Blue Efficiency: Ocean Power for San Fransicso

noreply@blogger.com (Mister 2) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:39:00 +0000

Blue Efficiency: Ocean Power for San Francisco

The blue waters churning beneath the Golden Gate Bridge could become a source of green power for the Bay Area if one researcher gets his way.

Four-hundred billion gallons of water four times a day - 2.5 billion cubic meters of water every six hours - pass beneath the Bridge every day. That flow of water under the one-mile span could provide 1500 megawatts of power day-in, day-out as long as the moon is in the sky, according to Peter O’Donnell in his report Tidal Current Technology Generation. O’Donnell is Senior Energy Specialist with the Department of the Environment for the City of San Francisco.

O'Donnell's ocean power vision includes two tidal fences constructed as part of jetty for areas near the Bridge. Similar to those being developed by Blue Energy, each tidal fence utilizes a number of vertical axis turbines submerged and mounted in caissons that together make up a pier, or fence, with its topside only 12 feet above the water. Turbines would be connected by shaft to above-water electric generators. In concern for environment, large marine mammals instinctively shy away from the turbines and can swim under the fence, according to O’Donnell.

Aside from the tidal fence project the report author has other projects in mind for the area including water farms. Not unlike wind farms, water farms would use numerous submerged water turbines in areas of reliable currents to generate electricity for the nearby power grid.

The biggest hurdles right now are cost and faith. Tidal current technology (as well as other ocean energy technologies), though in use around the world, is scarce. With scarcity comes high cost. Scarcity can also mean unproven and risky in the eyes of those who must finance a project. But in the end San Francisco voters might decide. Last year they voted to approve $100 million in renewable energy bond measures. This year they are voting to approve a municipal power company for the City. Next year could they approve tidal power for their city? Visit Blue Energy at http://www.bluenergy.com/ , the San Francisco Department of the Environment at http://www.sfgov.org/sfenvironment/.

LED Bulbs: Efficient blue lighting is here to stay

noreply@blogger.com (Mister 2) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:15:00 +0000

The introduction of LED light bulbs into the market has been hindered due to several factors. Namely: lumens (brightness) color (led produce blue radiance vs. white) market promotion and affordability. Although LED bulbs for residential and commercial applications are not quite where they need to be, they are starting to scratch their way into the market this year with more force than ever before.

Technology has brought the bulbs to a point where they are bright enough to compete with standard bulbs if not better. Also, the color that has plagued the bulbs for some time, being the hazy soft blue tones that are common has been dealt with as well, be it by a diffuser or through bulb technology itself.

The hang-ups are still in check however, that being market promotion and affordability. Although affordability is a significant factor in the bulbs being promoted, one of the largest underlying causes to LED bulbs not being available at lower costs is largely due in part to General Electric Inc. influence.

GE is a mammoth company that holds the largest stake in compact fluorescents, they have huge stakes in fluorescent bulbs not to mention the fluorescent companies they have bought-up and manage through their conglomerate. It would appear that it is in GE's best interest to continue to promote and sell the compact fluorescent residential and commercial products. This being said, it is not all GE's fault of course but it is telling that they play a critical role in LED availability and affordability for Americans.

I do not know the current status of GE's plans to produce and sell LED's but that information I will research with care and produce for all you interested readers at a later date. I do believe they will play a significant role in LED technology and availability in the future, and likely a positive one at that.

Although many have long awaited the inception of LED lighting for you home, it is actually here now. One example is the LR6 LED down light from LED Lighting Fixtures. Its recessed CAN LED light provides 60 lumens per watt, 50 percent more than most all compact fluorescent bulbs available. The unit also fits into a standard 6-inch radius can.

Another major benefit to using LED lights is the hours; this particular LED light has a 50,000 hour life, five times as long as any compact fluorescent. The price is negated by the longevity of the bulb. The price is steep however; this particular CAN costs $125. There are other choices in LED can light kits out there ranging in price and performance, the cheapest among them all is around $80.

The light color produced by this can is done so with a combination of red and yellow LED's all masked behind a diffuser lens. The result is a warm, white color spectrum, a necessary achievement for these bulbs to begin to make their move into the mainstream

blueefficiency

Blue Efficiency: Ocean Power for San Fransicso

LED Bulbs: Efficient blue lighting is here to stay