Optimal Life Systems Technoeconomics Video
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Generally
speaking, a typical solar system in the U.S. can produce electricity at
the cost of $0.06 to $0.08 per kilowatt-hour. This price is comparable
to the prices of solar electricity in Louisiana ($0.0771), where it
still makes sense to go solar. However, for the true benefits of going solar, consider going solar in Hawaii. A significantly higher price of electrical power ($0.3236) guarantees a very high ROI – return on investment.
In 2019 the US EIA revised the levelized cost of electricity from new advanced nuclear power plants going online in 2023 to be $0.0775/kWh before
government subsidies, using a regulated industry 4.3% cost of capital
(WACC - pre-tax 6.6%) over a 30-year cost recovery period.
Batteries:
According to a study by BloombergNEF, the cost per kilowatt-hour of LFP batteries in 2022 was around $138. This is significantly lower than the cost per kilowatt-hour of other types of lithium-ion batteries, such as nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, which were around $151 per kilowatt-hour in 2022.
Solar via PV to hot water.
The overall efficiency of a hot water element powered by PV can range from 10% to 20%. This means that for every 100 watts of sunlight that hits the cells, only 10 to 20 watts of heat will be generated.
There are a few merits to using a hot water heater as a battery for a photovoltaic system.
- Cost-effectiveness: Hot water heaters are already a common household appliance, so there is no need to purchase a separate battery. This can save you money on the upfront cost of the system.
- Scalability: Hot water heaters can be easily scaled up or down to meet the needs of your home. This makes them a good option for both small and large homes.
- Durability: Hot water heaters are typically made from durable materials, so they can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. This means that they will last for many years, even when they are used as a battery.
- Convenience: Hot water heaters are already connected to your home's plumbing, so you can easily use the stored heat to provide hot water for your home. This eliminates the need to install a separate hot water system.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using a hot water heater as a battery for a photovoltaic system.
- Efficiency: Hot water heaters are not as efficient as batteries at storing energy. This means that you will lose some of the energy that is generated by your solar panels.
- Temperature control: Hot water heaters are designed to maintain a constant temperature. This means that you may not be able to use the stored heat when you need it, if the temperature of the water is too high or too low.
- Maintenance: Hot water heaters require regular maintenance, such as draining and flushing the tank. This can be a hassle, and it can also reduce the efficiency of the system.
Overall, there are both pros and cons to using a hot water heater as a battery for a photovoltaic system. The best way to decide if this is the right option for you is to weigh the benefits and drawbacks and consider your individual needs.
You already have a hot water heater.
Diverter circuit to hot water heater.
Oversized hot water heater as battery.
Solar hot water systems use sunlight to heat water, which can be used for showering, bathing, and laundry. They are a good option if you want to reduce your reliance on gas or electric water heaters. Solar hot water systems are typically less expensive to install than solar PV systems, and they can be more cost-effective in areas with less sunlight.
Sure, here are some of the merits of using a geothermal loop as a battery for a photovoltaic system:
- Long lifespan: Geothermal loops can last for decades, making them a more sustainable option than traditional batteries.
- Low maintenance: Geothermal loops require very little maintenance, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
- Scalability: Geothermal loops can be scaled to meet the needs of any home or business.
- Environmentally friendly: Geothermal loops do not produce any emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly option than traditional batteries.
Here are some of the specific benefits of using a geothermal loop as a battery for a photovoltaic system:
- Can store large amounts of energy: Geothermal
loops can store large amounts of energy, making them a good option for
homes and businesses that need to store energy for backup power or to
provide continuous power during peak demand times.
- Can be used to heat and cool homes and businesses: Geothermal
loops can be used to heat and cool homes and businesses, making them a
more efficient and cost-effective way to provide heating and cooling
than traditional methods.
- Can be used to generate electricity: Geothermal
loops can be used to generate electricity, making them a renewable
energy source that can help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Overall, geothermal loops offer a number of advantages over traditional batteries for use in photovoltaic systems. They are more sustainable, require less maintenance, and can store large amounts of energy. Additionally, they can be used to heat and cool homes and businesses, and they can even be used to generate electricity.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using geothermal loops as batteries for photovoltaic systems. They can be more expensive to install than traditional batteries, and they may not be suitable for all homes and businesses. Additionally, they may not be able to store as much energy as traditional batteries.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether or not to use a geothermal loop as a battery for a photovoltaic system is to speak with a solar energy installer. They can help you assess your needs and recommend the best system for your home or business.
Sure, here is how you can use a geothermal loop to generate electricity:
- Install a geothermal loop. A
geothermal loop is a system of pipes that are buried in the ground. The
pipes are filled with a fluid, such as water or antifreeze, which
circulates through the ground and absorbs heat.
- Install a heat exchanger. The
heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat from the geothermal loop
to a working fluid. The working fluid is then used to drive a turbine,
which generates electricity.
- Install a generator. The generator converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy.
The geothermal loop can be used to generate electricity in two ways:
- Direct geothermal: In
direct geothermal, the heat from the geothermal loop is used to
directly drive a turbine. This is the most efficient way to generate
electricity from geothermal energy, but it is also the most expensive.
- Binary geothermal: In
binary geothermal, the heat from the geothermal loop is used to heat a
working fluid with a lower boiling point than water. The working fluid
then boils and turns into a vapor, which drives a turbine. This is less
efficient than direct geothermal, but it is also less expensive.
Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity. Geothermal loops can be used to generate electricity in both direct and binary geothermal systems. The type of system that is used will depend on the specific application and the cost of the system.
Here are some of the benefits of using a geothermal loop to generate electricity:
- It is a clean and renewable source of energy. Geothermal energy does not produce any emissions, so it is a good option for those who are concerned about air pollution.
- It is a reliable source of energy. Geothermal
energy is available 24/7, so it can be used to provide backup power or
to provide continuous power during peak demand times.
- It is a cost-effective source of energy. The
cost of geothermal energy has been declining in recent years, making it
a more affordable option for businesses and homeowners.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using a geothermal loop to generate electricity:
- It can be expensive to install. The cost of installing a geothermal loop can be significant, but the costs can be offset by the savings on energy bills.
- It may not be suitable for all locations. Geothermal
loops are most effective in areas with stable ground temperatures. In
areas with extreme temperatures, the geothermal loop may not be able to
generate enough electricity to be cost-effective.
Overall, geothermal energy is a promising source of renewable energy that can be used to generate electricity. Geothermal loops can be used to generate electricity in both direct and binary geothermal systems. The type of system that is used will depend on the specific application and the cost of the system.
Geothermal
Conclusions: Raise Oxygen Rate
Lower Complexity of society
Case against nukes.
Parts to make a nuke plant
here are many components that go into a nuclear power plant, but the five most important are:
- Nuclear fuel: This
is the material that undergoes fission to produce heat. The most common
type of nuclear fuel is uranium, but plutonium and thorium can also be
used.
- Moderator: This
is a material that slows down neutrons so that they are more likely to
cause fission. The most common moderator is water, but graphite and
heavy water can also be used.
- Coolant: This is a material that carries heat away from the reactor core. The most common coolants are water and liquid sodium.
- Control rods: These are rods that are inserted into the reactor core to absorb neutrons and slow down the fission reaction.
- Shield/containment system: This
is a system of thick concrete walls and steel pipes that surrounds the
reactor core to protect the environment from radiation.
In addition to these five main components, there are many other components that are essential for the safe and efficient operation of a nuclear power plant. These include the turbine, generator, condenser, cooling towers, and electrical switchgear.
The exact number of components in a nuclear power plant will vary depending on the type of reactor and the design of the plant. However, all nuclear power plants will have the five main components listed above.
The design life of a nuclear power plant is typically 30 to 40 years.
The exact number of parts in a nuclear power plant is difficult to say, as it will vary depending on the type of reactor and the design of the plant. However, a typical nuclear power plant would have tens of thousands of parts.
For example, the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor has over 100,000 parts. This includes everything from the reactor core and the coolant system to the turbine and the electrical switchgear.
The number of parts in a nuclear power plant is also increasing as the technology becomes more advanced. For example, the new generation of small modular reactors (SMRs) will have even more parts than traditional nuclear power plants.
Despite the large number of parts, nuclear power plants are very reliable. This is because the parts are carefully designed and manufactured to meet strict safety standards. Additionally, the plants are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that they are operating safely.
Here are some of the factors that contribute to the high number of parts in a nuclear power plant:
- The need for redundancy: In order to
ensure safety, nuclear power plants have multiple redundant systems.
This means that there are multiple copies of each important component,
so that if one system fails, the others can still keep the plant
running.
- The complexity of the
systems: Nuclear power plants are very complex machines. They have many
different systems that need to work together in order to generate
electricity safely. This complexity leads to a large number of parts.
- The
need for high precision: The parts in a nuclear power plant need to be
very precise. This is because even a small mistake can lead to a serious
accident. The high precision requirements lead to the use of more parts
in order to ensure that the systems are operating correctly.
Overall, the number of parts in a nuclear power plant is a reflection of the complexity and safety requirements of these plants. Despite the large number of parts, nuclear power plants are very reliable and safe.
The number of parts in a 10000 watt photovoltaic house system will vary depending on the specific system design, but it will typically be in the range of 50-100 parts. The main components of a photovoltaic house system include:
- Solar panels: These are the devices
that convert sunlight into electricity. The number of solar panels
required will depend on the size of the system and the amount of
sunlight available.
- Inverter: This
device converts the direct current (DC) electricity from the solar
panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which can be used by
household appliances.
- Charge
controller: This device regulates the amount of electricity flowing from
the solar panels to the battery bank, preventing the battery from being
overcharged or discharged.
- Battery bank: This stores the electricity generated by the solar panels for use when the sun is not shining.
- Wiring: This connects all of the components of the system together.
- Other components: This may include mounting hardware, junction boxes, and safety switches.
The exact number of parts in a 10000 watt photovoltaic house system will depend on the specific system design, but it will typically be in the range of 50-100 parts.
The design life of a PV system is typically 25 to 35 years, but some systems may last longer.
The cost per watt of silicone solar cell panels has been declining steadily in recent years, and is currently around $2.95/W in 2023.
A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 2022 estimated that the cost per watt of GaAs solar cells with an efficiency of 30% would be around $7.15. This is significantly higher than the cost per watt of silicon solar cells with the same efficiency, which is estimated to be around $4.85.
The efficiency of silicon solar cells is the percentage of sunlight that is converted into electricity. The efficiency of silicon solar cells has been increasing steadily over the past few decades, and it is now possible to achieve efficiencies of over 26% in laboratory settings. However, the efficiency of commercially available silicon solar cells is typically around 18%-22%.
The efficiency of GaAs solar cells varies depending on the design of the cell, the manufacturing process, and the quality of the materials used. However, in general, GaAs solar cells can achieve efficiencies of up to 30%.
Here is a breakdown of the number of parts in a 10000 watt photovoltaic house system, based on a sample system design:
- Solar panels: 30
- Inverter: 1
- Charge controller: 1
- Battery bank: 4
- Wiring: 20
- Other components: 10
Total parts: 75
This is just a sample system design, and the actual number of parts may vary depending on the specific system design. However, this gives you a general idea of the number of parts that are typically required for a 10000 watt photovoltaic house system.