Several molecular systems have been constructed that mimic various aspects of photosynthesis. Two of these utilize molecular systems that are derived from natural photosynthesis but that incorporate chemically based modifications to produce artificial photosynthetic devices. These devices use artificial photosynthetic pigments to drive chemical reactions across lipid bilayers or use noble metal catalysts to change the function of the photosynthetic process to produce hydrogen and oxygen instead of sugars ethanol and oxygen. Neither of these systems are sufficiently robust to be operated for extended periods of time as energy unit conversion devices, but they have shown that it is possible to produce artificial photosynthetic assemblies that function well in a laboratory setting. (more…)
The basic processes that occur in such a system are well understood. The semiconductor electrode efficiently absorbs light, produci ...
Certain materials, generally metal oxides, can sustain the unassisted photo-electrolysis of water into H2 and O2. The energy co ...
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity, heat and water to produce. ...
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly converts a fuel to electricity by means of reactions on the surfaces of ...
The fuel cell can trace its roots back to the 1800s when a Welsh-born, Oxford-educated barrister, Sir William Robert Grove, realize ...
It is known that laser printers print faster, but swallow a large amount of energy, even if the printer is in the energy saving mode. Most inkjet printers work on the other side, with print speeds slower but consumes much less energy. Therefore, desktop laser printers have faster print speeds more than 40 ppm, published for the majority of energy used, while a multifunction inkjet printer print quickly you can pay a few pages the same period. So, how to measure the effectiveness of energy saving is measured printers? This can be determined on the basis of the energy consumption per printed page. (more…)
The office copy machines (photocopier) is everywhere. Seven millions unit are in used in the United States and more than 1.5 mi ...
Different lasers use different materials as the active medium. The medium can be either solid, liquid, or gas, and there are ad ...
After lighting, personal computers (PC) and monitors have the highest energy use in office environments. Studies have shown tha ...
The word “laser” is an acronym for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” Lasers of all kinds consist o ...
There are literally thousands of uses for lasers. One of the largest applications is telecommunications—sending a signal throug ...
The evolution of oil prices is typically subject to a very high degree of uncertainty, given the extremely volatile nature of conditions that affect prices. Information on the future of oil prices is, however, extremely important for market operators as well as for central banks. Central banks, in particular, have a forward-looking perspective, attaching a very important role to inflation forecasts. This uncertainty tends to reinforce the importance of the relationship between oil prices and inflation, independently of estimates of the effects of a permanent change in oil prices on inflation and how to forecast oil prices. Two alternative technical assumptions on oil prices are worth mentioning: (more…)
The focus of this section is on the quantitative assessment of the impact of oil price fluctuations on inflation. For that purp ...
The volatility in oil prices since the early 1970s is a remarkable feature of energy economics. Annual fluctuations in the oil ...
In the post-World War II period, until the beginning of the 1970s, oil price fluctuations were very small. From 1949 to 1970, a ...
Most major oil and gas firms engage in both upstream (i.e., hydrocarbon exploration and production) and downstream (i.e., hydro ...
Energy is consumed by various segments of the economy, including households, commercial establishments, manufacturing enterpris ...
The volatility in oil prices since the early 1970s is a remarkable feature of energy economics. Annual fluctuations in the oil price level, as measured by the absolute value of year-to-year price changes, averaged only 1% in the 1949–1970 period; from 1970 to date, these fluctuations increased dramatically, reaching an order of magnitude of 30% per year. Even in the relatively stable period from 1986 to 1997, oil prices were more volatile than other primary commodities. (more…)
In the post-World War II period, until the beginning of the 1970s, oil price fluctuations were very small. From 1949 to 1970, a ...
The focus of this section is on the quantitative assessment of the impact of oil price fluctuations on inflation. For that purp ...
The evolution of oil prices is typically subject to a very high degree of uncertainty, given the extremely volatile nature of c ...
Most major oil and gas firms engage in both upstream (i.e., hydrocarbon exploration and production) and downstream (i.e., hydro ...
There are many possible reasons for suspecting market failure in a product like gasoline. Throughout the world, the exploration ...
In the post-World War II period, until the beginning of the 1970s, oil price fluctuations were very small. From 1949 to 1970, average annual fluctuations of oil prices in U.S. dollars, as measured by the absolute value of year-to-year price changes, were of the order of 1%. Therefore, the real price (i.e., inflation adjusted) slightly declined throughout this period. This so-called Golden Age peak oil impacts period was characterized by a remarkable price stability and very strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the main industrialized economies. The stability of oil prices was an important element behind the low inflation and strong economic growth. (more…)
The volatility in oil prices since the early 1970s is a remarkable feature of energy economics. Annual fluctuations in the oil ...
The focus of this section is on the quantitative assessment of the impact of oil price fluctuations on inflation. For that purp ...
The evolution of oil prices is typically subject to a very high degree of uncertainty, given the extremely volatile nature of c ...
Most major oil and gas firms engage in both upstream (i.e., hydrocarbon exploration and production) and downstream (i.e., hydro ...
There are many possible reasons for suspecting market failure in a product like gasoline. Throughout the world, the exploration ...
The term hybrid energy system refers to those applications in which multiple energy unit conversion devices are used together to supply an energy requirement. These systems are often used in isolated applications and normally include at least one renewable energy source in the configuration. Hybrid energy systems are used an alternative to more conventional systems, which typically are based on a single fossil fuel source. Hybrid energy systems may also be used as part of distributed generation application in conventional electricity grid. (more…)
There are numerous possible applications for hybrid power systems. The most common examples are (1) remote AC network, (2) dist ...
The characteristics and components of a hybrid system depend greatly on the application. The most important consideration is wh ...
Renewable energy generators are devices that convert energy from its original form in the renewable energy source into electric ...
The primary electric drivetrain components for fuel cell vehicles are the same as those for any electric vehicle: traction motors, ...
Formaldehyde is an essential chemical substance made use of widely by manufacturers’ of building and construction materials and household/residence products. It’s also a by-product of coal combustion as well as specific other organic and natural processes. Formaldehyde is available in substantially large levels of concentrations either inside or outside. Formaldehyde vapors tend to be odorless unless of course in higher concentrations. (more…)
Using blankets the width of your wall studs, insert the blanket between the studs and staple to the studs. (The job is easier i ...
It is easier and less costly to fit insulation in a new home than to retrofit. However, many existing houses have little or no insu ...
You know where to insulate, but there’s still one more thing you need to know about—vapor barriers. Well-insulated attics, craw ...
You must perform some sort of tour and visit of your home and property to find out exactly where it may need in applying insulation ...
Many home owners want to use brick veneer exterior walls for their houses. The brick is usually the automatic choice for outd ...
In the pursuit of superior cars, electronic products, and computing, several leading multinational corporations began in the last quarter of the 20th century to tie Corporate Environmental Strategy to their product strategy. Leaders such as Toyota and Honda are classic examples in the automotive industry, as are Shell and BP in the petroleum sector.
Those firms that had successfully integrated Corporate Environmental Strategy into their normal business functions by the new century shared a common set of attributes. These attributes are described below as ‘‘generic’’ elements of allowing Corporate Environmental Strategy to be elevated within a corporate setting, as they often depend on organizational dynamics or a unique set of executive interests and needs. (more…)
Corporate environmental strategy (CES) involves the tools, management programs, processes, and product development choices that all ...
Although it is significant that many of the above four imperatives are qualitative, not quantitative, such new efforts have begun t ...
There are several options that, ultimately, must be integrated when attempting to realize a change in corporate culture: the legal ...
In this new century, there is considerable pressure on the top six automakers to reduce their environmental and ecological footprin ...
As energy prices increase, industries are more and more aware that energy is an expensive commodity that has to be used effic ...
Geothermal wells need to undergo a test program before they are used. This is so that the baseline conditions of both the wells and the geothermal aquifers that they tap can be determined. This baseline data are critical because all future information is compared against them.
After drilling has been completed and before the initial discharge, the well downhole conditions are measured. The temperature and pressure are measured by using a clockwork Kuster gauge or electronic logging tools. Standard practice is to initially do an injection (or completion) test, that is, sometime at a series of flows, where the temperature, pressure, and possibly flows using a spinner tool are measured at intervals down the open hole section of the well. (more…)
Geothermal drilling technology is adapted from the oil industry. Most of the geothermal wells are drilled with a rotary-type drilli ...
The total installed geothermal power generating capacity in the world is approximately 9000 MWe from 21 countries, with the United ...
According to the German standard VDI 4640 geothermal energy is stored energy as heat beneath the Earth's solid surface, encompa ...
Geothermal energy is energy created by the heat of the Earth. Under the Earth’s crust lies a layer of thick, hot rock with occa ...
Visual inspection is usually good enough for under roof insulation that is accessible, as in boiler rooms, pipe chases, and ste ...
Earth’s climate is a complex system of interacting natural components. These components include the atmosphere, the ocean, and the continental ice sheets. Living things on earth—or, the biosphere—also constitute an important component of the climate trends system.
Numerous factors influence Earth’s climate system, some of them natural. For example, the slow drift of continents that takes place over millions of years, a process known as plate tectonics, influences the composition of the atmosphere through its impact on volcanic activity and surface erosion. (more…)
Scientists study Earth’s climate not just from observation but also from a theoretical perspective. Modern-day climate models succe ...
Since preindustrial times, ambient concentrations of the greenhouse gases have exhibited substantial increases, inter alia CO2 ...
Still hotly debated by some, human-induced global warming is now accepted in the scientific community. Earth’s average yearly tempe ...
Options for dealing with the threats of climate change include both adaptation to inevitable changes and mitigation, or lessening, ...
Since the early 1960s, climate change and air quality have become major and often controversial issues in many countries and am ...