Energy Management

'Not in my backyard’, or NIMBY-ism, is a very real and prevalent challenge facing the renewable energy world. It causes serious delays in delivering on-time and on-budget projects, and in some cases, has led to projects being cancelled. Now, however, new visual simulation tools can help allay stakeholder fears and keep projects on track.

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A turbine rotor designed for use in slow moving creeks, streams, rivers, tidal flows and ocean currents (no-head water) has shown promise as a rotor for wind turbines. Inventor Joel Neumann, Palatine, Ill, says that in wind-tunnel model tests the 7-in. diameter BNBES turbine equaled a 12-in. two bladed standard design in stall torque. The B N Balance turbine is now scaled to a 3-ft diameter and shows efficiency improvements over a conventional three-blade rotor of the same size. The BNBES turbine sports other features, such as being made from inexpensive materials that would be creature friendly. “Birds or bats that might fly into the rotor would not find themselves injured because of the relatively soft materials, neoprene and so forth,” says Neumann. “Indications now are that it may be completely wildlife friendly because of the soft materials and a design that allows for ejection over chopping,” he says.

Neumann acknowledges that the turbine differs from conventional designs and results will probably be questioned. “Still, the results indicate about a minimum of 35% more energy captured on both model and field tests, and a greater theoretical potential when fully optimized,” he says. Furthermore, calculations performed by members of the engineering department at the Northern Illinois University agree with his predicted results.

One reason for the improvement is that the design uses 100% of its diameter. The blades on a conventional turbine, in contrast, occupy

This week’s WindEnergyUpdate news brief includes: UK Energy Bill; UK Infrastructure & Planning Commission; Global Wind Energy Council; General Electric; E.ON; American Superconductor Corporation; Alstom; European Wind Energy Association; Ingeteam; REpower; and Scotland’s Offshore Valuation study.

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Alstom Commences Construction Work on Wind Turbine Nacelle Assembly Plant AZoCleantech These nacelles will then be shipped to locations where they will be joined together with a tower and blades for creating the wind turbine generator. ... and more »

Alstom completes construction of nacelle facility in Texas istockAnalyst.com (press release) The Alstom wind turbine nacelle assembly facility, which is scheduled to be operational in 2011, will create 275 full time engineering, production, ... and more »

Eastman Chemical, a manufacturer of chemicals, fibers, and plastics, in partnership with the US Department of Energy (DOE), has pledge to reduce energy intensity by 25% over a 10-year period, thus becoming a Save Energy Now Leader.

Con Edison, an investor-owned energy company, has introduced several energy efficiency programs to encourage customers to use less energy. The company is offering rebates and other incentives as part of the energy-saving programs.

Cree, a company that provides LED lighting, said that the University of Central Florida (UCF) has joined the Cree LED University program with the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting in the student union.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided a $70,000 'Sustainable Skylines' grant to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), which will focus on making the Newmarket area greener and more energy-efficient.

3Hz solar LED light box is the light guide plate solar advertising light boxes on the basis of ultra-thin light box, using high-tech solar photovoltaic technology, intelligent automatic control technology and LED lighting technology, using a variety of frame materials made of a kind The new multi-play does not break the advertising vehicles. The new system will be its original power supply system and lighting system into a solar power system and LED light guide plate lighting system, through solar power, LED light guide plate combination of lighting the way to create the best advertising light box effect.