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Energy Management on a Global Perspective........ 2-4 Engineering and technology for better poverty reduction?... 5 CEE Meeting FIESCA Gen Assembly & India Hosts - 2007 WFEO General Assembly......... 7 We look forward to WEC 2008....... 8
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Announcement : WEC
Forthcoming Conference Committee
Energy Management on a Global Perspective
Introduction In reality, unchecked consumption of the finite fossil fuel reserves drives more and more exploration and extraction at a higher economic cost, and displaces more and more natural resources at a higher environmental cost. A compounding reality is that generating energy by burning coal, oil, and natural gas is a major source of atmospheric contamination responsible for global warming and climate change, acid rain, and smog. The resulting impact damages water bodies and groundwater, soils, crops, wildlife and wildlife habitat, building materials, and mankind's personal health. The combined effect is the inability to sustain life. Thus, the true cost of using fossil fuels for highly consumptive energy needs is not just the price humans pay, it is also the price the environment pays. Energy Management entails the search for a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable and affordable. Alternative Energy Sources Strategies for Sustainable Development 1. Energy Awareness Functional requirements and user comfort are maintained
while efficient lighting, ventilation, and appliances make
prudent use of renewable energy resources. Energy production
and efficient use are visible and interpreted components of
the total sustainable development experience. The user enjoys
learning about sustainable energy concepts and feels good
about it. The demonstration of sustainable energy use offers
an opportunity for changing perception, patterns, and value
systems.
As an example, in areas where there is visitor lodging, energy
awareness could be enhanced by in-room energy meters.
The meters would let visitors know how much energy they
have used much like exercise machine meters have workout
analogs. Interpretation would encourage and reinforce
economical energy use. Visitors who conserve energy could
be rewarded with facility perks or a discounted bill. The meters
should be simple, informative, and fun.
The comprehensive advantages of sustainable alternatives
over conventional approaches can be communicated through
comparison of the source and amount of energy required for
a particular service, and the associated environmental and
economic cost implications. By promoting less consumptive
lifestyles and demonstrating more sustainable energy
alternatives, the sustainable development can more effectively
balance the demand and supply sides of energy management
responsibilities.
2. Energy Conservation Facility design can contribute to energy conservation in several
ways. Through recycling existing facilities, building only the
minimum to satisfy the functional requirements, and having
facilities serve multiple functions, the embodied energy of
new building materials and the energy of transporting and
constructing them are minimized. In addition, considerable
electrical and thermal energy can be saved through facility
design that incorporates daylighting and the other passive
energy-conserving strategies appropriate to the local climatic
environment. Any food service associated with the
development could also contribute to energy conservation by
emphasizing fresh, locally available items that minimize the
amount of energy required for transportation processing,
freezing, and refrigeration.
In all cases, mechanical air-conditioning of facilities is energyintensive,
and in most cases, proper attention to the principles
of site planning and building design can effectively eliminate
its need. Awareness of the cooling sense of moving air and
comfort and without air-conditioning.
Fresh air is desired in a resource-related development.
Breezes, the sound of birds or the surf, and the smell of
flowers are fundamental to the perception of air. Wind chimes,
used in traditional Japanese architecture, serve as a gentle
reminder of a cool breeze. The sound of trickling water in a
courtyard fountain can impart the perception of coolness. A
ceiling fan spinning overhead can provide not only a sensory
but also a psychological feeling of a cool breeze.
In visitor lodging, energy use can be minimized through
"designed-in" restrictions or charges on consumption to
visitors. Elimination of electrical outlets in individual lodging
units would curtail the use of visitor appliances such as hair
dryers and electric cooking utensils. Instead, electricity should
be provided only at central locations such as bathhouses,
and limited in individual units to fixed devices or appliances,
such as lighting or a fan. Certain services such as laundry or
showers or high wattage electrical outlets could be coin
operated and timed because they are so energy intensive.
The visitor could be informed of their energy use with a
continuous display, and rewarded or charged depending on
consumption.
3. Energy Efficiency a) Lighting. Natural lighting should be used wherever possible.
The quality and ambiance of natural lighting are unsurpassed
and it is free. Lighting design should be based on standards
of reduced general lighting with task lighting and highlighting
for specific functional considerations.
Where artificial light is needed, regular and compact fluorescent
lighting should be used. Average life is 10 times longer than
incandescents, reducing maintenance and transportation
costs. In most circumstances, the economic payback for new
fluorescents is under two years. The environmental payback
is immediate.
b) Sensors and Controls. Lighting, ventilation, and other
devices or systems can be controlled with a variety of sensors
that reduce electricity consumption significantly. A photocell
can control day and night operation. Occupancy sensors
(motion or ultrasonic) can operate lighting. The infrared sensor
uses less energy to operate and is less sensitive to air
movement but does not see around corners. An ultrasonic
sensor can be used in a restroom and even detect movement
around partitions. Other sensors are available that can control operation of a device by door opening, time of day, timer,
noise level, and proximity.
c) Refrigeration. Efficiency of refrigeration mostly depends on
insulation but also on the temperature of the condenser. High
insulation levels and efficient compressors are available in
only a few refrigerators and freezers. They will reduce energy
consumption significantly, using only 20% of conventional
units. Any site-constructed walk-in freezer should strive for
similar efficiency through a combination of super insulation
and heat exchange with relatively cooler reservoir. Open chest
freezers should be avoided. Individual dwelling units could be
supplied with an ice source efficiency cooler instead of a
refrigerator, but these units should be well insulated.
d) Laundry Facilities. Energy-efficient conversion kits are
available for standard electric washing machines, which reduce
energy consumption by two-thirds by replacing the motor with
an energy-efficient model. Clothes should be air-dried whenever
possible.
e) Low Energy Transportation. Resource-related development
should be laid out with an emphasis on pedestrians and a
reduced dependency on fossil fuels. Walkways and hiking
paths can encourage walking. The coordination of efficient
public transportation to the development can all serve to
reinforce less consumptive lifestyles.
f) Load Management. Additional system efficiencies can be
realized by controlling the duration, time, and timing of loads
to increase the use of the supply system. This decreases
peak demands. Control strategies will depend on characteristics
of the energy supply system as well as loads. For example,
water may be pumped to a storage tank in a gravity system
during sunlight hours for a solar electric system, during offpeak
hours for a small hydro system, or during generating
periods for a wind system. Intelligent load management will
increase the amount of energy delivered to perform useful
tasks and decrease the size of the supply system.
Renewable Energy Resources
Once energy awareness, conservation, and efficiency
measures have been employed, renewable energy sources
should be investigated for providing the needed energy. Site
conditions and available resources as well as energy demand
will determine the sources to develop. Reliability and
maintainability of conditions at the development are also
important considerations. Energy systems should be
decentralized, reliable, and locally maintainable. Spare parts
should be stocked, and maintenance and operating expertise
must be perpetuated through documentation, education, and
training programs.
If a technology is chosen that does not meet these criteria,
i.e., a new technology or a system for which no local expertise
or experience exists, and if its operation is critical, then a
standby system, such as a propane generator, should be
considered. A long- term support and training agreement with
the supplier is also necessary.
Specific examples of renewable energy resources and their
characteristics, applicability, advantages, and disadvantages
are described here.
Solar Technologies. A broad range of solar technologies
exists - some are as simple as sun tempering a building by
orientation and shading. Low technology systems are readily
available to preheat water and dry foods. Medium temperature
systems can provide refrigeration. Solar collectors with multiple
units ensure reliability.
Low Temperature Thermal Systems. This class of systems
is commercially available, and both installation and
maintenance requirements are familiar to the electrical and
plumbing trades.
1 Swimming Pool Heaters. Swimming pool heaters are
commonly manufactured of low-cost PVC or CPVC
materials and are in the form of a simple piping loop with
a circulator pump. Controls are simple and can even be
operated by children.
1
Domestic Hot Water Heaters. Domestic hot water heaters
are typically closed-loop systems used for providing potable
hot water to household or commercial facilities. They come
in a variety of shapes and sizes, but generally include a
water-heater storage tank, either of the common household
water heater type, or of a solar applications design that
has an additional heat exchanger and superinsulation.
The solar collectors are generally flat-plate designs that
vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. These systems
are simple to install, and maintenance is low. Payback
varies with comparison to local rates, but is generally two
to three years.
Medium Temperature Thermal Systems. Air-conditioning
or industrial-process water heating are typical applications
of these systems. These systems are less common than
low temperature systems, and installation requires an
experienced contractor and several weeks of project time.
Payback is extended when the application is for airconditioning.
Domestic hot water can be a by-product of
the absorption unit, and will defray operating costs
somewhat. The collectors themselves are cost-effective,
and systems using them to pump water and other such
uses are very cost-effective.
l Photovoltaic Systems. Ample sunlight, low maintenance,
high reliability, and widespread support make photovoltaic
systems and attractive option for remote energy generation.
System design is flexible and easily expanded. A
development can be energized by a single centralized
large array and battery storage, or smaller autonomous
systems serving local areas, even individual dwelling units.
Although there may be cost advantages for a centralized
system, there are reliability advantages for a number of
small modular systems with interchangeable components.
Electrical storage is by lead-acid deep-cycle batteries, similar
to those used in cars. Although there are many variables
a typical two bedroom apartment could be powered by
batteries of 300 amp hours at 12 volts, including a fourday
reserve. Typical battery total costs would be about
5Rs per amp-hour. This would include fans, lights, TV or
stereo, an occasional high load such as a hair dryer or
mixer, and a high-efficiency refrigerator. Direct current
electricity is generated and stored. Reliable, efficient, highcapacity highcapacity
inverters that convert the stored energy to 120
volts AC for running conventional appliances are available.
l Hydroactive Systems. Small-scale hydroplants are
generally comprised of Pelton wheel generators that operate
from low-head, running streams of water. They are reliable
and cost-effective, and can be serviced by competent
mechanics with hydraulic and electrical skills. Storage
batteries can be used to buffer peak electrical demands.
Wave-action generators are comprised of hydraulic or
pneumatic pumps that pressurize an accumulator to drive
motor/generators. These systems can stand alone or be
disguised by incorporating them into docks and other shore
emplacements. They work well wherever there is small
wave action, such as in harbours and marinas, or in
seashore facilities. They are reliable and cost-effective,
and maintenance is simple. Storage is designed into the
system to meet electrical demands. They work best where
demand is intermittent, such as for cycling pumps.
l Wind Systems. As with solar technology, the simplest use
of the prevailing winds is incorporation into the architecture.
Wind scoops, cross-ventilation, and passive thermal
chimneys use air movement to keep buildings comfortable.
Wind generators can be a good choice for remote
applications and small power demands such as pumping
water. Major maintenance should be performed by the
dealer.
l Biogas Use. As a by-product of the anaerobic digestion
of the solid waste stream, biogas offers the comprehensive
benefits of waste and wastewater processing, methane
production for cooking and refrigeration, and generation
of organics for soil enhancement. Depending on the quantity
of waste that is available, possibly all the energy needs
within a sustainable development may be met through the
use of biogas.
Biogas might also be used in the production of ice at offpeak
periods to sustain the marketability of local produce
or the fishing industry. Biogas should be used to directly
fuel gas refrigerators, stoves, absorption-chillers, and water
heaters.
Actions for sustainable development l Identify the availability, potential, and feasibility of primary
renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biogas,
and geothermal to satisfy the justifiable energy needs of
the development. |
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