Energy from kites!

A popular childrens toy could well could provide the next breakthrough in renewable energy! After successful testing in one of Europe’s top research centres with scientists from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, 10 kilowatts of power was produced by flying a giant kite tethered to a generator. 10 kilowatts of power is enough electricity to run 10 family homes, and all from a 10-sq metre kite. The researchers are planning to test a 50kW version in the near future, called Laddermill, eventually they hope to produce a version with multiple kites that could generate as much as 100 megawatts (this could power 100,000 homes!)

The scientists from Delft University are not alone. Google.org (a philanthropic arm of the Google web-search company) invested 10 million dollars last year in another kite company based in the US called Makani. There is also an Italian company called Kitegen which has proposed a theoretical design for a kite system generating a gigawatt of electricity using 12 sets of four 500 sq metre kites.

The aim of all these teams is to tap into the vast energy resources of high-altitude wind (a kilometre or more above the ground), where winds carry hundreds of times more energy than at ground level and are also more consistent. According to Ken Caldeira (a senior climate scientist at Stanford University), the total energy contained in high altitude wind is 100 times greater than the amount of energy currently required by the whole planet.

Commercial wind turbines simply cannot be built high enough to take advantage of these winds at high altitudes but kites can easily reach a kilometre or more of altitude. In Europe there are many sites suitable, thanks to the high-speed jet stream, for large scale power generation using kites.

The kites generate power by pulling on a wire attached to a generator on the ground, the rapid speed of the rising kite generates copious amounts of power then once the kite has reached maximum altitude it is simply reeled in to repeat the process.

Unlike many other proposed alternative technologies, high altitude wind power is available right now, it is estimated that with sufficient capital investment, commercially viable systems producing electricity at around 10c per kilowatt hour could be established in less than 5 years.

Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit

Winner of Parents Choice Silver Award Jump-start the hydrogen economy! Build a model car that operates with water! Use solar energy to separate water into hydrogen & oxygen. Plug in the motor & the fuel cell uses these gases to produce electricity and - Zip! your vehicle takes off! The only by-product is clean water. Learn about fuel cells, solar cells & electrolysis. 30 experiments to do by yourself, in a classroom or with friends! Ages 12+

Customer Review: Best Fuel Cell / Solar Kit Available

Very high quality components, I have used mine as a demonstration system extensively with no issues. PV cell operates in cloudy/lower light conditions much better than others I have used.

Strongly recommend!!!

Customer Review: Great toy with a great message

I bought this for my 15-year-old son who is very interested in alternative fuels and transportation, and it’s incredible. My son played with it for about 8 hours straight and still does every chance he gets. The car teaches you about how a fuel cell works, and you get to see with your own eyes how simple the technology actually is. While I don’t necessarily believe hydrogen fuel cells are the answer on their own, they will likely be part of the solution to our decreasing oil supply. The only negative thing I have to say about this item is that the rubber wheels tend to come off easily, so we’ve ended up running it without them.

Alternative energy

Alternative fuels are often discussed but there is no accepted definition of the term. For some alternative fuels can be broadly described as pretty much everything except fossil fuels. For others alternative fuel means renewable energy, such as biomass, alcohol fuels, hydrogen and nuclear fuel. Whatever the definition, demand for alternative fuels is high, particularly for fuel which can be produced sustainably and economically.

Renewable energy includes technologies such as wave power, hydro-power, wind power, solar power, geothermal power and thermal depolymerization (using steam to convert organic material waste into useful hydrocarbon fuels).

Biomass refers to biological matter which can be converted into a fuel. Examples include alcohol (ethanol) fuels obtained from plants with high sugar/starch content and biodiesel made from plants or algae production.

Hydrogen can also be considered as an alternative fuel as it exists in abundance in the form of water. However hydrogen has to be created from its compound form, water (usually using electrolysis) before use and it requires more energy input to produce hydrogen than is generated with its combustion. This energy input is usually in the form of conventional fossil fuels. Alternative fossil fuels like CNG (compressed natural gas) are also considered as alternative fuels as they are cleaner than conventional gas or diesel. However they are not renewable or sustainable so many discount the wisdom of turning to these alternatives which rely on
fossil derived hydrocarbons.

Nuclear power is a controversial energy source, particularly nuclear fission (the technology that drives all nuclear power plants today) due to the radioactive waste produced and the fear of accidents such as those which occurred at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. Safe long term storage of nuclear waste is another problem that has yet to be solved. Nuclear fusion is another matter, promises of clean and sustainable energy abound but as yet no successful fusion plant is in operation, the first commercial fusion plant is hoped to get into production within the next 30-40 years.

The alternative energy industry is still relatively new and advancing at an unprecedented rate, however it should be noted that this current energy crisis is not the first, during the middle ages in Europe mankind had all but decimated the forests using wood as the main source of fuel and building materials, this in turn caused food shortages as deforestation removed the natural habitat of many animals hunted for food. This energy crisis was “solved” by turning to coal for energy and mass cultivation of new crops such as potatoes and maize in deforested areas. A few centuries later as coal reserves were recognised as being finite not unlimited, another energy crisis was averted (actually just delayed as we now know) by turning to oil and gas as the main energy sources. It is about time we learned from history instead of repeating our mistakes!

Off grid living

With warnings of future power scarcity, possible catastrophic environmental damage, dwindling non-renewable energy reserves and the ever increasing demand for power. Many people have decided it is now time to take action. Have you ever considered off-grid living? Off grid living not only helps the environment but enables you to live cheaply and comfortably. In addition to these tangible benefits, off-grid living delivers in a major way in terms of the “feel good factor”. Knowing you are causing the environment no harm while at the same time reducing your dependence on external energy suppliers and saving money is a great feeling!

Advantages of living off the grid.

Reducing or eliminating dependence on non-renewable energy resources and utility companies - Nobody wants to be at the mercy of local power companies. Living off the grid enables you rely on your resources and not the ones supplied by corrupt governments or greedy corporations. No more unexpected outages, price increases or final demands!
• Freedom - Imagine not paying for the power you use? Wouldn’t it be great to use the power you need without worrying about the electricity bills? Nature provides an abundance of power for lighting, cooking and heating. Modern wind turbines and solar panels provide a fast ROI (return on investment), once you have recouped the initial installation costs from energy savings your power from that point onwards will essentially be free forever!
• A healthier, cleaner environment: Wouldn’t you like to leave your children the legacy of a safe, non-toxic and clean environment? Living a pollution free lifestyle and conserving resources reduces stress and will benefit future generations enormously.

You may be thinking that to live off-grid you have to be some kind of scientist or eco-warrior with lots of technical know how? Nothing could be further from the truth. There is a wealth of information on-line with regards to living off-grid including many forums where free advice is available on a whole range of subjects. Power generation for your home is not as complex as you may think. Check out this guide for step-by-step instructions (along with diagrams and videos) on how to build your own wind turbine or solar power systems for under $200!

Solar collector systems

Although solar collectors are less well known than photovoltaic solar cells, they are a very effective method of providing space heating and/or hot water for domestic properties. This is an important factor when considering energy efficient housing as water and space heating are usually the largest single consumer of energy in domestic households. These systems work by directly capturing the sun’s energy and converting it into a more usable form (heat). Most parts of the world have abundant solar energy available (averaging about 1000 watts per square meter in clear conditions).

Solar collector systems consist of the collector itself (usually roof mounted) along with a heat transfer circuit using fluid such as water/glycol, a pump or other method of circulating the the fluid and in some systems a heat exchanger. Heat from the collector is transferred to a reservoir (such as a well insulated hot water cylinder) where the heat can be utilised by providing hot water for heating (using radiators or underfloor heating) and/or hot water for showers and bathing in a domestic environment. Commercial uses include warming swimming pools, heating industrial dryers and various manufacturing processes requiring heat.

There are two main types of solar collector heating systems, thermosyphon systems and pumped systems.

In the thermosyphon system, the storage tank for the fluid has to be placed above the collector as there is no pump in these systems. Water in the collector rises as it is heated naturally circulating around the tank. This system is requires no moving parts or external energy but placing the tank higher than the collectors is not always physically possible.

A pumped system uses a pump to circulate the water, so the tank does not have to be located above the collector. The disadvantage of this system is that it requires external energy to run the pump and an electronics system to control the pump properly.

Both the pumped and thermosyphon type systems can be further divided into three distinct types of collector systems

Flat plate collector - consists of a thin, thermally stable absorber sheet with the tubing containing fluid arranged in a coil or grid pattern underneath encased in a glass or polycarbonate cover.

Parabolic trough concentrating collector - This type of collector uses a trough-shaped parabolic reflector to concentrate sunlight on a pipe or tubing which contains the coolant which is used to transfer the heat. There are large scale versions of these types of systems in use today in the form of solar towers surrounded by parabolic mirror reflectors which track the sun (heliostats) constantly focussing the energy on the tower.

Evacuated tube - similar to the flat plate collector but using multiple vacuum tubes to reduce convection heat losses. This type of collector is especially useful in milder climates where it can reach much higher temperatures than a conventional collector.

Home solar systems

When you mention alternative energy most people immediately think of solar power in its many forms. Solar energy can actually be utilised in a number of ways. First of all lets deal with the semantics, technically every form of energy is derived from solar, but in this article we will be discussing direct harnessing of solar radiation for energy.

There are several applications of solar energy collection currently being used. From space heating to cooling, water heating to generating electricity. Electricity generation is currently the most popular in domestic installations using photovoltaic cells. The production of Photovoltaic cells has been doubling every two years making this the fastest growing form of energy technology.

How do photovoltaic cells generate electricity?

In simple terms, photons from sunlight agitate electrons in a photodiode creating electricity. Solar
photovoltaic cells produce direct current (DC) electricity from light, this can be used to power DC
equipment, to recharge a battery or using an inverter (converting the DC to AC) to power household
appliances. The photodiodes used in solar cells need protection from the elements and are usually covered with a transparent glass or plastic sheet.

The efficiency of solar cells has been steadily improving in recent years, from an avaerage efficiency of 15% in 2006 we are already seeing cells commercially available with an efficiency ration of 23% and many research and development projects are under way (many using nanotechnology) with confident projections of over 42% efficiency.

Economies of scale, in conjunction with technological advancements, has meant that solar cells are now affordable and economically viable for domestic use in many parts of the world. Thousands of people are already harnessing solar energy to power their homes. In addition to eliminating/reducing their electrical bills many people enjoy increased feelings of security knowing that their energy supply will not run out any time soon and is environmentally friendly. The only cost’s with home solar systems are the one-off installation costs. Large solar arrays for commercial systems can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, there are step-by-step guides showing you can now build your own solar cell system powering your home for less than $200, using components readily available from hardware store.

The pick of these DIY solar guides by far, is the one produced by Michael Harvey. Michael’s complete step-by-step fully illustrated manual and easy to follow videos will have you generating your own electricity for less than $200, reducing your power bill by 80% or even eliminating it completely!

Residential wind power systems

With growing concerns over the supply and price of fossil fuels, in addition to environmental issues. Many homeowners are investigating alternative options for heating and power. Residential wind power systems are just one of these alternative technologies and perhaps the cheapest in terms of price per Kwh (kilowatt hour).

Power produced from winds using turbines is efficient, clean and renewable. However, more importantly, as more and more consumers investing in wind power home systems, the prices are coming done making the return on investment even more attractive.

The technology and therefore efficiency of these wind turbine systems is constantly improving, using data from many large scale wind farm facilities worldwide such as the Altamont Pass, Buffalo Gap and Capricorn Ridge Wind Farms in the USA. Muppandal Wind Farm in India and the Barrow Offshore Wind farm in the UK. Modern wind turbine designs have benefitted greatly from these projects resulting in cost effective and efficient small scale wind turbines now available for local energy production in the domestic markets.

This advancement of technology means that it is now possible to install wind power in your home for less than a $1000 in the form of DIY kits. If you are prepared to source all the parts and materials yourself, further savings can be made resulting in a wind powered home for less than $500! Basic mechanical skills will be required if you go the DIY route but it’s probably a lot easier than you think. Common household tools and a good manual are the only other requirements for a DIY wind power project.

When it comes to choosing a manual or guide for building your wind power turbine it is essential to choose one where the author has in fact constructed a successful wind power system. You would be amazed at the number of people that are jumping on the alternative energy bandwagon just to make a quick buck!

The manual that we feel is the easiest to follow also provides clear illustrations and all the support required for even the most inexperienced DIY’er. This manual was created with the complete novice in mind and guides you through the complete build and installation process. As a bonus the author also includes a complete guide on making your own solar panels and includes examples of wind generators he has built and installed for less than $100!

Want to save hundreds of dollars every time you get your power bill or even become totally self sufficient for energy? Check out this great wind and solar construction manual here.

Alternative Energy: Wave-Powered Ocean Energy Technology

Wave power can be used to generate electricity, safely and cleanly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no emissions or pollution. It’s no wonder many energy companies are investing heavily in wave power production research and development. It has been estimated that the total amount of power available from the world’s oceans, using existing technology, is around twice the current worldwide energy production. Wave power has many advantages as an alternative source of energy:

• Abundance - two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans
• Efficency - modern technology can produce over 80% efficiency (compared to conventional coal and oil generation at between 30-45 percent efficiency)
• Clean - zero emissions

Wave power devices can be used on or off shore, with several different types in current use including:

• Oscillating water column (OWC) - a partially submerged, hollow structure which is open to the sea below the water level. Waves cause the water inside the column to rise and fall, which compresses and depresses the air inside the column. This air compression/decompression is used to drive a Wells turbine (a clever turbine design that rotate in the same direction irrespective of the airflow direction) which is used to generate electricity.
• Barrage system or tidal power plant - the simplest and oldest method of wave power production. Basically a dam is built across an inlet, incoming tidal water is allowed to breach the dam through sluice gates, then when tide recedes, water is released through turbines to create electricity.
• Floating wave devices, for example the Sea Dog pump - simple but ingenious devices that use “bouyancy blocks” as pistons to pump seawater to a shore based hydroelectric turbine. As the waves dip water is pulled into cylinder then the rising swells force water out.

Algae - the answer to our Oil Dependency

It will come as no suprise to learn that many families are cutting back on expenditure due to gas prices. The cost of commuting to work for many is now a burden on theior financial resources. This has created a huge interest in alternative sources of fuel for automobiles and a rush to offset our dependence on oil.

Biodiesel was possibly the first alternative fuel to be touted as a possible mainstream option to gas. Produced from crops like soya and corn using simple technology, biodiesel initially became the popular and many reckoned that this fuel was the answer to our needs. However, biodiesel production is not without problems. Using food crops to produce fuel means less food is produced, in addition with many farmers jumping on the biodiesel bandwagon the cost of corn and soya rose sharply as they could sell crops at higher prices for biodiesel rather than food. In any case traditional food crops like soya and corn are simply not very efficient at producing oil, an acre of soybeans produces around 50 gallons of oil and corn is even worse at 20 gallons!

So, although biodiesel seems like a good idea, if it is to be produced in large quantities and at competitive prices, a new source will be required.

Enter algae, once regarded as a nuisance, algae is now being shown in a new light. One acre of algae will produce approximately 10,000 gallons of biodiesel per year (around 200x more efficient than corn). This incredible output is one of the major reasons why many believe that algae biodiesel could be the fuel of the future. It would take just 15000 square miles of algae farms to produce enough biodiesel to power all the vehicles in the USA!

It is even possible to create cost effective algae biodiesel on a small scale, even at home simply for personal use. The process is fairly simple and does not require a great deal of knowledge and skill, reducing or eliminating your dependence on fossil fuels while reducing cost of fuel (small scale biodiesel from algae can be produced for less than $1 per gallon). Algae biodiesel has a number of advantages over other fuels:-

• Algae are not food crops and therfore have no effect on crop prices nor do they displace food production
• Algae grow fast even in areas not suited to conventional crops and no fresh water is requires, algae will thrive in saltwater environments as long there is sunshine
• Algae sequesters massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Algae was in fact responsible for creating the Earths present day oxygen rich atmosphere millions of years ago by recycling CO2 and producing oxygen