Grant to lower pollution from 4 towboat engines
The Port of Pittsburgh Commission has received a $1.15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to install less polluting diesel engines and generators in four towboats used on Pittsburgh area rivers.
Photovoltaic Systems Clean Electricity From The Sun
By Hans Dekker
As people search for alternatives to fossil fuel energy, solar energy emerges as one of the cleanest and most practical sources of electricity. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or any area that receives a lot of sunshine. The solar panels consist of a photovoltaic system that converts the energy of the sun into electricity. The word Photovoltaic is a conjuction of the old Greek word "Photon" meaning light and Volt, the force that makes electrons move
Photovoltaic systems have existed since the 1950s but only in recent years has the technology matured to the point of making it a viable alternative to power utilities. Indeed, most solar systems do not replace the utility company instead they work in conjunction with it to produce extra electricity that can be fed back into the grid.
One of the main problems with solar power is storing it for use during non-daylight hours. Batteries can be used but they are expensive and have a limited life span. As an alternative, excess solar electricity can be fed back to the power utility company for a credit, and then power can be drawn when needed. In a sense, the utility company becomes the storage device.
Most municipalities have legislation requiring power utility companies to accept electricity produced by solar panels or wind turbines. This system benefits everyone "there is less dependency on fossil fuel power plants" and electricity costs are reduced for owners of photovoltaic systems.
This is called net-metering, the specifics depend on your location and utility company. A disadvantage of these grid connected systems is that there invertors disconnect in case of a power faillure. This is a quite logical demand from the utility companies point of view. Their engineers have to know for sure that the grid they are working on is really dead. But from our point of view it can be a nuicance. The solution is a grid connected system with battery backup.
Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by using specially treated materials such as silicon that convert light into power. They can be of almost any size and are suitable for providing electricity for small items such as calculators or watches right up to complete industrial complexes. Because they can be wired together, an array of solar cells can produce enough electricity for residential or commercial needs.
The main requirement, of course, is sunlight. This makes solar power most practical for southern areas such as California and Arizona. But it can also be used in more northerly areas as a backup power system. As the technology advances, photovoltaic cells are able to produce usable amounts of electricity even in low light conditions.
About the Author: Hans is author of http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ come and profit from our
energy saving knowledge
Source: http://www.isnare.com |
Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman Continues Construction for the Next-Generation Aircraft Carrier, Gerald R. Ford
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Northrop Grumman Corporation lifted two generators weighing over 195,000 pounds each into the aft section of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford , currently under construction at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va., yesterday.
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4 river towboats to get $3 million green retrofit
Four towboats will get new, "greener" diesel engines and generators thanks to a combination of private funding and federal grants that will be formally presented today, officials said. The Environmental Protection A
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EPA gives Port of Pittsburgh $1.15M for tow boats
PITTSBURGHThe Federal Environmental Protection Agency is giving the Port of Pittsburgh $1.15 to help three companies that use the cities three rivers retrofit four towboats with new diesel engines and generators that will pollute the air less.
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