The Synergy Between Renewable Energy &

Emerging Transport Solutions

John Titchen CONASTA 58, Launceston 2009

Some Unexpected Questions

• Renewable Energy– Can wind turbines produce fog?– If geothermal steam is used to produce electricity and

then discharged onto an old basalt lava flow, will the condensed steam percolate away?

• Renewable Transport– Is it possible to fly a plane with solar energy?– Is it possible to store a liquid at 20K in the boot of a

car?– Is it possible to contain the pressure of the deepest

ocean in a fuel tank?

Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd

Owns wind projects

Undertakes new renewables investment and development in

Australia & NZ

Hydro Tasmania

Australia’s largest renewable energy business

CLP Asia

Hong Kong based world renowned energy

company

Ownership reduced

from 100% to 50%

1. The world faces a number of significant challenges in the stationary and transport energy sectors. – the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and – concerns around energy security including the

depletion of oil reserves.

2. A number of renewable energy technologies are mature and will play an important role in meeting thesechallenges.

3. In addition, new transport technologies have been developed and are becoming available.

4. This presentation will address the synergies that are emerging.

Greenhouse Gas Emmissions by Sector

Stationary energy47%

Transport14%

Fugitive9%

Industrial process8%

Agricultural12%

Land use6%

Waste4%

The Australian Targets Are Challenging

The Greenhouse Challenge is Huge

Woolnorth Wind Farm

• Developed by Hydro Tasmania• Owned and Operated by

Roaring 40s• 37 x 1.75MW wind turbines• 25 x 3MW wind turbines• Excellent wind resource – high

average wind speeds

• First sampling in April 1976• More that 3 billion measurements

taken. • Measurement of green house

gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide + chemicals which deplete the ozone layer.

Cape Grim Baseline Air

Pollution Station

http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/cgbaps/

• Scientific principles are often neglected/forgotten in the assessment and management of environmental issues, particularly emotive ones

• There can be a heavy reliance on gut-feel assessments the principles taught in schools and universities seem to be forgotten/abandoned

• Scientific principles applied to all environmental issues

Renewable Energy Technology Is developing Quickly

• Wind technology scale up

Offshore Windpower

• When assessing wind energy production wake affects are considered.

The science of turbulent air flow is complex.

Wind and Solar are Intermittent• Solar better aligns with peak needs• Wind is lower cost and diversification of wind

across Australia lessens its overall intermittency• Intermittency will become an issue – it is not yet.

High Speed SailingWind Power

Top speed of 52.26ktsAn average of 47.36kts http://www.sailrocket.com

http://donaldmonroe.com/gallery/index.php?album=gossamer-albatross&image=ga1256_17a.jpg

Gossamer Albatross First Human Powered Aircraft to Cross English Channel

Getting the most outof minimal energy

Details http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-068-DFRC.html

2001 - Helios Prototype – set world altitude record for non rocket powered aircraft

of 29.5 km

Aeroviroment also developed the EV1 which became the GM Impact

Electric Car

• The Aeroviroment story is explained by Dr. Paul MacCready in his lectures:– http://www.ted.com/

index.php/speakers/paul_maccready.html

GM Volt Plug-in range-extended electric vehicle

• A large battery that stores power from your home electric outlet.

• The battery can last for the first 40 miles. After that the on-board gasoline generator will provide power for the battery or motor.

• The electric motor directly propels the car.

• When running on grid electricity the fuel will cost around a quarter the cost of a efficient diesel car even at renewable energy costs.

Main Stream Electric Vehicles Are Now Imminent

“i MiEV”.• In Australia in 2010 for

about $30,000.• Federal Government

registration approval having passed 83 safety requirements.

• Top speed of 130 km/h and a range of up to 160 km.

Electric Vehicles Are Emerging Rapidly

• Range is addressed through hybrid operation

• Prius has proven this but avoided electric operation (uses “synergy drive”)

• Cost of clean electricity is low compared with petrol

US Scenario

http://www.udel.edu/V2G/KempTom-V2G-Implementation05.PDF

Electricity System Capacity = 602GW

Capacity of existing light vehicles = 19,500GW (engine power)

25% take up of electric vehicles = 660GW (charge rate)

A huge amount of storage and control is possible.

Another Approach

Iceland • Renewable Island (Hydro, Geothermal,

Wind) • Potential Hydrogen Economy, • ½ Tasmania’s population

Iceland Blue Lagoon

• The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland.

• The waters are rich in silica and sulfur and bathing is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases.

• Water temperature in the bathing area averages 40 °.

• Geothermal superheated water is used to run turbines that generate electricity and to provide heat for municipal hot water at Svartsengi geothermal power plant.

• Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe.

Geothermal Power

A Synergy Renewable Energy and Electric Transport

• Cost– Renewable electricity is low cost compared to petrol or diesel

• Storage– Electric vehicles will help manage intermittent wind and solar.

• Global Environment – A significant reduction in transport sector emissions is possible

• Local Environment– In large cities, reduction in exhaust pollution is valuable

• Energy Security – Peak Oil– Renewable resources reduce the dependency on imported fuels