Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons^™

Tips To Taper Energy Costs In The Kitchen, Lou Mueller

All Current Publications

This publications gives suggestions on how to save on energy costs in the kitchen.

Renewable Energy Projects In Southwestern Deserts – Update On Our Involvement, Scott R. Abella

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Like many in the conservation field, we have a good understanding of the urgent need for alternative energy sources, but also of the negative environmental tradeoffs of placing renewable energy developments on vast tracts of public lands in southwestern deserts as currently envisioned. We also understand political and economic reasons, good or bad, for not doing some obvious things that make sense for renewable energy like placing solar arrays on building tops in cities, within multi-use contexts such as crops, and on already impacted land when alternative energy projects (right or wrong) are to be placed on public land.

Further Developments On The Geothermal System Scoping Model, Mark Antkowiak, Rosemary Sargent, Jesse W. Geiger

Publications (E)

The fields of well construction and engineering, power plant construction and engineering, and reservoir engineering often proceed independently of one another. Yet the subsystems of a geothermal plant with which each of these fields is concerned need to be integrated in order to create a viable geothermal power system and make enhanced (or engineered) geothermal systems (EGS) a technical and an economic reality. Furthermore, each of these subsystems need to be examined in the context of the overall power system to aid with plant construction, and–more salient to the U.S. Department of Energy–to help determine best investment of research dollars. …

Using Gis To Determine Wind Harvesting Potential To Help Offset Boulder County's Yearly Energy Usage To Become A More Sustainable County, Pete Coventry

Geography and the Environment: Graduate Student Capstones

This project focuses on Boulder County, Colorado as a case study to demonstrate how a Geographic Information System (GIS) can identify potential wind harvesting areas. A step by step demonstration will illustrate the steps needed to determine such harvesting areas and their wind potential. Once potential wind harvesting areas have been identified, concluding analysis will determine the amount of energy generated in efforts to offset current energy use. Harvesting wind has dated back to the 7^th century and is looked at as a mature technology (Edwards 2003). Over the past few decades, public attitudes towards wind harvesting is becoming …

Wind Energy Glossary: Technical Terms And Concepts, Erik Edward Nordman

Technical Reports

The terms in this glossary are organized into three sections: (1) Electricity Transmission Network; (2) Wind Turbine Components; and (3) Wind Energy Challenges, Issues and Solutions.

A Sea Change For Aquatic Sustainability : Meeting The Challenge Of Fish Resources Management And Aquatic Sustainability In The 21st Century, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Photovoltaics (Pv) As An Eligible Measure In Residential Pace Programs: Benefits And Challenges, Jason Coughlin

Publications (E)

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is one of several new financial models broadening access to clean energy by addressing the barrier of initial capital cost. The majority of the PACE programs in the market today include PV as an eligible measure. PV appeals to homeowners as a way to reduce utility bills, self-generate sustainable power, increase energy independence and demonstrate a commitment to the environment. If substantial state incentives for PV exist, PV projects can be economic under PACE, especially when partnered with good net metering policies. At the same time, PV is expensive relative to other eligible measures …

Examination Of The Regional Supply And Demand Balance For Renewable Electricity In The United States Through 2015: Projecting From 2009 Through 2015 (Revised), Lori Bird, David Hurlbut, Pearl Donohoo, Karlynn Cory, Claire Kreycik

Publications (E)

This report examines the balance between the demand and supply of new renewable electricity in the United States on a regional basis through 2015. It expands on a 2007 NREL study (Swezey et al. 2007) that assessed the supply and demand balance on a national basis. As with the earlier study, this analysis relies on estimates of renewable energy supplies compared to demand for renewable energy generation needed to meet existing state renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policies in 28 states, as well as demand by consumers who voluntarily purchase renewable energy. However, it does not address demand by utilities that …

Wind Energy Workforce Development: A Roadmap To A Sustainable Wind Industry, Ian Baring-Gould, Marguerite Kelly

Publications (E)

As the United States moves toward greatly expanded wind energy use, the need for skilled workers at all industry levels has been repeatedly identified as a critical issue. Additionally, if the industry and nation wish to capitalize on this rapid industry growth by becoming a major international green technology exporter, reversing current educational trends away from science, engineering, and technical skills must be achieved.

This poster provides an overview of the educational infrastructure and expected industry needs through a discussion of the activities to train workers while addressing issues for each of the education sectors, leading to the development of …

Policy Suggestions For Emissions Trading In The U.S.A., Nathaniel Wallshein

Honors Scholar Theses

This honors thesis will examine current and theoretical "cap and trade" emissions trading schemes in an attempt to make recommendations on how to improve this regulated commodity market. The various control mechanisms available to regulators will be discussed: including allocation methodology, benchmarking, banking, variation in design frameworks, etc. To aid and support the proposed policy recommendations, this paper will investigate the design framework of the SOx emission trading scheme in the US, the Kyoto Protocol, and the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The political, social, and economic context of these schemes will be taken into account when considering the …

Wind Energy Deployment Issue Brief - May 2010, Erik Edward Nordman

Technical Reports

Wind energy projects have been proposed all over the world. West Michigan coastal communities, like other communities worldwide, are in the midst of assessing the benefits and challenges of siting wind energy farms. These wind energy projects reflect Michigan’s changing mix of potential energy sources; changes that are requiring the attention of all West Michigan communities.

Michigan’s electricity providers consider wind energy to be the most cost effective, scalable means of meeting the state’s 10 percent renewable energy standard [1]. Wind energy enjoys broad support in general, but specific projects can draw opposition [2]. Understanding the factors that influence wind …

Hydrogen Separation Membranes, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Technical brief describing hydrogen separation membranes and their potential to reduce cost of hydrogen production and CO₂ separation. Outlines membrane types, commercially available membranes, and new technological developments. [This item is an outdated or superseded version and retained for historical purposes only. It may no longer reflect current information, policies, or practices.]

An Exploratory Study On Energy Consumption Of Energy Star And Non-Energy Star Homes, Prajakta Kulkarni

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The reduction of energy consumption is one of the economic necessities in the United States due to depleting energy sources in the world. The construction industry is stepping forward to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by efficient designs or by constructing buildings with energy efficient materials and features. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) introduced the Energy Star Program to promote energy efficient products with the same or improved services. According to the EPA, Energy Star homes, which use these products, will consume 20 to 30 percent less energy than non-Energy Star …

Voluntary Green Power Market Forecast Through 2015, Lori Bird, Ed Holt, Jenny Sumner, Claire Kreycik

Publications (E)

Voluntary markets for renewable energy in which consumers purchase renewable energy from their electricity providers or from renewable energy certificate (REC) marketers have existed for more than a decade. Going forward, various factors will influence the development of these markets, including potential climate policies, state and federal renewable portfolio standards (RPS), renewable energy prices, the level of consumer interest in purchasing green power, and the interest on the part of utilities in offering new green options and in continuing to promote existing programs.

This report presents estimates of voluntary market demand for renewable energy or green power through 2015. The …

Virginia Offshore Wind Studies, July 2007 To March 2010: Final Report, Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, Patrick G. Hatcher, Johathan J. Miles, Kenneth F. Newbold, George M. Hagerman Jr.

Offshore Wind Research

No abstract provided.

La Historia De La Energía Y Desarrollo En Una Comunidad Rural: El Uso E Historia De La Energía En Santa Rosa De Pacto Y Las Implicaciones Para El Futuro De Los Países En Vías De Desarrollo, Julie Lapidus

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

A medida que los países en vías de desarrollo continúan desarrollándose, sus contribuciones al cambio climático sólo continuarán aumentando. Actualmente, un país en vías de desarrollo (China) es el mayor productor del dióxido de carbono. Por eso, esta investigación se enfocó en el uso, la historia y el futuro de la energía de un pueblo rural en Ecuador (Santa Rosa de Pacto) que tiene energía eléctrica desde hace sólo ocho años. Este estudio de casos prácticos ayuda a la comprensión de la frecuencia y cambio del desarrollo de la energía en países en vías del desarrollo, particularmente en regiones rurales. …

The Economic Feasibility Of Solar Panels For The University Of Nebraska–Lincoln, Chris Schwarz

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Abstract

The world runs on the electricity provided by gas, oil, and coal. These sources, while cheap, have some major drawbacks associated with them; they are polluting when burned, extraction damages the environment, and the resource reservoirs are limited. With this understanding, the world is turning to renewable energy sources as a means to alleviate its growing energy requirements. But there are problems associated with renewable energy sources preventing them from becoming major sources of electricity generation. These problems are usually monetary in nature.

The cost effectiveness of photovoltaic panels for use by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a means …

Cellulosic Ethanol: The Benefits, Obstacles, And Implications For Nebraska, Cassidee Lin Thompson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Abstract Ethanol is a biofuel that has unique capabilities to mitigate global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously supporting rural economies and decreasing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. Currently, the state of Nebraska depends on corn ethanol, which may be unsustainable. Cellulosic ethanol is a promising alternative but it is not without its problems, including high production costs and potential environmental damage. This thesis is an attempt to understand the benefits, downfalls, and processes of corn-based and cellulosic ethanol and the potential implications to Nebraska. This research should shed some light on the current obstacles …

Energy From The Sun: A Solar Feasibility Study For Macquarie University, Jj Augenbraun

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Macquarie University uses over 30,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. As one of the largest energy consumers in its area, the University is looking for ways to reduce the cost and environmental impact associated with its operations. One possible option is the use of solar energy to generate electricity on campus. However, solar energy is a complicated issue, especially for a large scale project. By taking the time to evaluate options prior to beginning a project of this scale, money and effort can be saved in the future. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility …

Input-Output Analysis Of Irish Construction Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Adolf Acquaye, Aidan Duffy

Articles

Ireland is committed to limiting its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 113% of 1990 levels over the period 2008-12 and to 84% of 2005 levels by 2020 under the Kyoto Agreement and the EU’s ’20 20’ by 2020 respectively. National policies have targeted many industry sectors but have failed to directly tackle GHG emissions associated with construction activity. This paper estimates energy and GHG emissions intensities of the Irish construction sector and subsectors and estimates its contribution to Irish national emissions. This information is used to identify and assess the impacts of policy measures which would result in a reduction …