Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Sustainable Energy Development in Kazakhstan: Alternatives and Renewables

Alex Ignatiev

Alternative Energy Research Instituteand

Center for Advanced Materials University of Houston

Houston, TX USA

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

What is Sustainable Development?Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Environment Economy

Social / Equity

Sustainable Energy Development Has Three Dimensions

The Green Economy……

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Economic Dimension• An economically sustainable Energy System must be able to

produce energy on a continuing basis, cost effectively, and in support of a growth economy

Environmental Dimension• Must have a stable resource base - cannot overwhelm the

environment. Deplete non-renewables only to the extent that there is investment in renewable substitutes.

Social Dimension• Achieve distributional equity - adequate provision of energy

services anywhere in the country

Sustainability - The Green Economy

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Doing Sustainable Energy Development requires:

• Attempting to integrate (or perhaps just balance) environmental, social, and economic values ...

Increased Use of Electricity

Look at Energy Usage…..

Future Trend of Electricity Use

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Electricity as the Future Source of Energy

• Coal Fired Steam Turbine/Generator

• Gas Fired Turbine/Generator

• Oil Fired Steam Turbine/Generator

• Most Present Electricity Generation • Hydrocarbon Fuels…..

Low Generation/Fuel CostHigh Ignored Cost

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

• Sunlight – Solar Energy

• Solar Cells - Sunlight-to-Electricity….

• Wind – Wind Turbine Energy

• Wind Turbines – Wind-to-Electricity

Clean and Sustainable Electrical Energy Generation

• Hydro-Powered Turbine/Generator

• Geothermal Heated Steam Turbine/Generator

Moderate to High Generation CostLow Ignored Cost

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Ignored Costs of Electrical Energy Generation• global warming• public health• occupational health • material damage

• Reduce Ignored Costs… Improve Sustainability • Reduce Fossil Fuel Use – Increased Efficiency

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Increased Efficiency of Current Electrical Energy Generation

• Generate Electrical Energy More Efficiently from Fuels

• Use Solid Oxide Fuel Cell … 55-60% Efficiency

• Solid Oxide Fuel Cell – Methane, Diesel, Alcohol..• Institute for Physics & Technology – Almaty

• Currently: Heat-Steam-Turbine-Generator • 33-35% Efficiency

Future Fuel for Fuel Cells – Hydrogen…

• There is Enough Water to Sustain a Hydrogen Economy

• Hydrogen from Water

• 1 GJ per 90 liters H2O need 3.6x1013 liters

• Hydrogen from Water - Electrolysis

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Increased Efficiency Solar Cells

Cover Complete Solar Spectrum

• Multi-Junction III-VCells

• Epitaxially Grown Cells – 42%

Crystalline Silicon - Amorphous Silicon Heterojunction Cell -23%

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Ge Eg=0.66 eV

InGaAs Eg=1.4 eV

InGaP Eg=2.0 eV

Cell -InGaNPEg=1.0 eV

Projected ~50 % Efficiency Under ConcentrationFurther Increase Solar Cell Efficiency

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Increased Efficiency Wind Turbines

HTS Direct Drive Multipole Generator…. ½ size/weight

High Temp Superconductivity• Rare Earth Oxides • YBa2Cu3O7-x - (93K)

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Ultimate Sustainable Energy Source

• New Energy Source with Environmental, Economic and Social Benefit

• Municipal Solid Waste Currently Buried/Burned• Major Ecological Impact…..

• Air and Water Pollution

Municipal Solid Waste…

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Municipal Solid Waste• MSW Mostly Organic • 100 tons/day for 100,000 people

• Convert Organic MSW to ENERGY…..

Ecologically Ideal……

Gas Product – Syngas (H2 + CO)

• Plasma Processing• Gasify Organics• Immobilize Inorganics in Slag• No Ash or Toxins Released

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Plasma Processing of MSW

Fuel Source From MSW - Syngas• Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Reactions w/Syngas

• 2H2 + O2 2H2O• 2CO + O2 2CO2

Primary Gas DomeGas cleaning towers

Gasifier Zone 1

Gasifier Zone 2

Volumetric screw conveyor

Feeding Points

PLASMATRON

Primary Gas DomeGas cleaning towers

Gasifier Zone 1

Gasifier Zone 2

Volumetric screw conveyor

Feeding Points

PLASMATRON

100 t/d → 10MW Power

Municipal Solid Waste To Energy• Ecological Benefit• Social Benefit• Economic Benefit

Ideal Sustainable Energy Source

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

Integrate Energy Sources for Sustainability

The Future: the Enernet……• Interconnected• Smart• Sustainable

(Bob Metcalf)

•Solar•Wind•Geothermal•Fuel Cells – Hydrogen•Hydro •Energy Efficient Buildings

Alternative Energy Research Institute Center for Advanced MaterialsUniversity of Houston

• Protect the environment and at the same time fulfill economic and social objectives

The Sustainable Energy Principle