Bob Deering's talk gave us some insight into the energy picture for Southeast Alaska. For this week's post, choose any topic related to energy to research. Actually, almost any system, project, or device has energy considerations - so it would hard to find anything not somewhat related to energy!
Coming in to the final stretch in the semester. Let me know if you want to set up an advising appointment.
I thought Mr.Deering's presentation was informative. He gave me some insight on how we Alaskan's consume energy and how we're able to obtain a lot of it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140328121027.htm
The article that I've chosen this week talks about a nanoscale microchip called a multilayered waveguide taper array which improves the ability to trap and capture light. The article states that this chip will "slow and ultimately absorb each frequency of light at different places vertically to catch a rainbow of wavelengths, or broadband light". This creates new possibilities of solar power, thermal energy recycling, and stealth technology.
I found this article interesting because this chip can improve the solar panels we have now and make the panels more effective at capturing and absorbing light, thus getting more energy. It was also interesting to know that with this device, waste heat that comes from power plants can be recycled and reused.
We have had a lot of talks about energy in Alaska ad I found Bob Deering's interesting. It made me realize how mud Alaska relies on other forms of energy compared to down south.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.americanthinker.com/2014/02/all-alaska_gas_pipeline_will_spike_americas_energy_boom.html
I chose the article "All-Alaska Gas Pipeline Will Spike America's Energy Bloom". It is about the $50 million bill they are going to approve . The bill will allow the transport of the North Slope's natural gas down the Kenai Peninsula to a new port built to export Liquefied Natural Gas to Asian Markets. With it's six year construction, it will create 6,500 jobs and stimulate 50,000 permeant jobs. Overall I think this would help the economy greatly.
Mr. Deering defiantly got me thinking about biomass energy, and pellet broilers. It seems like a great way to heat your house or building. But, there still is drawbacks such as logging, even though technically trees are renewable I don't like the idea of cutting them down. It still is a great idea while being a great step forward in efficiency, and the environment than fossil fuels are. This will also us slowly move away from fossil fuels.
ReplyDeleteAlternative energy, and new types of energy efficient system alway intrigues me. I strongly believe we need to find ways to be "green" and be more environmentally friendly. I truly believe for us to make a change we need to personally look at our own energy use, and look for ways we can cut back. If we can cut back our own energy usage now it will create a lower energy demand, and the lower demand will make "green" or alternative energy even more feasible. I found an article on the http://alaskarenewableenergy.org website about being more energy efficient.
http://alaskarenewableenergy.org/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency/
The article goes over various ways to make your home, and yourself more energy efficient. The article lets you know how you take advantage of Weatherization programs, and the Home Energy Rebate Program. They also give simple tips you can use less energy right now such as buying energy efficient appliances, lowering the temp. on your water heater, and other easy solutions to reduce your energy. I strongly believe that if we can reduce our energy demand, alternative energy sources will become more feasible, and popular. We just need to change our bad habits!