Hybreds for Green Energy
It is time to update again:
After continuing to research the subject, it is still quite clear that the keep to clean(er) energy to run our homes, farms, and factories will come from the use of fuel cells and in particular, the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. Both Acumentrics and Siemens are preparing to develop such fuel cells in the 5KW range. Both have submitted briefs to the DOE for approval and both will quite affordable, selling at around $2,000 to $5,000 per unit. The units will also be produced for safe installation, complete with hook-ups to the fuel source and directly into the electric grid. Both Siemens and Acumentrics Units are fully capable of using and internally reforming Methane (pipeline natural gas), propane, alcohol, and bio-fuels. They do, however, require the removal of any sulfur from the fuel stream prior to entering into the fuel cell.
As for the use of solar cells and wind turbine, these are still limited and too costly for the average home owner. Solar panels are rapidly increasing in efficiency, but still sell in the price range of $3.00 to $5.00 per watt. Also, they produce electric power only when the sun shines. The most effective use of solar electric power is to store the electricity produced in some sort of battery system. I propose that the solar power be used to disassociate hydrogen from water, releasing the oxygen into the atmosphere, and inserting the hydrogen into the natural gas pipeline feed to the fuel cell generator. http://www.distributed-energy.com/hydrogen_generation.html is an excellent source for Hydorgen generation for this purpose. This can be done best by placing a tank of about 500 gal. just before the fuel cell. Since the natural gas is at low pressure and the hydrogen is produced up to 200 psig, as the hydrogen is produced, it will displace the natural gas and some of the hydrogen will likely be safely back-fed into the pipeline for others to use.
It is important to understand, too, that the conditions and relative cost of wind turbines is essentially the same as that of solar cells. The difference is that the cost of maintaining a wind turbine is high, after all , it is a mechanical device, and the wind turbine must have a constant wind at a minimum of 8 miles an hour to be effective. I see the wind turbine and the solar cells as being a primary source of hydrogen for use in the Fuel cell and not as the primary producer of home electric power. Eventually, the natural gas pipelines will be converted into hydrogen pipelines. In the mean time, the efficiency of the SOFC, up to 90% if used in co-generation, will markedly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the waste heat produce by the SOFC can be used for home heating and cooking.
So, let's step forward now and insist on our hybrid, the true "high-bred", green energy built home.
After continuing to research the subject, it is still quite clear that the keep to clean(er) energy to run our homes, farms, and factories will come from the use of fuel cells and in particular, the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. Both Acumentrics and Siemens are preparing to develop such fuel cells in the 5KW range. Both have submitted briefs to the DOE for approval and both will quite affordable, selling at around $2,000 to $5,000 per unit. The units will also be produced for safe installation, complete with hook-ups to the fuel source and directly into the electric grid. Both Siemens and Acumentrics Units are fully capable of using and internally reforming Methane (pipeline natural gas), propane, alcohol, and bio-fuels. They do, however, require the removal of any sulfur from the fuel stream prior to entering into the fuel cell.
As for the use of solar cells and wind turbine, these are still limited and too costly for the average home owner. Solar panels are rapidly increasing in efficiency, but still sell in the price range of $3.00 to $5.00 per watt. Also, they produce electric power only when the sun shines. The most effective use of solar electric power is to store the electricity produced in some sort of battery system. I propose that the solar power be used to disassociate hydrogen from water, releasing the oxygen into the atmosphere, and inserting the hydrogen into the natural gas pipeline feed to the fuel cell generator. http://www.distributed-energy.com/hydrogen_generation.html is an excellent source for Hydorgen generation for this purpose. This can be done best by placing a tank of about 500 gal. just before the fuel cell. Since the natural gas is at low pressure and the hydrogen is produced up to 200 psig, as the hydrogen is produced, it will displace the natural gas and some of the hydrogen will likely be safely back-fed into the pipeline for others to use.
It is important to understand, too, that the conditions and relative cost of wind turbines is essentially the same as that of solar cells. The difference is that the cost of maintaining a wind turbine is high, after all , it is a mechanical device, and the wind turbine must have a constant wind at a minimum of 8 miles an hour to be effective. I see the wind turbine and the solar cells as being a primary source of hydrogen for use in the Fuel cell and not as the primary producer of home electric power. Eventually, the natural gas pipelines will be converted into hydrogen pipelines. In the mean time, the efficiency of the SOFC, up to 90% if used in co-generation, will markedly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the waste heat produce by the SOFC can be used for home heating and cooking.
So, let's step forward now and insist on our hybrid, the true "high-bred", green energy built home.
Labels: alternate energy, do it yourself home, green energy
posted by Unknown | 12:10 PM
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