overview of alternative energy

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An Overview of Emerging AlternativeEnergy Technologies and its Impacton the Demand for Engineers and

Consultants

IEEE Consultants Network MeetingChicago/Rockford Section

March 30, 2009

Stafford Cuffe, Ph.D.Member: AMA, IEEE, SAE


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Introduction Global Drivers

Environmental forces of change has fueled the demand foralternative energy sources for the new economy.

Examples: globalization, high energy costs, climate change issues,labor factors, competitive factors, emerging technologies, socio-

economic factors, geo-political factors, global financial meltdown,new government regulations, federal stimulus funds, and newbusiness best practices.

Demand for oil will rise at about the rate of2.2% a year through 2012, primarilydriven by the developing world'sconsumption, which is rising threetimes as fast as in the OECD.Transportation fuels will be thelargest source of demand, by far.

Source: Neider, 2007


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Alternative Energy Sources

There are several popular alternative energy sources suchas: bio-fuel, wind, solar cell, fuel cell, and hydropower.

Scholars and subject matter experts agree that wind, solarcell and fuel cell have a higher rate-of-return and areattracting new players in the energy sector.

Some states (e.g., CA,CO, FL, MI, NM, OH, & TX) haveturned to alternative energy (i.e., wind, & solar) to reinventtheir stagnant economy fueled by the new stimulus energyfunds.


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Bio-ethanol and other Bio-Fuels

Energy In 2003, world ethanol production was 20 billion liters and Brazil

(sugar cane) and the US (corn) were the main players at thattime. Other countries are considering entering the ethanol fuelmarket with diverse raw materials base and could increase the

world production to 80 billion liters by 2020 (Gielen & Unander, 2005). Biofuels are mass transportation fuels produced by processing

vegetable oils such as soy, and palm. Also, bio-fuels arerenewable that can reduce green houses gas and emissionscompared to the standard petroleum based fuels.

bioethanol

Source: http://www.chemistry-in-context.com/articles/0117/Bioethanol.jpg


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W

ind EnergyThe Department of Energy isassisting universities and theprivate sector to develop clean,domestic and emerging

technologies to reduce Americasdependence on imported oil. In2006, wind power generated 2.454MW, a 26% increase and was thesecond largest contributor to USnational power grid over the lasttwo years.

Source: www.eere.energy.gov


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Grid-Connected Wind Applications

Small wind turbines (SWT) is used in grid-connectedapplications for residential, industrial or even, lately, urbanenvironments. The so-called distributed wind applications arepoised for rapid market growth in response to continuing energyprice increases and increased demand for on-site power

generation. Presently, the major share of development of this market is in

the US, Canada and Australia, in parallel with new trends in thedevelopment of distributed generation systems. This emergingmarket provides a new impulse to the development of SmallWind Turbine (SWT) technology.

Wind power can also be used to generate electricity in an urban

environment. This trend has mainly been seen in Europe,where the integration of SWTs in the built environment is beingactively discussed.

Source: www.wind-energy-thefacts.org


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Hydropower Energy

Emerging water power technologies suchas marine and hydrokinetic devices cantransform energy from waves, tides,ocean currents and the natural flow of

rivers into clean energy. Hydropoweraccounted for 7% of Americas electricpower and was 73% renewable in 2005.It is one of the oldest forms of energysources and was used thousands of yearsago to process grain into flour.

Sources: (1) www.eere.energy.gov (2) www.odec.ca


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Fuel Cells EnergyThere many types of fuel cells on themarket and trying to decide the besttype to match specific applications canbe very challenge for those individual

who may not be familiar with theemerging technology.

Most subject mater experts agree to besuccessfully commercializing fuel cellsproducts; suppliers should consider the

correct type of fuel cells to match thespecific application and marketconditions.


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Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

(P

EMFC) Solid electrolyte and porous carbon electrodes embedded with a

noble metal catalyst (i.e., platinum) are used in the constructionof PEMFCs.

Low temperature PEMFCs operate at 60-80C and have quick startup times.

High temperature PEMFCs operate at 100-200C and have alonger start up time before they can generate electricity.

Source: (1) Eisemann & Willis, 2004 (2) Anonymous2, n.d.


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Other Types of Fuel Cells

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)

DMFC is similar to PEMFC because its electrolyte is polymerbased. It is in the early stages of development operating at80 C with a low efficiency of less than 40%. However, it is

not a good candidate for commercialization because of itsimmature characteristics.

The electrochemical hurdles for DMFC include concernsabout methanol electro-catalysis and anode poisoning

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) operate at 600 to 1000C making it

the highest in the family of fuel SOFC are suitable for highpowered industrial applications such as power suppliers andgenerators with an efficiency of45%. Automotive and hotelload applications (e.g., tank silent watch, vehicle idling).

Source: Anonymous1, n.d.


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Solar Cells Energy Emerging solar cells technologies offers the best opportunity for

long term rate of return on investment and sustainabilitycompared to the other types of alternate energy sources.

Concerns about the environment can be a powerful driver forselecting solar cells products for applications.

Research data had reported that an average coal-fired powerplant emits 225 pounds of arsenic, 500 tons of particulates, fourpounds of cadmium, 5,000 tons of sulfur oxides, 114 pounds oflead, one million tons of carbon and 10,000 tons of nitrogenoxides annually.

20,000 US citizens die annuallydue to airborne particulatesgenerated by power plants.

Source: Solar Energy Fact Sheets, 2002


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Solar Cells Applications

Utility grid connected solarcell applications

Grid interactive systemsRemote solar cell applications

Consumer productsapplications

Utility grid connectedapplications

Grid interactive systems

Remote solar cellapplications

Sources: (1) www.solarpowerindustries.com/solar-applications.html)

(2) https://reader009.{domain}/reader009/html5/0526/5b088a994f342/5b088aa71275f.jpg


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Drivers for the Demand for EnergyEngineers and Consultants

Wave of retirements in the public and private sector

The Federal Stimulus Spending Bill (ARRA)

US Recession and loss of traditional high paying jobs

Increase demand for energy Climate change (global warming)

Increase in disposable or old economy skills sets

The end of the old economy and start of the new

Increase demand for data savvy professionals

Increase demand in power for data center computers Increase demand for professionals with multiple or cross

functional skills and/or degrees (i.e., BSEE, BSCS, MBA)


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Potential Consulting Opportunities

Fuel Cell Consultant $60 - $220/HR

Solar Cell Consultant $50 -$150/HR

Integration Consultant $60- $500/HR

Alternative Energy Consultant $55-150/HR

Renewable Energy Consultant $45-150/HR

Automotive Hybrid Fuel Consultant $55-$155/HR

Alternative Energy Technologist $40-$75/HR


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References Anonymous1, (n.d.). Development of Early Fuel Cell. www.fetc.com

Anonymous2, (n.d.). History of Fuel Cell. Retrieved fromwww.americanhistorysi.edu, June 1, 2008.

Bradford, T; Grama, S; Wesoff, E & Bhargava, A. (2007, August). The

Future of Thin Film Solar; Executive Summary.www.greentechmedia.com.

Eisenmann, & Willis, M. (2004, March 30). Fuel Cells: The HydrogenRevolution. Harvard Business School, Product no: 9-804-144

Gielen, D & Unanader, F (2005, March). Alternate Fuels: An EnergyTechnology Perspective. Report Number EET/2005/01. Paris, France

Malanson (2008). Nanosolar inkjet [solar cells] film rolls off the press at100 feet per minute. http://hwhuagong.com/20080619/nahttp

Neider (2007). Medium-Term Supply/Demand Growth of Oil.www.energyandcapital.com

Solar Energy Fact Sheets (2002). www.solardev.com/SEIA-cleanhealthy.php


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Contact Information

Stafford Cuffe Ph.D.

Member: AMA, IEEE, SAEE-mail: [email protected]

E-mail: [email protected]

Cell Phone: (248)705-9043

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