Difference between revisions of "Chem321:Discussion 7"
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We will leave comments on the page below, in response to (and under) the questions posted or the related responses. Be sure to start your text with a *, and sign your responses with four tilde marks at the end. You should post one original response to each question, and then post one followup comment on another student's posting. I will also respond to each student's post. | We will leave comments on the page below, in response to (and under) the questions posted or the related responses. Be sure to start your text with a *, and sign your responses with four tilde marks at the end. You should post one original response to each question, and then post one followup comment on another student's posting. I will also respond to each student's post. | ||
| − | ==Biofuels in the North Country== | + | ==1. Biofuels or small wind turbines in the North Country== |
| − | + | Watch both videos from unit 7: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrPNuOPflmQ Prof. Robert Ewy on growing willow], and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIvwdGWt88s Prof. Ken Visser on small wind turbines]. Consider the question with two scenarios in mind - (a) where fracking has given the world a plentiful supply of $100/barrel oil (maintaining gasoline prices at around $3-4/gallon in the US) or (b) where there is a worldwide commitment to reduce fossil fuel usage, coupled with increased use of renewables (due to falling prices for solar and wind power, and cheap battery storage). | |
| + | Answer '''either one''' of the following questions: | ||
| − | + | ;EITHER: What the the possibilities for biofuel production in the North Country? Could willow or something similar provide a major cash crop for local farmers with marginal land? | |
| − | + | ;OR: Suggest some suitable applications for small wind turbines in St. Lawrence County and nearby counties. (Post answers below here) | |
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| − | Suggest some suitable applications for small wind turbines in St. Lawrence County and nearby counties. (Post answers below here) | ||
| − | |||
| + | ==2. Microgrids and distributed energy generation== | ||
| + | As mentioned in [http://www.cnbc.com/2014/11/27/why-living-off-the-grid-will-get-a-lot-easier-in-25-years.html this reading from unit 7], cheaper solar and wind power is making it viable for homeowners to generate their own electricity. It was also [http://northcountrynow.com/news/100k-state-will-fund-canton-microgrid-study-0147856 announced recently] that Canton had received a grant to examine building a microgrid for the town. Is this type of distributed power generation feasible in the North Country? If so, will it be connected to the wider grid, or will people go completely off-grid? | ||
[[Category:Chemistry 321]] | [[Category:Chemistry 321]] | ||
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This discussion is based on discussing two questions, and it is set to take place on the wiki, over the next few days (until 11:59pm on Friday, 24th July, 2015). Be sure to read unit 7 and watch both videos: Prof. Robert Ewy on growing willow, and Prof. Ken Visser on small wind turbines. Consider the question with two scenarios in mind - (a) where fracking has given the world a plentiful supply of $100/barrel oil (maintaining gasoline prices at around $3-4/gallon in the US) or (b) where there is a worldwide commitment to reduce fossil fuel usage, coupled with increased use of renewables (due to falling prices for solar and wind power, and cheap battery storage).
We will leave comments on the page below, in response to (and under) the questions posted or the related responses. Be sure to start your text with a *, and sign your responses with four tilde marks at the end. You should post one original response to each question, and then post one followup comment on another student's posting. I will also respond to each student's post.
1. Biofuels or small wind turbines in the North Country
Watch both videos from unit 7: Prof. Robert Ewy on growing willow, and Prof. Ken Visser on small wind turbines. Consider the question with two scenarios in mind - (a) where fracking has given the world a plentiful supply of $100/barrel oil (maintaining gasoline prices at around $3-4/gallon in the US) or (b) where there is a worldwide commitment to reduce fossil fuel usage, coupled with increased use of renewables (due to falling prices for solar and wind power, and cheap battery storage).
Answer either one of the following questions:
- EITHER
- What the the possibilities for biofuel production in the North Country? Could willow or something similar provide a major cash crop for local farmers with marginal land?
- OR
- Suggest some suitable applications for small wind turbines in St. Lawrence County and nearby counties. (Post answers below here)
2. Microgrids and distributed energy generation
As mentioned in this reading from unit 7, cheaper solar and wind power is making it viable for homeowners to generate their own electricity. It was also announced recently that Canton had received a grant to examine building a microgrid for the town. Is this type of distributed power generation feasible in the North Country? If so, will it be connected to the wider grid, or will people go completely off-grid?
