Don't have the resources to make a wind turbine? Don't know how to build a bus that runs on Hydrogen?
That doesn't mean you can't do your part to reduce the emission of pollutants and use renewable resources. You can start by patronizing transportation services like the hydrogen bus that don't use diesel fuels or public buildings powered by wind turbines or solar panels. Instead of burning coal, you can demonstrate biomass fuel by burning wood. You can also use water by using methods like Rain barrels that collect rain water to be reused. These are only few ways we can start on a path towards a brighter and renewable future.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Chemistry in Renewable Resources
One of the premier products that utilize renewable energy is the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus. Commissioned by the Center for Transportation and the Environment. The bus, running at the University of Texas, does not use non-renewable resources but instead runs on hydrogen gas.
"The fuel cell system is made up of two, proton exchange membrane or PEM fuel cells that can run separately or in parallel. Allowing the fuel cells to shut down when not needed should enable a longer system life. Hydrogen to power the fuel cells is stored in tanks on the roof of the bus. These systems continuously recharge the batteries as the bus is running and extend the distance the bus can travel without having to return to the charging station. Energy from the fuel cell system is used to continuously recharge the high voltage battery system.
The bus is equipped with an all-electric energy storage system made up of lithium-titanate batteries. Using only the fully charged batteries, the bus has a range of about 25-30 miles. This is possible through an advanced efficient drive train and regenerative braking. Regenerative braking means that the bus is configured to recover up to 90 percent of the energy expended by the batteries when the bus slows down. This energy is then reused to recharge the batteries."
-hydrogenhybridbus.com
This bus is a great example of a way that a community can implement ways in which to switch from harmful and costly non-renewable resources and use alternative sources of energy.
"The fuel cell system is made up of two, proton exchange membrane or PEM fuel cells that can run separately or in parallel. Allowing the fuel cells to shut down when not needed should enable a longer system life. Hydrogen to power the fuel cells is stored in tanks on the roof of the bus. These systems continuously recharge the batteries as the bus is running and extend the distance the bus can travel without having to return to the charging station. Energy from the fuel cell system is used to continuously recharge the high voltage battery system.
The bus is equipped with an all-electric energy storage system made up of lithium-titanate batteries. Using only the fully charged batteries, the bus has a range of about 25-30 miles. This is possible through an advanced efficient drive train and regenerative braking. Regenerative braking means that the bus is configured to recover up to 90 percent of the energy expended by the batteries when the bus slows down. This energy is then reused to recharge the batteries."
-hydrogenhybridbus.com
This bus is a great example of a way that a community can implement ways in which to switch from harmful and costly non-renewable resources and use alternative sources of energy.
Renewable Energy Video
Here is a video on renewable energy and how it is related to "Green Chemistry" from the American Chemical Society.
FUEL SOURCES IN THE UNITED STATES
As of 2004, only 1% of the nation's sources of energy were renewable, whereas roughly fifty percent was the nonrenewable coal.
What makes non-renewable resources so bad?
They're cheap and readily available right?
The truth is, the price of non-renewable resources are growing, and deposits of coal and petroleum are depleting. Once plentiful, oil in the United States is becoming harder to obtain and methods of drilling domestically and off shore are becoming expensive and dangerous for the environment.
The truth is, the price of non-renewable resources are growing, and deposits of coal and petroleum are depleting. Once plentiful, oil in the United States is becoming harder to obtain and methods of drilling domestically and off shore are becoming expensive and dangerous for the environment.
BIOMASS
Biomass is the use of plants and other resources that can be grown, like wood, grass, residue from forestry, and farm crops. Energy is harnessed and produce electrical currents by burning biomasses. Biomass power is the second largest renewable source of energy. Biomasses have several other uses beyond electricity, making it one of the most dynamic energy sources. Biomasses can be used directly for heating, like wood burning. Also, liquid fuels that are produced in the burning of biomasses have different uses. The most common "biofuels" are ethanol, used in alcoholic drinks, and biodiesel, which can be used as an additive or substitute for car fuel.
WIND
Wind Power is one of the fastest growing types of renewable energy sources. Wind power is also caused by the sun. The heat of the sun causes air to rise at a rate higher than it normally would, and air molecules rushing to fill the "gap" between hot and cold air cause wind. That wind is then used in turbines, large two or three bladed windmills that are moved by wind, which in turn power a generator that can generate electricity for a variety of uses, from home uses to powering large factories or an electrical panel. Like solar power, wind power provides only a small amount of the nation's electricity, but growing awareness of alternative energy and the expansion of wind turbines, more and more electricity will be provided through wind power.
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