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Woods Hole becomes net renewables exporter
NEWS The battery back-up system, BackUp Cam, includes: a Tsunami MP.11 subscriber unit, camera with weatherproof enclosure, integrated lightning protection, an uninterruptible power supply, an antenna and RF cable. For interested value-added resellers, Hutton and Proxim are planning informational ‘webinars’ on these solutions shortly. For more information, go to: www.proxim.com or www.huttononline.com
DOE investment promotes crosscutting as key to energy R&D The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued funding awards to the tune of $12.3 million to more than 20 broad-based, costshared R&D projects for the further improvement of materials and technologies for cleaner and more efficient use of energy. Interestingly, the projects promote crosscutting systems in different research fields designed to be applied to more than one area of science. ‘A strong commitment to leading-edge science is necessary in order to develop energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,’ says secretary of energy Spencer Abraham. ‘Addressing crosscutting-science needs within DOE maximizes the taxpayers’ return on investment in key technology areas such as solid-state lighting, membranes that produce hydrogen, advanced fuels and chemicals, solid oxide fuel cells, as well as process sensors and controls.’ This crosscutting approach aims to ‘broaden DOE’s energy-efficient and clean-energy R&D work while expanding and formalizing existing cooperation between DOE’s offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Fossil Energy’. It is said to fall between the exploratory research as traditionally pursued by universities, and applied R&D as pursued by private sector firms. A middle ground of research, crucial to identifying and proving the feasibility of multiple potential applications of a fundamental scientific discovery, is often overlooked, according to DOE. The projects will be managed by universities and companies, and will run for 1–3 years targeting scientific developments in the following broad technology areas: • Materials, including developing higherperformance and less-expensive materials for energy-efficient lighting such as electrooptical and luminous substances, membranes for hydrogen production, and cathode materials used in fuel cell production. 4
Photovoltaics Bulletin
• Fuels and Chemicals, including computational chemistry and synthesis gas science needed to make better, cleaner fuels from synthetic gas. • Sensors and Controls, including process optimization, emissions reduction and sequestration, extreme environments (FE applications) to building systems integration (EERE applications) and embedded sensors. • Energy Conversion, including converting heat into electricity by advancing research in motor-control and power-conversion technologies as well as direct thermal-toelectric energy converters. Among the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy/Office of Fossil Energy 2003 Science Initiative Selections are Hi-Z Technology in San Diego, California, which is developing thermoelectric converters 25% more efficient than current systems; Alfred University in New York, which is working on rare-earth aluminosilicate glass materials for high-intensity discharge lamps and fuel cells; and Georgia Tech Research Corporation in Atlanta developing lattice-matched, solid-state emitters using nonnative III–nitride substrates such as AlGaN on lithium gallate or zinc oxide. Other topics include the integration of nanoscale photonic crystal structures into LEDs to increase external quantum efficiency, membrane devices, specific ion-conducting ceramics, and phosphor-coating efficiency in UV LEDs. For more information, go to: www.eere.energy.gov
Solarlok eases PV module production Tyco Electronics in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has introduced ‘Solarlok’, an interconnection system for the mass production of solar modules. It also facilitates quick and easy field installation via a new, flexible, UL- and TÜV-approved system accommodating both serial and parallel solar module connections. The connectors allow for rapid assembly using hand tools, but can also utilize high-speed, semiautomatic applicators. Silver-plated, copper alloy contacts are rated at 25 A with up to 50 mating cycles and are sealed to an IP67 environmental rating when mated with another Solarlok connector. Contact resistance is typically 1 mΩ or less and affords a low-resistance, separable interface. The contacts are easily crimped onto 10 AWG, 12 AWG or 14 AWG stranded wire with a manual hand tool or semi-automatic stripper-
crimper. Connector assembly is as simple as snapping the crimped leads into the connector housing and tightening a sealing nut. The connector housings are offered in positive and negative polarity keying to help eliminate mismating of connectors. The weatherproof housing is molded from polyphenylene oxide (PPO) to provide maximum resistance to UV radiation and ozone. For more information, go to: www.tycoelectronics.com
Woods Hole becomes net renewables exporter The new $8.5 million Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts is to serve as a ‘showcase’ for its vision of conservation. The building will use only 19% of the energy demand for a typical building of the same size. The use of 26.4 kW of rooftop PV panels will generate 37 000 kWh a year, or 41% of the building’s total demand. Electricity from the 88 ASE modules will also power an earth energy heat pump for heating and cooling of the space, using groundwater from a 1200 foot (365 m) deep well. The group has received additional funding from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to pursue permission for a 100 kW wind turbine that would push the supply of green power to 141% of campus needs, allowing it to become a net exporter of electricity on an annual basis. The 19 000 sq ft (1800 m2) campus operates without combusting fossil fuels. Energy demand will be 90 000 kWh per annum (16 000 BTU/ft2/year), which is 19% of the energy demand for the ASHRAE/IES Base Case. The Woods Hole Research Center works on environmental issues through scientific research and education, with a focus on climate change and global warming issues. For more information, go to: www.whrc.org/ education/ordway/renewables.htm
PV solar chargers plus for consumers Universal Communication Systems, the Florida-based subsidiary of Solar One Corporation, has launched a new range of PV-powered products exclusively for consumer markets. An alternative to bulky electric-powered chargers comes in the form of a variety of PVpowered dual-purpose products. UCS will shortly announce further details and designate
October 2003
DOE investment promotes crosscutting as key to energy R&D The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued funding awards to the tune of $12.3 million to more than 20 broad-based, costshared R&D projects for the further improvement of materials and technologies for cleaner and more efficient use of energy. Interestingly, the projects promote crosscutting systems in different research fields designed to be applied to more than one area of science. ‘A strong commitment to leading-edge science is necessary in order to develop energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,’ says secretary of energy Spencer Abraham. ‘Addressing crosscutting-science needs within DOE maximizes the taxpayers’ return on investment in key technology areas such as solid-state lighting, membranes that produce hydrogen, advanced fuels and chemicals, solid oxide fuel cells, as well as process sensors and controls.’ This crosscutting approach aims to ‘broaden DOE’s energy-efficient and clean-energy R&D work while expanding and formalizing existing cooperation between DOE’s offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Fossil Energy’. It is said to fall between the exploratory research as traditionally pursued by universities, and applied R&D as pursued by private sector firms. A middle ground of research, crucial to identifying and proving the feasibility of multiple potential applications of a fundamental scientific discovery, is often overlooked, according to DOE. The projects will be managed by universities and companies, and will run for 1–3 years targeting scientific developments in the following broad technology areas: • Materials, including developing higherperformance and less-expensive materials for energy-efficient lighting such as electrooptical and luminous substances, membranes for hydrogen production, and cathode materials used in fuel cell production. 4
Photovoltaics Bulletin
• Fuels and Chemicals, including computational chemistry and synthesis gas science needed to make better, cleaner fuels from synthetic gas. • Sensors and Controls, including process optimization, emissions reduction and sequestration, extreme environments (FE applications) to building systems integration (EERE applications) and embedded sensors. • Energy Conversion, including converting heat into electricity by advancing research in motor-control and power-conversion technologies as well as direct thermal-toelectric energy converters. Among the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy/Office of Fossil Energy 2003 Science Initiative Selections are Hi-Z Technology in San Diego, California, which is developing thermoelectric converters 25% more efficient than current systems; Alfred University in New York, which is working on rare-earth aluminosilicate glass materials for high-intensity discharge lamps and fuel cells; and Georgia Tech Research Corporation in Atlanta developing lattice-matched, solid-state emitters using nonnative III–nitride substrates such as AlGaN on lithium gallate or zinc oxide. Other topics include the integration of nanoscale photonic crystal structures into LEDs to increase external quantum efficiency, membrane devices, specific ion-conducting ceramics, and phosphor-coating efficiency in UV LEDs. For more information, go to: www.eere.energy.gov
Solarlok eases PV module production Tyco Electronics in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has introduced ‘Solarlok’, an interconnection system for the mass production of solar modules. It also facilitates quick and easy field installation via a new, flexible, UL- and TÜV-approved system accommodating both serial and parallel solar module connections. The connectors allow for rapid assembly using hand tools, but can also utilize high-speed, semiautomatic applicators. Silver-plated, copper alloy contacts are rated at 25 A with up to 50 mating cycles and are sealed to an IP67 environmental rating when mated with another Solarlok connector. Contact resistance is typically 1 mΩ or less and affords a low-resistance, separable interface. The contacts are easily crimped onto 10 AWG, 12 AWG or 14 AWG stranded wire with a manual hand tool or semi-automatic stripper-
crimper. Connector assembly is as simple as snapping the crimped leads into the connector housing and tightening a sealing nut. The connector housings are offered in positive and negative polarity keying to help eliminate mismating of connectors. The weatherproof housing is molded from polyphenylene oxide (PPO) to provide maximum resistance to UV radiation and ozone. For more information, go to: www.tycoelectronics.com
Woods Hole becomes net renewables exporter The new $8.5 million Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts is to serve as a ‘showcase’ for its vision of conservation. The building will use only 19% of the energy demand for a typical building of the same size. The use of 26.4 kW of rooftop PV panels will generate 37 000 kWh a year, or 41% of the building’s total demand. Electricity from the 88 ASE modules will also power an earth energy heat pump for heating and cooling of the space, using groundwater from a 1200 foot (365 m) deep well. The group has received additional funding from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to pursue permission for a 100 kW wind turbine that would push the supply of green power to 141% of campus needs, allowing it to become a net exporter of electricity on an annual basis. The 19 000 sq ft (1800 m2) campus operates without combusting fossil fuels. Energy demand will be 90 000 kWh per annum (16 000 BTU/ft2/year), which is 19% of the energy demand for the ASHRAE/IES Base Case. The Woods Hole Research Center works on environmental issues through scientific research and education, with a focus on climate change and global warming issues. For more information, go to: www.whrc.org/ education/ordway/renewables.htm
PV solar chargers plus for consumers Universal Communication Systems, the Florida-based subsidiary of Solar One Corporation, has launched a new range of PV-powered products exclusively for consumer markets. An alternative to bulky electric-powered chargers comes in the form of a variety of PVpowered dual-purpose products. UCS will shortly announce further details and designate
October 2003