Green panels, Green Living (BIQ)

In 2013, the 1^st apartment, Bio-Intelligent Quotient (BIQ), powered by algae has been built in Hamburg, Germany. The microalgae are grown in transparent glass panels. The glass panels have various uses. Firstly, they function as bioreactors. Sunlight and liquid nutrients are made available to support the growth of algae by photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis generates sugars which becomes the biomass of the algae. Growing microalgae is a rather efficient process as its population grows rapidly, 5 times faster than average soil-grown plants. These algae will be harvested regularly into tanks.  The local energy company then transports the algae biomass to a power plant. The algae will undergo fermentation and the biogas produced is used to generate electricity. In addition, pressurised air is pumped into the panels to prevent the settling of micro-organisms. This is because the micro-organisms may decompose when they settle. Secondly, the glass panels also act like solar panels. Excess sunlight, not used by the algae, is collected and converted into heat energy in the building’s geothermal system. The heat energy can be stored and used immediately. Lastly, the panels can block out sound and heat and provide shade.

While generating electricity using biogas is more expensive than solar energy, it is optimistic that its price will fall with greater research and development of technology. In the near future, hopefully more green residences will be available to the people such that they can enjoy green living at an affordable price. 

References 

Iba-hamburg.de, (2015). IBA Hamburg – BIQ. [online] Available at: http://www.iba-hamburg.de/en/themes-projects/the-building-exhibition-within-the-building-exhibition/smart-material-houses/biq/projekt/biq.html [Accessed 21 Sep. 2015].

Roedel, C. and Petersen, J. (2013). Smart Material House BIQ. 1st ed. [ebook] Hamburg: IBA Hamburg GmbH. Available at: http://www.iba-hamburg.de/fileadmin/Mediathek/Whitepaper/130716_White_Paper_BIQ_en.pdf [Accessed 21 Sep. 2015].

Coasta Rica: Running 75 days only on Renewable Energy

Costa Rica’s electricity company has announced that non-renewable energy was not used for a period of 75 days in 2015. It is the first time that a country has reported to run purely on renewable energy for such an extended period. The renewable energy used by Costa Rica mainly comes from three sources.  

Rivers and volcanoes in Costa Rica 

Source: http://costarica-information.com/nature/national-parks-other-protected-areas/national-parks/p-t/turrialba-national-park-volcano

1.     Heavy downpours

80% of the renewable energy generated during this period of 75 days was from the hydroelectric plants in Costa Rica. These hydroelectric plants were initially built to generate hydropower from the many rivers in Costa Rica.

2.     Volcanoes

Geothermal energy spots

Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/science/article/pii/S037565050600068X

Volcanoes are capable of providing geothermal energy. Water is injected through wells and is heated to high temperatures underground. The water boils to form steam. The steam is then used to turn turbines and generate electricity. Countries such as Japan and Indonesia probably should aim to increase their geothermal energy production. It may be timely for Japan to tap on this source of energy since nuclear energy are sparking off protests.

3.     Sun and wind

Costa Rica experiences a tropical climate. It receives a large amount of sunlight throughout the year. Hence, it is able to capture solar energy. Wind energy is also harnessed. Solar and wind energy constitutes about 7% of energy produced.

While there are countries that can harness these renewable sources too, they may have a difficulty in using 100% energy for a continuous period of time. Population size sets Costa Rica apart from these countries. Costa Rica has a relatively small population of 5 million and hence, energy demand is much lower as compared to other large countries such as the United States. Costa Rica is actively promoting the use of renewable energy. The Costa Rican government also has aims to become the first carbon neutral country in the world by 2020. 

References: 

FENDT , L., 2015. The truth behind Costa Rica’s renewable energy. Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/30/truth-behind-costa-rica-renewable-energy-reservoirs-climate-change [Accessed 14 September 2015].

MOYA, P. & DIPIPOO, R., 2007. Unit 5 bottoming binary plant at Miravalles geothermal field, Costa Rica: Planning, design, performance and impact. Geothermics, 63–96. [Accessed 14 September 2015] 

TARANTOLA , A., 2015. Costa Rica hasn't used any fossil fuel in over two months. Engadget. Available from: http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/23/costa-rica-hasnt-used-any-fossil-fuel-in-over-two-months/ [Accessed 14 September 2015].

Cleaner fossil fuel: Natural Gas (shale)?

Types of natural gas
Source: http://www.total.com/en/energies-expertise/oil-gas/exploration-production/strategic-sectors/unconventional-gas/presentation/three-main-sources-unconventional-gas

There are a few types of natural gas as shown on the above diagram. In this blog post, I will be focusing on the arguably cleaner fossil fuel – the shale gas.

Let me start with a bit of background on the increasing usage of shale gas to generate electricity. The geographic distribution of shale gas is largely different from other fossil fuel sources. Countries that previously depend on other countries for energy can now become energy independent. These countries are looking into exploiting this source of energy through fracking.

These countries also use lowered greenhouse gas emissions in comparison with coal as a reason for the increasing extraction of shale gas. The shale gas life-cycle emission is found to be 6% lower than conventional natural gas, 23% lower than gasoline and 33% lower than coal. (Burnham et al., 2011) (Life-cycle emission is a technique to assess potential environment impacts associated with the product)  However, concerns are raised with regards to the fugitive methane emissions. This is because methane is largely more potent gas than carbon dioxide. Methane gas in the atmosphere has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 72 times more than carbon dioxide in a 20 year period. (IPCC, 2007)

Fracking, the process of extracting shale gas, is also known to impact the environment and health adversely. Fracking is a process of breaking the large rocks deep underground with high pressures and channelling large amounts of chemicals and sand to displace and collect the shale gas. Clearing of land is needed for fracking to take place. In this process, the survival of species in the area is threatened as their habitats are lost. Toxic chemicals that may escape can potentially affect skin, eyes, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. In addition, fracking also uses large amounts of water which can pose a problem in water scarce areas.

I believe that natural gas can be used as a transitional fuel to cleaner alternative energy given the lowered carbon emissions it arguably releases. In the long run, countries should still look towards alternative energy like solar and wind power which undoubtedly releases less carbon emissions than natural gas. Furthermore, natural gas extraction is also not as green as alternative energy as seen from the adverse impacts on environment and health.

References

ANON (2014) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). EPA. Available from: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/lca/lca.html [Accessed 6 September 2015]

BURNHAM, A., HAN, J., CLARK, C., WANG, M., DUNN, J. & PALOU-RIVER, I (2012) Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Shale Gas, Natural Gas, Coal and Petroleum. Environmental Science & Technology, 46(2), pp. 619-627

PEDUZZI, P. & HARDING, R. (2012) Gas fracking: can we safely squeeze the rocks? UNEP Global Environment Alert Service (GEAS) . Available from: http://www.unep.org/pdf/unep-geas_nov_2012.pdf [Accessed 6 September 2015].

SOLOMON, S., QIN, D., MANNING, M., CHEN, Z., MARQUIS, M., AVERYT, KB., TIGNOR, M., MILLER, HL(eds.) (2015). Climate Change 2007 The Physical Science Basis. 1st ed. [ebook] New York: Cambridge University Press. Available at: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4_wg1_full_report.pdf [Accessed 6 September 2015].

E & E: Exergy and the Environment

Hello everyone :) ! Welcome to my blog on the topic of exergy and the environment!

Energy = Exergy + Anergy

Exergy basically refers to energy that is usable, able to perform work. Anergy refers to unusable energy. Hence, I have decided to use the term exergy instead of energy as the title of the blog. Actually, there is another reason why I have decided to choose this term. I felt that this less familiar term may pique the interest of people to find out more about it and also its relations with the environment.

The combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity is the main contributor to the increasing carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. This will lead to the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. Global warming which will then trigger a whole set of other adverse impacts. It can also cause air pollution. I am really glad that we have come to recognise this string of adverse effects and started exploring alternatives to obtain cleaner and greener renewable energy. However, there are still many energy consumers that have yet to make this switch as seen by the continuous increase in carbon dioxide levels.  What's stopping them?

In the following weeks, join me on exploring the transition to cleaner and greener energy and also trying to answer the question above.

Thank you for visiting my blog.