.....
Designed to fit in a garage, the charger can refuel a fuel cell electric vehicle eight hours overnight with around 0.5  kilograms of hydrogen.

Conventional solar hydrogen chargers required both an electrolyzer, a device that gathers hydrogen molecules from water, and a separate compressor unit to create high pressure hydrogen. The compressor is said to be the most expensive component in the device and also reduces system efficiency.

For its new charging station, Honda re-engineered the electrolyzer to eliminate the compressor and drive down costs and size while improving system efficiency by more than 25 percent.

Users can refill their vehicle overnight using less expensive off-peak electrical power, eliminating the need for hydrogen storage. During daytime peak power times, the smart grid-compatible charging station can export the electricity produced from its 6-kilowatt solar panels to the grid.

The array utilizes thin-film solar cells produced by Honda Soltec Company, a subsidiary of Honda.

In addition, the new charging station complements Honda’s FCX Clarity electric vehicles. With fast public charging stations for longer trips and the prototype’s nighttime slow charging for homes, the fuel cell vehicle will be more flexible on the road.

The solar hydrogen station is housed at Honda R&D Americas Inc. in Los Angeles.

Source:ECOSEED; jAN.29.2010

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Solar thermal
Active solar cooling wherein solar thermal collectors provide thermal energy to drive thermally-driven chillers (usually ADsorption or ABsorption chillers) .

The solar thermal energy system can be also used to produce hot water.

There are multiple alternatives to compressor-based chillers that can reduce energy consumption by 80%, with less noise and vibration. Solar thermal energy can be used to efficiently cool in the summer, and also heat domestic hot water, and the building in the winter. The Audubon Environmental Center in Los Angeles is one example among many).[2] Single, double or triple iterative absorption cooling cycles are used in different solar-thermal-cooling system designs. The more cycles, the more efficient they are.

In the late 1800s, the most common phase change refrigerant material for absorption cooling was a solution of ammonia and water. Today, the combination of lithium and bromide is also in common use. One end of the system of expansion / condensation pipes is heated, and the other end gets cold enough to make ice. Originally, natural gas was used as a heat source in the late 1800s. Today, propane is used in recreational vehicle absorption chiller refrigerators. Innovative hot water solar thermal energy collectors can also be used as the modern “free energy” heat source.

Efficient absorption chillers require water of at least 190 °F (88 °C). Common, inexpensive flat-plate solar thermal collectors only produce about 160 °F (71 °C) water, but several successful commercial projects in the US, Asia and Europe have shown that flat plate solar collectors specially developed for temperatures over 200 °F (featuring double glazing, increased backside insulation, etc.) can be effective and cost efficient. Evacuated-tube solar panels can be used as well. Concentrating solar collectors required for absorption chillers are less effective in hot humid, cloudy environments, especially where the overnight low temperature and relative humidity are uncomfortably high. Where water can be heated well above 190 °F (88+ °C), it can be stored and used when the sun is not shining.

For 150 years, absorption chillers have been used to make ice (before the electric light bulb was invented). This ice can be stored and used as an “ice battery” for cooling when the sun is not shining, as it was in the 1995 Hotel New Otani in Tokyo Japan. Mathematical models are available in the public domain for ice-based thermal energy storage performance calculations.

The ISAAC Solar Icemaker is an intermittent solar ammonia-water absorption cycle. The ISAAC uses a parabolic trough solar collector and a compact and efficient design to produce ice with no fuel or electric input, and with no moving parts.

Makers include ClimateWell, Fagor-Rotartica and Daikin.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_heat_pump

http://www.heatpumpcentre.org/About_heat_pumps/HP_technology.asp

The energy sources we use today have negative side effects. They cause lots of pollution. The pollution causes acid rain and the earth warm up. Besides these side effects the current reserves are diminishing. The crude oil reserves will last for the next 45 years to come and gas maybe 60 years. The only traditional fuels source that is still in ‘abundance’ is coal. The coal supply will last for the next 300 years. Thus, for everything that runs on a form of crude oil or natural gas we will have to find a good replacement. Many of us think alternative energy is the answer.

Why is alternative energy the answer for our energy problems? There are several reasons why. First it is a clean form of energy that doesn’t cause any harmful effects to the environment. We are realizing that this beautiful planet we live and breathe on needs to cherished. Not only for us but more important for our children. Thus we need to live our lives in a way that is not harmful for our planet. We are doing it right now and need to change that. Alternative energy can be the answer.
Second, these ‘new’ energy sources are available for nearly every one and they are ‘free’. Energy sources like the wind, sunshine and water are for every body and are free to use. We need technology to convert these sources in to useful energy needed for our appliances and transportation. These technologies come with a price tag and one can argue if these investments are worth it. If you feel that the investments are worth it or not, the technology is available. For the individual and for companies there are amazing technologies on the market. Companies that specialize in these energy sources are improving and coming up with new concepts that are better than ever before.

Companies that are developing these technologies are investing in their and our future and can become the next ‘oil barons’. They are not only securing a clean planet, but are also making money. History has taught us that technology is the key for success in the western modern world we live in. These companies that develop these new technologies can sell their knowledge through appliances and services they offer. Consumers and other needing companies are willing to pay for this.

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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There are various forms and sources of alternative energy and let us try to understand them.:

Sometimes called renewable resources, alternative energy does not need fossil fuel or even the splitting of the atom to be produced. It is called renewable because the sources of it are constantly being produced. It does not cause the pollution that oil and gas cause.

This kind of energy is not really new. What is new is that we now categorize these forms of energy as alternative energy.

The forms that alternative energy may take are fuel cells, geothermal energy, wind power, biomass, hydro electric energy, solar energy and water energy such as wave and tidal energy.

Fuel cells as a type of alternative energy is usually associated with electric cars, or hybrid cars. Electro chemical devices produce power through a chemical reaction. The primary benefit of fuel cells technology is that power is produced without the production of harmful pollutants. They are still very expensive to produce, however.

Geothermal energy can be a powerful source of energy. It is ideal for small scale use to heat houses, businesses and small industry. On a larger scale, geothermal plants extract the heat from the earth and use it to create steam to power turbine engines.

Wind turbines produce energy using the same principal as windmills. Blades are moved by the wind, and a shaft attached to the blades rotate a generator that produces energy. This energy is stored in batteries. Wind is, of course required to run this type of alternative energy, so the more wind you have the better it will work. Sites where there is a lot of wind, such as open farmland are good for wind turbines, or other locations that cannot be reached by powerlines.

Biomass is organic material that can be converted to fuel. There are many types, such as animal waste, crops and grains, wood and other byproducts from mills and forests as well as from aquatic plants. One type uses the matter to burn to produce steam power; another type transforms the matter into a gas or liquid.

Solar energy is probably the most well known form of alternate energy. It is the safe and efficient use of the heat from the sun to form energy.

Energy from water. Hydroelectric energy is the energy produced by dams.The movement of the water causes turbines to generate power instantaneously. The initial cost of a dam is very high, but after that the power is free. Tidal energy works on the same concept as dams. The turbines are put directly in the water and the motion of the tides over them powers the turbines. Wave energy uses the motion of the waves in the same way.

Those are your basic types of alternate energy sources.

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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What mail do you hate the most living in a western modern world today? Chances are that you hate your monthly bills. What do hate even more? You probably hate seeing these bills getting higher each and every month. But what can you do about it; you need electricity, water, gas and heat. You would not be living a comfortable live in a western modern society without your lights, air-conditioning, TV, microwave, dishwasher and all other appliances that make your live enjoyable.

You could decide not to pay these bills, but that will not resolve the problem. You can even reduce the number of appliances used to a minimum and not heat you’re your home. If you live on your own that would not be problem, but if you’re a part of a family these drastic measures will not make you popular. Lucky for you there are alternatives. Today there houses available known as alternative energy homes.

These are houses that use today’s technology to provide you with free electricity and heat. That doesn’t sound great, it is! These homes convert power from different natural processes into electricity and heating. Alternative energy homes make use of sunlight, wind and biomass fuel to power their energy needs. Let’s look at how they do this.

First let’s look at solar power. Solar power can be used for heat and for electricity. To produce electricity the solar panels are placed on the roof of the house. These panels consist of photovoltaic cells that can convert sunlight directly into electricity. A modern pv cell can convert almost 80% of the sunshine into electricity. But what happens at night? The electricity that is converted during the day is stored into batteries. This allows you to use solar electricity when ever you need it, day or night.
Another step further is the use of turbines. The sun’s heat is then used to turn water into steam that runs turbines. The turbines then run generators, which produce electricity for the entire alternative energy home!
To heat a home a solar panel can be installed on the roof where water is heated. The hot water is then stored in a big tank which in turn is used for a central heating system and also for hot running water.
Another way to heat your home is to use solar collectors. The heat from the sun is then stored in special collectors. These systems are very effective. Some have even shown the capability to heat alternative energy homes in the middle of winter!

Second is wind power. To use wind power a windmill-type device is installed on the house or nearby. The wind-mill powers a turbine. This turbine produces the necessary electricity. And what happens when there is no wind? Just as with solar power, the energy is stored into batteries. These batteries ensure you with enough electricity.

By converting these widely available energy sources you can save a lot of money. The only upset is that you need to invest in equipment to convert these sources into the energy needed. This can be a substantial investment. In different countries and in the US you can receive tax credits or other tax benefits to reduce the total investment. But if you think of the alternative energy home as an investment you can’t go wrong. The price for your home will go up and your expenses are reduced and that’s what every home owner wants, increase the market value and reduce costs. Thus, your new energy provider is the future in more ways than one.

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

If you have ever been to the ocean, you were probably fascinated by the phenomena of the waves crashing against the shorelines as the tides came in. The ocean’s tides are the product of gravitational pull of the sun and the moon, as well as, the Earth’s rotation. It causes the ocean waters to be raised and lowered from time to time. The tides have cycles of twelve and one half hours, twice per day, and are easily predictable.

The use of tidal power is seen as early as the twelfth century where tidal mills used the force of the tides to grind grain and corn. The eighteenth century brought competition from windmills and waterwheels. Tidal mills pretty much became extinct with the invention of cheap steam engines. In 1967, France became the first to be able to put tidal wave power to work on a large scale to produce electricity.

The generation of electricity from tidal waves is similar to that of hydroelectric power generation. Bigger dams, known as barrages, are built on the bottom of a tidal basin. Gates on the barrage allow the tidal basin to fill during incoming high tides. Likewise, the basin will empty through a turbine during the outgoing tide. This would turn an electric generator for the production of electricity. There are also systems that generate electricity from incoming and outgoing tides. This system can have a negative effect on plants and animals in the area.
....
Tidal fences are also used to generate electricity. Vertical axis turbines are mounted on fences. Passing water is forced through the turbines. Ideal locations for these are channels between two landmasses. Tidal fences are cheaper than tidal barrages and cause less of an environmental impact on large marine life.

Tidal turbines are a new technology used for tidal energy. They are similar to wind turbines and are arranged underwater in rows. They work best in areas with strong tides. Although they are heavier and costlier to build, they also are capable of capturing more energy. They are also the least environmentally damaging of all the tidal power technologies, since they do not interfere with migration paths.

In order for tidal power to work successfully it requires a tide difference of at least sixteen feet. Unfortunately there are only a few places where this occurs. This means tidal power plants cannot just be constructed anywhere. There are only a handful of sites on Earth with this type of tidal range. At present, France is the only country that has been successful in using tidal power. It is hoped developments in technology, through research, will be made to allow better use of this, what is now, wasted energy. The future of tidal energy seems hopeful. Tidal power has great potential and hopefully we can make better use of it in the future in our quest to find a replacement for fossil fuels.
You may click to see:->
Renewable Energy From Tides
Ocean Energy —-(1)
Ocean Energy…..(2)
Technology Research to Harness Energy Potential of Oceans, Tides and Rivers

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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Geothermal energy is located deep in the ground. The heat at the core of the Earth has an outward flow. As it moves, it is transferred to surrounding rock layers called the mantle. As temperatures and pressure increase, the rock melts and becomes magma. The magma moves toward the surface of the earth carrying the heat with it. If the magma reaches the Earth’s surface, it becomes lava. However, most of it stays below the Earth’s crust and heats rocks and water that surround it. These temperatures can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water travels to the Earth’s surface, it becomes hot springs or geysers. Mostly it stays trapped in fractured, porous rocks called geothermal reservoirs. This heat near the Earth’s surface becomes a form of energy.

Hot water or steam from the reservoir exerts a force that can spin a turbine connected to a generator and produces electricity. The cooled water is then returned to the reservoir in order for it to reheat. Much exploration and testing needs to be done to determine where the geothermal underground waters are. When ideal spots are located, drilling is done to create production wells that bring the water to the Earth’s surface for power generation in geothermal power plants.

Although the costs to construct geothermal plants and geothermal wells are high, the cost of producing electricity is lower over time. The fuel is reliable, stable and does not need to be transported. The white smoke you will see over geothermal power plants is not smoke but rather steam. During the process of operations it may, however, bring some hazardous gases from underground.

The United States stands as the biggest producer of geothermal energy. Unfortunately, interest in it is low and it only accounts for about 1% of this country’s energy supply. Through research and experience new methods and technologies for accessing geothermal energy will improve. Tapping into the heat under the Earth’s surface can produce much more of the nations energy. We are at a point where renewable energy sources must make their way to the forefront of the energy picture. Not only are fossil fuels being depleted, but also they are ruining our air quality. In time, geothermal energy may become an appealing alternative. Competitive pricing and minimal environmental impact could produce a hot future for this renewable energy source.

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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None of this alternative fuel talk has escaped the attention of the automobile manufacturers, big oil companies, or environmental groups. Everyone is looking at the possibilities in order to find a way to make some money when all is said and done.

Some people are doing more than looking, however. One school district in Georgia is running their school busses on chicken fat, and some trucking companies are converting their diesel engine to burn vegetable oil. It all seems to be working out quite well. Of course, there will probably be a vegetable shortage next, and we’ll see Crisco hitting $5.00 per tub!

Although it’s not likely that your next off-the-lot car will have “finger licking good” exhaust fumes, there is a great need to develop fossil fuel alternatives. Researchers aren’t just working with animal renderings and vegetable oil either. Experimental research is being conducted with hay and agricultural wastes as well. Even chicken “droppings” are getting burned.

Some companies are developing conversion kits that will let ordinary gasoline engines run on animal fat or vegetable oil. The average cost for a conversion kit runs around $1,000, but the savings can add up pretty quickly when you consider that many restaurants are giving away their used fry grease for free.

The main problem is finding ways to produce good mileage results and developing engines that are able to handle the effects of non-petroleum fuels. These aren’t overwhelming problems, but they still must be addressed before biofuels become mainstream. And for the conspiracy theory fans among us, there is always the possibility that “big oil” will do everything it can to stop biofuels from replacing their coveted black gold.

While having to scrounge around for buckets of fat, or scraping road kill from the Interstate might slow down your travel plans, there will come a time when biofuels will be flowing from your neighborhood service stations as freely as grease from a fried chicken platter.

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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What is Ethanol?

Ethanol is a grain alcohol, or plant mass formula derived from the natural sugars found in bio mass, or vegetation such as corn, wheat, barley, potatoes and sugar cane. This is then processed to make a renewable form of fuel or fuel additive, which is both cost effective and good for the planet. Many cars are able to run on Ethanol and gasoline mixtures. Although at the moment, the mixtures are only a ratio of 10% Ethanol, to 90% fossil fuel.
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Benefits of Ethanol

There are many benefits of using an alternative fuel such as Ethanol, for starters it is a renewable resource, fossil fuels used to make gasoline is not renewable, so one day they will run out, it is because of this that people, have become more aware of alternative fuels and additives. Another good reason for using an alternative fuel such as Ethanol is the reduction of pollution, we only have one planet and if we keep polluting it we may very well find ourselves with nowhere to live. Any steps that we can make toward reducing pollution is a positive. Another good reason to consider a fuel alternative such as Ethanol is that it is far more cheaper to use and make, the main cost involved in making Ethanol is in the processing method.

How is Ethanol Produced?

The process used consists of 8 stages, corn is the main product used in this method, Milling the corn, to make it into a fine powder, or meal Liquification, which is mixing the meal with water and Alpha-amylase, then heating it at temperatures of 120-150 deg Celcius, the heat reduces bacteria. Saccharification, is the process of cooling the mash, and adding glucoamylase, this converts the starch to dextrose, Fermentation, is where the yeast is added to ferment the sugars to convert it to Ethanol. This process consists of the mash going through several different tanks, and takes about 48 hours.

Please note that this procedure is risky and I do not recommend making biodiesel without further research of the process, these are just general guidelines of the making process, if you wish to actually make your own bio diesel please consult expert companies or professionals.

Distillation, the mash now contains about 10% alcohol and 90% non fermentable solids, the solids are now separated from the alcohol, to reach about a 96% strength of alcohol.

Dehydration, is where the last of the water is removed to make the alcohol about 200 proof.

Denaturing, is used then to make the alcohol unfit for human consumption, this is done by adding a small amount of gasoline, like 2-5%.

There are 2 co products derived from this process as well. The first is the non fermentable product, this is used as a livestock feed, the second is the carbon dioxide which is collected from the process and sold to other industries.

There are many reasons to use Ethanol as either an additive or an alternative fuel; one of the main reasons is the reduction of pollution. Regular fossil based fuels are not only damaging to the environment they are a non-renewable resources; once they are gone they can never be replaced, or regenerated.

Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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