Natural Gas Pros

Dilip Dahanukar asked:


The three computer entities, Uncle Guhu, Brother Miki and Bitsy researched alternatives to fossil fuel energy and put out an email through eMaya. Fololowing is an excerpt from the book ‘eMaya’ www.trafford.com/08-0434 : 

     Guhu opened the conversation. “There is a general belief that most of the fossil fuel, coal, gas and oil, is used to make electricity. But that’s not true. I found from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), there is 15 TWh (trillion watt hours) of energy consumed by the World every hour, of which only 5.5 TWh are electricity.”

    Miki couldn’t believe it. He said, “Then what is the rest for?”

    Guhu replied, “There is a lot used for making steam in the chemical and food industry, there is a fair amount for making cement, there is a large amount used in heating homes, some is used in transport and most of the rest is used for cooking food!”

    Bitsy spontaneously remarked, “We must therefore, substitute fossil fuel in all these energy requirements to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions. It’s getting more complicated.”

    Guhu said, “Electricity is generated from many sources. It’s not all fossil fuel. They have 16% by nuclear power, 5.6% by Oil, 19.5% by Natural Gas, 30.5% by coal, and only 18.6 % by renewable sources. The fossil fuels together represent the majority, i.e. 65.6%!”

    “So the fossil fuels add up to 13.2 TW; 9.5 TW for other uses and 3.7 TW for electricity generation. That is 88% of 15 TW of the total.” Bitsy put the figures together.

    Miki said, “That means that of the total fossil fuel consumed, 75% is being burnt for other uses and only about 25% for electricity generation. So in promoting renewable energy for power, we are trying to save what we can from only the one-fourth fraction. I think we must concentrate on the other sector which takes up three-fourth of the fossil fuel consumption.”

    Bitsy said the obvious, “We have to convert the source of energy for the steam for the industry, home heating, and cooking food away from fossil fuels if we want to reduce the fossil fuel consumption.”

    Guhu was more rational. “We must leave no stone unturned. We must try to promote other sources of electricity as demand for energy is increasing by leaps and bounds. If we don’t address the issue, they will take the easy route out and put up more and more coal based thermal power plants. If it is not stemmed, coal will show a marked increase in usage.”

    Miki said, “Among the renewable energy sources, the largest is hydro power. It is the electricity generated when the water stored in a dammed reservoir is sent down a pipe called penstock to the turbine located at a lower altitude which produces the power. As the reservoir gets filled by rain every year, the power source is inexhaustible. All the best sites have been exploited in the developed countries long ago. There is however good prospects in China and the Indian sub-continent.”

    Bitsy added, “But there is now a great awareness of the environmental damage a dam could do. Besides, the displacement of the population from the land which may go under water when the dam is filled is also an impediment to building new big projects. But there is scope for smaller projects called ‘Mini Hydel’ to be established with smaller water capacities befitting the environment.”

    Guhu pointed out, “Now they have a new concept of water power in the form of small do-it-yourself kits. The people living in houses near a flowing stream can put up a small waterwheel to generate power for their home. I think there is sufficient momentum in this field and we will see it grow in the future. China is doing it. Why not elsewhere in the World? Why not on the Mississippi river? We have got to promote that.”

    Miki asked, “Talking of water based generation, what about wave and tidal power from the sea? It could be useful to those living on the coast.”

    Bitsy said, “Sure there are some ways to tap this power and its being done. But the wind from the sea seems to have a bigger potential.”

    Guhu added, “Not only from the sea, but wind energy is also being tapped inland by erecting wind turbines at a rapid pace. The growth of this source has speeded up as it qualifies for Carbon Credit Certificates. The added cash has given a big boost to wind power. From just 10,000 MW in 2000, the capacity has shot up ten times to 100,000 MW in 2008! It’s poised to double every 4 years!”

    Miki said, “The geothermal power could be very useful to substitute fossil fuel in heating homes during winter and cooling them in summer. It’s been promoted by the US department of energy. The temperature below the surface is relatively constant throughout the year; the geothermal pump warms up the fluid down in the Earth and uses it to heat the home during the cold winter. The same system has an accessory which provides domestic hot water for bathing and washing, thus saving substantial energy. It’s being installed in the US in many homes, but we could promote the idea around the world where it snows during the winter and save heating fuel.”

    “I support the idea.” Said Bitsy. “We now know that all these renewable energy sources are very small. They are not going make the slightest dent in the fossil fuel consumption. We need something big. What about solar power?”

    “Solar power is also a good economical substitute for water heaters in tropical countries for heating domestic water for the shower in the bathroom. You need to install rolled sheets on the roof exposed to sunlight and circulate the heated water down in the taps,” replied Miki.

    “That’s one use. But the other is more interesting. There is a way to convert the sunlight directly into electricity by using what is known as photovoltaic cells or PV in short. The largest planned PV station is at Victoria, Australia with a capacity of 154 MW to be commissioned in phases from 2010 to 2013. It is the World’s most advanced PV heliostat solar concentrator power station. Tracking mirrors will concentrate the sunlight on the large PV cells to generate power. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 400,000 tons a year,” explained Guhu.

    “But this is nothing compared to the Palo Verde nuclear reactor in the US, which makes 3,200 MW of power. It saves 8 million tons of greenhouse gases a year! The solar power station looks like a small rose bush in front the big rain tree of the nuclear power plant. I think there doesn’t seem to be anything better than the nuclear power when it comes to saving the gas emissions and at the same time to fulfill the World’s ever increasing appetite for energy!” Observed Bitsy.

    “Good thinking! You have hit the nail on the head, niece.” Guhu complemented her. “We have to concentrate all our energies in pushing the nuclear power fast-forward.”

    Miki said, “We have to think of nuclear power station as a combination of 2 parts: (1) the reactor where steam is generated and (2) the turbine generator which uses the steam to make electricity. We could promote the idea of setting up only the first part near the chemical and food industry and supply them the steam for heating for the process requirements. This will avoid burning of fossil fuels and save the emissions.”

    “That’s brilliant. But I’ll go a step further,” said Bitsy and continued, “the existing coal and gas based thermal power stations also have the two stages, one to make steam and other to use the steam to drive the turbines. They can shut down the first stage and procure the steam from a nuclear station to drive their turbines. Thus the greenhouse gas emissions from the existing power stations could also be saved.”

    “I can foresee that cheap electricity will even make the cement kilns shift from coal to electric heating,” said Miki.

    “Yes nothing is impossible. The steel making furnace is already electric, so why not cement?” added Guhu.

    “I can clearly see some light as how to grapple this gigantic problem. Three fourth of fossil fuel is burnt for heat and only one fourth for electricity. The renewable forms of electricity generation cannot help to reduce the larger component of the fossil fuel consumption. Only nuclear reactors can provide both steam and electricity without adding to the greenhouse gases. The only answer which eMaya can tell the World for reducing emissions on substantial scale is therefore, ‘Nuclear Power’.” Guhu concluded. Bitsy got eMaya to enlighten the World!

    “Hi Friends of CoolWorld,

    This is eMaya. I bring you a perspective of the energy consumption of the World.As much as 85% of the energy requirements of the World are met through fossil fuels, the balance from nuclear and renewable sources. The wind power industry has shown good promise thanks to the cash flow from Carbon Credits and now generates 2% of the total electric power! Other sources like mini hydel, solar, and geothermal have developed momentum for growth.

    But 65% of the energy consumed by the World is as heat and only 35% as electricity. The only way to save fossil fuels substantially is go for nuclear energy, which can create steam as well as electricity to meet bulk of the energy demand. We have to study the method of increasing nuclear energy in a massive and economic way.    Yours, eMaya.”

David Tanguay asked:


There are many different ways to use biomass energy. Today, we are going to look at four different categories: biofuels, biopower, bioproducts, and space heating and cooling.

Biofuels

The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. The most familiarly used form of ethanol ismade from the starch in corn grain, and it is added into petroleum-based fuels to reduce toxic air emissions and increase octane. It is also available as an alternative fuel known as E-85. This type of fuel contains 83% ethanol during the summer and 70% in the winter.

Biodiesel, on the other hand, is made from soybean oil. Though not as popular as its ethanol counterpart, it has significant benefits to air quality. Biodiesel is usually mixed at 20% with petroleum diesel, and it is called B-20. The same process that is used to create biofuels can also be used to create antifreeze, plastics, glues, artificial sweeteners and toothpaste gels.

Biopower/Biopower

The only renewable electrical generation that is used more than biopower is hydropower. Biomass is created using direct combustion using conventional boilers that burn waste wood products. Steam is produced by this combustion, which, in turn, spins a turbine, activating a generator that creates electricity.

When biomass is turned to gas prior to this combustion, toxic materials are removed from the process. These systems are useful for powering isolated communities with electricity. There are significant amounts of biomass resources in the eastern half of the United States.

Bioproducts

Bioproducts are products that can be made from fossil fuels. These products general require a reduced amount of energy to create than petroleum-based products. If oxygen is present when heating biomass, more of the two gases produced. This process is called biosynthesis, and it can be utilized to create plastics and acids. These, in turn, can be used to create photographic films, textiles, and synthetic fabrics.

On the other hand, when biomass is heated without oxygen, pyrolysis oil is formed and phenol can be extracted from this formation. Wood adhesives, molded plastics, and foam insulation can then be created from phenol.

Space Heating and Cooling

“Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical US home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.” Because there are many options available in regards to heating and cooling, it is important to research the most efficient ways to utilize renewable energy. Whether you are installing the systems into a new home, or replacing the systems in an existing home, numerous choices are at your disposal.

Daniel Yergin asked:


The global electric power landscape is changing fast, and increasingly, the action in it has been shifting to Asia. On average, in each of the last three years, China alone has added as much new generating capacity as all of existing capacity in Texas. The shift to Asia will continue.

CERA’s Dawn of a New Age scenarios project that Asia will account for well over half of the increase in worldwide power generation capacity over the next 25 years. By comparison, North America will claim only a little more than 10 percent.

This move toward Asia has big implications for everyone connected to the power industry-plant developers, fuel suppliers, equipment vendors, engineering and construction companies, service providers and, of course, investors.

The biggest factor in this change is China, which is industrializing on the strength of its vast coal reserves. Over the past three years, China added 200 gigawatts of coal-fired power-generating capacity.

This is equivalent to two-thirds of total U.S. coal-fired capacity, which, by comparison, was installed over the course of half a century. The Chinese government has ambitious plans to build more hydro, nuclear, renewable and gas-fired power plants to diversify its electricity sources.

But coal-indigenous, cheap and abundant-is set to dominate new power capacity in China for years to come.

China’s current path is much like the one taken by the United States several decades ago. Rising Chinese power demand comes from both strong economic growth and increasing electricity intensity-that is, the amount of electricity consumed per unit of economic activity. In the 1990’s, one percent real growth in Chinese gross domestic product (GDP) corresponded to 0.7 percent growth in electricity consumption.

But today, one percent GDP growth corresponds to 1.4 percent growth in electricity usage. China’s recent record of 10 percent annual growth in real GDP thus translates to double digit annual growth in electricity consumption.

Many forces contribute to increasing electricity intensity: infrastructure development to sustain high economic growth; China’s move up the value-added chain into energy-intensive manufacturing; and rising middle-class incomes, which now support larger dwellings, with a full complement of air conditioners and modern appliances.

If we look at in those terms, this pattern starts to look familiar. And it should. The United States experienced something like it half a century ago. In the 1960’s, coal-indigenous and abundant- was the leading option for expansion of U.S. power generation capacity. Real GDP grew 4.2 percent annually during that decade, while electricity consumption grew 7.3 percent, driven by industrial expansion, and by widespread adoption of air conditioning and electric heating.

Electricity consumption continued to grow faster than real GDP during the first half of the 1970’s. But this changed quickly after the first oil shock of the mid-1970’s. High oil prices led to improvements in end-use efficiency, and the recession of 1980-82 shook up the manufacturing sectors and led to the closing down of less competitive factories. These forces pushed growth in electricity demand below the rate of real GDP growth, where it remains today.

But China is still at the stage the U.S. was in the 1960’s and early 1970’s and so is likely to move along its current path of rapidly growing power demand for the coming decade, and perhaps longer.

What does the shift to Asia mean to those in the power business? Sustained economic growth in Asia has strengthened Asian power developers and produced financial institutions capable of handling the expansion of the Asian power system. Homegrown Asian firms are increasingly winning businesses away from their Western competitors.

In addition, heightened concerns for energy security have reinforced the government’s role in the power sector and an emphasis on using power generation equipment and design, engineering and construction services provided by Asian companies or by Western companies that work closely with Asian partners.

For example, China’s objective of self reliance means that all the resources needed for coal-fired power plants-such as plant design, boilers and turbines, and construction-are coming from Chinese companies.

Nuclear power development is proceeding along two tracks: indigenous reactor designs and resources on one, and imports of Western technologies with heavy technology transfer requirements on the other.

Sustained growth of the Chinese power sector, combined with the government objective of self reliance and technology transfer, will likely lead over the coming decade to the growth of strong local companies in equipment manufacturing, design and engineering, construction, services and project development.

These companies will compete not only in the domestic Chinese markets, but also in the regional Asian market. The rise of strong Asian competitors in the power sector will intensify competition for Western firms. Some Western firms have sought business opportunities in Asia through partnerships, but many have found it difficult to get a foot in the door, and as they share technology, they fear that they also risk strengthening their competitors.

Eventually, Western firms will face the prospect of competing with Asian players in Western markets. How will Western power companies respond?

Western utilities focusing on domestic markets will source components and services worldwide. Western firms that provide equipment and services will strive to maintain their competitive advantage by staying on the innovation frontier. Even with their much faster GDP growth, China and India will still have lower per capita income than North America and most of Western Europe for the next two decades.

Higher incomes in the West will support research, development and the use of advanced technologies, giving Western firms opportunities to stay at the technology frontier.

We can think of North American companies that are doing well amid fierce competition from Asia. These companies flourish not because they can pare costs to the bone, surviving on high volumes and thin margins, but because they remain at the frontier of technology and product design.

If Western firms in the electric power business can follow this strategy, they will find it a very competitive approach in a world of intensified competition.