Photo-Electrochemical Energy Conversion Device

The basic processes that occur in such a system are well understood. The semiconductor electrode efficiently absorbs light, producing an excited electronic state. In this excited state, the electron and the electron vacancy (the ‘‘hole’’) are both more energetic than they were in their respective ground states. The photo-excited electrons and holes are generally not tightly bound to an individual atom or set of atoms in the solid. (more…)

Artificial Photosynthetic Devices

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…)

Technology Energy Efficiency: Changes and Renewable Sources

Although technology change (usually involving an improvement in energy efficiency) is not inherently a geographic process, it does not occur uniformly over geographic space. Consequently, mathematical modeling and behavioral and innovation diffusion studies by geographers have improved our understanding of the pervasive phenomenon of technology energy efficiency change in energy markets. Similarly, creative government policies in Germany since 1990 have led to a faster rate of adoption of renewable energy sources, compared to the United States. (more…)

Fuel Cell Applications as Battery Replacement

Fuel Cell Battery
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity, heat and water to produce. In many ways, the fuel cell is similar to an electrochemical cell. Instead of a regular charge, a continuous supply of oxygen and hydrogen is supplied from outside. Oxygen is produced in the control of air and hydrogen as a fuel made from a pressure instrumentation container. Alternatively, methanol, propane, butane, natural gas supply and diesel are used. (more…)

Biomass Gasification: Electricty Conversion from Feedstock

Biomass Gasification
Gasification is a thermo chemical process that has been exploited for more than a century for converting solid feedstocks to gaseous energy carriers. The first gasifier patent was issued in England at the end of the 18th century and producer gas from coal gasification was mainly used as lighting fuel throughout the 19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, the main use of producer gas, obtained essentially from coal, switched to electricity generation and automotive applications via internal combustion engines. The use of producer gas was gradually supplanted by the use of higher energy density liquid fuels and as a result confined to areas with expensive or unreliable supplies of petroleum fuels. (more…)

Well-to-Pump Energy Efficiencies

Well-to-Pump
The energy efficiencies of various fuel production pathways from well to pump. The efficiencies shown are defined as the energy in a given fuel (available at pumps in vehicle refueling stations) divided by total energy inputs during all Well-to-Pump activities, including the energy content of the fuel. One way to interpret the Well-to-Pump efficiencies in the figure is as the difference between 100% and the energy efficiencies, which roughly represent energy losses during Well-to-Pump stages for making a given fuel available at the pump. As stated in Section 3, Well-to-Pump activities include biomass feedstock production; feedstock transportation and storage; fuel production; and fuel transportation, storage, and distribution. (more…)

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Technologies

Fuel Cell Technologies
Fuel cells are typically classified according to type of electrolyte. While many varieties of fuel cells have been demonstrated in the laboratory, five major types are seeing development for commercial applications:

* Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) cells use a plastic (polymer) membrane that becomes electrically conducting when hydrated (saturated with water); they operate near 1001C.
* Alkaline fuel cells use a caustic electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide (KOH); they also operate near 1001C. (more…)

Main Energy Sources: Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy

main energy sources
The energy that people use every day comes from many different sources. The resources are divided into two main groups: renewable energy and nonrenewable energy. Renewable energy sources are those that can be used again and again. Renewable energy resources have unlimited supply. (more…)

Hybrid Electric Cars: Cutting Emissions and Improving Fuel Efficiency

hybrid electric cars
It is a rare company prospectus that begins with a quotation from Goethe: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” But Lovins is not a normal entrepreneur, as anyone who has met this eccentric and disheveled but unmistakably visionary thinker knows. The founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a leading green think tank based in Old Snowmass, Colorado, thinks the car industry’s incremental approach to cutting emissions and improving fuel efficiency will never amount to much. He wants a complete redesign of the automobile, from the bottom up, and intends to show the big boys how it should be done. (more…)

Fuel Cell Vehicles – How it Works?

Fuel Cell Vehicles
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly converts a fuel to electricity by means of reactions on the surfaces of electrodes and transport of ions through an electrolyte. A fuel cell can be thought of as a chemical battery whose reactants are fed from external sources rather than packaged as part of the battery. A key feature of a fuel cell is transformation of the chemical potential energy of a fuel directly into electricity, a high-value form of energy that can be put to many uses from electricity conversion. The fuel cell’s direct energy unit conversion process occurs without an intermediate step of heat generation, as involved in combustion engines. (more…)

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