Direct Conversion Methods Renewable Energy Sources

Fusion power is a proposed form of power generation that would generate electricity by using heat from nuclear fusion reactions in a fusion process two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus while releasing energy.

Direct conversion methods renewable energy sources.

Cold ocean water from deep below the surface can be used to cool buildings with desalinated water often produced as a by product and seaside communities can employ the methods to tap natural ocean energy described above to supplement municipal power. History and theoretical underpinnings electrostatic direct collectors. Fusion processes require fuel and a confined environment with sufficient temperature. In the middle of the 1960s direct energy conversion was proposed as a method for capturing the energy from the exhaust gas in a fusion reactor this would generate a direct current of electricity.

Growing concern over the world s ever increasing energy needs and the prospect of rapidly dwindling reserves of oil natural gas and uranium fuel have prompted efforts to develop viable alternative energy sources. There are many forms of renewable energy most of these renewable energies depend in one way or another on sunlight. Post at the lawrence livermore national laboratory was an early proponent of the idea. Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electricity may be done in a single step direct collection devices or in two steps involving intermediate thermal energy.

Available storage energy systems in the market differ depending on the used renewable energy source 1. Wind and hydroelectric power are the direct result of differential heating of the earth s surface which leads to air moving about wind and precipitation forming as the air is lifted. Direct energy conversion usually implies the elimination of the mechanical rotary machinery turbines used in the previous examples. El wakil in alternative energy sources 1981.

The volatility and uncertainty of the petroleum fuel supply were dramatically brought to the fore. There are also lesser developed technologies that leverage ocean currents ocean winds and salinity gradients as sources of power conversion. Devices designed to harness this energy are known as fusion reactors. One direct conversion process makes use of the thermoelectric effect associated with heating the junction of two different conducting materials such as metals or semiconductors.

Energy sources conversion method specific energy mj kg conversion efficiency energy density mj l form of energy product phase co2 generation impurities water usage cost land usage cost sustainable energy fall 2010 conversion 12. Direct conversion processes can be used if the high quality energy form desired is electricity and the initial energy is in the form of heat. I c 4 direct conversion of nuclear energy.