Solar Steam Train project announcement Written by Tim Castleman Building on the Solar Steam Train concept, we are rail yards to support a tourist line in Old Sacramento . Sacramento Rail YardsOnce again Thermal solar energy collectors will be erected over portions of the site having District Energy System , the PG&E steam Continue Reading →
Thin film vs. monocrystalline panels in grid connect systems Quite often we’re asked about the advantages of monocrystalline panels over their amorphous thin film counterparts; particularly in home solar power grid connect systems. In all our grid connect packages, we only use monocrystalline panels (except in very specific circumstances) for the following reasons: Continue Reading →
Types of solar collectors for electric generation Parabolic troughs, dishes and towers described in this section are used almost exclusively in solar power generating stations or for research purposes. The conversion efficiency of a solar collector is expressed as eta0 or η0. [edit] Parabolic trough Parabolic trough This type of collector is generally used in Continue Reading →
BNSF Railway and Vehicle Projects Demonstrate Experimental Hydrogen Fuelcell Hybrid Switch Locomotive 30 June 2009 Rear view of the fuelcell hybrid switch locomotive. The dual Ballard fuel cell stacks are to the left (i.e., rear) of the switcher. Source: Vehicle Projects. Click to enlarge. BNSF Railway and Vehicle Projects Inc. of Denver/Golden, Colo., a developer Continue Reading →
Tidal power is a means of electricity generation achieved by capturing the energy contained in moving water mass due to tides. Two types of energy can be extracted: kinetic energy of currents between ebbing and surging, and potential energy from the difference in height (or head) between high and low water marks.
The MCT Turbine seen below is a new design, generating energy from flowing currents and is considered more feasible today than building ocean based dams or barrages. Many coastal sites worldwide are being examined for their suitability to produce energy from these currents.
These turbines could be installed in the sea at places with high current velocities, or in a few places with fast enough continuous ocean currents, to take out energy from these huge volumes of flowing water.
Wave power refers to the energy of the ocean surface and the capture of that energy to generate electricity. It can also be used to power desalination plants, or pump water into reservoirs. This is certainly a form of renewable energy, and although often co-mingled, it is distinct from the flux of tidal power and ocean currents.
These energy conversion devices create a system of reacting forces, in which two or more bodies move relative to each other, while at least one body interacts with the waves. The body moved is called the displacer, while the body that reacts to the displacer is called the reactor.
There are many ways that such a system may be configured, including: oscillating water columns, point-absorbers, attenuators, and overtopping devices. There is even biomimicry technology that looks to nature for inspiration.