wind energy barometer, the world currently has 121 GW installed, of which 65 GW (55%) in the EU. In 2008 alone, 27 GW of capacity have been added.
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By Guy Kasier / Published on Mon, 2009-08-24 07:21
When a house or apartment is built or renovated, choosing the stones for the floors is one of the easy jobs. Walking around a dealer’s showroom for a few hours is usually sufficient to return home satisfied. However, things get more difficult when you have to decide what number of electrical sockets, switches, lighting points, computer connections, telephone sockets, etc. has to be fitted in each room. The e-tool “Checklist for the electrical installation in the home” changes this situation.
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By HDK / Published on Fri, 2009-08-21 19:52
A new paper from Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center
We examine the potential economic implications of using vehicle batteries to store grid electricity generated at off-peak hours for off-vehicle use during peak hours. Hourly electricity prices in three U.S. cities were used to arrive at daily profit values, while the economic losses associated with battery degradation were calculated based on data collected from A123 Systems LiFePO4/Graphite cells tested under combined driving and off-vehicle electricity utilisation.
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By HDK / Published on Fri, 2009-08-21 18:27
A new paper from Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center
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By HDK / Published on Fri, 2009-08-21 14:45
The International Renewable Energy Storage conference 2009 is already the 4th of its kind. EUROSOLAR and the WCRE have established a successful international conference series that contributes to the developments in energy storage and publicises their applications.
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By Stefan Fassbinder / Published on Wed, 2009-08-19 08:08
An electric motor and an electricity generator are basically the same. By principle, any electric motor can also generate electricity. Electric drives are way ahead of combustion engines, since, unfortunately, a car engine which sucks up exhaust fumes during braking and downhill rides and converts them into fuel and fresh air is still pending. The electric motor can deliver this, although during its first century of existence, its use has largely been hampered by two basic drawbacks:
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Tue, 2009-08-18 16:41
The implementation of millions or even hundreds of millions of electric vehicles (EVs) will require a lot of effort on technical and financial aspects, but also on socio-economic aspects.
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By HDK / Published on Tue, 2009-08-18 16:23
In October 2006 the UK government published a new Local Government White Paper. This policy statement set the framework for the role of local government in the coming years.
The White Paper is one stage in the latest wave of local government reform in the UK. This reform has aimed to refocus attention away from delivery of specific services and towards community leadership, particularly with reference to sustainable development.
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