1. Causes air pollution when burned
2. Releases CO2 when burned
3. Increases dependency on countries that are major oil producers
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a mixture of gases, the most common being methane. It also contains some ethane, propane, and butane. Natural gas is usually not contaminated with sulphur and is therefore the cleanest burning fossil fuel.
1. Less air pollution than fossil fuel
2. Lower Co2 emission than fossil fuel
3. Moderate environmental impact
1. Lacks portability
2. Releases CO2 when burned
3. Extraction side effects
Nuclear
In most electric power plants, water is heated and converted into steam. In a nuclear power plant; the fission of uranium atoms in the reactor provides the heat to produce steam for generating electricity.
1. Large fuel supply
2. Lower Co2 emission
3. Low environmental effect while running without any accidents
1. Large fuel supply
2. Lower Co2 emission
3. Low environmental effect while running without any accidents
Renewable energy sources and fuels:
Types
Pros
Cons
Biomass
Biomass can be burned, gasified, fermented or processed to produce electricity. Biomass contains stored energy from the sun; Plants absorb the sun's energy in a process called photosynthesis. The chemical energy in plants gets passed on to animals and people that eat them.
1. Moderate costs
2. Easy to convert to a high energy portable fuel such as alcohol or gas
3. Very low in sulphur reducing the production of acid rain
1. Moderate to high environmental effect
2. Soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of wildlife habitat
3. More expensive than conventional fossil fuel
Solar
Solar power is energy from the sun and converted into heat and electricity. It can provide power for cars, boats, houses and spacecraft.
1. Reduces dependency on fossil fuel and coal
2. Renewable, endless supply that belongs to no one
3. Low environmental effect
No Co2 emission
1. Low efficiency
2. High costs
3. Need access to sun most of the time
Wind Power
Wind is a clean source of energy; areas with constant and strong winds can be used by wind turbines to generate electricity.
1. No CO2 emission
2. Quick construction
3. Does not produce wastes
1. Wind turbines are noisy
2. Requires steady wind
3. Visual pollution—Many people disapprove the idea to install because it can disrupt the landscape
References
1. http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/
2. http://library.thinkquest.org
3. http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/
4. http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=renewable_home
Small scale gas power plant
What is Micro- CHP?
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a way of generating heat and electricity simultaneously in one single highly efficient process, Micro -CHP works in a similar way to a standard gas boiler. Micro-CHP systems are comparable in size and shape to an ordinary, modern, domestic boiler and can be wall hung like most boilers, or floor standing. The only difference to a standard boiler is that they are able to generate electricity while they are heating water. When the micro-CHP is generating heat, the internal engine or fuel cell will also generate electricity to be used in your home. Micro-CHP is currently powered by main gas because it can be more efficient than just burning a fossil fuel for heat and getting electricity from the national grid.
Electricity from a Micro-CHP can be generated through a Stirling Engine- this is used in buildings with smaller heat demands, it allows electricity to be generated sooner after being turned on, and are more efficient at producing heat. Stirling engine need a short warm up period before they start producing electrical power.
Diagrams
http://www.nrg-consultants.com/cogeneration/combinedheatandpower/microchp/index.html
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Micro-CHP
1. When the micro CHP unit is generating heat, the unit will also generate electricity to be used in your home.
1. Can be wall hung or floor standing
1. It has the potential to reduce the amount of CO2 emission’s produced in your home by around 40%.
1. Payback time are still quite high, between 7-15 years depending on use and if the system can export electricity to the national grid.
1. A CHP system is still reliant on the use of natural gas. However there are boilers on the market, which utilise a renewable source such as biomass.
1. Low efficiency
References
1. http://www.energy-measures.com/chp/advantages_disadvantages_chp.php
2. http://www.yougen.co.uk/renewable-energy/Combined+Heat+'26+Power/#howdoesitwork
3. http://www.ukecoenergy.co.uk/combined.php?menu3ID=11
4. http://www.microchap.info/introduction_to_micro_chp.htm
5. http://www.yhmp.org/combined_heat_and_power.html
by
sashakw (student)
