Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are an integrated photovoltaic (PV) product that directly generates electricity from sunlight and in some cases converts electricity to heat. They are made of the same material used in conventional solar panels: Wire Photo sensitive waterproof product Material to generate electric current in sunlight Like solar panels, solar shingles generate electricity. But, unlike solar...

Mobile Communications with Home Energy Management Systems

In previous articles we have addressed the topic of reducing home energy consumption by applying good insulation, installing double-paned glass and weather stripping; installing alternative energy technologies such as solar panels, and simply lessening the use of energy by turning off basic electronics and air conditioners when not needed. An important part of managing the use of energy includes...

LED Streetlights

Streetlights are an important public safety service that is expensive to maintain and consume a significant quantity on energy. Consequently, a number of U.S. cities, most notably Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, are embarking on programs to convert traditional street lights to light emitting diode (LED) lighting. These LED lighting systems are attractive because they: Do not consume as much...

Low Cost Suggestions to Improve Home Heating and Cooling Efficiency

With the continuing increase in energy costs, homeowners are increasingly aware of the importance of maximizing the energy efficiency of their heating and cooling systems. There are a number of tips and changes that do not require major investments that can be applied in support of this universal desire: Start with the Thermostat Figure 1- Typical Thermostat Ensure the thermostat is not...

Cellulosic Ethanol – Is it an Alternative Fuel?

Cellulosic Ethanol-The Source According to the U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA) the average daily use of petroleum in the U.S. is 20.7 million barrels per day. More than half of this daily intake is imported, leaving the U.S. dependent on foreign petroleum to meet its energy needs. For that reason, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was passed to require that 36 billion...

Basics of Wind Power in the U.S.

Current and Potential Usage According to American Wind Energy Association, there is more than 9,000 MW of generating capacity attributed to wind power. These units provide 25 billion kWh of electricity or one percent of the power generated in the U.S. each year. They also estimate that wind power could potentially account for 10.8 trillion kWh per year – equal to the amount of energy in 20...

Artificial Geothermal Energy – An Experiment that Works

Success is Around the Corner Geothermal Power Plant Though artificial or engineered geothermal energy is still in an experimental stage of development, there are a few small commercial plants in operation: Japan demonstrated this capability on the side of a volcano, at Hijiori. It converted enough heat in a test run of one year to support a 130 KW power plant. Australia has some bright prospects...

Artificial Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy Natural geothermal energy, also known as hydrothermal energy, starts with water underground trapped in holes or cracks in rocks. The water and rocks, heated by the earth’s mantle or radioactive minerals in the rock, becomes steam. This steam is released by drilling, drives turbines in generators, and thereby creates electricity for homes and other facilities. It’s termed...

Spray-on Solar Panels

Solar Panels According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), by 2020 photovoltaic (PV) technology will represent 15 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. and the National Center for Photovoltaic (NCPV) expects that 10 percent of the power produced during peak times will be by solar energy. Solar energy is plentiful, clean, and renewable. In fact the amount of energy provided by...

Smart Grid – Driving Forces and Benefits

Electric Transmission Infrastructure Electricity provides over 40 percent of the overall energy consumed in the U.S. and it has a well-established relationship to GDP growth. Consequently, the strength and resilience of the electric grid is a matter of critical importance to the overall economy. The current U.S. electric transmission and distribution grid is generally considered to be aging,...