Often the focus is on alternative energy sources and while it is commendable to consider and indeed take up such challenges as solar, wind, geothermal and many of the passive combinations. Of just as critical importance is the efficiency of the installation.
Along with the above the whole of life energy cost must also be considered. Many of the alternative energy solutions have a rather prohibitive energy cost when manufacturing costs and end of life costs are factored in. Often the perceived energy saving disappears as the whole of life cost is factored in.
\"Energy Efficiency\"
This is not to suggest that we should not consider alternative energy forms but we must ensure that we are not deceiving ourselves when we performing comparisons to traditional energy sources such as fossil fuel, coal or gas.
With these traditional energy sources we are well versed in the whole of life energy cost because we have used them for so long, but for the newer technologies we often can only see the benefits. It is a bit like remembering our youth we are able to focus on the good bits and the bad bits fade away into the never land.
Energy efficiency is about minimizing losses or using the 'lost' energy for some other useful purpose. A very simple example is that of a gas turbine powered generator, in what is known as simple cycle form the exhaust temperature (for a frame 6 gas turbine) is in the order of 540 degrees Celsius. This heat is often wasted and goes up into the atmosphere.
With the advent of a combined cycle arrangement, utilizing a HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) this waste energy can be used to drive a steam turbine driven generator and typical produce half as much electricity again as the original Gas turbine generator installation. Of course for the owner their is the extra capital cost of the combined cycle arrangement. Typically a simple cycle unit is in the order of 25-30% efficiency (energy in for energy out) whereas a combined cycle arrangement is up around the 60-65% efficiency. The extra energy can also be utilized in industry for process steam if required.
We need to make sure that we are well read and up to date on the topics of energy sources and energy efficiency if we are to make good energy utilization.
Energy Sources - Energy Efficiency
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