Energy Highlights
A twice-monthly energy news update from MMPEI
March 18 , 2008
Vol. 2 No. 5
ENERGY NEWS
High Demand for Solar Thermal Power Plants
With two prototype plants completed and designs for ten new plants on the way, solar thermal power is gaining attention in the southwestern United States. Using 182,000 parabolic mirrors covering a square mile, a prototype plant in Boulder City, Nevada has the potential to generate 280 megawatts. Transmission cables and cost are the obstacles to overcome.
Renewable Energy: Five Trends to Watch
We've heard a lot about solar energy and biofuels but there are five other big trends to watch in the renewable energy industry. From new green vehicle manufacturers, sustainable cities, overseas windpower manufacturers, geothermal industry and environmentally friendly shipping, the renewable energy field encompasses a lot of new ideas.
Applying LIDAR (Light Detection Ranging) Technology to Optimize Windpower
Researchers in Germany are investing economical and flexible ways to predict wind power generation. LIDAR, (Light Detection Ranging) is the best candidate to replace the met mast based wind measurements, used in power curve calculations, for offshore wind farms.
Utilizing Smart Grid Technology
Expert from Galvin Electricity Initiative reports that the future of the U.S. electric power system rests upon our ability to take advantage of the technology available today and prioritizing the modernization of our unreliable, inefficient and insecure grid infrastructure. The Galvin Electricity Initiative, launched by former Motorola chief Robert W. Galvin, is leading a campaign to transform the nation's obsolete electric power system into one that can truly meet consumers' needs in this new century. Galvin's vision — a Perfect Power System that cannot fail the end-user — includes a major technological update as well as the development of smart microgrids that benefit consumers and suppliers alike.
Manhattan's East River Hydropower System
Manhattan, Florida, Scotland as well as Portugal are all exploring new hydroelectric technologies.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Collaborative Energy Efficiency and Carbon Footprint Research and Demonstration for the U.S. Manufacturing Industry - Due 05/07/08
DoE seeks to develop transformational industrial processes and equipment to reduce the energy intensity and carbon footprint of the U.S. manufacturing industry. The emphasis is on new processes and technologies that can be commercialized within the next five to seven years. Four areas are of interest: transformational iron and steel technologies, alternative chemical process technologies, forest products technologies, and energy intensive processes.
Environmental and Unconventional Oil – Technology Solutions for Oil and Gas Resource Development - Due 05/02/2008
This DoE announcement is in support program goals to: (1) develop technologies for reducing the cost of environmental compliance while improving environmental protection; and (2) maximize recovery from domestic (unconventional) oil resources. Topic Area 1 Environmental R&D: Area 1.1 Produced water and other natural gas and oil environmental issues; Area 1.2 Water management solutions to enable oil shale resource development; Area 1.3 Alaska Environmental Issues. Topic Area 2 Unconventional Oil R&D: Area 2.1 Unconventional resources; Area 2.2 Alaska North Slope heavy oil.
FY08 Vehicle Technologies Program Wide FOA - Due 04/22/2008
The DoE Vehicle Technologies Program seeks proposals in the following areas of interest: Solid State Energy Conversion for Vehicular Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Waste Heat Recovery. Materials and Manufacturing Technologies for High Energy Lithium-ion Batteries. Fleet Evaluation and Factory Installation of Aerodynamic Heavy Duty Truck Trailers.
Research and Development of Advanced Technologies and Concepts for Minimization of Freshwater Withdrawal and Consumption in Coal-Based Thermoelectric Power Plants - Due 04/21/2008
DoE seeks proposals for advanced technologies and concepts to reduce/minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption by coal-based power systems. Area of Interest 1: Advanced Cooling Technology. Area of Interest 2: Innovative Water Reuse and Recovery. Area of Interest 3: Non-Traditional Sources of Process and Cooling Water.
University Turbine Systems Research Program Enabling Technologies for High-Hydrogen [Syngas] Fueled Turbines - Due 04/16/2008
DoE is soliciting applications from universities for investigation of high-hydrogen content (HHC) fuels (decarbonized coal-derived syngas) used as a turbine fuel. Three topic areas are identified, combustion, aero/heat transfer, and materials with associated subtopics. Topic Area 1 Combustion: 1.1 Mixing processes; 1.2 Kinetics data; 1.3 Kinetics models; 1.4 Dynamic stability. Topic Area 2 Aero/Heat Transfer: 2.1 Hot gas path design; 2.2 Film cooling and innovative cooling approaches; 2.3 Environments in turbines operating with syngas and high hydrogen fuels from coal. Topic Area 3 Materials: 3.1 Mechanisms of degradation and resistant syngas turbine materials; 3.2 Degradation of IGCC turbine TBC’s from deposits; 3.3 Effects of sulfur and water vapor on alloys and environmental coatings; 3.4 Effects of sulfur and water vapor on TBC’s coatings.
Additional funding opportunities are listed on the MMPEI Opportunities Page.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Climate Savers Computing Initiative - Growing Greener Computing Practices
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Where: Palmer Commons (Great Lakes South Central Room), 100 Washtenaw Avenue
A campus kick-off event will be held to share U-M's local and national plans and promote awareness and involvement in all areas of green computing. Registration for this event is requested.
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