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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On the unveiling ceremony of the car, the project manager, Karen Abania, said that the car now weighs 150kg, which is 100kg lighter than ‘Gazelle 1′, the first solar-powered car of the country.

On account of the road tests, the speed of the car was 120km (74.5 miles) per hour. But it is believed that it can be increased to 150km/h (93.2m/h)” he added.

He also told the reporters that the car consumes minimum amount of energy as the Brushless DC engine used in the car is 97% efficient.

Abarnia also indicated that in an all day long sunny weather, the car can cover a distance of 600km at 80km/h (372.9 miles at 49.7km/h).

The project comes in accordance with the reduce energy consumption policy of Iran due to its environment-friendly nature.

A vehicle named Havin (meaning shining sun) that runs completely on solar energy was also revealed earlier this month.

Havin was designed and developed by the students of University of Qazim of Iran, at the vehicular research department.

It is 5 meters long and its width is 2 meters. The speed is assumed to be peak at 130km per (80 miles)/h

Source: Fars News

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Fukushima Daiichi plant suffered four explosions

To date, four explosions have been experienced at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after the earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11, 2011. Throughout these events, the plants have repetitively discharged radiation, which in most times surpassed the government’s annual exposure limits, and residents who live within 20km were asked to evacuate.

Statements of Japanese nuclear officials and government authorities were released providing information, conflicting at times, about the nuclear plants’ condition. On March 12, Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) reported that the first explosion’s cause could be from the reactor core’s meltdown. Meanwhile, spokespersons of Tokyo Electric Power Company in Tokyo, Japan and Japanese government authorities explained that it was the build-up of gases that caused it.

Incident is INES level 6, according to French Nuclear Authority

On March 12, 2011, officials of the Japanese government have estimated the explosion to be a level 4 incident. Currently, the only level 7 occurrences were in Ukraine in 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, meanwhile in Mayak, Russia in 1957, there was a level 6 incident during the Kyshtym Disaster.

Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire president André-Claude Lacoste in France on March 15, 2011 said that the fourth explosion at the plant on March 15 has raised the situation to level 6. This is the next to the highest level based on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).

U.S. DOE maintains steadfast support on new nuclear plants

Despite the increasing worldwide public uproar against nuclear power influenced by the emerging recent reports of the Fukushima incident, things aren’t changing all over the world. U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, on March 15, 2011, has reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to four new U.S. nuclear reactors’ loan guarantees.

Nuclear plant situation causing damage to the international economic system, says WCRE.

The WCRE also points out that the Fukushima plants’ failings could have a significant impact on international economics, implying that the nuclear power plants’ emergency shutdown has brought about a cycle of organized black-outs in one of the three primary international financial centers of Tokyo. Furthermore, the organization asserts that the world can be exclusively be sustained by renewable energy.

Source: Solar Server

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Based on the report, Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers claim that in order for effective electrochemical energy storage (EES) to commercially contend with the prices of natural gas production, they will need to revolutionize the systems. In addition to technical developments, the systems are expected to be long-lasting, and the materials used should be non-toxic and heavy-duty. This will enable the batteries’ to be performing and could last for more than 15 years. There would also be less need for maintenance over their service life.

The report’s highlight was the extensive analysis of the four stationary storage systems, which are regarded as EES contenders with the most potential: vanadium redox flow, sodium-beta alumina membrane, lithium-ion and lead-carbon batteries. PNNL scientists made a remark on the capacity of each battery system. Nevertheless, the emphasis is laid on what kind of developments will be adopted for each type if they are to be utilized at all. They affirm that a continuous breakthrough in battery technology is essential to slash down the costs and in raising the batteries’ performance.

According to Z. Gary Yang, PNNL laboratory fellow and lead author of the study, the development of EES technologies could provide an almost uninterrupted resource of storage for wind and solar power. This could therefore, help the industry to tremendously cut down on fossil fuel dependence to satisfy the increasing demands of electricity.

Yang claims that with more exploration, ESS technology prices could be significantly slashed down. Their performance enhanced and breakthroughs in chemical composition, materials, model and system architecture is rapidly taking place.

In the absence of advanced batteries, solar and wind power’s energy must be used the moment it is created. The standard battery systems operate by transforming electricity to energy, either kinetic or potential, and then redistributing the energy back to the grid when it is required.

However, these systems (pumped hydro and compressed air systems and flywheels) have restrictive elements like lack of flexibility.

Meanwhile, electrochemical energy storage systems are very proficient in conserving electricity in chemicals and then disbursing it according to need. These EES systems function similarly as that of a common household battery, but to a larger degree, and contain different types of elements like aluminum, carbon and salt as well.

EES is similar to lead-acid batteries in a flashlight. The batteries stores solar and wind power that is being produced in excess. This energy is then transformed into chemical energy in a liquid form (storage of energy). Once power is required from the battery, an electric charge triggers the chemical transformation of energy reverting it into electrons, which can be dispersed to the electric grid’s power line.

The battery’s cream of the crop

Vanadium redox flow battery

This is one type of rechargeable flow battery that uses two tanks of electrolytes (fluids that conduct electricity) when it stores electrical energy. Scientists state that redox flow technology is a commendable contender for alternative energy storage for a period of at least 12 hours, and could accommodate both wind and solar power in a residential community or even a number of large storage power applications.

Once energy is demanded, the liquid is distributed from one tank to the other. The measured and deliberate process converts the chemical energy from the electrolyte into chemical energy. Meanwhile, the process is reversed for energy storage. The energy storage capacity of this battery depends on the tank size and the electrolyte concentrations it can retain. Scientists claim that its potential depends on the battery if it is transportable, cost-effective and has a huge selection of sizes.

Sodium-beta alumina membrane battery

This type of battery is designed in a tubular form, which uses sulfur mixed with sodium to charge and discharge electricity reversibly through the use of sodium ions covered in aluminum oxide within the battery’s core. According to researchers, even in a small space this battery is capable of storing large amounts of energy. It is suitable for electric vehicles because of its high energy concentration and quick charge and discharge rates. It is, likewise, good for other technologies that only require short, powerful surges of energy.

PNNL researchers claim that the materials used for this battery are costly and there are safety issues regarding the high temperature required for operation. However, they said that changing the battery shape can enhance the performance, decrease the cost as well as the operating temperature. As a matter of fact, in participation of DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, PNNL has partnered with the company EaglePicher Technologies, LLC of Joplin, Mo., to continue studying these improvements.

Lithium-ion battery

These batteries are the most common in consumer electronics, and even in electric cars. The electrical energy in Li-on batteries is stored in multiple layers of elements such as cobalt, lithium and manganese. These technologies have high levels of energy and power capacity over others. In addition, this battery model has the most potential in transportation technology such as electric cars.

Scientists assert that reducing the costs of materials and increasing their safety could significantly upgrade Li-on batteries and facilitate the infiltration of electric cars. This could also function as the grids back up storage.

A standard Li-on battery cell’s process includes the migration of positively charged lithium ions through an electrolyte fluid. These electrons run through an external circuit, both of which go back and forth from opposite ends, thus creating and storing energy. Although Li-ion batteries are effective for handy and portable technologies like laptop computers and cell phones, producing them at a larger scale can be quite challenging, since they are costly. There is also high risk of overheating, which can lead to electrical shorting. The team of scientists asserts that even when there are significant advancements done to enhance this battery’s technology over a number of years. Even more efforts should be made to prolong its service life, increase its safety and cut down material expenses for the stationary equipment.

Lead-carbon battery

This type of battery is a fast-changing technology that was created from back-up generators and conventional lead-acid battery, usually found in standard vehicles. Researchers discovered that they can extend the lifespan of the lead–acid batteries by infusing a small amount of carbon to the battery. Due to its potent energy storage capacity, these lead-carbon batteries may be used as a convenient source of back-up for solar and wind power.

In a traditional lead-acid battery discharge, its lead anode and cathode react to sulfuric acid producing lead sulfate. Meanwhile, during the charging process, it reacts in the opposite manner. This alteration creates a short, powerful energy bursts ideal for jump starting a car. However, over the course of time, the charge of the lead-acid battery can diminish because of the gradual crystallization and buildup of lead sulfate within the core of the battery. Also, the battery’s core can be devoured by this corrosive acid.

The carbon added into the battery reduces or even avoids the crystallization of lead sulfate from taking place, which in turn would enhance the battery’s cycle life and extend the battery’s lifespan as a whole. Scientists claim that this battery has great potential for renewable energy storage, but more research is required to get a thorough understanding about its drawbacks. The cost of the technology is equally too high. The capital value of the technology is at $500 per-kilowatt hour and for it to be reasonable, it should be slashed down to at least between $150-200 per-kilowatt hours.

Source: Phys Org

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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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Alternative sources of energy like wind and solar have a variability problem. The wind does not always blow, and the sun doesn’t always shine through clouds. The problem of its reliability is extremely acute. In some regions of the earth, sunshine and wind can be the absence for as long as a week. This means that supply of renewable energy is depended on a source which fluctuates. The repercussion is severe; there will be a variable voltage supply to the electric grid.

The intermittence of wind and solar energy is being raised as the major drawback of this type of renewable energy. It is even an argument used to sustain the presence of fossil fuel.

Weather and Renewable Energy (Solar and Wind) Are Alike

Wave, wind and solar energy are deeply depended on the weather. The turbulence of the weather is also another factor, which needs to be considered. For instance, wind turbines cannot operate when the winds are too strong. The average potential of renewable energy can be predicted on a particular geographical location. However, forecast its daily supply is likely to be as accurate of the weather predictions.

Solar energy is deeply influenced by seasonal variation. Additionally, cloudy weathers affect the incident of sunshine of photovoltaic arrays.

In a scientific manner, solar energy, itself stimulates wind energy. This wind does thereafter accelerate the presence of waves, which are used to generate electricity. Wave energy is present even after the wind has stopped blowing.

Variability

Renewable energy is highly susceptible to variability. For instance, hydro power is also quite variable. The water flow varies in different months of the year. In the dry periods, the water flow is less and in the wet periods the water flow is higher. Nevertheless, for hydro power the variance is more or less predictable. Large reservoirs are akin to batteries, and it is clearly visible and possible to estimate the potential energy generation.

However, wind energy has a chaotic variance. It is difficult to predict the strength of winds and the supply of them during any given period of the year.

Can The Electric Grid Solve The Problem of Variability of Renewable Energy?

If we look at similar networks to that of the electric grid, we can see colossal alterations. For instance, the railroad was the ruling sources of transportation in the past. There were no proper road networks, air transport systems or highways. Cars were only used to travel, in particular, regions. However, over a hundred years, all these networks have evolved tremendously including the railway. The point to be noted is that the transportation infrastructure has changed.

The variability of most renewable energy is commonly considered as an insurmountable hurdle. Oppositions use it as an argument to ignore and resist the importance of clean energy. Even the electric grid, which is the name for the distribution of the electric power, is considered as if it is immutably changeable.

In the past, this wasn’t applied. When the railway system didn’t fit, innovation occurred in other mean of transportations. Things evolved and new networks were formed.

The electric grid should evolve in a similar way. This would allow solar and wind energy to be effectively integrated into the grid. The distribution network of electricity is the main source to solve the variability problem.

How the Grid Can Adapt To Clean Energy Sources?

The electric grid is a vast network of interlinked connection. It is really very complex. However, it has in somehow fallen behind development. There is a new type of electric grids that are being introduced. These new networks are called ‘Smart Grid’. The smart grid uses parallel series of controllers and sensors on the grid. The whole network is monitored with the use of management software platforms. The advanced system helps to almost totally eliminate electric interruptions via its smart Meters and software.

The smart Grid provides real time information about the variable supply of energy on the network. It does therefore, help utility companies to establish a balance supply with storage nodes along the network. The storage nodes can be used to supply energy during peak demands and save energy when an energy surplus is generated.

The Smart Grid is also expected to have an even more advanced storage technology in the future. It is going to accommodate plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

In order to transmit energy over long distances, High voltage Direct Current (HVDC) can be used. The HVDC lines can transfer a high amount of energy with a minimum loss of energy. The only drawback is that at the end of the line the DC current will have to be converted to AC.

Modern Smart Grids are expected to be much more complex than our conventional electric grid. There will be storage nodes, smart meters, solar and wind power integrated on various parts of the network. This would create a balance supply of power.

Renewable is Boosting the Growth of the Smart Grid but It Is Needed Anyway

The current electric grid is highly overloaded on specific spots. The electric grid needs upgrading and maintenance before it reaches the vertex of collapse. The introduction of this innovative and smart grid will help to meet several green energy objectives. The grid is energy efficient; high volume of energy can be transferred; renewable energy sources can be integrated and software will be able to monitor the input of green energy. In the case, of energy shortage, the storage points will be used to meet the variability of both solar and wind energy.

The current electric grid needs repairs and upgrading. Regardless, of whether renewable energy will be integrated or not. Additionally, the smart grid is more energy efficient than the conventional network. The variability of renewable energy is a great obstacle which can be solved through a more advanced electric grid.

Main Source: Green Economy Post

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