Sunday, May 17, 2009

Vertical wind power generators

Wind power generators are the devices that can generate electricity from the renewable wind energy that is possessed by the wind. The most popular and common type of wind power generator used is the vertical wind power generators.

Vertical wind power generators are wind machines that are attached to flat roofs or are made to stand on platforms for the generation of electricity. This generated electricity can be used as an alternative power source in both rural and urban areas.

A vertical wind power generator is designed to incorporate a wind turbine which has either two or three blades. The wind turbines are used to convert the renewable wind energy to electricity. These generators are generally installed at heights so that they can capture large amounts of renewable wind energy easily. The captured wind rotates the blades of the turbine and this movement in effect turns on an electric generator. This electric generator then converts the renewable wind energy into electricity. This electricity is supplied to grid connected systems from which the electricity gets supplied to consumers. The wind renewable power is supplied to homes and industries and can be used for many purposes.

The vertical wind power generators are the least expensive and can be used to generate wind renewable power in a cost effective manner. These are the devices that can be easily installed and transported. These generators can also be considered to be green renewable energy equipments that do not cause any pollution and also do not degrade the environment.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Growth of wind energy companies

As a renewable energy source, the use of wind energy is ever increasing because of the fact that it will continue to provide energy for a long period of time. Renewable wind energy is a pollution free source of energy and also does not emit harmful particles into the atmosphere that maybe hazardous for the living beings. As a green renewable energy source, it does not contribute to global warming. The increase in the use of wind energy has led to an increase in the number of wind energy companies.

The growth of wind energy companies over the last few years has followed a steep trend. The wind energy companies ensure a cleaner and greener environment by using renewable wine energy. The wind energy companies strive to make wind energy a reliable and efficient alternative energy resource.

Wind energy companies have invested in renewable wind energy because it is a good alternative energy source that can be used in place of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels like coal, petroleum etc. are available in abundance and can be used readily to meet the energy demands. But the manifold increase in the energy demands has put a lot of pressure on these sources, the reserves of which are fast declining. An alternative energy source is thus required to meet the energy demands. This will also help in preserving the coal and petroleum left for future use. Also renewable wine energy is a good alternative to fossil fuels because it is available for almost free whereas the prices of coal and petroleum are rising.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Direct use of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is the heat energy that is obtained from deep inside the earth in either the form of hot water or in the form of steam. It is therefore also called earth energy. Heat energy is provided directly by the geothermal reservoirs found miles beneath the earth’s surface. The heat energy so obtained can be used for several purposes and this is called the direct use of geothermal energy resources.

The direct use of earth energy was made thousands of years ago when geothermal energy resources, the hot springs were used for purposes like cooking and bathing. The innovations and advancement in technology has enabled to use geothermal energy in more sophisticated ways.

The direct use of geothermal energy resources includes heating a single building or multiple buildings at the same time, raising plants in greenhouses, drying crops, heating water at fish farms, pasteurization of milk, generating electricity and in different types of industries.

As an alternative energy source, it is being commonly used today. To get earth energy, a well is drilled into the geothermal reservoir to ensure a steady supply of water. Usually three components namely piping, heat exchanger and a controller are used in a system that uses geothermal energy directly. The water is brought up through the well and the components of the direct use system deliver the heated water for direct use.

With the advancement in technology, better methods and systems have been developed that use this renewable earth energy source in a more efficient and cost effective manner.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

What is wind energy?

Wind energy is the kinetic energy of the wind which is an alternative energy source being used for a number of purposes. The kinetic energy of the wind can be captured and converted to more useful forms like mechanical energy or electrical energy. Renewable wind energy finds use in both domestic as well as commercial applications. As a green renewable energy source, wind energy does not use any fuels and does not emit any harmful or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and so is an environment friendly form of energy.

The amount of energy that the wind possesses depends upon the speed of the wind, the air temperature, barometric pressure and the altitude. The amount of energy possessed by wind is more at high altitudes and when the pressure is low. A high speed of the wind means that the wind possesses more energy.

The cost of renewable wind energy depends upon a lot of factors like the installation cost of wind turbines, the amount of renewable wind energy generated, maintenance required etc. Usually the installation of wind turbine is expensive. The innovations and research that is going on has resulted in the development of better technologies that reduce the installation costs of wind turbines. Also the maintenance costs for this renewable energy source are very less. This has resulted in increased use of this alternative energy source.

The use of renewable wind energy is gaining popularity all over the world because it has several environmental, social and economic advantages that allow this alternative energy source to be favorably used.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Biodiesel processor

Biodiesel is usually obtained from vegetable oil that is considered to be the most economical source of producing bio diesel. The biodiesel so produced contains energy called biodiesel energy. The bio diesel energy can be used for several purposes. However, the main use of biodiesel energy is made by engines of vehicles.

Biodiesel can be produced from vegetable oil in a biodiesel processor. A biodiesel processor is a combination reaction vessel. In this a static mixer is used with esterification catalyst which is sulphuric acid. The mixer is used to mix methanol and vegetable oil. In a reactor fatty acid are esterified. In the second reactor, a process called transesterification is carried out. In the third mixer, products that are solvent in bio diesel, glycerol and methanol are obtained. A mineral acid is used in a distillation unit separate the products. Once this is done, the products left in the vaporizer are bio diesel, glycerol, salt and water. These are then passed into a decanter to separate bio diesel from other products. The biodiesel is purified in vacuum evaporators. This purified bio diesel is then used as a source to provide biodiesel energy.

The production and use of biodiesel energy is increasing in the world. The production of biodiesel at present is an expensive process but with the development of new technologies and innovations these costs can be reduced to make biodiesel energy a cost effective source of energy.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Solar power technology

Solar power is the energy that we get from the sun. This energy can either be obtained in the form of heat or in the form of light.

A major issue that is often faced is how to collect and harness solar power. A number of technologies are available today that can be used for exploring the full potential of solar power.

The various solar power technologies available are Solar cells, heaters and furnace. The solar cells are also known as photovoltaic or photoelectric cells. Solar cells are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. Solar cells are mainly used in remote areas with sufficient sunlight to meet the electricity needs of that area. Solar water heaters are also called solar collectors. They are usually installed on roofs of buildings. Solar collectors are made up of glass panels which use the heat energy of the sun to heat water. Solar furnaces use reflectors like mirrors that are properly placed in order to concentrate all the sunlight at a single point. This concentration of heat at one point results in very high temperatures to be generated. This heat can then be used to generate electricity, creating hydrogen fuel or to melt steel.

The amount of energy obtained from the sun in the form of solar power is very small. However, it is sufficient enough to meet the electricity needs of the entire planet for a very long time. Efforts therefore need to be made in order to develop technologies that can capture solar power efficiently and improve its usage.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Wind Power- An Introduction

Wind is produced by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface, by the sun. When the sun shines during the day, the air, over landmasses, gets heated more quickly than the air over water. The warm air over land expands and rises, and the heavy cool air, over water, moves to take its place creating local winds. At night this process is reversed. Wind is called a renewable source of energy because wind will be produced as long as the sun shines over the earth.

Wind power has been a source of energy since long in traditional forms but its sophisticated use was first made in Netherlands. Wind power is generated by wind mills. The wind mills capture wind which is used to rotate turbines and thus generate electricity. This generated electricity is used to pump water in wells for irrigation, for lighting houses and streets and for use in small units of industries.

Electricity generated by wind power from a single wind mill cannot be used for commercial purposes. Therefore, a number of wind mills are erected over a large area known as a Wind Energy Farm. The wind power from such a farm is used to generate electricity that can be used on a commercial scale.

Average wind speeds need to be calculated since different wind mills are suitable for different speeds in different terrains. The design and construction of wind turbines rotated by wind power can be adapted to suit a specific location and the end use of the electricity generated by wind power.

Wind power is a commercially competent source of generating electricity at low cost.