Guide to Future Energy: Generation, Transmission, and Home Use
Energies of the Future
Cold Fusion
Unlike ordinary fusion, cold fusion is believed to potentially occur at room temperature and produce no hazardous waste. The process involves deuterium in an electrolyte. As deuterium density increases, exceeding a critical value, fusion occurs. Two deuterium nuclei fuse to form a helium nucleus. If unstable, this helium nucleus breaks down, releasing energy.
Fuel Cell
A fuel cell is a small power plant that chemically reacts hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, a small amount of heat, and water vapor. Resembling a sandwich, the fuel cell has electrodes with an electrolyte between them. Hydrogen ions pass through the electrolyte, bind with oxygen, and generate a voltage between the electrodes, producing water vapor. Multiple cells are often connected in series to increase the voltage.
Electricity Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
An electrical system comprises three elements:
A. Production and Electricity Generation
Legislation often mandates larger energy producers to purchase power from smaller producers, especially those using renewable sources. The price per kWh varies depending on the renewable energy type.
B. Transmission
To minimize energy loss during transport, voltage is increased using transformers. Primary networks, connecting transformer stations, operate at high voltages (e.g., 420kV).
C. Distribution
Secondary networks connect substations to buildings. These networks include processing centers (reducing voltage from higher levels, like 132kV, to lower levels, like 20kV) and processing booths (converting voltage to levels suitable for homes and businesses, such as 220V or 380V).
Energy Conversion Installation: Heating
Modeling a natural gas heater involves three steps:
A. Determining Installation Performance
Performance is determined by monitoring the energy consumed to heat a specific water quantity to a certain temperature. This involves noting the gas meter reading, heating the water, and measuring the cold and hot water temperatures.
B. Performance Analysis
Analyzing the heat exchanger’s efficiency is crucial. This involves examining how heat from the gas combustion is transferred to the water within the heater’s tubes.
C. Installation Modeling
This involves creating a model of the installation. For 100% efficiency, the air leaving the chimney should be at room temperature, indicating complete heat absorption by the water.
Alternative Energy in Homes and Industry
Wind and solar power are well-suited for homes, tourist accommodations, and industrial support. In sunny regions, solar energy can be primary, supplemented by wind energy during nighttime or less sunny days. These may be suitable for isolated rural homes.
A. Minimum Energy Requirements in Housing
Homes using alternative energy exclusively should consider:
- Using energy-efficient appliances (Type A or B).
- Using high-consumption appliances (washing machine, iron, dishwasher) strategically to avoid peak energy demand.
- Storing excess energy in batteries or using it for water heating.
B. Designing a Home Installation
In less favorable conditions, a home system might draw power from batteries and consist of solar panels, a wind turbine, voltage regulators, batteries, and an inverter.
C. Designing an Industrial Support Facility
Two systems exist for heating water in industrial settings:
- Direct System (thermosyphon effect): Cold water is drawn into the collector, with an expansion tank preventing pressure buildup. Lime deposits can be a drawback.
- Indirect System (pumped): A heat exchanger transfers heat from the collector to a storage tank. In both systems, an electrical resistance heats water if the storage is cold due to lack of sunlight.
Energy Costs in Homes and Schools
B. Energy Sources
Common energy sources include electricity (heat, lighting, motors), propane (cooking, heating), butane (cooking, heating), natural gas (cooking, heating), and heating oil.
C. Deducing Prices
- Electricity: Divide the total bill amount by the kWh consumed.
- Propane: Use a rule of thumb to estimate propane kg needed per kWh.
- Butane: Similar to propane, estimate butane kg needed per kWh.
- Natural Gas: Divide the total bill by cubic meters consumed.
- Heating Oil: Use a rule of thumb to estimate oil kg needed per kWh.