The memory of the three incidents previously mentioned continues to influence nuclear policy around the world at the outset of the twenty-first century. At the same time, operators of existing nuclear plants have improved efficiency and also availability of nuclear plants, so that once capital costs have been amortized, the plants operate for the largest […]

Radiation risk from everyday plant operations consists of risks to employees, and risks to the general public both in the immediate vicinity of the plant and further afield. Risks to the employees at the plant are managed through protective equipment and clothing, and through the use of radiation badges. Tasks at nuclear power plants are […]

The objective of the PV cell is to convert as much of the energy in the incoming stream of photons into electricity as possible. In this section, we will describe the phenomena that are occurring, as the individual photons are either converted to electrical charge or not, depending on the circumstances. We will also quantify […]

10- 1 Overview Solar power, when absorbed by a surface, converts to either thermal or electrical power. This chapter focuses on conversion to thermal power (or energy), primarily for water and space heating. Solar collectors are described along with their design, testing, and performance leading into a presentation of the f-chart method for characterizing expected […]

11-4-1 General Passive solar heating describes solar energy collection systems where heat moves by passive means—means without a fan or pump or other, mechanically based, energy inputs. Passive movement can be by thermal radiation, natural (buoyancy-driven) convective air circulation, or sensible heat conduction through a solid. Passive solar heating can be used to heat water […]

To complete the discussion of available energy in the wind, we must consider two other effects, namely, that of season of the year and height above the ground. The effect of season of the year on average wind speed varies from location to location. For example, a site near Toronto, Canada, averages 5 m/s in […]

12- 1 Overview This chapter focuses on technological options for sustainably delivering energy to motor vehicles and other mechanized transportation equipment. Each specific propulsion technology can be categorized among a limited number of generic “endpoint technologies,” and the strengths and weaknesses of each are considered. While the goal of sustainability may drive society toward adoption […]

Ethanol is the name for a chemical compound which resembles ethane (C2H6), but has one hydrogen atom replaced by a hydroxide ion, thus giving C2H5OH. Most ethanol is produced at present by fermenting crop sugars (such as sugarcane in Brazil, or corn in the United States) in a highly aqueous solution, since, if the solution […]