... Wild AC, Simulation of a Solar Panel, and the Get Real Deal make my lessons different if not unique.
Wild AC from wind turbines cannot be transmitted over the same transmission lines because they would short each other out when 180 degrees out of phase, and they will not work well except when phase is zero degrees. However, their power output can be rectified and then transmitted for short distance on DC power lines to trains and cars traveling through the plains states. Most of the freeways that connect east and west coast of USA are a short distance from farms and ranches that have plenty space for solar farms and wind turbines. Future freeways will soon have mostly electric cars that could be charged with green energy as they travel across nation.
Wild AC from wind turbines cannot be transmitted over the same transmission lines because they would short each other out when 180 degrees out of phase, and they will not work well except when phase is zero degrees. However, their power output can be rectified and then transmitted for short distance on DC power lines to trains and cars traveling through the plains states. Most of the freeways that connect east and west coast of USA are a short distance from farms and ranches that have plenty space for solar farms and wind turbines. Future freeways will soon have mostly electric cars that could be charged with green energy as they travel across nation.
Interactive Training is Key to Effective Learning
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My animations of circuits with faults are unique. They force student to perform the actual tasks that a electronic technician must perform on the job.
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Pictures, Animations, and Simulations are a key element of this Virtual Learning System ( VLS ) . |
Why Start with Hydroelectricity?
This hydroelectric facility is one of the oldest faculties in the USA and it is close to where I live. The hydroelectric topic may be old school, but its future use for storage of solar energy not only on a daily but also on a seasonal basis is something that is worth exploring.
This system is actually a 40 MW ROR (Run Off River) hydroelectric system. Even though this ROR bypasses a waterfall, it could be used to bypass any section of river with a steep grade. Since it was originally built over a hundred years ago, it is a truly an example of a feasible ROR that was built without big government supplements.
The large pipes below carry the water down to a power plant. The potential energy of the water is converted to electrical energy by the turbine/generator in the power plant shown above. The output voltage of the generator is only a few hundred volts, but it is stepped up by transformers to many thousands of volts. Power lines at bottom of page carry the power to users many miles away.
The large pipes below carry the water down to a power plant. The potential energy of the water is converted to electrical energy by the turbine/generator in the power plant shown above. The output voltage of the generator is only a few hundred volts, but it is stepped up by transformers to many thousands of volts. Power lines at bottom of page carry the power to users many miles away.
The Basic Electronics Renaissanceaissance
In the past century an electronic technician used meters and scopes to monitor discrete components voltages to determine which component is faulty. Miniaturization of components made probing test points difficult and eventually the incorporation of an entire systems on a single IC made traditional troubleshooting impossible and the high reliability of micro-circuits made it unnecessary. When was the last time your computer failed electronically?
Renewable energy has completely changed this situation. Solar panels and batteries can be connected in series or parallel. There a many points in systems for a meter to probe and wires that a current probe could be hooked around. Access is easy if you are willing to climb a ladder to a roof or top of tower.
Renewable energy has completely changed this situation. Solar panels and batteries can be connected in series or parallel. There a many points in systems for a meter to probe and wires that a current probe could be hooked around. Access is easy if you are willing to climb a ladder to a roof or top of tower.
