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Alternative Energy SourcesAlternative Energy Sources

Delivered to:

Bill PykeHilbre Consulting Limited

October 2012

Harnessing Solar Power

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OutlineOutline

Solar thermal

Concentrated Solar power (CSP)

Solar Heating/ Cooling

Solar-PV

Photovoltaics 0.1% electricity generation in 2010

11% by 2050??

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Solar1.2 x 105 TW at Earth surface600 TW practical0.005% of incident energy!

Solar Energy to Earth’s SurfaceSolar Energy to Earth’s Surface

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Solar ThermalSolar Thermal

• Ideally suited to areas with clear, sunny climate for most of the year- Spain, Southern France, North Africa

• Direct heating of fluid. Fluid heated to 4000C

• Passes through heat exchanger to generate steam

• Steam runs turbine to generate electricity

• Surplus heat energy stored in salt solution to be used if dark or overcast

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Economies of Scale:-

Upscaling Large Solar?

Economies of Scale:-

Upscaling Large Solar?

An Extreme Scenario

• 0.15% of global landmass in an equatorial location (220,000km2) covered with solar panels could provide all the global annual energy demand!

• When prices fall below 4c/kWh delivered price it will be in a competitive zone versus fossil fuel.

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DesertecDesertec

•15% of Europe’s energy by 2050?

•Price tag $400bn

•Politics?

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October 2012

Solar Thermal

Power Generating Plant

Solar Thermal

Power Generating Plant

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Solar FarmsSolar Farms

The world's biggest solar farm, where more than 400,000 mirrors cover four square miles (10.3 square kilometres) of California's Mojave desert, was built in the 1980s and still churns out 354 megawatts of electricity, enough for 90,000 homes.

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Global Growth of Solar EnergyGlobal Growth of Solar Energy

BP Statistical Review, 2010

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PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaics

• The photovoltaic process converts sunlight directly into electricity

• Sun emits photons (light), which generate electricity when they strike a photovoltaic cell

• Solar cells are made of silicon consisting of two or more thin layers of semi conducting material

• When sunlight strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose and move toward the treated front surface of the solar cell.

• Electron imbalance between the front and back of the cell and causes electricity to flow – the greater the intensity of light, the greater the flow of electricity.

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Photovoltaic MicrogenerationPhotovoltaic Microgeneration

• Photovoltaics (PVs) are not generally cost-effective in U.K. at present.

• 6 panels of solar PVs on a typical new three-bedroom house could reduce that household's carbon emissions by over 20%

• Solar PV panels don't need direct sunlight to work as electricity is generated from daylight. So if it’s cloudy, the power output may be slightly lower but nonetheless it will still be there

• This technology could supply almost 4% of UK electricity demands

• Reduce domestic sector CO2 emissions by up to 3%.

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Solar-Powered Trains

6th June 2011

Solar-Powered Trains

6th June 2011

• High-speed international trains linking Paris and Amsterdam as of Monday became the first in Europe to use electricity generated by solar panels installed in a tunnel on the line

• Cost of €15.6 million

• 3.6-kilometre tunnel crossing Antwerp, fitted with 16,000 solar panels covering 50,000 square metres

• 3,300 megawatts per hour

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Solar Costs, PricesSolar Costs, Prices

• Solar radiation energy provides 7,000 times total annual global energy needs

• Solar Radiation provides 2,895x1027 joules/year

• Global Energy consumption 400x 1024 joules/year

• 500MW Solar Thermal Power Station $3bn.

• Photovoltaic (PV) cells are 3 times more effective in producing electrical energy than in the 1970s

• Prices of PV cells now 1/40th of 1970s price