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TLWalkerAIA
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 129
Location: Seattle Washington, USA
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 Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:42 pm Post subject: Seasonal storage of solar energy |
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There are three parts to using solar energy efficiently;
efficient collection or generation of energy
efficient storage and
efficient use to offset demand loads.
Of these three the missing link is typically the storage efficiency of the collected electrical or thermal energy from the sun. I am looking for input regarding projects using efficient long term storage that would empower collection of energy during the hot summer months and use during the winter months. A seasonal cycle rather than a daily cycle.
Specifically requesting any information on long term electrical starage and long term thermal storage of energy.
Can it be done?
TLW
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Terry L. Walker, AIA
Terry L. Walker, Architects
terry.walker20@verizon.net |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1104
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:41 am Post subject: |
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I was reading a magazine article on the bus this morning about Ground Source Heat Systems, incredibly popular in Scandinavia. It described how they sometimes used solar panels to replace some of the warmth extracted from the ground during the winter (I think). Even the ambient temperature of the ground can be a limited resource if all your neighbours are also using it!
GSHP's are probably the closest thing to what you describe, a heat source in Winter and a heat sink in Summer. |
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csintexas
millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 1919
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:50 am Post subject: |
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I saw a news segment not long ago where someone was converting solar energy into hydrogen and storing it in tanks on site. It also powered their car.
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Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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WalkerARCHITECTS
Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject: Energy Storage & The CO2 Puzzle |
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What do we do with CO2 emissions to mitigate the global environmental impacts?
CO2 Capture Technologies are currently too expensive.
Carbon Capture Technologies
It is imperative to protect the environment from manmade CO2 and conventional coal plants should not be constructed without carbon capture technologies. Before carbon dioxide (CO2) gas can be sequestered from power plants and other point sources, it must be captured as a relatively pure gas. Existing capture technologies, however, are not cost-effective when considered in the context of sequestering CO2 from power plants. Currently amine absorbers and cryogenic coolers are used to recover CO2 from combustion exhaust. The cost to capture the CO2 is currently $150.00 per ton or an electricity cost increase of 2.5 cents to 4 cents /kwh depending on the type of process. To make CO2 capture worthwhile it must have a value or other substantial contribution post capture and sequestration, that exceeds the cost recovery of current industrial uses.
To be successful, the techniques and practices to capture and sequester carbon must meet the following requirements:
• be effective and cost-competitive,
• provide stable, long term storage, and
• be environmentally benign.
Three capture technologies and four geologic storage mechanisms are envisaged. These are described and illustrated below:
Capture Technologies
Post-Combustion Scrubbing
Considered the first step towards large-scale capture, CO2 is removed from exhaust gas after combustion. This technology can be retrofitted to existing
equipment.
Pre-Combustion Decarbonization (Hydrogen)
Natural Gas is converted to hydrogen and CO2 in a reformer. The CO2 is compressed for storage and the hydrogen is mixed with air for combustion, emitting only nitrogen and water.
Oxyfuel
Oxygen is separated from air and then burned with hydrocarbons to produce an exhaust with a high concentration of CO2.
Carbon Sequestration
Geologic Storage
The schematic diagram below illustrates options for geologic storage. Note that some options provide additional energy and the potential to recover the cost of carbon capture.
CO2 stored in Saline Formations
CO2 displaces methane from coal
CO2 stored in depleted Oil / Gas Reservoir
CO2 displaces trapped Oil (enhanced oil recovery)
Using present technology, estimates of sequestration costs are in the range of $100 to $300/ton of carbon emissions avoided. The goal of the program is to reduce the cost of carbon sequestration to $10 or less per net ton of carbon emissions avoided by 2015. Achieving this goal would save the U.S. trillions of dollars.
No doubt, we can achieve some cost reductions with improved process and technology but the capacity to turn sequestration of CO2 into profits and achieve direct recovery of the cost would be just as good and achieving both would be better.
The key to unlocking the solution to all such problems is embodied not only by what is prevented, in this case a compelling incentive, but more importantly by the more desirable future state that is empowered and the significant additional net value added.
Transition to alternative renewable energy power generation systems and a more desirable, economical and sustainable energy future requires a solution to the problem of energy storage.
We need the missing piece of the puzzle. Fossil fuel needs viable alternatives to replace it’s current role in our civilization. Supercritical CO2 sequestered in depleted oil & gas reservoir following advanced oil recovery processes can be used to store massive amounts of energy because of the energy embodied in the phase change of the CO2 gas to supercritical state. The cost and energy that is invested in the process is of course recoverable and it thereafter empowers unlimited deployment of solar photo-voltaic power plant, wind mill farms and small scale hydro. In the short term such a strategy empowers economic justification for carbon capture and sequestration.
THE MISSING PIECE
Energy Storage and Regeneration
Solution; Massive energy storage capacities from sequestered supercritical CO2.
I would like to discuss the invention with DOE and work with DOE to determine the feasibility of the idea. I am not affiliated with any University or National Laboratory. I have limited experience working with Federal agencies and would appreciate advice regarding how best to proceed.
I am an architect with considerable engineering experience. I appreciate your time and interest and would request a response from an individual with appropriate technical expertise regarding this concept. Please find below my contact information and a link to my web site.
Walker Architects
Terry L. Walker, AIA
21712 21st Ave. West
Brier, WA 98036
206-718-6782
terrylwalker@comcast.net
LINK: http://www.seattlehomesmag.com/Seattle-Homes-and-Lifestyles/Find-a-Professional/Professional-Portfolios/index.php?category=Architects&listing=10545
[img][/img][img][/img][url]http://www.seattlehomesmag.com/Seattle-Homes-and-Lifestyles/Find-a-Professional/Professional-Portfolios/index.php?category=Architects&listing=10545
[/url] |
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