Solar panel's may be more dangerous than carbon dioxide emitting energy sources.

On Whats up with that it has been pointed out that a greenhouse gas emitted during the production of solar panels and HDTV's, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) that is used for cleaning the electronics, is about 17,000 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.The amount of the gas in the atmosphere, which could not be detected using previous techniques, had been estimated at less than 1,200 metric tons in 2006. The new research shows the actual amount was 4,200 metric tons. In 2008, about 5,400 metric tons of the gas are in the atmosphere, a quantity that is increasing at a rate of about 11 percent per year. According to NASA.

Solar and wind power

Production of photovoltaics (PV) jumped to 3,800 megawatts worldwide in 2007, up an estimated 50 percent over 2006. At the end of the year, according to preliminary data, cumulative global production stood at 12,400 megawatts, enough to power 2.4 million U.S. homes. Growing by an impressive average of 48 percent each year since 2002, PV production has been doubling every two years, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy source. According to the Earth policy organisation.

Home made energy

In response to the growing use of the gas and concerns that its emissions are not well known, scientists recently have recommended adding it to the list of greenhouse gases regulated by the Kyoto protocol.The top five PV-producing countries are Japan, China, Germany, Taiwan, and the United States.Recent growth in China is most astonishing: after almost tripling its PV production in 2006, it is believed to have more than doubled output in 2007. With more than 400 PV companies, China’s market share has exploded from 1 percent in 2003 to over 18 percent today. Having eclipsed Germany in 2007 to take the number two spot, China is now on track to become the number one PV producer in 2008. The United States, which gave the world the solar cell, has dropped from third to fifth place as a solar cell manufacturer since 2005, overtaken by China in 2006 and Taiwan in 2007.

Free energy options

October 12, 2007 In another development that aims to make alternative power generation more efficient and more affordable, Braggone has discovered a method of capturing more light in a solar cell. The result is a new product line that greatly increases the efficiency of solar cells and allows manufacturing facilities to cost-effectively increase their capacity.

Build a wind generator

The question is will solar panels be efficient and durable enough in the near future to justify their emissions during the manufacturing process? Or is there another process by which Nitrogen trifluoride can be removed from the manufacturing process without other ecological impacts?

Homemade windmills

Electric cars, hybrid vehicles and bio-fuels.

The use of solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal electricity generation along with carbon capture for fossil fuel powered plants means that in the long run, electric vehicles will produce less carbon dioxide over their life time since it is impractical to reduce carbon dioxide and NOx at the tailpipe of diesel/bio fueled cars. According to NESEA, electric cars can achieve up to 100% reductions with renewable electric generation vs 77% will B100 (100% bio-diesel car). At present only 32% reductions of carbon dioxide is available for electric cars recharging from non-renewable utilities on the US Grid, due to heavy fossil fuel use and inefficiencies. [1]

Convert your gasoline car to an electric car

An electric car's efficiency is affected by its charging and discharging efficiencies. A typical charging cycle is about 85% efficient, and the discharge cycle converting electricity into mechanical power is about 95% efficient, resulting in 81% of each kW·h being put to use. The electricity generating system in the USA loses 9.5% of the power transmitted between the power station and the socket, and the power stations are 33% efficient in turning the calorific value of fuel at the power station to electrical power. Overall this results in an efficiency of 0.81*0.3=24.2% from fuel into the power station, to power into the motor of the grid-charged EV, still better than the average 20% efficiency of gasoline-powered vehicles while ignoring the energy used to pump, refine and transport the gasoline to the gas station as well as external costs of gasoline such as smog and global warming. [2]

Run a car on water

Barack Obama says : "My low carbon fuel standard would require a 10 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. I know that sounds ambitious, but the magnitude of our nation's problems demands bold and innovative action. Indeed, the experts with whom we have consulted firmly believe that a 10 percent reduction is realistic with greater research into advanced bio fuels and new fuel sources. But that research will only happen if businesses are assured of a market for their new products. And just as the existing RFS has spurred the construction of ethanol plants, a low carbon fuel standard would incentivize the development of new advanced fuels."[3]

DIY Power System

Conclusion

I believe that by replacing gasoline powered vehicles with alternative vehicles, such as electric cars and hybrid vehicles or by using bio-fuels, we can greatly reduce the global energy consumption and our individual carbon footprints. I also believe that it is more economically viable in the long run. I also believe electric vehicles can be practical for both city and highway use considering speed, range, acceleration and charging times.
-ELK Roux (B.Sc. Electrical and electronic engineering).

References

[1] Transportation Climate Change
[2] Electric car
[3] Obama low carbon fuel initiative

Alternative Power Sources and energy efficiency

With Carbon dioxide emissions increasing the threat of global warming is becoming bigger by the second. This blog aims to offer a viable, economic and environmentally friendly solution to the problem, by looking at alternative energy sources such as: wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear, waves, anti-matter etc. Another way to overcome global warming and possible energy resource depletion is to promote energy efficiency, which will also be explored in this blog.