Solar Energy (Australia)
The sun provides energy in two forms – light and heat. The sun can be used to heat water in our homes and businesses. It can also produce electricity. Energy produced by the sun is called solar power. Since the beginning of mankind we have used the energy of the sun to dry clothes and food, but it wasn't until 1954 that scientists in the United States worked out a way to use the sun to create electricity. Solar energy falls into two main categories:
1. "Solar photovoltaic" energy. The scientists invented photovoltaic cells (or panels) to capture the sun's energy and turn it into electricity. They wanted to use this solar electricity to power satellites in space. Photovoltaic cells are made up like a sandwich - two layers of silicon containing special chemicals. Sunlight is used to charge electrons in the silicon layers. The energised electrons move through the cell and flow into a wire, creating an electric current.
You have many options for using renewable energy at home—from solar-powered outdoor lights to buying renewable energy from your utility to even producing solar electricity at home with photovoltaic (PV) cells.
Solar photovoltaic power is the same technology that powers some calculators and watches. It is also used for remote telephones in some regional areas. The power of the sun is also used as a direct source in solar hot water units. Solar power is particularly useful in remote areas (and there are a lot of these in Australia) where regular electricity supply is not available.
EnergyAustralia has a 2.75 hectare solar farm (the size of about 5 football fields) at Singleton in NSW. It is the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere and produces enough electricity (400 kW) each year to power about 100 homes. By generating electricity through the sun we prevent the release into the atmosphere of around 500 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year!
2. "Solar thermal" energy - solar hot water falls into this category also.
Energy from the sun is absorbed and used to heat things like water. The hot water can be used directly or it can be used to create steam to drive a small turbine which generates electricity.
Advantages of using solar energy
It's almost free once the equipment is installed.
Energy from the sun is renewable (it won't run out).
It is very useful for remote areas that are not connected to the main electricity grid.
It is environmentally safe (ie it produces no greenhouse gases).
Australia has heaps of sunshine!
Disadvantages of using solar energy
It doesn't work well on days when it is overcast or cloudy and it doesn't work at all at night.
For more detailled information, go to
http://txmo01.hatcreek.hop.clickbank.net/
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Solar Heating and Cooling
Solar Water Heaters
If you heat water with electricity, have high electric rates, and have an unshaded, sun-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.
More than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United States have invested in solar water heating systems, and surveys indicate over 94% of these customers consider the systems a good investment. Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters avoid the harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production.
During a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. When shopping for a solar water heater, look for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Solar Heating and Cooling
Using passive solar design techniques to heat and cool your home can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective. Passive solar heating techniques include placing larger, insulated windows on south-facing walls and locating thermal mass, such as a concrete slab floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to the windows. In many cases, you can cut your heating costs by more than 50% compared with the cost of heating the same house that does not include passive solar design.
Passive solar design can also help reduce your cooling costs. Passive solar cooling techniques include carefully designed overhangs, windows with reflective coatings, and the use of reflective coatings on exterior walls and the roof.
A passive solar house requires careful design and site orientation, which depend on the local climate. So, if you are considering passive solar design for new construction or a major remodelling, you should consult an architect familiar with passive solar techniques.
Holographic Solar
Holographic Solar needs less silicon area to produce the same solar electricity.
Holograms to cut the cost of solar modules! Yes, Prism Solar Technologies in New York has developed a proof-of-concept solar module to use holograms to concentrate light, and this lead to a cut in solar module cost by 75 percent. And this concept can easily challenge electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Compared to it, the silicon-based solar panels are less energy-efficient, and to finds a solution to it, the concept uses mirrors or lenses that concentrate light from the sun, hence reducing the total area of silicon necessary to produce a certain amount of electricity.
Sleek flat panels laminated with holograms, replaces the unsightly concentrators in this new technology.
If you heat water with electricity, have high electric rates, and have an unshaded, sun-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.
More than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United States have invested in solar water heating systems, and surveys indicate over 94% of these customers consider the systems a good investment. Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters avoid the harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production.
During a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. When shopping for a solar water heater, look for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Solar Heating and Cooling
Using passive solar design techniques to heat and cool your home can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective. Passive solar heating techniques include placing larger, insulated windows on south-facing walls and locating thermal mass, such as a concrete slab floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to the windows. In many cases, you can cut your heating costs by more than 50% compared with the cost of heating the same house that does not include passive solar design.
Passive solar design can also help reduce your cooling costs. Passive solar cooling techniques include carefully designed overhangs, windows with reflective coatings, and the use of reflective coatings on exterior walls and the roof.
A passive solar house requires careful design and site orientation, which depend on the local climate. So, if you are considering passive solar design for new construction or a major remodelling, you should consult an architect familiar with passive solar techniques.
Holographic Solar
Holographic Solar needs less silicon area to produce the same solar electricity.
Holograms to cut the cost of solar modules! Yes, Prism Solar Technologies in New York has developed a proof-of-concept solar module to use holograms to concentrate light, and this lead to a cut in solar module cost by 75 percent. And this concept can easily challenge electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Compared to it, the silicon-based solar panels are less energy-efficient, and to finds a solution to it, the concept uses mirrors or lenses that concentrate light from the sun, hence reducing the total area of silicon necessary to produce a certain amount of electricity.
Sleek flat panels laminated with holograms, replaces the unsightly concentrators in this new technology.
Wind Power Energy
Wind Power (Australia)
Wind is moving air. It is created when the sun heats the air and cooler air moves in to replace it. This causes wind. Through the ages people have learned to harness the wind's energy.
Like the sun, it can also be used to create electricity. People have learned to use the wind's energy to help them. Sailing boats use the energy of the wind to help them move through the water.
Windmills are used in many countries (such as the Netherlands) to capture the wind's energy. You can also find windmills in parts of outback Australia. The moving sails of the windmill are connected to wheels that turn to operate machinery.
The machinery is used "to grind" the wheat and other grains into flour or to pump the water from place to place to help irrigate the land. The term windmill comes from "to mill" – meaning "to grind". The energy from turning windmills can also be used to drive turbines which generate electricity.
Wind energy is useful for making electricity because it is a renewable resource and does not create pollution or cause damage to the environment.
Wind turbines feature a number of components, including blades, a shaft, a generator and a tower. The blades look like propellers, except that instead of creating wind, they catch the wind. The shaft is connected to the blades, and it rotates as the blades turn with the wind. The shaft runs to the generator. The generator transforms the rotations of the shaft mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Wind power generates less than 1% of the electricity in Australia, but more wind farms are being built every year. EnergyAustralia has a wind turbine at Kooragang Island where we produce electricity from the wind – using a huge wind turbine.
Advantages of using energy from the wind
It's free once you install the equipment.
Energy from wind is renewable (ie. it won't run out)
It is very useful for remote areas that are not connected to the main electricity grid.
It is environmentally safe (ie it produces no greenhouse gases)
Land used for wind farms can usually be used for other things as well (like farming)
Australia has lots of wind!
Disadvantages of using energy from the wind
The speed of the wind often changes and some days there is no wind at all.
Very windy areas are hard to find, and are often near the coast where land is more valuable.
Generating energy from wind creates noise, so turbines shouldn't be built near houses.
It can harm wildlife (birds can land on them), so turbines shouldn't be built near bird habitats.
They can be quite large and some people think they're an eye-sore.
For more detailled information on building a wind generators, see
http://txmo01.offgrid07.hop.clickbank.net/
Wind is moving air. It is created when the sun heats the air and cooler air moves in to replace it. This causes wind. Through the ages people have learned to harness the wind's energy.
Like the sun, it can also be used to create electricity. People have learned to use the wind's energy to help them. Sailing boats use the energy of the wind to help them move through the water.
Windmills are used in many countries (such as the Netherlands) to capture the wind's energy. You can also find windmills in parts of outback Australia. The moving sails of the windmill are connected to wheels that turn to operate machinery.
The machinery is used "to grind" the wheat and other grains into flour or to pump the water from place to place to help irrigate the land. The term windmill comes from "to mill" – meaning "to grind". The energy from turning windmills can also be used to drive turbines which generate electricity.
Wind energy is useful for making electricity because it is a renewable resource and does not create pollution or cause damage to the environment.
Wind turbines feature a number of components, including blades, a shaft, a generator and a tower. The blades look like propellers, except that instead of creating wind, they catch the wind. The shaft is connected to the blades, and it rotates as the blades turn with the wind. The shaft runs to the generator. The generator transforms the rotations of the shaft mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Wind power generates less than 1% of the electricity in Australia, but more wind farms are being built every year. EnergyAustralia has a wind turbine at Kooragang Island where we produce electricity from the wind – using a huge wind turbine.
Advantages of using energy from the wind
It's free once you install the equipment.
Energy from wind is renewable (ie. it won't run out)
It is very useful for remote areas that are not connected to the main electricity grid.
It is environmentally safe (ie it produces no greenhouse gases)
Land used for wind farms can usually be used for other things as well (like farming)
Australia has lots of wind!
Disadvantages of using energy from the wind
The speed of the wind often changes and some days there is no wind at all.
Very windy areas are hard to find, and are often near the coast where land is more valuable.
Generating energy from wind creates noise, so turbines shouldn't be built near houses.
It can harm wildlife (birds can land on them), so turbines shouldn't be built near bird habitats.
They can be quite large and some people think they're an eye-sore.
For more detailled information on building a wind generators, see
http://txmo01.offgrid07.hop.clickbank.net/
Energy Tips
Renewable Energy Tips
A new home provides the best opportunity for designing and orienting the home to take advantage of the sun's rays. A well oriented home admits low-angle winter sun to reduce heating bills and rejects overhead summer sun to reduce cooling bills. Use passive solar energy in your home.
Many consumers buy electricity made from renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, water, plants, and Earth's internal heat. This power is sometimes called "green power." Buying green power from the utility is one of the easiest ways to use renewable energy without having to invest in equipment or take on extra maintenance.
Another use of solar power is for heating water. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, you can use solar power to cut pool heating costs. Most solar pool heating systems are cost competitive with conventional systems. And solar pool systems have very low operating costs. It's actually the most cost-effective use of solar energy.
Tip:
If you've made your home as energy efficient as possible, and you have very high electricity bills and a good solar resource, you might want to consider generating your own electricity using PV cells. New products are available that integrate PV cells with the roof, making them much less visible than older systems.
If the following conditions apply, you might want to do more research to see if investing in PV is right for you:
Your site has adequate solar resources.
A grid connection is not available in your area or can be made only through an expensive power line extension.
You want to gain energy independence from your power provider.
You are willing to pay more up front to reduce the environmental impact of your electricity use.
Your power provider will connect your system to the electricity grid and buy any excess power you produce.
Your state, city, or utility offers rebates, tax credits or other incentives. Visit www.dsireusa.org to find out about financial incentives in your area.
To find out our to build your own solar power system, go to
http://txmo01.solarpa.hop.clickbank.net/
A new home provides the best opportunity for designing and orienting the home to take advantage of the sun's rays. A well oriented home admits low-angle winter sun to reduce heating bills and rejects overhead summer sun to reduce cooling bills. Use passive solar energy in your home.
Many consumers buy electricity made from renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, water, plants, and Earth's internal heat. This power is sometimes called "green power." Buying green power from the utility is one of the easiest ways to use renewable energy without having to invest in equipment or take on extra maintenance.
Another use of solar power is for heating water. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, you can use solar power to cut pool heating costs. Most solar pool heating systems are cost competitive with conventional systems. And solar pool systems have very low operating costs. It's actually the most cost-effective use of solar energy.
Tip:
If you've made your home as energy efficient as possible, and you have very high electricity bills and a good solar resource, you might want to consider generating your own electricity using PV cells. New products are available that integrate PV cells with the roof, making them much less visible than older systems.
If the following conditions apply, you might want to do more research to see if investing in PV is right for you:
Your site has adequate solar resources.
A grid connection is not available in your area or can be made only through an expensive power line extension.
You want to gain energy independence from your power provider.
You are willing to pay more up front to reduce the environmental impact of your electricity use.
Your power provider will connect your system to the electricity grid and buy any excess power you produce.
Your state, city, or utility offers rebates, tax credits or other incentives. Visit www.dsireusa.org to find out about financial incentives in your area.
To find out our to build your own solar power system, go to
http://txmo01.solarpa.hop.clickbank.net/
Monday, March 24, 2008
Worldwide Alternative Fuels
Papua New Guinea - Powered by Coconut
On Bougainville Island, German emigrant engineer Mathias Horn and his wife Carol operate a factory pressing coconut oil from coconut husks.
In tropical Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, straight coconut oil is now used instead of diesel for running cars, trucks and generators. “It costs 1/3rd less then diesel and my car runs smoothly on coconut oil.” said a local priest speaking to ABC Television’s Foreign Correspondence Program.
“There are lots of coconuts available and coconut oil production is creating jobs in the local economy” said Mathias Horn. “Even the local police vehicles use it."” Mr Horn said.
“Bougainville people enjoy the pure sweet aroma of coconuts and it doesn’t destroy the ozone layer.” he told ABC Reporter Steve Marshall.
“The only problem is that the coconut oil solidifies below 25 degrees centigrade and you have to mix it with diesel at high altitudes.” he said.
Brazil - Ethanol Drives 40% of Brazil’s Transport.
Ethanol is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops such as sugar, corn, barley and wheat. It is usually blended in the ratio 10%-20% ethanol to 80%-90% petrol or gasoline as a motor vehicle fuel.
Using ethanol blended fuel, car drivers can expect about 15% less fuel economy relative to petrol.
However, the benefits are lower CO and CO2 emissions and lower evaporative emissions than petrol and a higher octane rating suitable for high octane engines.
A major benefit of ethanol blended fuel is that it saves mineral oil consumption.
However, there is a limit to the extent food crops can be turned into ethanol and audits of agricultural capacity for ethanol production are needed in the overall equation worldwide.
To make your own BioDiesel, see this site for further information
http://txmo01.netw6000.hop.clickbank.net/
Canada - Biodiesel Popular as a Boiler Fuel For Heating People's Houses
Biodiesel is made from crops such as soy beans, mustard seed and palm oil and from animal waste and vegetable oils and greases.
When biodiesel is blended with diesel fuel derived from mineral oil sources, vehicle emissions can be significantly reduced.
The US National Biodiesel Board estimates that a B20 diesel blend can reduce un-burned hydrocarbon automotive emissions by 20%, carbon dioxide emissions by 12% and particulate matter emissions by 12%.
Engine performance using blended biodiesel is similar to when using straight diesel fuel whilst engine lubricity is improved.
However, deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia for palm oil bio-diesel production is a major issue to be managed.
Strict limits now need to be placed on further rain forest and biological destruction experts say.
Clearing rain forests around the world for crop production or alternative fuel production is the wrong way to go UN experts say.
Rather than diverting good agricultural land away from staple food production crops to grow more profitable fuel production crops, marginal land alongside roads and railway tracks, could easily be utilised to produce oil rich palms and nuts for bio-diesel production some analysts say.
Australia - Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Widely Used As a Clean Cooking
Gas
Australia is a major exporter to China, Japan and South Korea.
Liquefied Natural Gas is mainly used in buses and heavy road transport vehicles and has lower emissions than bi-fuel vehicles.
Advantages with LNG are lower harmful nitrous oxides and lower particulate emissions and less carcinogenic and toxic pollutants.
This means lower greenhouse gases are emitted when using LNG fuel.
USA - Electric Powered Vehicles - A New Breed is Coming
Electric trains, trams and trolley buses are commonplace around the world.
Low polluting plug-in electric battery powered road vehicles have been around for a long time.
However, a new breed of plug in hybrid lithium-ion battery electric vehicles are soon expected to become a standard option in the US automotive industry.
Japan & USA - Hybrid Cars - 20% of Japanese Cars Are Now Hybrids
Petroleum electric vehicles are produced in Japan and USA.
Improved fuel efficiency cars, trucks and other combustion engines clearly use less fuel and produce less pollutants than their equivalent conventional models.
A hybrid vehicle has two energy sources, a normal engine system and an electric/motor/generator/battery system.
Both systems combine together for improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption.
Hybrid cars include Toyota’s ‘Prius’ and ‘Camry Hybrid’, Ford’s ‘Escape Hybrid’ and Honda’s ‘Insight’.
For information on how to operate motor vehicles using water, see this site
http://txmo01.water4gas.hop.clickbank.net/
United Kingdom - Scrubbing Ship Exhausts
Compared to road and air, sea transport is an energy efficient means of moving huge volumes of freight.
Low grade, heavy, poor quality oil powers much of the world’s deep sea shipping fleets. Poor fuel burnt in marine diesel engines exhausts a cocktail of nasty emissions into the atmosphere including particulate matter, carbon oxides and volatile organic compounds.
Experts estimate that seagoing ships exhausts now emit up to 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
New European Union legislation will require strict emission monitoring standards for ships in Port from 2010. How to comply has posed new challenges for ship operators. Necessity is the mother of invention and the good old Lloyds Register of Shipping has come up with a model for the accurate measurement of ship exhausts.
The Kystallon Company of Littlehampton, England then produced a ship’s exhaust scrubber which it claims removes up to 95% of the nasties from ship exhausts after trials on the P&O Cross Channel Ferry “Pride of Kent”.
East or West – Scrubbing Ships Exhausts is the Best.
Professor Dr Nishida of Japan’s Kobe University speaking at a lecture in London described a solution being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. “The solution included a fuel water injection system for ships diesel engines and sea water electrolysis and scrubber units.” said Dr. Nishida.
“A new generation of ocean going ships now on the drawing boards will burn a variety of heavy residual fuels with zero or next to zero emissions.” said Thomas Knudsen, Vice President of the MAN Diesel Company writing in the Marine Engineers Review.
On Bougainville Island, German emigrant engineer Mathias Horn and his wife Carol operate a factory pressing coconut oil from coconut husks.
In tropical Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, straight coconut oil is now used instead of diesel for running cars, trucks and generators. “It costs 1/3rd less then diesel and my car runs smoothly on coconut oil.” said a local priest speaking to ABC Television’s Foreign Correspondence Program.
“There are lots of coconuts available and coconut oil production is creating jobs in the local economy” said Mathias Horn. “Even the local police vehicles use it."” Mr Horn said.
“Bougainville people enjoy the pure sweet aroma of coconuts and it doesn’t destroy the ozone layer.” he told ABC Reporter Steve Marshall.
“The only problem is that the coconut oil solidifies below 25 degrees centigrade and you have to mix it with diesel at high altitudes.” he said.
Brazil - Ethanol Drives 40% of Brazil’s Transport.
Ethanol is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops such as sugar, corn, barley and wheat. It is usually blended in the ratio 10%-20% ethanol to 80%-90% petrol or gasoline as a motor vehicle fuel.
Using ethanol blended fuel, car drivers can expect about 15% less fuel economy relative to petrol.
However, the benefits are lower CO and CO2 emissions and lower evaporative emissions than petrol and a higher octane rating suitable for high octane engines.
A major benefit of ethanol blended fuel is that it saves mineral oil consumption.
However, there is a limit to the extent food crops can be turned into ethanol and audits of agricultural capacity for ethanol production are needed in the overall equation worldwide.
To make your own BioDiesel, see this site for further information
http://txmo01.netw6000.hop.clickbank.net/
Canada - Biodiesel Popular as a Boiler Fuel For Heating People's Houses
Biodiesel is made from crops such as soy beans, mustard seed and palm oil and from animal waste and vegetable oils and greases.
When biodiesel is blended with diesel fuel derived from mineral oil sources, vehicle emissions can be significantly reduced.
The US National Biodiesel Board estimates that a B20 diesel blend can reduce un-burned hydrocarbon automotive emissions by 20%, carbon dioxide emissions by 12% and particulate matter emissions by 12%.
Engine performance using blended biodiesel is similar to when using straight diesel fuel whilst engine lubricity is improved.
However, deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia for palm oil bio-diesel production is a major issue to be managed.
Strict limits now need to be placed on further rain forest and biological destruction experts say.
Clearing rain forests around the world for crop production or alternative fuel production is the wrong way to go UN experts say.
Rather than diverting good agricultural land away from staple food production crops to grow more profitable fuel production crops, marginal land alongside roads and railway tracks, could easily be utilised to produce oil rich palms and nuts for bio-diesel production some analysts say.
Australia - Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Widely Used As a Clean Cooking
Gas
Australia is a major exporter to China, Japan and South Korea.
Liquefied Natural Gas is mainly used in buses and heavy road transport vehicles and has lower emissions than bi-fuel vehicles.
Advantages with LNG are lower harmful nitrous oxides and lower particulate emissions and less carcinogenic and toxic pollutants.
This means lower greenhouse gases are emitted when using LNG fuel.
USA - Electric Powered Vehicles - A New Breed is Coming
Electric trains, trams and trolley buses are commonplace around the world.
Low polluting plug-in electric battery powered road vehicles have been around for a long time.
However, a new breed of plug in hybrid lithium-ion battery electric vehicles are soon expected to become a standard option in the US automotive industry.
Japan & USA - Hybrid Cars - 20% of Japanese Cars Are Now Hybrids
Petroleum electric vehicles are produced in Japan and USA.
Improved fuel efficiency cars, trucks and other combustion engines clearly use less fuel and produce less pollutants than their equivalent conventional models.
A hybrid vehicle has two energy sources, a normal engine system and an electric/motor/generator/battery system.
Both systems combine together for improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption.
Hybrid cars include Toyota’s ‘Prius’ and ‘Camry Hybrid’, Ford’s ‘Escape Hybrid’ and Honda’s ‘Insight’.
For information on how to operate motor vehicles using water, see this site
http://txmo01.water4gas.hop.clickbank.net/
United Kingdom - Scrubbing Ship Exhausts
Compared to road and air, sea transport is an energy efficient means of moving huge volumes of freight.
Low grade, heavy, poor quality oil powers much of the world’s deep sea shipping fleets. Poor fuel burnt in marine diesel engines exhausts a cocktail of nasty emissions into the atmosphere including particulate matter, carbon oxides and volatile organic compounds.
Experts estimate that seagoing ships exhausts now emit up to 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
New European Union legislation will require strict emission monitoring standards for ships in Port from 2010. How to comply has posed new challenges for ship operators. Necessity is the mother of invention and the good old Lloyds Register of Shipping has come up with a model for the accurate measurement of ship exhausts.
The Kystallon Company of Littlehampton, England then produced a ship’s exhaust scrubber which it claims removes up to 95% of the nasties from ship exhausts after trials on the P&O Cross Channel Ferry “Pride of Kent”.
East or West – Scrubbing Ships Exhausts is the Best.
Professor Dr Nishida of Japan’s Kobe University speaking at a lecture in London described a solution being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. “The solution included a fuel water injection system for ships diesel engines and sea water electrolysis and scrubber units.” said Dr. Nishida.
“A new generation of ocean going ships now on the drawing boards will burn a variety of heavy residual fuels with zero or next to zero emissions.” said Thomas Knudsen, Vice President of the MAN Diesel Company writing in the Marine Engineers Review.
Energy Crisis
United Nations - Energy savings are antidote to fuel crisis 9 February 2006
– By saving energy at home, at work and on the roads, people around the globe can help tackle the fuel crisis that is challenging the economies of the industrial and developing worlds, delegates gathered at a meeting in Dubai sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded today.
A set of insights gleaned during a three-day brainstorming session on the world energy crisis are wrapped in a report that will be delivered to the upcoming session of the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York City this May.
The conclusions evolved during the environmental agency’s Global Ministerial Environment Forum held this week in the United Arab Emirates. The summary will be prepared by the president of the Forum’s Governing Council, Rachmat Witoelar of Indonesia.
Among other conclusions reached during the session were that the efficient use of energy can fight climate change by cutting carbon emissions in cities and homes and, subsequently, reducing health hazards. Government were urged to take the lead by purchasing energy efficient equipment and services and adopting energy-efficient standards for everything from electrical appliances to agricultural machinery to automobiles.
UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said the ministers zeroed in on energy, what he termed “the heart of the most pressing problem facing the planet.” “The rising demand for energy and the climbing price of fossil fuels has implications for economic growth, for fighting poverty and for the local and global environment,” said Mr. Toepfer, voicing hope that the talks will trigger international action.
The ministers also looked at the role that tourism, the world’s largest industry, can play in fighting poverty, delivering sustainable development and conserving vital ecosystems like coral reefs and forests.
– By saving energy at home, at work and on the roads, people around the globe can help tackle the fuel crisis that is challenging the economies of the industrial and developing worlds, delegates gathered at a meeting in Dubai sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded today.
A set of insights gleaned during a three-day brainstorming session on the world energy crisis are wrapped in a report that will be delivered to the upcoming session of the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York City this May.
The conclusions evolved during the environmental agency’s Global Ministerial Environment Forum held this week in the United Arab Emirates. The summary will be prepared by the president of the Forum’s Governing Council, Rachmat Witoelar of Indonesia.
Among other conclusions reached during the session were that the efficient use of energy can fight climate change by cutting carbon emissions in cities and homes and, subsequently, reducing health hazards. Government were urged to take the lead by purchasing energy efficient equipment and services and adopting energy-efficient standards for everything from electrical appliances to agricultural machinery to automobiles.
UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said the ministers zeroed in on energy, what he termed “the heart of the most pressing problem facing the planet.” “The rising demand for energy and the climbing price of fossil fuels has implications for economic growth, for fighting poverty and for the local and global environment,” said Mr. Toepfer, voicing hope that the talks will trigger international action.
The ministers also looked at the role that tourism, the world’s largest industry, can play in fighting poverty, delivering sustainable development and conserving vital ecosystems like coral reefs and forests.
Calculating Energy Used by Home Appliances
Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use
If you're trying to decide whether to invest in a more energy-efficient appliance or you'd like to determine your electricity loads, you may want to estimate appliance energy consumption.
What is a kilowatt?
When you cook a pot of rice for 1 hour, you use 1000 watt-hours of electricity! One thousand watt-hours equal 1 kilowatt-hour, or 1 kWh. Your utility bill usually shows what you are charged for the kilowatt-hours you use. The average residential rate is USD8.3 cents per kWh. A typical US household consumes about 10,000 kWh per year, costing an average of USD830 annually.
Formula for Estimating Energy Consumption
You can use this formula to estimate an appliance's energy use:
(Wattage × Hours Used per Day ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
(1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts)
Multiply this by the number of days you use the appliance during the year for the annual consumption. You can then calculate the annual cost to run an appliance by multiplying the kWh per year by your local utility's rate per kWh consumed.
Note: To estimate the number of hours that a refrigerator actually operates at its maximum wattage, divide the total time the refrigerator is plugged in by three. Refrigerators, although turned "on" all the time, actually cycle on and off as needed to maintain interior temperatures.
Examples:
Window fan:
(200 Watts × 4 hours/day × 120 days/year) ÷ 1000
= 96 kWh × USD8.5 cents/kWh
= USD8.16/year
Personal Computer and Monitor:
(120 + 150 Watts × 4 hours/day × 365 days/year) ÷ 1000
= 394 kWh × USD8.5 cents/kWh
= USD33.51/year
Wattage
You can usually find the wattage of most appliances stamped on the bottom or back of the appliance, or on its nameplate. The wattage listed is the maximum power drawn by the appliance. Since many appliances have a range of settings (for example, the volume on a radio), the actual amount of power consumed depends on the setting used at any one time.
If the wattage is not listed on the appliance, you can still estimate it by finding the current draw (in amperes) and multiplying that by the voltage used by the appliance. Most appliances in the United States use 120 volts. Larger appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric cook tops, use 240 volts. The amperes might be stamped on the unit in place of the wattage. If not, find a clamp-on ammeter—an electrician's tool that clamps around one of the two wires on the appliance—to measure the current flowing through it. You can obtain this type of ammeter in stores that sell electrical and electronic equipment. Take a reading while the device is running; this is the actual amount of current being used at that instant.
When measuring the current drawn by a motor, note that the meter will show about three times more current in the first second that the motor starts than when it is running smoothly.
Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched "off." These "phantom loads" occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Most phantom loads will increase the appliance's energy consumption a few watt-hours. These loads can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.
Typical Wattages of Various Appliances
Here are some examples of the range of nameplate wattages for various household appliances:
Aquarium = 50–1210 Watts
Clock radio = 10
Coffee maker = 900–1200
Clothes washer = 350–500
Clothes dryer = 1800–5000
Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption)
Dehumidifier = 785
Electric blanket- Single/Double = 60 / 100
Fans:
Ceiling = 65–175
Window = 55–250
Furnace = 750
Whole house = 240–750
Hair dryer = 1200–1875
Heater (portable) = 750–1500
Clothes iron = 1000–1800
Microwave oven = 750–1100
Personal computer
CPU - awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less
Monitor - awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less
Laptop = 50
Radio (stereo) = 70–400
Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725
Televisions (color)
19" = 65–110
27" = 113
36" = 133
53"-61" Projection = 170
Flat screen = 120
Toaster = 800–1400
Toaster oven = 1225
VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25
Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440
Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500
Water pump (deep well) = 250–1100
Water bed (with heater, no cover) = 120–380
If you're trying to decide whether to invest in a more energy-efficient appliance or you'd like to determine your electricity loads, you may want to estimate appliance energy consumption.
What is a kilowatt?
When you cook a pot of rice for 1 hour, you use 1000 watt-hours of electricity! One thousand watt-hours equal 1 kilowatt-hour, or 1 kWh. Your utility bill usually shows what you are charged for the kilowatt-hours you use. The average residential rate is USD8.3 cents per kWh. A typical US household consumes about 10,000 kWh per year, costing an average of USD830 annually.
Formula for Estimating Energy Consumption
You can use this formula to estimate an appliance's energy use:
(Wattage × Hours Used per Day ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
(1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts)
Multiply this by the number of days you use the appliance during the year for the annual consumption. You can then calculate the annual cost to run an appliance by multiplying the kWh per year by your local utility's rate per kWh consumed.
Note: To estimate the number of hours that a refrigerator actually operates at its maximum wattage, divide the total time the refrigerator is plugged in by three. Refrigerators, although turned "on" all the time, actually cycle on and off as needed to maintain interior temperatures.
Examples:
Window fan:
(200 Watts × 4 hours/day × 120 days/year) ÷ 1000
= 96 kWh × USD8.5 cents/kWh
= USD8.16/year
Personal Computer and Monitor:
(120 + 150 Watts × 4 hours/day × 365 days/year) ÷ 1000
= 394 kWh × USD8.5 cents/kWh
= USD33.51/year
Wattage
You can usually find the wattage of most appliances stamped on the bottom or back of the appliance, or on its nameplate. The wattage listed is the maximum power drawn by the appliance. Since many appliances have a range of settings (for example, the volume on a radio), the actual amount of power consumed depends on the setting used at any one time.
If the wattage is not listed on the appliance, you can still estimate it by finding the current draw (in amperes) and multiplying that by the voltage used by the appliance. Most appliances in the United States use 120 volts. Larger appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric cook tops, use 240 volts. The amperes might be stamped on the unit in place of the wattage. If not, find a clamp-on ammeter—an electrician's tool that clamps around one of the two wires on the appliance—to measure the current flowing through it. You can obtain this type of ammeter in stores that sell electrical and electronic equipment. Take a reading while the device is running; this is the actual amount of current being used at that instant.
When measuring the current drawn by a motor, note that the meter will show about three times more current in the first second that the motor starts than when it is running smoothly.
Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched "off." These "phantom loads" occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Most phantom loads will increase the appliance's energy consumption a few watt-hours. These loads can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.
Typical Wattages of Various Appliances
Here are some examples of the range of nameplate wattages for various household appliances:
Aquarium = 50–1210 Watts
Clock radio = 10
Coffee maker = 900–1200
Clothes washer = 350–500
Clothes dryer = 1800–5000
Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption)
Dehumidifier = 785
Electric blanket- Single/Double = 60 / 100
Fans:
Ceiling = 65–175
Window = 55–250
Furnace = 750
Whole house = 240–750
Hair dryer = 1200–1875
Heater (portable) = 750–1500
Clothes iron = 1000–1800
Microwave oven = 750–1100
Personal computer
CPU - awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less
Monitor - awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less
Laptop = 50
Radio (stereo) = 70–400
Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725
Televisions (color)
19" = 65–110
27" = 113
36" = 133
53"-61" Projection = 170
Flat screen = 120
Toaster = 800–1400
Toaster oven = 1225
VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25
Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440
Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500
Water pump (deep well) = 250–1100
Water bed (with heater, no cover) = 120–380
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