Posts Tagged ‘facts about solar energy’
Options for Saving by Using Renewable Energy
There are many different types of renewable energy that can be used in place of energy created by burning fossil fuels. Renewable energy is generated from geothermal heat, sunlight, tides, rain and wind. All of which will naturally replenish. Currently only about 20% of the worlds energy consumption uses natural energy sources.
One of the cleanest and most efficient types of renewable energy is wind power which is slowly gaining in popularity and usage. Wind power is seen more in Europe though many countries are building off shore wind farms. Only a light breeze is needed to generate power and the energy conversion is one of the most efficient of all renewable sources.
Renewable energy is not only being used in large scale production but many can be scaled down to use for small grid or even residential use. The best example of this would be solar power. Solar power takes the suns light and converts it to electricity using solar cells. Solar can easily supplement current electricity usage and some business and people are finding that they no longer pay an electricity bill after conversion to solar power.
Hydropower has been used for years via construction and operation of dams. Most people are familiar with Hoover Dam which is the largest hydropower station in the world. As water flows from a high spot to a low spot it gives off energy which can be transformed into different types of power such as electrical. You also can use hydropower without dams in rivers and oceans as long as there is a current or tide.
Biofuels are mainly based on bioalcohol or bioethanol. This fuel is produced from fermenting soy or sugar that comes from plants. This pure form can then be used instead of gasoline. Biodiesel is an oil made from animal fat, vegetable oils and recycled grease. Although these fuels when burned produce emissions, they are much cleaner than the traditional petrol.
So now that you know, consider how you can make changes and choices to take advantage of these alternatives.
Save Money On Your Company’s Energy Bill, visit Energy Edge Technologies site for strategies on saving a tremendous amount of capital on your Corporate Energy Bill or call 888-729-5722 Ext. 100.
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Important Parts of Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency in the home is very important as you do not want to be paying for heat or cooling that is simply escaping out of your home or business and ultimately heating or cooling the neighborhood. Basically you always want to try your best to use less energy for the same amount of results you are currently accustomed to. One way to achieve this is by using the proper type and amount of insulation. Another example of this type of efficiency is using natural light instead of light bulbs to brighten the room.
Many new buildings are being constructed to be energy efficient and older buildings can be inspected to determine what can be done to make your home or business more efficient. Being energy efficient is the number one solution for stopping and reversing global warming. Of course using renewable energy sources instead of burning fossil fuels is the other solution.
The other important benefit of being truly energy efficient is that efficiency will significantly reduce your energy costs and allow you to retain monies that otherwise would be given to the utility companies. Keep in mind though that making your home or business truly efficient will require an investment on your part. The good news is that the investment usually comes with a strong ROI and the investment will likely be paid back after only a few short years. In addition to insulation and day lighting opportunities, look to higher efficiency equipment and appliances to help improve energy efficiency.
Most of today’s energy efficient appliances and equipment uses much less energy than the comparable older models. By using less power this reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emission released into the atmosphere during the electricity generation process. These appliances and equipment are given efficiency ratings and the Energy Star label. When the appliances or equipment are not in use they will either turn off or go into a low energy mode. So if your appliances or equipment are at the end of their useful life, consider replacing them with new, high efficiency models.
There are several things you can change in your home or business to make it more energy efficient. Another is to make sure your window seals are tight and not letting air in or out. Many times this may mean getting replacement windows or caulking the edges. You also may need to add double glazed windows or different insulation.
Again, there are many ways you can make your home and business energy efficient so go out a get it done!
Save Money On Your Company’s Energy Bill, visit Energy Edge Technologies site for strategies on saving a tremendous amount of capital on your Corporate Energy Bill or call 888-729-5722 Ext. 100.
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Green Energy Isn’t Always What It Seems
Buyer Beware – Using Power Factor Correction and Transient Voltage Surge Suppression to Reduce Energy Costs.
Today’s energy conscious climate has motivated many to do what they can to become more efficient and conserve energy and money. Unfortunately this same climate has prompted others to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers’ wishes to save energy and reduce expenses.
Companies that tout power factor improvement (kVAR correction) and transient voltage suppression are a good example of this bad trend. Lately we are seeing more and more of these companies cropping up and feel it is time to set the record straight.
First, transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) plays a valuable role in improving power quality to protect sensitive equipment inside a facility. However, TVSS does not save energy. TVSS’s are only active a tiny fraction of a second to protect against voltage surges which only last for less than a millisecond. To actually reduce energy consumption the TVSS would need to actually cut power consumption for an extended period of time which is not what they are designed to do. Again, TVSS is important to protect sensitive electrical equipment but buyers should avoid vendors promising, or even guaranteeing, that they will reduce energy consumption.
Now what about vendors who claim that improving power factor will save 15% or 20% or 30% of energy consumption and corresponding cost? This one is a little trickier.
For residential applications, power factor does nothing to save energy because the typical home already has an average power factor of about 0.97 which is almost the perfect power factor of 1 or unity. In addition, the device (called a capacitor) is placed at the main circuit breaker. According to IEEE 5.5.3.3 capacitors must be situated at or near the respective inductive loads to reduce power system losses by reducing heat and distribution losses known as I2R losses.
So what about commercial and industrial facilities using power factor correction to reduce energy costs? It is perfectly appropriate for a company that is incurring penalties or a kVA billing structure from the utility company to improve the facility’s overall power factor by employing a capacitor bank at the main service entrance or individual capacitors at or near the respective motor loads. Doing so will eliminate the power factor penalties and/or reduce the kVA demand charges on the utility bill which can save significant money and provide a significant ROI on the investment.
But what about power factor correction reducing kWh consumption? IEEE also tells us that I2R losses only account for 2 to 5% of the total load in a facility. Simple math tells us that it would be against the laws of physics to get the 15% to 30% energy reduction claimed by some vendors. Think about it. Even if your facility had 5% distribution losses and you could correct 100% of the problem via power factor correction at every load (which can’t be done) you would still only save 5% at the most. No where near the claims of some capacitor vendors and manufacturers.
All that said, power factor correction when done properly will eliminate utility penalties and kVA demand charges, improve facility power quality, increase electrical system capacity, and save a little energy when applied to the appropriate motor loads.
So make an investment in transient voltage surge suppression and power factor correction when appropriate and necessary. But caveat emptor!
Save Money On Your Company’s Energy Bill, visit Energy Edge Technologies site for strategies on saving a tremendous amount of capital on your Corporate Energy Bill or call 888-729-5722 Ext. 100.
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Know the Facts About Solar Energy and Renewable Energy Savings as well as Renewable Energy Product Reviews