Planet Earth Weekly
Climate Change and Renewable Energy: Saving Our Planet for Future Generations
Looking Back at Renewable Energy in 2014
January 4, 2015 by Planet Earth Weekly	3 Comments
Advancements in wind power have made energy less expensive.
The remaining solid waste will be used to make biofuels. They're putting contaminated water in and taking out valuable metals, clean water and producing fuel."
By Linn Smith
January 3, 2015—To start the new year off on a positive note, let's look back at seven advancements in renewable energy in 2014:
1. Wind power capacity has increased. Wind turbines have become more powerful, more efficient and more affordable. The increased size of the rotors on the wind turbine has raised the turbine's capacity to generate electricity. By increasing the area of the rotors, from 70 to 100 meters, they can generate more energy at lower wind speeds
2. New research in nanostructure-based technology will make it more efficient for energy conversion in photovoltaic solar cells. The nano materials will allow more light to be trapped for future energy.
3. Advancements in renewable energy storage using quinone molecules, as those found in rhubarb, can be used in flow batteries at 1/3 the cost. (See the Planet Earth Weekly article titled, "The Organic Megaflow Battery.")
4. A company called Heliateck, based in Dresden, Germany, is a leading company in the production of organic solar film. They have developed tinted glass that can be used on car roofs to generate energy. Also, architectural glass panels and windows incorporating HeliaFilm enable electricity to be generated at very low light levels with a level of high efficiency. "At the moment, Heliatek is making the transition from pure technology development to industrial manufacturing….to bring mass-produced organic solar films."
Researchers are using algae to clean up contaminated water.
5. A Cornish tin mine in Cornwall, England, which closed in 1992, is using algae to clean up the heavy metals in the toxic water from the mine, while at the same time producing biofuel. This is in the very early stage of development. Researchers are "Converting the algae into a solid form which heavy metals can be extracted and recycled for use in the electronics industry. The remaining solid waste will be used to make biofuels. They're putting contaminated water in and taking out valuable metals, clean water and producing fuel."
6. For a twenty-four hour period in 2014, Germany generated almost 75% of its electricity from renewables. Earlier in 2014, renewables produced 27% of the country's electricity. "Energiewende" for Germany means energy transformation, which has a goal of powering Germany entirely by renewables by 2050. Even though the transition is met by many challenges, the majority of Germany's population support the change to renewables.
7. Researchers have advanced in the technology of making biofuels from wet farm waste, including corn husks, tomato vines and manure. Dry farm waste, such as wood chips, is much easier to turn into biofuels, as it doesn't break down on the way to transformation like wet waste. Researchers at the Bio-Renewable Innovation Lab (BRIL) say, "We are taking what is now a net-negative resource in farm waste, which farmers have to pay to remove, and providing an opportunity for them to make money and help the environment." It's a win-win partnership!
So, onward into 2015! Let's see what it brings in advancements toward a cleaner planet!
Categories: biofuels, Energy Programs, Renewable Resources, Solar, Wind Farms | Tags: megaflow battery, photovoltaic solar cell, Renewable energy, Solar power, Sustainable energy | Permalink.
Author: Planet Earth Weekly
My goal, as a responsible adult, is to leave a planet that people, plants, and animals can continue to occupy comfortably. I am an educator by profession. While educating myself on Climate Change and Renewable Resources, I hope to share my knowledge and images with those that share my concern. Dr. John J. Hidore is a retired professor from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and I am proud to call him my Uncle. His work has taken him to regions across the globe—including the Middle East, where he conducted research for a year in the Sudan. He has written many books, such as Climatology: An Atmospheric Science and Global Environmental Change.----Linn Smith Planet Earth Weekly recently passed 30,000 views!
3 thoughts on "Looking Back at Renewable Energy in 2014"
Here is an idea. Put the solar panels below ground but in direct sunlight. Put the wind turbine genarator on the ground or just bellow it. Put another 3 next to it. In the turbine shaft insert a prop. Connect it to a centrafugal gearbox.conect that to a transfer box. In high winds do not stop the blades. Just let tgem turn 4 genarator s. Ive other ideas. Multiple wings.
Underground wind farms
prkralex
The simplest fuel would be hydrogen – just reduce protons to make hydrogen – but these days people think, of course, of carbon dioxide to help reduce the carbon dioxide and produce a carbon-based fuel like methanol or something.
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