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Frequency Regulation
www.FrequencyRegulation.com

What is Frequency Regulation?

The electric grid is kept in balance at 60 hz.  Any deviation from this may cause serious problems ranging from damage to destruction of electrical equipment to a blackout.  Because the supply and demand of electricity is always changing,  the grid's frequency is always changing and it is critical the electric grid to be kept in balance and maintain 60 hz.  The continuous and instantaneous balancing of supply and demand of electricity is known as "frequency regulation."

According to Pike Research, the requirements for frequency regulation is expected to double between now and 2020.

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What is Battery Energy Storage?

Battery Energy Storage, and Battery Energy Storage systems, use stored electrical power in batteries, and feed this energy to the electric grid (building, or facility) at times when it makes economic sense.  For a "Net Zero Energy" building or facility, a Solar Cogeneration, or Solar Trigeneration energy system is used that stores excess solar power in the Battery Energy Storage system during the daytime, for use when the sun goes down, and during inclement weather.

Battery Energy Storage is an ideal solution for utility-scale wind farms, particularly in Texas, when most of the renewable energy is generated at night when the power isn't needed.  

Battery Energy Storage is also an ideal demand side management or load leveling solution.  

What are Uninterruptible Power Supplies?

Uninterruptible Power Supplies, also known simply as "UPS" as well as a battery backup system, maintains a continuous supply of electric power to a building, or certain electrical devices within a building by supplying power from the UPS system whenever power is not available from the grid or utility company.

Typically,  Uninterruptible Power Supplies are located between the source of the normal power supply - such as the electric utility company - and the electric load the UPS system is protecting. When electric power from the grid fails - whether through a lightning strike, failed transformer, or a black-out occurs, the UPS will instantly recognize the loss or interruption of power from the grid, and switch from the grid power to UPS power. 

Uninterruptible power supply systems can be designed to protect small or large loads, including systems small enough to protect one or more computers, to critical life support systems that may be found in a home or hospital, to  telecommunications equipment where an unexpected power disruption could threaten life or health or serious business disruption or computer data loss. 

Small Uninterruptible Power Supplies systems can protect loads as small as just one computer to large UPS systems that will power and protect a company's entire data center or a building such as an office building or hospital.  These systems can be as large as 3-20 megawatts and typically work in conjunction with a genset or a cogeneration plant.

Flywheel Energy Storage Project Overview

This project demonstrates a flywheel energy storage system designed to respond to a regional transmission operator signal to quickly add or subtract power from the grid in a frequency regulation support mode. Using this concept, the flywheel recycles energy (store energy when generation exceeds loads; discharge energy when load exceeds generation) instead of trying to constantly adjust generator output.

The Purpose of the Flywheel Energy Storage Project

This project is being sponsored to determine the relative benefits of having faster responding generation resources. Additionally, understanding the response time of a flywheel storage system as compared to traditional generator response time will provide a better determination of the required sizing for flywheel and other fast response systems.

When aggregated to reach appropriate output/input levels there are many benefits that a flywheel energy storage can offer to the electric grid. The primary benefits are:

• Increased Available energy: Because present day generators need to be operated below their maximum capability to provide regulation, they are not available to provide their maximum power. Typically generators need to be below their maximum capacity by 2 times the amount of regulation in order to provide headroom for safe operation. If all regulation were accomplished by flywheel energy storage system, then there would be an additional 2-4 % generation capacity without adding new generators.
  

• Support Distributed Generation and Decentralized Energy with Local Voltage Support: Several Projects have already shown the benefits of using flywheels for local voltage support. This includes a project on the NY City transit system, where ten 1.6 KWh flywheels provide support between train stations. As lywheel energy storage increases, as will be demonstrated by this project, the feasibility of larger scale application of flywheel energy storage system for local voltage support will be more practical.

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How Flywheel Energy Storage is Being Applied

The Flywheel energy storage system consists of an array of flywheel energy storage modules and power conversion electronics packaged in a standard 12’ x 40’ shipping container. This mobile container would interface with the grid’s three-phase 480-volt cables via a step up transformer. This matrix is capable of storing and recycling 250 kWh’s of energy. The rated discharge rate of a matrix is 1 MW therefore each container will provide rated power for 15 minutes or lower power for an extended period.

Monitoring and data acquisition has been specified such that system availability and power/energy parameters will be accessible via the website. Any time the system is operated, the kilowatts supplied or absorbed by the storage unit and the total system efficiency will be viewable via graphical display by day, week, month, etc.

While performing the Frequency Regulation, the Flywheel Energy Storage system will receive two input signals from the System Operator.

1. Regulation Signal (RS): This will be the amount of regulation to be provided over the next time step. This value will be between (-)100KW and (+) 100KW. Minus refers to absorbing 100kW of power from the Grid. Plus refers to injecting 100 kW of power to the grid. The regulation signal refers to the amount of power being absorbed or injected relative to a base set point as described by signal 2. The amount of power being injected or absorbed will be as measured downstream of the Flywheel Energy Storage system and upstream of the step up transformer. This regulation signal will be updated every 4 seconds.
   

2. Set Point (SP): This will be the nominal level of power being removed from the grid during the time on regulation. It will be a percentage of the full regulation signal and will be a variable during the demonstration phase of testing. This setting will remain constant over an agreed to time period – usually one to 24 hours. In addition to the set point and regulation signal the master controller will have input from the flywheel controller to know how much energy is in each flywheel. The system controller will then send a signal to the flywheel controllers, and load bank to control the power flow within and to and from the Flywheel Energy Storage system based on these inputs.

The system will be installed and demonstrated at a location in San Ramon, California. It will be run for a period of six months to demonstrate its ability to interface with the ISO signals and grid. Data will be independently collected through funding provided by the U.S. DOE and used to estimate the system performance over time. 

The Flywheel Energy Storage system will follow the regulation signal within a fraction of a percent. Unlike generation based frequency regulation, no fuel is consumed, and no emissions are generated. Analysis of presently used frequency regulation signals indicates that an energy storage module, which can store or deliver 1 MW for 15 minutes, would provide regulation services superior to services currently provided by generators. After development testing is completed the Flywheel Energy Storage system and will be commissioned and put on automatic control.

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Waste Heat Recovery
www.WasteHeatRecovery.com

What is Waste Heat Recovery?

Many processes, especially in industrial applications, produce large amounts of excess heat – i.e., heat beyond what can be efficiently used in the process.  Waste Heat Recovery methods attempt to extract some of the energy as work that otherwise would be wasted.  

Typical methods of recovering heat in industrial applications include direct heat recovery to the process itself, recuperators, regenerators, and waste heat boilers.  In many applications – especially those with low-temperature waste heat streams, such as automotive applications – the economic benefits of waste heat recovery do not justify the cost of the recovery systems.  Innovative, affordable methods that are highly efficient, applicable to low-temperature streams, and/or suitable for use with corrosive or “dirty” wastes could expand the number of viable applications of waste heat recovery, as well as improve the performance of existing applications.  Our focus is on the development of innovative Waste Heat Recovery processes and techniques that are (1) more efficient than conventional methods, yet still cost-effective; and (2) applicable to waste streams from which heat cannot be recovered easily with conventional methods.

Turning to cooling, air conditioning systems consume approximately 10% of the energy used in U.S. buildings and are key contributors to peak demand.  Consequently, improving the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems would substantially reduce overall energy consumption and enhance grid reliability.  For example, compressors require cooling to dissipate the heat produced during compression and could benefit from improved surface heat transfer – innovative designs could increase the available heat-transfer area or materials enhancement could increase the heat flux between the hot and cool sides of a heat exchanger.  Similarly, a reduction in the requirement for condenser cooling could provide significant energy savings if more-efficient, cost-effective technologies were developed.  

This is where we believe waste heat recovery integrated with our Solar Trigeneration energy systems represents a unique opportunity for commercial and industrial clients. 

Industrial Waste Heat Recovery -  Waste Heat Recovery from exit gases can significantly increase the energy efficiency of industrial processes.  Energy can be recovered from flue and stack gases, vent gases, and combustion gases at a variety of temperatures at large-scale industrial plants (chemical plants, petroleum refineries, biorefineries, pulp and paper mills, etc.).

The Market and Potential for Waste Heat Recovery technologies and solutions

There are more than 500,000 smokestacks in the U.S. that are "wasting" heat, an untapped resource that can be converted to energy with Waste Heat Recovery technologies.

About 10% of these 500,000 smokestacks represent about 75% of the available wasted heat which has a stack gas exit temperature above 500 degrees F. which could generate approximately 50,000 megawatts of electricity annually and an annual market of over $75 billion in gross revenues before tax incentives and greenhouse gas emissions credits.

Waste Heat Recovery technologies represent the least cost solution which provides the greatest return on investment, than any other possible green energy technology or "carbon free energy" opportunity!

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How we make and distribute electricity is changing! 

The electric power generation, transmission and distribution system (the electric "grid") is changing and evolving from the electric grid of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was inefficient, highly-polluting, very expensive and “dumb.”  

The "old" way of generating and distributing energy resembles this slide:

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Hubbert's Peak Oil Predictions Now Proving True?

Marion King Hubbert was a geologist and scientist who worked at Shell Oil company's research lab in Houston, Texas.  Hubbert made several important contributions to geology, geophysics and petroleum geology.  Hubbert is most recognized for the "Hubbert Curve" and " Hubbert Peak Theory" which is now referred to as " Peak Oil. 

Hubbert's life work determined that the world has a finite amount of petroleum that can be produced.  (Similarly, there is a finite amount of coal.) Many scientists and engineers believe we have reached Hubbert's "peak oil" limit.  Hubbert's espouses that when 50% of domestic crude oil production has been reached, that there will be such significant upward demand on prices of the limited supplies of oil production, that the U.S. economy will experience severe economic, social, and political turmoil.

Hubbert's Peak Oil predictions have proven to be true and this is validated as the U.S. in the early 1970's produced about 60% of its' oil demand and imported 40%.  That equation has flipped since then, because our domestic oil production has been on the decline since 1970, so now, due to our declining domestic oil production, we have to import 60% of our oil supplies, to meet our country's oil/energy demands.

The Next Oil Shock Could be the "mother" of All Oil Shocks

How severe our economic calamity and next "oil shock" will depend upon a number of factors, including when this occurs, as well as the following:

1.  the dependence of the individual country upon its own crude oil production to meet its energy needs and to subsidize consumer imports; 

2.  the rate of relative decline in crude oil production; 

3.  the degree of difficulty encountered in replacing missing energy inputs; 

4.  the degree to which our country had prepared in advance for this inevitable geological and economic calamity.

Examples of past "oil shocks" and the economic and political calamities that followed:

United States: Our peak crude oil production of domestic oil occurred in 1970; the first "oil shock" and oil crisis followed in 1973 with the Arab/OPEC Oil Embargo.

Iran: Their peak crude oil production occurred in 1974; They had their islamic revolution 1979 that overturned government and replaced it with radical islam.

Soviet Union: Their peak crude oil production was in 1989; what happened next? 
Their country disintegrated and the collapse of the Soviet Union followed in 1991. 

Indonesia: Their peak crude oil production was in 1991; their financial and government crisis followed in 1997.

Iraq: Iraq's crude oil production was in 1989; they then invaded Kuwait (for their oil) in 1991.

Using Mr. Hubbert's predictions, that beginning around 2000  we would see peak (global) oil production, then, if the country's not weaning themselves off of their oil addiction, and had not begun making the switch to renewable energy, that the negative economic and political calamities would soon follow, including ever-increasing prices of energy that is from fossil fuels. 

Now is the time to begin weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels and making the transition to and increasing the use of renewable energy. If you don't believe in climate change, or global warming, GREAT! Join us in the switch to renewable energy and a fossil-free economy!

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America's Clear and Present Danger

America Has INCREASED its' Dependence on Foreign 
Sources of Energy by 50% Since 1973.

America is even more "addicted" to foreign oil today, than we were in 1973 - 1974 when OPEC, Saudi Arabia and other suppliers from the Middle-East  stopped selling us their fossil fuels, and created a significant blow to our economy.

According to Monty Goodell, Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our increased dependence and reliance on foreign energy supplies represents a Clear and Present Danger to our national security, our economy, and the lives and livelihood of every American. Energy - including the energy we use from imported fossil fuels, is the very "lifeblood" of the American economy as it is for every industrialized country.  An economy dies without it's lifeblood of energy. This Clear and Present Danger we face is far more serious than the problems related to greenhouse gas emissions.  And while greenhouse gas emissions are very serious issue, in the long-term, pales in comparison to America's vital national security interests and America's economic stability in the short term.  For this reason alone, America needs to transition away from its addiction to foreign energy supplies. And America's abundant renewable energy resources such as the energy we receive from the sun, and renewable energy technologies such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants - can supply 100% of America's power requirements with a concentrating solar power plant measuring 75 miles by 75 miles, located in the Southwest U.S.  By generating America's power from concentrating solar power plants, America resolves its' short-term Clear and Present Danger as it relates to importing its energy from foreign countries, and the long-term problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions."

Continuing, Mr. Goodell states that "too many Americans have forgotten what happened to us in 1973, when the Arabs and OPEC brought the United States economy to a screeching halt during the OPEC Oil Embargo.  This happened because they (mainly the country of Saudi Arabia) disagreed with our foreign policy and is the reason why they "turned off the tap" of our need for their oil supplies. When Saudi Arabia and OPEC stopped the vital flow of oil to our country in 1973, they caused an "oil shock" that severely and negatively impacted our economy. 

Mr. Goodell's question for us to ponder is, "do these countries who sell us 60% of our daily energy requirements, like us and our foreign policy, or might they leverage our addiction to their fossil fuels, and turn off the tap to make us adjust or revise our foreign policy??  Like any addict, America's foreign policy may be held hostage to its addiction, and in this case, our addiction to foreign oil, may over-ride our national interests."

Have American's forgotten the gas shortages and long lines at 
their gas stations to get gas during the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973? 

"Apparently so."  Mr. Goodell states that "in 1973, America was 'addicted' and 'over the barrel' of foreign oil to the amount of 40%.  Forty percent of our energy 'needs' in 1973 came from countries - many of which didn't like us then, and I'm afraid, many of them still don't.  The difference between 1973 and today - is that today we receive 50% MORE foreign oil now than we did in 1973.  And now we know about the problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions that we didn't know then.  America needs to change course, and change course now, in terms of its' energy supplies and how we keep America's economy strong, without the threat of being held hostage to a middle-east tyrant or regime, that could once again, turn on us, and turn off our supply of foreign oil." 

Remember ????

"Sadly," Monty Goodell continues, "most Americans have forgotten the long lines of people waiting in their cars - lined up and waiting for gasoline at their nearby gas station, with lines that were many blocks long.  And, after waiting 4-5 hours, many even waiting overnight in many places, to finally take their turn to fill up their car with gasoline, only to find that the gas station had run out of gas." 

"Let me Repeat.... That was 1973 when we imported 40% of our daily energy requirements in the form of crude oil from overseas, and from foreign countries - and many of these from countries that don't like us.

Today, over 35 years later, America has yet to learn the lesson.  We cannot continue our reliance on energy from foreign countries that supply us with 60% of the crude oil that our refineries use as a feedstock for producing gasoline and diesel fuel for our cars and trucks comes from overseas. 

America is "over the barrel" and it's not our barrel, but the barrels of oil that we are addicted by and owned by other countries.  Why have we not learned the lessons we needed to learn in 1973 when we were cut-off from the vital energy supplies we need? 

Countries like China, are growing rapidly, and have an insatiable need for crude oil. China, with their booming economy, is increasingly growing in its clout and control over international supplies of crude oil - whether they do this through their ability to buy as much oil as they need on a daily basis, or whether they simply but American drilling rigs, technology, and explore and produce oil and gas from their own fields. China, is buying large amounts of oil for their country, and causing upward pricing on declining supplies. What happens if Russia, with all of their oil and natural gas, along with China and Venezuela, with or without the help of OPEC, decided to NOT sell oil to us????

To be sure, greenhouse gas emissions are a problem, and to some, greenhouse gas emissions are also a Clear and Present Danger, but not to the extent that it presents an imminent Clear and Present Danger. 

America's reliance for 60% of our energy "needs" coming from foreign suppliers is un-acceptable.

The "driver" to get America to begin reducing and eliminating fossil fuel use should be our nation's national security and the welfare and safety of its citizens. And this can all begin with developing and investing in our own renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies, let's start by putting solar on every rooftop that has a clear and unobstructed view of the Southern sky. See www.RooftopPV.com  or  www.DistributedPV.com  for more information.  Let's create incentives begin with adopting a national "Feed In Tariff" as Germany did in 1990. 

America, we simply do NOT have the luxury of time on our hands.  We need to end our dependence and reliance on foreign fossil fuels, especially from countries that don't like us! We need to rapidly begin expanding renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies from our vast and abundant renewable energy resources, such as; solar, solar energy systems, solar cogeneration, solar trigeneration, "solar on every roof," waste to energy, waste to fuel, biomass gasification, B100 Biodiesel, Biomethane, Synthesis Gas, geothermal, E100 Ethanol (from sugar cane and NOT from corn), and wind, where it makes economic sense."   

For more information, call/email:

The Renewable Energy Institute is "Changing The Way The World Makes and Uses Energy by Providing Research & Development, Funding and Resources That Creates Sustainable Energy via 'Carbon Free Energy' and 'Pollution Free Power' Through Expanding the use of Renewable Energy Technologies."

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Frequency Regulation
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