Tutorials
By HDK / Published on Mon, 2010-03-01 22:13
Read full story
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.
Read full story
By Stefan Fassbinder / Published on Mon, 2008-07-21 17:14
Modern dimmable electronic ballasts provide excellent versatility for lighting scenes in conference rooms, theatres and the like where magnetic ballasts cannot compete, although a new technique to make magnetic ballasts dimmable is presently under development in Canada but not yet available on the market (for news on this see here).
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2007-11-28 13:09
As the fifth in a series of tutorials on the power system, Leonardo ENERGY introduces its minute lecture on voltage and frequency control, using the analogy of a metal/rubber plate to demonstrate the centralised nature of frequency control, whereas voltage control is more a local matter.
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2007-11-28 13:08
To counterbalance unexpected fluctuations in electricity production or consumption.What if users consume more electrical energy than scheduled? Or less? Since liberalisation, the Transmission System Operator has been responsible for keeping the balance between generation and consumption. This is done by the so-called 'spinning reserve'. The following minute lectures present you a short overview on the spinning reserve, how it is defined, and how it operates.
View minute lecture
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Mon, 2007-03-05 02:00
Following the Minute Lecture Four analogies to explain reactive power, we received many reactions. Several writers suggested further analogies.
This inspired us for making a sequel to this minute lecture, with four more analogies worked out.
When explaining reactive power to lay persons, you can pick any analogy of your choice, according to your target audience.
Read full story
By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2007-02-01 14:03
A short eBook, from Engineering Consulting & Design to introduce the subject of power quality phenomena, the problems they cause and their solutions.
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Sun, 2006-09-03 05:21
VWEW's 'Lernsequenzen' (in German) [1], gives a few typical energy benchmarks, allowing to develop an intuitive feeling for Joules, Megajoules and Gigajoules:
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Sat, 2006-09-02 05:09
VWEW's 'Lernsequenzen' (in German) [1], gives a few typical power benchmarks, allowing to develop an intuitive feeling for Watts, from mili-Watts and Megawatts:
Read full story
By HDK / Published on Sun, 2006-06-25 05:10
Following 'how precious is a kWh' and 'how precious is a m3 gas', and using a sheet from Good Energy, we can estimate the amount of energy services that emits a kg of CO2 (specific for the UK system). A kg of CO2 emissions results from:
- operating an electric radio alarm clock for 23 days
- a 15 minute shower (or a 7 minute power shower)
- 20 minutes of gas cooking, or one hour of electric cooking
- 6 days of refrigeration (with a modern unit)
- 4 km travel by car, 16 km of travel by bus, train or tube
- Using a computer for 5 working days (9 hours)
- Operating a lift for 40 minutes
- Less than 1% of the distance Heathrow - Paris by air
- Transporting 3 bottles of wine from New Zealand
- Transporting 25% of a Red Snapper from the Indian Ocean
- 9 steak and ale pies made on-site using local produce
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2006-04-05 15:08
Energy is not only about quantity. Its quality is equally important.This minute lecture, inspired by an idea from Camatini & Kester, introduces the concept of exergy, the quality measure for an amount of energy. It uses the example of space heating with various methods: electric heating, fossil-fired boiler and heat pumps.
Read full story
By HDK / Published on Wed, 2006-01-18 23:32
Explaining reactive power and its importance is a continuous challenge for electrical professionals. A new attempt is made by Utilipoint introducing Mr VAR and Mr MW. While VARs do not perform any useful work, they are absolutely essential for the operation of the power system.
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2006-01-18 19:05
Explaining reactive power and its importance is a constant challenge for electrical engineers. A new attempt is made by Utilipoint introducing Mr VAR and Mr MW. While VARs do not perform useful work, they are absolutely essential for the operation of the power system.
Read full story
By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2006-01-18 12:02
What is a MW, and what's a MWh? What is the capacity factor of a power station, and what's its load factor? How many homes are served by a wind power plant? This is a lot of questions to answer in a single page, but a tutorial from Utilipoint introduces the topic of capacity planning in the electricity system very well for a lay audience.
Read full story
By Stefan Fassbinder / Published on Sun, 2006-01-08 16:40
The system that delivers electricity to users is highly complex. While electricity is an omnipresent and crucial part of our everyday economy, understanding this system and all its associated phenomena is not easy, sometimes even for trained electrical engineers. In such a case an intuitive analogy often helps to form a better idea of how things work. We have chosen to compare the electrical system with a tandem bicycle to explain its main characteristics.
Read full story
By HDK / Published on Mon, 2005-12-05 17:06
The EcoDesignArc offers free training materials for self-study in 10 modules of 15-45 minutes:
- Introduction to EcoDesign
- The economics of EcoDesign
- Integrated Product Policy
- From RoHS and WEEE to EuP
- Consumer orientation
- Innovation through EcoDesign
- Key issues in EcoDesign
- Development an EcoDesign Strategy
- Linking environmental aspects
- Tools and methologies
Read full story
By HDK / Published on Sat, 2005-11-26 13:50
A cubic meter of gas means:
- Heating a home for 1 hour on a cold day
- Wash your hands 50 times
- Clean the dishes 6 times
- 3 showers
- 6 hot meals
- 1 bath
[Source: Milieuzorg op School, nr 5, Mei 2005]
Read full story
