6 - Renewable Energy And Micro Generation Opportunities

Question 1

What are some challenged facing new zealand regarding energy? (4)

Answer 1

1. Energy demand is increasing nationally
2. Reducing security of supplies (gas declining, hydro wobbly)
3. Costs also predicted to increase
4. Security of supply limits future growth

Question 2

Out of how many units of energy does it make into a bulb’s useful light?

Answer 2

Out of 320 units of energy only 1 unit makes it into being useful light out of a bulb

Question 3

What are some benefits aside from cost payback that can come from local renewable energy?

Answer 3

1. Clean green image
2. Security of supply
3. Education through engagement in communities
4. Local ownership

Question 4

What are the 5 categories of renewable energies?

Answer 4

1. Solar
2. Wind
3. Geothermal
4. Water
5. Bio-energy

Question 5

What are the issues of nuclear power?

Answer 5

Safety
Security
Proliferation (rapid growth in number)

Question 6

What is the plan for residential reticulated energy for tomorrow, the future, and the ideal?

Answer 6

Tomorrow: Reducing energy use through efficiency
Future: Using local renewable energy for low grade heat
Ideal: Using local renewable electricity for high grade uses

Question 7

What is low grade heat?

Answer 7

1. Passive solar
2. Biomass (wood)
3. Geothermal

Question 8

What is high grade energy?

Answer 8

1. Solar photovoltaics (PV)
2. Wind
3. Small scale hydro
4. Biomass/waste CHP (combined heat and power)

Question 9

How does residential reticulated energy differ from commercial?

Answer 9

Similar but commercial must account for cooling

Question 10

What is solar thermal and how is it?

Answer 10

Solar hot water heating

Unobtrusive and easy installation
Reasonable payback periods (6-10)

Question 11

What are solar photovoltaics?

Answer 11

Small scale electricity generation

Price reducing rapidly
Lasts over 25 years
Can be built on existing roofs

Question 12

What are 3 types of solar PV?

Answer 12

1. Mono-crystalline (20-15%)
2. Poly-crystalline (14-15%)
3. Thin-film (5-9%) easily rollable

Question 13

What is the orientation and tilt sweet spot for solar in NZ?

Answer 13

20-30 degrees northwest

Question 14

How does wind energy fare in New Zealand?

Answer 14

1. Commercially would do well

2. However, there are conflicting uses or values and sensitive locations (coastal, conservational, recreational)

Question 15

How large does a wind turbine need to be in order to provide 20% of a households energy usage?

Answer 15

A 2m tall 400W turbine for a house 8m tall

Question 16

What are the issues with domestic wind energy?

Answer 16

Urban environment
Turbulence
Noise issues (real/perceived)

Question 17

What is the formula for energy produced by a wind turbine?

Answer 17

E = 3.2 x V^3 x A

Question 18

What are 3 potential benefits of small scale hydro?

Answer 18

1. Storage
2. Flood mitigation
3. Irrigation benefits

Question 19

What are 4 issues that could arise from small scale hydro?

Answer 19

1. Water diversion
2. Land inundation
3. Aquatic ecosystems
4. Recreational activities

Question 20

which country generate the most geothermal power?

Answer 20

USA

Question 21

What are 4 examples of wood-biomass for bioenergy?

Answer 21

1. Willow
2. Forest residue
3. Untreated wood waste
4. Crop residue (straw)

Question 22

What are 3 examples of non-wood biomass?

Answer 22

1. Vegetable oil crops
2. Animal residues
3. Industrial waste

Question 23

What is the merton rule?

Answer 23

Renewable energy rule in london

Buildings greater than 1000sqm must generate 10% of their projected energy uses with on site renewables