Reposted here from an earlier blog post:
February 10th, 2010
During a heavy rainstorm the other day, I was surprised to notice the massive amount of water flowing out of a storm drain and back onto the rapidly flooding street. A little later, as I was driving through the small lakes and streams that are normally shoddy city streets, I again began to reflect on the state of the nation’s infrastructure. I started to ponder why more infrastructure projects have not been undertaken to rebuild the nation’s often ancient sewer and water main systems as well as the antique city streets. I understand the rationale to wait until these systems break to begin any repairs or rebuilding efforts. But, maybe the best ‘bang for the buck’ or return on investment would not be to wait until these infrastructure systems demand immediate attention when they fail. Nevertheless, given the fact that the nation can afford to spend probably a billion dollars a day in Iraq and Afghanistan, and given the fact that the nation can afford to give trillions of dollars to our impoverished bankers and financial institutions, I found myself at a loss as to why the nation does not undertake the massive engineering and infrastructure projects required to rebuild the country’s water main and sewer systems before these systems catastrophically fail – with such failure likely only a matter of time. I mean…, we could create a lot of engineering-related jobs by investing more in our nation’s infrastructure.
Adam Trotter, P.E. / AVT
PS. Should such engineering endeavors ever be undertaken by the nation as a whole, we could probably use to replace some of the ancient bridges as well, if not build more bridges to supplement the over-crowded ones that exist now.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Orange County Tsunami Warning System Offered No Warning? Does the Nation have an Undue Reliance on High-Tech Systems?
March 4th, 2010
As reported today on KCAL TV News, Channel 9 in Los Angeles, the tsunami warning system in place to warn portions of Southern California of incoming tsunamis failed to warn many of the relatively minor tsunami that came ashore as a result of the recent large earthquake in Chile. The system recognized the tsunami but the phone system became flooded and dysfunctional as warning calls went out and therefore the warning calls did not connect to the residents who may have otherwise been in harm’s way and awaiting such a warning.
An assuredly expensive high-tech system failed to perform as expected? Who would ever think such a thing was possible? Given our unequivocal and utter dependence on high-tech systems for every nearly every facet of our lives from pocket change to warning and safety systems, maybe, for times of emergency, we best start keeping a cookie jar full of money buried in the backyard or under the mattress too? Such an emergency plan assumes any of us to be in a position to fund such a cookie jar now-a-days, of course. ‘Cause who knows what other high tech systems that are vital to the nation’s well being may also fail when we need those systems the most.
Adam Trotter / AVT
As reported today on KCAL TV News, Channel 9 in Los Angeles, the tsunami warning system in place to warn portions of Southern California of incoming tsunamis failed to warn many of the relatively minor tsunami that came ashore as a result of the recent large earthquake in Chile. The system recognized the tsunami but the phone system became flooded and dysfunctional as warning calls went out and therefore the warning calls did not connect to the residents who may have otherwise been in harm’s way and awaiting such a warning.
An assuredly expensive high-tech system failed to perform as expected? Who would ever think such a thing was possible? Given our unequivocal and utter dependence on high-tech systems for every nearly every facet of our lives from pocket change to warning and safety systems, maybe, for times of emergency, we best start keeping a cookie jar full of money buried in the backyard or under the mattress too? Such an emergency plan assumes any of us to be in a position to fund such a cookie jar now-a-days, of course. ‘Cause who knows what other high tech systems that are vital to the nation’s well being may also fail when we need those systems the most.
Adam Trotter / AVT
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Solar Electric Basics, Solar Photo-Voltaics
March 2nd, 2010
Crystalline Silicon PV Panel:
100 sq.ft. can create 1 kW, efficiency 15% to 22%
Thin film PV (like tiles):
200 sq.ft. can create 1 kW, efficiency 7% to 15%
Monocrystalline (single crystal): 75W, Polycrystalline (multi crystal): 80W,
Amorphous (Thin Film): 43W
PV Output drops with higher temperatures, say above 70 F / 20 C
- Percentage amount of drop with temperature increase is called Temperature Coefficient of Power. This number is less in thin film PV.
Inverter
- converts DC electricity to AC electricity
- should locate in a cool area
PV Panels can last 25+ years – used in space program
Net Metering – Electrical meter sins both ways, net amount is measured. Also, Net Time of Use Metering applies to time of day you are making electricity and when you are taking from the grid
On-grid vs. off-grid (off-grid requires battery)
On-grid requires electric grid. Electric grid goes down, on-grid system goes down too.
However, buying electricity is cheaper at night. Also, the less energy one uses, the less susceptible one will be to higher-charged electric rate upper tiers.
PG&E of California estimates that a proper figure for approximating costs to install PV systems is $9 per Watt installed (note this is per Watt, not kilowatt).
Payback on PV electric systems should be 8 to 18 years, according to PG&E.
Other Factors:
Solar Resource Potential (kWhours / sq. meter / day)
Monitoring Hardware Required?
PV Panel and mounting:
Shading (Trees, Buildings, etc., 2:1, two feet of horizontal distance to every
one foot above panel height of any potential shading element)
Southern Exposure (True south, not magnetic south)
Orientation of Panel (True south by southwest, SSW, is probably best)
Tilt of Panel (depends on your latitude, normal roof pitch is generally okay)
Cleanliness of Panel (dust, etc.)
Solar Window (when sun is best, usually 9 AM to 3 PM)
Adequate Roof Area (100 to 300 sq. ft. of roof area per kW, depending on type of
PV panels installed)
Roof Condition (shingle conditions and weight on roof)
Tracking Systems (to follow the sun through the sky and through the day)
Excessive Wind Loading Possible?
Tools:
Solar Pathfinder
Solmetric SunEye
Incentive calculator (for California):
www.csi-epbb.com
Nationally, 30% Tax rebate on Federal Returns
National Rebate Information for Homeowners:
www.dsireusa.org
California Residential Systems must be OG-300 Certified to qualify for rebates.
California Commercial/Non-Residential/Multifamily Panels (only) must be OG-100 Certified to qualify for rebates.
Compare AC Watts with AC Watts, not AC with DC
Panel DC wattage X number of panels X inverter efficiency = number AC watts
Be suspicious if only given DC output of designed/installed PV system?
Normalize to price per AC watt or price per AC kilowatt
Adam Trotter, P.E. / AVT
Crystalline Silicon PV Panel:
100 sq.ft. can create 1 kW, efficiency 15% to 22%
Thin film PV (like tiles):
200 sq.ft. can create 1 kW, efficiency 7% to 15%
Monocrystalline (single crystal): 75W, Polycrystalline (multi crystal): 80W,
Amorphous (Thin Film): 43W
PV Output drops with higher temperatures, say above 70 F / 20 C
- Percentage amount of drop with temperature increase is called Temperature Coefficient of Power. This number is less in thin film PV.
Inverter
- converts DC electricity to AC electricity
- should locate in a cool area
PV Panels can last 25+ years – used in space program
Net Metering – Electrical meter sins both ways, net amount is measured. Also, Net Time of Use Metering applies to time of day you are making electricity and when you are taking from the grid
On-grid vs. off-grid (off-grid requires battery)
On-grid requires electric grid. Electric grid goes down, on-grid system goes down too.
However, buying electricity is cheaper at night. Also, the less energy one uses, the less susceptible one will be to higher-charged electric rate upper tiers.
PG&E of California estimates that a proper figure for approximating costs to install PV systems is $9 per Watt installed (note this is per Watt, not kilowatt).
Payback on PV electric systems should be 8 to 18 years, according to PG&E.
Other Factors:
Solar Resource Potential (kWhours / sq. meter / day)
Monitoring Hardware Required?
PV Panel and mounting:
Shading (Trees, Buildings, etc., 2:1, two feet of horizontal distance to every
one foot above panel height of any potential shading element)
Southern Exposure (True south, not magnetic south)
Orientation of Panel (True south by southwest, SSW, is probably best)
Tilt of Panel (depends on your latitude, normal roof pitch is generally okay)
Cleanliness of Panel (dust, etc.)
Solar Window (when sun is best, usually 9 AM to 3 PM)
Adequate Roof Area (100 to 300 sq. ft. of roof area per kW, depending on type of
PV panels installed)
Roof Condition (shingle conditions and weight on roof)
Tracking Systems (to follow the sun through the sky and through the day)
Excessive Wind Loading Possible?
Tools:
Solar Pathfinder
Solmetric SunEye
Incentive calculator (for California):
www.csi-epbb.com
Nationally, 30% Tax rebate on Federal Returns
National Rebate Information for Homeowners:
www.dsireusa.org
California Residential Systems must be OG-300 Certified to qualify for rebates.
California Commercial/Non-Residential/Multifamily Panels (only) must be OG-100 Certified to qualify for rebates.
Compare AC Watts with AC Watts, not AC with DC
Panel DC wattage X number of panels X inverter efficiency = number AC watts
Be suspicious if only given DC output of designed/installed PV system?
Normalize to price per AC watt or price per AC kilowatt
Adam Trotter, P.E. / AVT
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I Can Help You Do an Energy Audit and Help You Choose an Installing PV/Solar Electric Contractor
February 24th, 2010
I Can Help You Do an Energy Audit and Help You Choose an Installing PV/Solar Electric Contractor
Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT
I Can Help You Do an Energy Audit and Help You Choose an Installing PV/Solar Electric Contractor
Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT
Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Electric Systems.
February 24th, 2010
Isn’t it kind of humorous how the utility companies tell us how it is in our best interest for our solar-powered homes to remain tied to the grid? So, if the power goes down on the local grid, your solar electric systems will not power your house if the grid is down. The utilities claim such a reality to be a safety device – as if that is the only alternative for such a safety? But on the other hand, it is a nice fall-back to have the grid available to your house nevertheless. I think I would prefer to have the stand-alone off-grid system – batteries and all, if such were feasible or allowable for the application.
Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT
Isn’t it kind of humorous how the utility companies tell us how it is in our best interest for our solar-powered homes to remain tied to the grid? So, if the power goes down on the local grid, your solar electric systems will not power your house if the grid is down. The utilities claim such a reality to be a safety device – as if that is the only alternative for such a safety? But on the other hand, it is a nice fall-back to have the grid available to your house nevertheless. I think I would prefer to have the stand-alone off-grid system – batteries and all, if such were feasible or allowable for the application.
Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Utilizing Tidal Energy, Creating Electricity from the Tides.
February 24th, 2010
Okay. Well maybe harnessing the electricity created by the moon and harnessing the electricity created by the earthly geomagnetics may still be decades – if not centuries – away into the future. The visible earthly effects of the moon: the tides of the earth’s waters may in deed promise some realistic and current applications for the productive use by mankind relevant to the harnessing of the earth’s existing and natural forces and never-ending natural power systems. Maybe tidal energy is where the real answer lies, other than merely harnessing solar power, that is.
Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT
Ok, add-on after thought (Feb 25th, 2010):
This subject has lead me to a possible revelation: I think I may have come up with an idea to possible double the electrical generation and any typical electrical generating device. And, for any of you who actually bother to read this blog, you heard it here first. :) Maybe now PhD. studies on doubling the output of electrical generators??
Also see:
http://engineeringandcommerce.blogspot.com/2010/02/use-moon-to-provide-electricity-to-all.html
Okay. Well maybe harnessing the electricity created by the moon and harnessing the electricity created by the earthly geomagnetics may still be decades – if not centuries – away into the future. The visible earthly effects of the moon: the tides of the earth’s waters may in deed promise some realistic and current applications for the productive use by mankind relevant to the harnessing of the earth’s existing and natural forces and never-ending natural power systems. Maybe tidal energy is where the real answer lies, other than merely harnessing solar power, that is.
Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT
Ok, add-on after thought (Feb 25th, 2010):
This subject has lead me to a possible revelation: I think I may have come up with an idea to possible double the electrical generation and any typical electrical generating device. And, for any of you who actually bother to read this blog, you heard it here first. :) Maybe now PhD. studies on doubling the output of electrical generators??
Also see:
http://engineeringandcommerce.blogspot.com/2010/02/use-moon-to-provide-electricity-to-all.html
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Use the Moon to Provide Electricity to All of the Earth?
February 17th, 2010
Can we not put an electrical-type of stator around the moon in such a fashion to see if the rotation of the moon would create electricity to power the earth (or even a light bulb)? Could we then transmit the accumulated voltage (or whatever) to the earth in the form of some sort of pulse technology or even some other form of energy storage devices such as flywheels? Do you think I could study this question for PhD. studies at your university? Is there not a university out there that is not confined by our earthly paradigms? (Or is the only real surviving paradigm that which delineates the taking of another's idea and to run with it?)
Adam Trotter / AVT
PS. Well, I think its kind’a cute, anyhow - assuming you pardon the slight negativity at the end. No? :)
Ok, add-on after thought (Feb 25th, 2010):
I think I figured this one out today too!!! The earth and the moon acting simultaneously as one big electrical generator. Can we tap into that energy source? Wha’d’ya think? And, for any of you who actually bother to read this blog, you heard it here first. Maybe? :)
Can we not put an electrical-type of stator around the moon in such a fashion to see if the rotation of the moon would create electricity to power the earth (or even a light bulb)? Could we then transmit the accumulated voltage (or whatever) to the earth in the form of some sort of pulse technology or even some other form of energy storage devices such as flywheels? Do you think I could study this question for PhD. studies at your university? Is there not a university out there that is not confined by our earthly paradigms? (Or is the only real surviving paradigm that which delineates the taking of another's idea and to run with it?)
Adam Trotter / AVT
PS. Well, I think its kind’a cute, anyhow - assuming you pardon the slight negativity at the end. No? :)
Ok, add-on after thought (Feb 25th, 2010):
I think I figured this one out today too!!! The earth and the moon acting simultaneously as one big electrical generator. Can we tap into that energy source? Wha’d’ya think? And, for any of you who actually bother to read this blog, you heard it here first. Maybe? :)
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