The Texas Clean Energy Project, also commonly known as the TCEP is one of the demonstration project regarding clean coal, has made an announcement that the primary agreement of power purchase for carbon capture, on a commercial scale, has already taken place in the United States.

United States biggest utility owned by the municipal; the CPS Energy, will purchase 200 megawatt of energy on a yearly basis from TCEP as soon as it becomes online in the year 2015.

The TCEP is among the very first in the United States to have combined technologies related to the capture and storage of carbon with Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, IGCC .

In accordance to the DOE, with the use of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, the plant will be able to reduce its emission of carbon that is generated by an alike traditional coal plant by ten percent and less than twenty-five percent compared to a highly efficient natural gas plant.

The plant will be able to capture 90 percent of the generated carbon. It will also be able to capture 90 percent of nitrogen oxide as well as 99 percent of mercury.

As an alternative to burn coal, the latter will be preserved in a gasifier. A gasifier can be described as an hermetically sealed chamber which permits only controlled quantities of oxygen to come in. with the minimization of oxygen, instead of caused ignition, the coal bakes. As a result, sufficient pressure and heat is produced to squeeze carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the coal. These gases are subsequently turned into synthetic gas, most commonly known as syngas.

After that the syngas is mixed with water vapor. This causes a chemical reaction with the gas carbon monoxide in order to form additional carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Upon the removal of contaminations from the gas, the latter is separated into clean streams of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

The hydrogen gas is utilized to power the turbine to produce electricity. The exhaust heats water that are free from any carbon is used to produce steam which is fed to the turbine to generate greater amount of electricity.

The amount of carbon dioxide captured in a yearly basis by the plant is approximately 2.9 million metric tons. 83 percent of it will be utilized to enhance the recovery of oil. The remaining will be employed to produce urea as it has various industrial uses.

The plant is costing 2.4 billion US dollars. 450 million US dollars ofit is being sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Clean Coal Power Initiative.

Source: Sustainable Business

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It is the duty of the Commission to help achieve energy savings target where the customers switch from one energy source to another.

Effective meters to measure heating and cooling of apartments shall be installed in every new building. Small retail firms and distributors may be spared from some obligations by the members.

Helping EU achieve an increase of 20% energy efficiency by 2020 is the gist of the draft.

The draft is under study by many Commission departments before it gets printed and ready for circulation by the end of June.

Varied pulses

Mixed reactions show business groups happier while the environmentalists are frowned upon the draft and elsewhere, Associations like Europia hailed the draft measures. The relaxation of 2013 deadlines for adherence to the draft is welcomed. Sam Rowe Europia’s spokesperson, who also supports the goals and have similar intentions of achieving energy efficiency through 1.5% energy savings plan.

Brussels was found on the back foot by some environmental campaigners.

According to a study by Friends of the Earth, the 1.5% savings would only ensure a weak fraction of the actual achievable annual savings of 368 Mtoe (Million tonnes of oil equivalent) to be reaped by 2020, in the first year. Brook Riley, the Friends of the Earth campaigner said that the budget for the public will bear the huge burden of not ensuing the savings on the social housing sector. Stefan Scheuer, an environmental lobbyist admired the draft as an important step ahead in spite of the unachievable target by 2020.

The problem of building renovation

In Brussels, discussions are assuming regulation for cost optimization that may help implement the draft, effectively. Randall Bowie, a Rockwool energy consultant and one of the Commission’s directive designers, insists on strong levels of cost restriction by including the organizational costs of renovating buildings. The Energy Efficiency Action Plan and Energy Services Directive have now insisted on requirements of minimal energy performance. Furthermore, according to the directive, smart energy meters would enable EU citizens to use available energies, in a more economically and responsible manner.

Annual reports

Members should submit reports once every four months a year to apprehend and meet the 2020 target.

A huge problem in the absence of a set of common procedures was seen by Scheuer, who said that the first ten members’ plans do not stand to be compared with one another. This is evident in the reports of Belgium that kept up to the target, Finland aiming at one tenth cut against 2020 projections. Germany set a baseline of 2008 and UK is not yet ready with its proposals. He said that the Commission is not confident based on these marginal differences, in achievements of energy saving targets.

Brussels will decide in 2013 if the member states are on the right path to 2020 and accordingly, whether the target binding is essential or not.

Source: Eur-Activ

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In collaboration with eight companies Panasonic is building an eco-energy town, which is going to be full-fledge with energy saving technologies. In theory, the houses that are going to be established won’t emit any carbon dioxide. The expected date of completion of the SMART Town is March 2014.

The town will probably be named Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town (SST) and it will be the world’s greenest town. The great progress with this new town is that it will help people to understand how green technology can be incorporated into new infrastructures. Yet, it is certain that the cost of the project is immense.

The Fujisawa SS Town will be constructed on a site of 47-acre, where a Panasonic factory once stood. It is approximately 50 KM from Tokyo, and the area will accommodate 1,000 modern-energy saving houses.

The energy generating technology will mostly come from solar panels. This energy will then be stored in a ‘lithium-ion storage battery that has been developed by Panasonic’. The battery is according to Panasonic able to store electricity for week consumption. To further save energy a range of ‘eco-or low generating household appliances’ by Panasonic will be installed.

This range of ECO NAVI appliances has very efficient systems. For example, the ECO NAVI refrigerator has special sensors installed on the door to detect light, hours of access, and other indicators to minimize the energy usage of the appliances. The refrigerator, ECO NAVI series is as much as 10 percent more efficient than other similar low-energy refrigerators.

The main goal of the town project is to be 70 percent more efficient than towns of similar size in 1990. This means that the town should emit only 30 percent of carbon dioxide, level emitted by similar sized towns in the 1990.

The architecture of the town is being planned, taking into consideration the actual landscape. Green axis will be installed, such as green parking and even vegetation lines. In addition, to the energy saving appliances, only green cars should be owned by Fujisawa SST residents. The aim is to establish a complete carbon free-town. In such a project, the choice of the car plays a primordial role.

This project is even going further in creating shared car services where a few cars can be used by 10 to 20 households. In addition, electric bicycles will be made available for resident to share in the same way.

Even back-up system will be established in the SMART Town. Taking into consideration the high risk of earthquakes in Japan, public battery storages will be provided in public areas and parks. This will accommodate, for potential damage of the individual household battery.

A ‘Smart Energy Gateway’ will be used to split the energy channels; for example, appliances will be on a separated energy network. Energy used to heating or lighting will be on another network.

It is definitely the right time to establish Fujisawa SST. The recent devastating effects from the Fukushima nuclear plant is putting intense pressure on energy saving. Equally, in the Central of Japan, the Hamaoka plant is going to be shut-down due to safety issues. This will further heighten the need for stable and safe energy supply.

Private firms in Japan have recently been requested to slash energy consumption by 15 percent while households are being requested to use fans instead of air-conditioners.

Naoto Kan, Japan’s Prime Minister did also support the reliance of cleaner sources of energy such as wind and solar power. So Panasonic is going a step further to lead the energy-saving change. This will likely help the company to flourish even further through its intense know how and knowledge in constructing green towns.

Last year, Panasonic did eventually merge with Sanyo, which is another Japanese leading energy company. Now Panasonic is Japan’s second largest electronic company, ranked just after Hitachi Ltd. In addition, the merge of Panasonic with Sanyo promoted the development of the lithium-ion battery, which is going to be used in the SMART Town.

The common impetus of green technology is it energy saving potential. But it’s cost is expensive. The cheapest way to integrate green technology is from start to finish. It is radically expensive to remodel and restructure existing infrastructures. So it is probably, hard to have major cities such as New York, to follow the green wave.

Source: Singularity Hub

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The difference is huge, as if something gets wrong in photosynthesis for plants, poisonous element, which eliminates the organism emerges. But photosynthesis should operate in that manner. This is why artificial solar cells are more efficient..

The situation is somehow critical as this process gives life to the ecosystem. As a renowned professor Mr. Kramer a professor of photosynthesis and biogenetics said that the related capability of the photosynthesis and its improvement by the scientists is dangerous for the belief about the viability of the bio fuel industry.

He said that the photovoltaic electrolysis which is based on silicones as semiconductors has a capacity of 10 percent for making fuel as hydrogen. This was a year based estimate, whereas the same capacity of plants to produce biomass for fuel purpose is only 1 or 2 %. Plants are mostly busy in their reproduction, according to the evolution process. Their ability for energy storage from sun is not taken as important, but it can be altered.

Experiments can be done as the Native Americans did, by converting the nutrient free Teosinte in to Healthy and juicy Kernel corn. So likewise plants can also be used as an improved energy source.

A researcher, named Arthur J Nozik explained how the tandem solar cells, which is multi junction and produces hydrogen, can generate a 40 percent efficient through semiconductors. The merger of various materials at various times shows that the photons can be converted into energy after being absorbed.

Nozaik said that in the tandem arrangement different color bands are required so that the ability to Store energy is increased and this is how various parts of the solar spectrum can be well used.
If the gap is constant, then an equal amount of energy is absorbed. In photosynthesis two types of gaps are used, which are based on chlorophyll molecules. However, natural photosynthesis isn’t that effective as a certain amount of energy generated is solely used to save the plant from any kind of damage. There is thus, an unexploited or spare capacity which can be maximized.

The role of NREL at the workshop of DOE was also to clarify that the ability of photosynthesis can be increased by improving plant structure. This can be done with the help of newly developed synthetic biology and genetics ways, using high energy photovoltaic cells. Nozik also said that synthetic biology can grow plants from scratch, by using the blocks of amino acid thus producing best possible band gaps.

These new plant developments would be darker and would have an ability to absorb light from red and infrared parts of the solar spectrum. As its natural phenomenon that dark plants absorb more solar light and energy, which later can be used.

When plants become able to store solar energy, they can then become an ideal solution for renewable storage.

This new development can lead the science to make more energy absorbing plants while equally reducing carbon dioxide emission. The process could encourage the growth of blue algae, which makes one fourth of a plant, and it can also easily be genetically altered. As they absorb light from completely different part of the solar spectrum unlike other plants.

Robert Blankenship, who is an author in a science paper, said that his development would be biologically equal to tandem photovoltaic cells. Currently, Professor Robert is doing research on photosynthesis at Washington University in St. Louis.

Source: Science Daily

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CO2RRECT is a project that is headed by Siemens, together with their partners: Bayer, RWE, and other institutes and universities. The project is also being supported by Germany’s Federal Research Ministry, for three years or more. They have alloted a budget of 11 million Euros. One important element of this program is the electrolyzer provided by Corporate Technology, Siemens central research department, which will be responsible for the industrial-scale hydrogen generation.

Most industries are now shifting their focus on renewable resources, which have become apparent on the enormous investments being made on solar and wind power. However, the output of these resources is quite inconsistent, since they are heavily dependent on weather conditions. One of the main objectives of the industry is to find an alternate use of the excesses from the renewable resources.

When a renewable resource, like a wind farm, does not have any consumers to provide energy for, it is only reasonable to detach the wind farms from the grid. The initial procedure is to apply this power to separate the basic chemical elements of water, which would break down into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyzer prototype which Siemens has assembled would be responsible for this process. The goal is to generate a 100-kilowatt unit per container. As part of the implementation, this electrolyzer will be attached to the power grid and will only generate power when there is an available surplus or extremely low-cost power in the system.

Hydrogen generated in this manner when added to the carbon dioxide will react. The process continues as it is converted into fundamental by-products like formic acid or carbon monoxide. These chemical products can then be utilized in the manufacturing of usable plastics or even fuels. RWE brown-coal fired power station, located in Niederaußem, provides the carbon dioxide used in this project, through the process of flue gas scrubbing. In addition, the team of Siemens is looking into the likelihood of maximizing the potency of hydrogen on an industrial magnitude. Their objective is to utilize the turbines to revert the hydrogen once again into its original form: power.

The Siemens team, with their Russian colleagues, is presently investigating combustion techniques that would create little to zero nitrogen oxide. Since hydrogen, when burned, generate significantly higher temperature compared to natural gas, the equipment should be able to handle particular conditions required for this process.

Source: Physorg

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At the opening of the annual session of China’s Parliament (National People’s Congress), Wen stated in his speech that there will be more active participation in the prevention of global warming.

The country aims to reduce 17% of carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product between the years 2011 to 2015 — a step to achieve its goal to bring down carbon concentration for at least 40% by 2020, in comparison to levels in 2005.

The premier asserted that by 2015, energy use per unit of GDP will be cut by 16%, and expects to raise last year’s 8.3% of non-fossil fuels in its energy infusion to 11.4%.

Between the years 2006-2010, Wen stated that China had achieved reasonable developments in terms of energy conservation, environmental protection and ecological improvement, and likewise had taken firm measures in the implementation of green technology.

China’s past five years revealed a decrease of 19.1% of energy consumption per unit of GDP, which almost reached the initial goal of 20%, according to China’s premier.

This year, as reported separately by National Development and Reform Commission, the leading economic planning agency is suggesting positive news. China’s target is to decrease at least 3.5% of both carbon concentration and energy consumption per unit of GDP in comparison to last year’s.

The country has taken on a bold step in increasing the use of renewable resources like solar and wind power. It intends to make more use of its nuclear power as well. At present, China utilizes two-thirds of its power requirements from highly contaminating coal energy resource.

Source: Physorg

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There exists two different types of hybrid cars. There is the plug-in hybrid model where diesel and gasoline engines take over when the battery of the electric engine is finished. The second type of plug-in hybrid work together with the gasoline engine in the sense that the diesel or gasoline engine will charge the electric engine to improve the autonomity of the car.

Unfortunately, due to technical disadvantages the electric engine is currently only appropriate for short distance. However, the conventional engines can help by constantly recharging the electric engines while driving. This will boost the potential distance that the electric engine can cover; it can go up to 450 Km or even more. The best part with electric engines is that they produce no emissions.

The use of electric engines can make the transport sector really green. Let’s say that cars are recharged during the evening with electricity coming from pure sources such as wind energy. ‘More advanced electric vehicles do even generate energy from braking’. This is a source of energy, which is wasted by conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles. This makes electric engines perfect for short and urban distance where lots of braking is done.

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A new model produced by General Motors is Volt. It has an electric engine which can provide 64 Kms of daily travelling simply by its advanced autonomy. In case the car is used to travel across long distances than the gasoline engine will simply help in charging the battery for the electric engine.

General Motors estimates that the cost of driving a Volt with the use of battery energy will only cost about two cents of a euro in comparison to 12 cents of a euro for a typical gasoline vehicle. The cost difference is gigantic. A typical driver who covers 60 kms a day or 22,000 km per annum will save 2,200 € every year. This could help to pay for the additional cost associated with the battery of the car. In other words, driving a Volt is six times cheaper than a conventional vehicle per km.

On average, the cars that are sold in Europe – 2006 – consume roughly 6.5 liters for every 100 kms covered. On the other hand, a plug-in hybrid vehicle can drive 50 kms with electricity, and the remaining 50 would be covered with around 2.5 liters.

A daily trip is usually less than 60km. Using hybrid vehicles could generate remarkable changes in terms of cost. For short distance recharging could be done at parking. This means that fossil fuel wouldn’t be needed when travelling in urban regions.

Electric or hybrid vehicles are definitely cost-efficient. The car is cost-efficient and doesn’t generate emissions while driving on the electric engine.

Source: EV Wind

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An advantage of electric engines is that they make use of the energy generated from braking. This heat is usually wasted. This means that these vehicles are perfect for urban distances where lots of braking is done.

In addition, there are fewer mechanical components – this reduces the operation cost of the vehicles. The cost of driving electric vehicles has for the first time in history decreased to a highly competitive cost. Electric vehicles are even more cost-effective than typical diesel and gasoline vehicles. This motivates the development of the electrification of the transportation sector.

Of course, transforming the road system will take time and requires creativity. Irrespective of the amount of effort required to realise the introduction of greener cars has a phenomenal profit potential.

Plans have already been proposed in Australia, Portugal, Israel, Ireland, Denmark, France and New Zealand. In other areas such as in Japan, Germany and in states of US like California and Hawaii, pilot programs have already been introduced. Spain is planning to progress with pilot programs in 2012. The U.S, Obama’s administration is steadily promoting plug in hybrid and electric cars to the market – news is expected soon -.

To charge electric vehicles, there are two feasible solutions – a single large electric plug-in engine or several smaller engines placed to each wheel. The use of one engine in the electric vehicles will make the cars more powerful and alike to contemporary cars. However, they have a downfall, related to its inefficient reaction to friction.

The electric vehicles could have engines in the tires. This would reduce the loss of energy (friction) in respect to the single engine solution. Unfortunately, several small engines would only be appropriate for small cars as larger vehicles need more power and thus a larger engine.

The problem of electric cars might come in the motivation to transform and redefine the way these cars are re-filled. Instead of recharging cars for hours, the batteries could simply be changed. It would practically take the same degree of time to change a battery to that of re-fuelling.

The focus is to provide low battery costs. One solution is to provide batteries at a monthly fee or even the car itself for a periodic fee. This would make the car industry alike to that of the phone market. Vehicles could be purchased cheaply in this way. Battery charging, maintenance, replacement infrastructure and support would be provided for a monthly fee.

On average in Europe approximately 12,000 Euros are spent to buy a car and 30,000 Litres of fuel are needed over a year. This brings the cost to roughly 30,000 to 35,000 Euros per year. Research suggests that fuel is three times as expensive as the car itself. On the other hand, an electric car battery would merely cost 7,000 Euros. The electricity cost of charging the battery would amount to 2,000 during the operation life of the battery. In other words, it is only 30 percent of the cost of fuel consumed by typical cars.

In addition, the cost of electricity from renewable sources of energy and battery tend to fall year on year. This mean that the cost of electric cars will experience a diminishing cost in all it senses – the vehicle, electricity and batteries –

For an electric car to drive 100 kms, it will need roughly 10 to 20 kilowatt hour. This is tantamount to 2 Euros. A gasoline or diesel car would make this distance at the cost of 8 Euros. This makes electric vehicles extremely competitive. The only drawback is the high fixed cost of the battery. In order, to deal with these problems formulas used in the cellular phone sector, is currently a competitive option. The battery could be leased similarly to subscription to various phone networks or internet packages. The battery companies will then only change battery at the re-charging stations.

The introduction of electric cars needs a new environment. The solutions lie in either battery replacement stations or charging spots on parking areas (near to cars). Unfortunately, these things aren’t available yet. The transport electrification plans need to be introduced effectively to make sure that the market for electric cars strives.

Strong collaboration between manufacturers and governments are fundamental. Countries like Australia, Iceland, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Israel, and in the U.S. San Francisco and Hawaii are taking critical steps. Besides, pilot projects are steadily progressing on countries like UK, France, China, Italy and Germany.

Source: EV wind

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It seems that not only adults are focusing on going green. The younger generation seems to be readily on the road with innovative green ideas.

The ninth grade class from the Springfield Renaissance School is fully committed to the idea of transforming the City of Springfield into a greener region.

There were roughly 100 ninth grade students involved in the project. They investigated various means to improve the energy conservation in the region. Last week, they presented their findings at the Greenprint 2011.

The students have been investigating various ways to improve energy efficiency and introduce cost saving for four local elementary schools in the City of Springfield.

The findings were presented to Major Domenic Sarno – He acknowledges that the students’ effort can contribute to betterment of the community.

Students present green ideas to Mayor: wwlp.com

A Greenprint Participant Hextor Toledo says, he believes that it is fundamental for kids to get involved in the development of their city. Most of the children living; there are going to raise their families one day in the region and would appreciate living in an environmentally-friendly place. It should be a place where families can nurture their families healthily and happily.

Another participant, Stephanie Godding said that they have studied how environmental factors aren’t that good in Springfield. There are sources of pollution which “affect asthma and air quality, and the things that we studied with this help with all of the problems in the environment,”

The Greenprint proposal has been presented to the Mayor for 3 years.

Source: WWLP

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Aran Islands were thought to be the perfect site for such testing as there is much wind. Also the relentless waves drum up the energy.

The project is over a period of three years. It consists of given the eight householders living on the islands a vivid orange electric car.

The objective of the project is to ultimately produce sufficient energy to generate heat, electricity as well as transport for the various islands.

Varied households will be selected to participate in the project on a yearly basis with the aim to make use of absolutely no carbon fuel in the years to come.

In accordance to Inis Oirr Island Cooperative’s manager, Paddy Crowe, the project’s bottom line is to make all the islands become self-sustainable.

He furthermore adds that they have done all that is in their hands to become green as far as possible. They have even insulated the houses as well as make use of solar panels.

Paddy Crowe advances that the islands were the perfect testing site for the electric cars. This is so because the amount of fuel that will be saved is measurable on the islands as all the fuel to be used will need to be brought to the islands.

He declares that they are completely controlling the situation. All the fuel to be used will be brought in the islands by ferry. Measuring the fuel use in a town is far more difficult compared to on an island.

Mr Crowe stated that the families that will be given the cars would make use of them on a regular basis.

This pilot project has take shape due to the partnership between the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Sustainable Energy Ireland.

Out of the six Mega e-City cars will be sent to Inis Mor and one to Inis Oirr and Inis Meain.

The drivers of the vehicles will require paying a lease of 12 euro. The principal costs will consist of paying 400 euro. This will be for installing a charge point near every house.

The general operation cost per annum is anticipated to be approximately 90 euro.

Source: BBC

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