Power Generation

[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]

Mitsubishi and Partners Develop Highly Integrated Organic Photovoltaics Module

June 21, 2009

Structure of the OPV. Source: Mitsubishi Corporation. Click to enlarge.

Mitsubishi Cooperation (MC), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Tokki Corporation have developed a new, highly-integrated Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) module.

Like silicone PVs, OPVs employ a P-N diode junction as a generating active layer. The biggest challenge over some 30 plus years of R&D has been raising the low power output of PVs. In January, 2005, AIST achieved 4.0% light exchange efficiency with the introduction of a bulk-hetero junction (i-layer). At the time, this was the highest efficiency rate that had ever been achieved.

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Researchers Propose a Renewable Energy Cycle Based on Co-electrolysis of Water and CO2 to Produce Syngas

May 21, 2009

Schematic illustration of a generic liquid-fuel energy cycle utilizing a renewable electrical source. Credit: ACS. Click to enlarge.

Researchers at Northwestern University are proposing, and have begun experimental validation of, a renewable liquid-fuel energy storage cycle based on the co-electrolysis of H₂O and CO₂ using a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) powered by renewable electricity to produce syngas. The syngas is then in turn converted into liquid fuels (e.g., methanol or synthetic hydrocarbons) which could be used in a direct fuel cell.

The direct fuel cell produces electricity, with water and CO₂ as byproducts of the oxidation of the liquid fuel in the fuel cell. These would be captured and recycled back into the co-electrolysis process.

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Rentech Planning to Build Biomass to Synthetic Fuels and Electric Power Plant in California

May 11, 2009

The Rentech Process is based on Fischer-Tropsch chemistry. Click to enlarge.

Rentech, Inc., a Fischer-Tropsch process company, plans to build a plant in Rialto, California for the production of synthetic fuels and electric power from renewable waste biomass feedstocks.

The Rialto Renewable Energy Center (Rialto Project) is designed to produce approximately 600 barrels per day of renewable synthetic fuels and export approximately 35 MW of renewable electric power. The carbon footprint of the plant is designed to be near zero as the fuels and power would be produced only from renewable feedstocks.

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Study Finds Bioelectricity Better Option Than Liquid Biofuels for Transportation Output and GHG Emissions

May 08, 2009

Kilometers per crop hectare for switchgrass feedstock with a small SUV. Campbell et al. (2009) Click to enlarge.

A new life cycle assessment comparing the performance of bioelectricity and ethanol from a variety of pathways with respect to transportation kilometers and GHG offsets achieved per unit area of biofuels cropland concludes that bioelectricity used to charge a battery electric vehicle outperforms ethanol for a combustion engine across a range of feedstocks, conversion technologies, and vehicle classes.

The study by University of California, Merced, Assistant Professor Elliott Campbell along with Christopher Field of the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Global Ecology and David Lobell of Stanford University, found that bioelectricity produces an average 81% more transportation kilometers and 108% more emissions offsets per unit area cropland than cellulosic ethanol. A paper on the work appeared in the 8 May issue of the journal Science.

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Study Finds UK Power Infrastructure Has Capacity for Significant Rise in Use of EVs and PHEVs

April 30, 2009

According to the results of simulation studies by a consortium including Ricardo, Jaguar-Land Rover, E.ON and Amberjac Projects, a substantial medium-term rise in the number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles would have a much lower impact on the UK national power grid than has previously been estimated.

The research study has been carried out by the consortium as part of the Range Extended Hybrid Electric Vehicle (REHEV) project, which is led by Jaguar-Land Rover and part-funded by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board.

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Dutch Researchers Developing Catalytic System for Producing Hydrogen from Gas-Fired Power Stations

April 29, 2009

Cartoon of the proposed combined hydrogen and conventional power plant (top). Combined methane combustion, coking and generation of H2 and coke combustion (bottom). More H2 can form via the water–gas shift reaction if CO is present. Credit: RSC. Click to enlarge.

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands are developing ceria-based catalysts as candidates for integrating methane combustion and hydrogen generation in power plants. The proposed process combines methane combustion, coking, simultaneous generation of hydrogen and coke combustion.

The process can be applied in existing gas-fired power plants, using methane from both fossil and renewable sources. In a paper published in the RSC journal Green Chemistry, the team led by Dr. Gadi Rothenberg showed that good results can be obtained from ceria-based catalysts with platinum, ruthenium, and importantly, nickel, with its lower cost.

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Altair Nanotechnologies Pursuing ARRA Funding for Grid Modernization

March 11, 2009

Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Altairnano), a provider of lithium-ion energy storage systems, is pursuing federal funds associated with the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which includes $4.5 billion for the modernization of the US electricity grid. Altairnano is developing energy storage systems for the automotive market as well as for the power generation sector. (Earlier post.)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes an Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability program designed to accelerate the modernization of the US electricity grid. The program will provide up to $4.5 billion in funds to support the development, demonstration and deployment of energy reliability activities, including demand responsive equipment, enhance security and reliability of the energy infrastructure, and energy storage research.

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Study Finds Integrated Biorefinery Processes Could Be Highly Competitive With Petroleum Fuels on Efficiency and Costs, While Offering Substantial Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

March 08, 2009

Processing efficiencies for biorefinery scenarios (energy out as percent of feedstock lower heating value). Laser et al. (2009) Click to enlarge.

Biomass refining technologies integrating biological and thermochemical processing to produce biofuels and/or power could offer similar, if not lower, efficiencies and costs and very large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum-derived fuel, according to a comparative analysis of 14 mature technology biomass refining scenarios.

The paper results from the “The Role of Biomass in America’s Energy Future (RBAEF)” project and is published in a special issue of the journal Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining which presents a collection of papers with technology-oriented analysis resulting from the RBAEF project.

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MIT Students Develop Hydraulic Energy-Generating Shock Absorbers

February 13, 2009

GenShock prototype. Click to enlarge.

A team of MIT undergraduate students has invented a shock absorber that harnesses energy from small bumps in the road, generating electricity while it smoothes the ride more effectively than conventional shocks. MIT Senior Shakeel Avadhany and his teammates say they can produce up to a 10% improvement in overall vehicle fuel efficiency by using the regenerative shock absorbers.

Their prototype shock absorbers use a hydraulic system that forces fluid through a turbine attached to a generator. The system is controlled by an active electronic system that optimizes the damping, providing a smoother ride than conventional shocks while generating electricity to recharge the batteries or operate electrical equipment.

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Cyclone Targets Small-Scale Co-Generation Market With External Combustion Waste Heat Engine

February 11, 2009

WHE unit. Click to enlarge.

Cyclone Power Technologies Inc., the developer of the external combustion Waste Heat Engine (WHE) (earlier post), has formed a separate division to market and manufacture WHE systems for applications such as small-scale cogeneration, solar thermal electricity production, biomass combustion, and engines for auxiliary power units for trucks and RVs.

The WHE is derivative of Cyclone’s external combustion Green Revolution Engine. (Earlier post.) Unlike its more powerful counterpart, the WHE operates in a low-pressure, low-temperature range. By contrast, the GRE employs super-critical pressure (3,200 psi, 22 MPa) and super-heated steam (1,200 °F, 649 °C).

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NREL Study Concludes That PHEVs and V2G Can Reduce NOx Emissions from Power Generation

January 24, 2009

Total annual per-vehicle tailpipe, refinery, and generation emissions of pollutants with different-sized PHEV fleets, with V2G services provided by the PHEV fleet (CO2-e is in tonnes, SO2 and NOx are in kg). Credit: ACS. Click to enlarge.

A new study has concluded that in addition to reducing emissions from the transportation sector, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may further increase the efficiency of power generation plants and reduce overall emissions by providing two vehicle-to-grid services: energy storage and ancillary services. A paper on the analysis was published online 22 January in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Ramteen Sioshansi (currently at Ohio State University) and Paul Denholm at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that by changing generator dispatch, a PHEV fleet of up to 15% of light-duty vehicles can decrease net generator NO_x emissions during the ozone season, despite the additional charging load. By adding vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services, such as spinning reserves and energy storage, CO₂, SO₂ and NO_x emissions can be reduced even further.

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UK Report on Potential Impact of EVs and PHEVs on GHG Reduction Concludes That EVs Could Cut Emissions by 40% Per Vehicle Even with Current Grid Mix

November 07, 2008

A new report, jointly produced by Arup and Cenex for the UK’s Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Transport (DfT) concludes that electric vehicles have the potential to produce significant greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to conventional vehicles over the full life-cycle.

Even based on the current UK electricity grid mix, the authors expect an emissions reduction on a per vehicle basis of 40%. With further decarbonization of the UK power mix, reductions from the use of EVs would increase.

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US DOE to Provide Up to $43.1M Over 4 Years for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Research, Development and Demonstration

October 06, 2008

The US Department of Energy (DOE) will provide up to $43.1 million over four years (subject to annual appropriations) to 21 awardees, including a 13 awards to first-time recipients, for research, development and demonstration of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) for next-generation geothermal energy technologies. Combined with the minimum industry cost-share of 20%, up to $78 million is slated for public-private investment in these 21 projects over the next four years.

The DOE solicited applications in two topic areas: component technologies research and development, and system demonstrations. (Earlier post.) DOE announced 17 awards in component technologies research and development that will address aspects of engineered reservoir creation, management and utilization at high temperatures up to 300°C and depths as great as 10,000 meters, including 12 awards to first-time recipients.

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McKinsey Report Concludes CCS Could Be Economic at New Power Plants by 2030

September 29, 2008

While many CCS component technologies are relatively mature, to date there are no fully integrated, commercial-scale CCS projects in operation. Click to enlarge. Source: McKinsey

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) at new power plants could become economic by 2030, according to a new report by management consultancy McKinsey & Co. The report, which focuses on the European power generation market, projects CCS costs in the reference case scenario down to around €30-45 (US$43-65) per tonne of CO₂ abated by then—costs which are in line with expected carbon prices in that period.

Early CCS demonstration projects will have a significantly higher cost of €60-90 per tonne, according to the report. Early full commercial-scale CCS projects—potentially to be built soon after 2020—are estimated to cost €35-50/tonne CO₂ abated.

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Entergy Submits Application for Louisiana Nuclear Plant; Third NRC Application This Month with GE Hitachi ESBWR Reactor

September 27, 2008

The GE Hitachi ESBWR Reactor. Click to enlarge.

New Orleans-based Entergy Corp. has submitted a combined construction and operating license (COL) application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), selecting GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH) next-generation ESBWR (Economic Simplified Boiling-Water Reactor) reactor design.

The nation’s second-largest nuclear plant operator, Entergy is seeking to reserve the option to build a potential new reactor at its River Bend Nuclear Generating Station in Louisiana, located along the Mississippi River in St. Francisville, about 30 miles north of Baton Rouge.

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DOE to Provide Up to $7.3M for Advanced Water Power Projects

September 19, 2008

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 14 projects for negotiation of awards of up to a total of $7.3 million, with a cost-shared value of more than $18 million, for Advanced Water Power Projects R&D. The projects will advance commercial viability, cost-competitiveness, and market acceptance of new technologies that can harness renewable energy from oceans and rivers.

The DOE will make awards in three topic areas. In the first topic area, awards will be for industry-led partnerships to develop and/or field test advanced water power technologies. Successful applicants are required to develop collaborative project teams involving at least one other industrial, university, or national laboratory partner.

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US MMS Moves Forward With Alternative Energy Leases on the Outer Continental Shelf

July 26, 2008

The US Minerals Management Service (MMS) is proceeding with the consultation and analyses necessary to move toward the issuance of limited leases under its interim policy for authorizing alternative energy data collection and technology testing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

MMS announced its interim policy in November 2007 to jumpstart basic information gathering efforts relating to development of OCS alternative energy resources such as wind, waves, and ocean currents as authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). The limited leases envisioned under the interim policy will be for a term of five years and will not convey any right or priority for commercial development.

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Gore’s Challenge to the US: 100% Zero-Carbon Electricity in 10 Years

July 17, 2008

In a major speech given today at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC, former Vice President Al Gore challenged the US to end its reliance on carbon-based fuels and to “commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years.”

While the primary focus of his speech was on power generation, Gore noted that the value and efficiency of an advanced, unified national power grid could be further increased by helping the auto industry switch to the manufacture of plug-in electric cars. “An electric vehicle fleet would sharply reduce the cost of driving a car, reduce pollution, and increase the flexibility of our electricity grid.”

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Simple New Energy Converter Could Address Cost Issues for Wave Power

July 03, 2008

Simulation of an Anaconda device in the sea. Click to enlarge.

Engineers at the University of Southampton (UK) are embarking on a program of large-scale laboratory experiments and mathematical studies to try to advance the development of a simple wave energy converter concept that promises wave-generated electricity at lower cost. The project is supported with more than £430,232 (US$852,233) in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and is in collaboration with the inventors and the developer of the device.

Called the Anaconda, the device is a large distensible rubber tube that is closed at both ends and filled with water. It is designed to be anchored just below the sea’s surface, with one end facing the oncoming waves.

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DOE to Invest Approximately $1.3B to Commercialize CCS Technology in Revamped FutureGen Program

June 25, 2008

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to invest in multiple commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) or other advanced coal power plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology under the Department’s restructured FutureGen program. (Earlier post.)

The solicitation is seeking multiple cost-shared projects to advance coal-based power generation technologies that capture and store the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂). The Department anticipates $290 million will be available for funding of selected projects through fiscal year (FY) 2009 and an additional $1.01 billion is expected to be available in subsequent years, subject to appropriations by Congress.

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RAND Study Concludes Major Progress in Technology Needed for 25% Renewable Energy Use to Be Affordable

June 24, 2008

Sample incremental cost of renewables substitution curve under one set of assumptions. Click to enlarge.

Major progress in renewable energy technology is needed if the United States desires to produce 25% of its electricity and motor vehicle fuel from renewable sources by 2025 without significantly increasing consumer costs, according to a new RAND Corporation study. Currently, renewable energy provides 9.5% of total US electricity supply, mostly hydroelectric power, and 1.6% of motor vehicle fuel.

Produced by the RAND Environment, Energy and Economic Development Program, the study provides a snapshot of the nation’s potential energy expenditures if a requirement was imposed that 25% of electricity and motor vehicle fuels used in the United States by 2025 would come from renewable resources (a described as “25 x ’25”, earlier post).

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