Telsa and Fisker are two companies who make electrical powered motors for automobiles that strive for a better outcome for the environment. Both companies also ensure that electrical powered motors are more efficient than gasoline.

Telsa’s motors are the future of modern automobile making. First off, is eliminating gasoline. According to Telsa, Internal Combustion Engines (in cars today) result in wasted energy. Only about 30% of the energy stored in gasoline is converted to forward motion. The rest is wasted as heat and noise. When the engine isn’t spinning, there’s no torque available. The engine must turn at several hundred revolutions per minute (RPM) before it can generate enough power to overcome its own internal losses. Cars resting alone takes 1,000 RPM. To improve efficiency, Telsa replaced the engine with a motor. Electric motors convert electricity into mechanical power and also act as a generator, turning the mechanical power into electricity.  Compared to the engine, the “Roadster” motor has only one moving piece – the rotor. The spinning rotor eliminates conversion of linear motion to rotational motion. With the motor’s wide torque band as well, it practically allows the torque to be available at low RPM, eliminating the need for gears. The Roadster has only a single speed gear reduction – one gear from zero to top speed. There’s also no need for a reverse gear, which is interesting because it can be done electronically. This design is simple, reliable, compact, and lightweight. It also accelerates faster than most sports cars, and has instant torque no matter the conditions on the road. Telsa’s electric motor achieves an overall driving efficiency of 88% – that’s three times the efficiency for a conventional car. The Roadster motors also act as a generator to recharge the battery. When the accelerator pedal is released, the motor switches into “generator” mode and captures energy while slowing the car.

Telsa’s vehicles are also helping to prevent harmful emissions and pollutants from getting into the atmosphere – they have no tailpipes. Telsa vehicles are unlike gasoline-powered vehicles that burn refined petroleum. Telsa Vehicles can use electricity however it is produced (coal, solar, hydro, geothermal, wind).

Telsa has been very successful over the past few years, but for Fisker it is not looking good. From 2013 to 2014, there has not been production at Fisker due to bankruptcy. The Fisker Karama was a hybrid plug-in that also came with a small gasoline engine that would kick in when the battery power ran out. Fisker sold about 1800 models between 2011 and 2012 before a series of problems halted production.

The electrical motor for automobiles show many benefits not only for car owners, but for the environment. These models are special because they release substantially less CO2 emissions compared to conventional cars. Electrical motors are also cost efficient because recharging a battery costs around $1.40 per gallon, where gas prices range from $3.50 – $4.00 per gallon for conventional cars. As of June 2104, there were over 500,000 plug-in electric passenger cars and utility vans in the world – 250,000 in the United States since the market launch of the Telsa roadster in 2008. Telsa is working on producing more electrical motor vehicles,some with even higher battery power. This is said to be presented in 2020.

Electrical powered motors allow more efficiency not only on the road, but for our wallets. Electrical motors produce less CO2 emissions than gas powered engines and may help lead us to cleaner air in the future.

Resources:

http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/technology/motor

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/features#/performancehttp://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/31/3476807/tesla-electric-car-battery-breakthrough/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_car_use_by_country

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/06/09/china-billionaire-buys-fisker-in-bankruptcy-now-poised-to-sell-in-us-auto/

In the United States, the primary energy supply consists of six main fuels; 3 of them being coal, natural gas, and nuclear power.

Coal plays a vital role in electrical generation world wide. Coal-fired power plants currently fuel 41% of global electricity. Some countries use coal more than others, but without electricity our modern world would be unlivable. In the United States, coal fuels 45% of our electricity.

So how does a coal-fired power plant work? Before the coal is burned, it is crushed into very fine powder. It is then mixed with hot air and blown into the firebox of the boiler. The coal and air mixture provides a complete combustion. Water is then pumped through pipes inside the boiler and turned into steam by the heat. The pressure of the steam pushing against a series of turbine blades turns the turbine shaft. This shaft is connected to the shaft generator, where magnets spin within wire coils to produce electricity. The water used for this process can be reused over and over again after a cooling process. Below is a diagram of this process.

 

Although coal is the most common sources of energy generation, it is the largest greenhouse gas emitter. Improvements for coal production are still in processes. New combustion technologies are being developed which allow more electricity to be produced from less coal. This is know as improving the thermal efficiency of the power station. Improvements from coal-fired power stations will play a crucial part in reducing CO2 emissions at a global level. A clear and obvious way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is by using different fuels for energy supply, such as natural gas.

Natural gas, is another important source of energy generation. Natural gas is a very versatile fossil fuel that we can use for heating our homes, electricity, transportation, and as an industrial feedstock. As of 2012, it made up 30% of the U.S energy mix, and is continuing to be readily available as a domestic resource.

Natural gas is a product of decomposed organic matter, deposited over the past 550 million years. This organic matter mixed with mud, silt, and sand on the sea floor, gradually became buried over time. This matter underwent a thermal breakdown process due to exposure of increasing amounts of heat and pressure, and converted into hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons exist in a gaseous state (which is essentially natural gas). In it’s pure form natural gas is colorless, odorless and composed primarily of methane. Natural gas is found deep within the earths core in rocks (shale). The way to retrieve natural gas is through a procedure I talked about in my previous blog: Fracking. Fracturing allows us to continue to retrieve natural gas. Natural gas provides us with a source of energy while reducing CO2 emissions, unlike coal. Below is a diagram of the natural gas retrieval process.

Natural gas can be used to generate electricity in various ways. The most basic natural gas-fired electric generation consists of a steam generation unit. With this, fossil fuels are burned in a boiler to heat water and produce steam that then turns a turbine to generate electricity. These basic steam units are more typical of large coal or nuclear generation, but can be used for natural gas as well.

Over the years, there has been an increased reliance on natural gas. Although coal is the cheapest fossil fuel for generating electricity, it is also the dirtiest – releasing the highest levels of pollutants into the air. Natural gas plays an increasingly important role in the clean generation of electricity.Natural gas does not release the same amount of nitrogen oxides or carbon dioxide as coal-fired plants do.

Last but not least is Nuclear power. A nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from splitting atoms such as uranium. Uranium-fuelled nuclear power is a clean and efficient way of boiling water to make steam which drives turbine generators. Apart from it’s reactor, a nuclear power station works like most coal-fired power stations. In the reactor core the uranium fissions (splits), producing heat in a continuous process is called a chain reaction.

This process depends on a moderator such as water or graphite. The moderator slows down the neutrons produced by fission so that they will produce more fissions. The products of the fission stay in the ceramic fuel and undergo radioactive decay, which releases more heat. Steam is formed above the reactor core or in separate pressure vessels, which then drives the turbine to produce electricity. The steam from this process is condensed and the water is reused. Below is a diagram of nuclear power generation.

Unlike fossil fuel plants, nuclear power plants don’t produce smoke (like coal-fired energy production). Nuclear power is considered carbon-free and produces more electricity than other renewable energy sources. Uranium on the other hand is not the easiest resource to get our hands on because it is mined and and transported to power plants. There is also an issue of radioactive waste, which is extremely dangerous. Most plants store nuclear waste in steel-lined concrete basins filled with water, where it remains radioactive for thousands of years.

All three of these energy sources raise concern because they add to the emission of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Coal being the worst, and natural gas and nuclear power being better in terms of CO2 emissions. All three of these sources generate electricity through a process where either steam or smoke are generated through turbines within the process. There are several ways in which these sources of energy generation are similar, but the impact they have on CO2 emissions is far more different. But in the end, electricity, heat and transportation would not be possible without these resources.

Sources:

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-pros-cons-nuclear-power.htm

http://www.world-nuclear.org/nuclear-basics/how-does-a-nuclear-reactor-make-electricity-/

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/how-is-natural-gas-formed.html#.VCNvW1zIrL8

Electrical Uses

http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/uses-of-coal/coal-electricity/

http://www.duke-energy.com/about-energy/generating-electricity/coal-fired-how.asp

Class Text: Beyond Smoke and Mirrors

This lab activity was an interesting and successful way of exploring Newton’s 2nd Law. In this lab we used the robot along with varying masses and velocity on a pulley system. The equation we used for this activity was F=ma. With this equation we explored conservation of energy and were able to understand rules of Newton’s 2nd Law; that energy is not created or destroyed.

Our procedure in this lab activity was to perform multiple trials where the constant differed. For our first four trials, we kept the mass at a constant weight of 0.09 kg and varied the amount of power of the pulley in each trial. During this trial we were able to draw a hypothesis that when mass remains constant, force and acceleration will also increase (F=ma).

Below is a table of our findings when Mass (kg) was constant with a corresponding graph.

Speed (RPM)	Battery Discharge	Mass (kg)	Power	Time (sec)	Acceleration (RPM/sec.)
30.850514	111	0.09	50	4.511	6.838952
66.496526	139	0.09	75	2.351	28.284358
106.949352	110	0.09	100	1.415	75.582581
106.567093	70	0.09	125	1.406	75.794519

 

In conclusion from this trial, as we increased the amount of force on the pulley, the acceleration increased as well. Our results show a positive slope in our graph (best fit line).

For our second trial, we kept the power at a constant level of 50, and varied the mass (kg). During this trial we were able to draw a hypothesis that when mass increases, acceleration will decrease. This means that our equation (F=ma) would not be balanced, as it was in the previous trial.

Below is a table of our findings when Power was constant with a corresponding graph.

Speed (RPM)	Battery Discharge	Mass (kg)	Power	Time (sec)	Acceleration (RPM/sec.)
23.724792	153	0.08	50	5.058	4.690548
24.856242	139	0.10	50	5.391	4.610692
15.795495	139	0.12	50	7.576	2.08439
2.115704	194	0.16	50	9.847	0.214858

 

In conclusion from this trial, when the amount of mass in Kg was added to the pulley, the acceleration decreased. Our results this time show a negative slope in our graph (best fit line), which reflects the equation F=ma.

In the final part of our experiment, we used a ruler to measure the height of the pulley. Using Labview we looked at the relationship between battery discharge and potential energy.

For this, we used the equation PE= mgh.

After we calculated PE, we divided our result by the time (PE/T).  We did this for each trial (constant mass, and constant power) Below is a graph of the relationship between Battery Discharge and PE/T along with a corresponding graph.

Gravity (m/s²)	Mass (kg)	Height (km)	Time (sec)	PE	PE/T	Battery discharge
9.8	0.08	0.04	5.058	0.158619	0.03136	153
9.8	0.10	0.04	5.391	0.211327	0.0392	139
9.8	0.12	0.04	7.576	0.356375	0.04704	139
9.8	0.16	0.04	9.847	0.617604	0.06272	194
9.8	0.09	0.04	4.511	0.159148	0.03528	111
9.8	0.09	0.04	2.351	0.082943	0.03528	139
9.8	0.09	0.04	1.415	0.049921	0.03528	110
9.8	0.09	0.04	1.406	0.049604	0.03528	70

 

The battery discharge in this part of the activity did not increase as much as we initially thought it would, but it was clear that this experiment didn’t require a huge amount of battery power. Over all, the pattern in the graph was pretty stable. This part of the experiment, however is where we saw conservation of energy between PE and the amount of energy needed on the pulley.

Over all, I really enjoyed this experiment. I learned a lot about Newton’s 2nd law and how to use the formulas used with it. This experiment was not too difficult because my partner Bryan and I were able to split the work evenly and help each other with parts we didn’t quite understand. Bryan was a huge help because  I am not very exel-friendly as he was! Without his help I would have struggled on our graphs and charts. We have a very good relationship as partners and I look forward to working with him on future experiments! We try to have fun with the activities, which makes it easier for me to learn the material.

The robotics activity was a great experience for me because i’ve never done anything like this in previous classes. This was my first time building a robot which I thought would be difficult, but the instrutions were very easy to follow and with the help of my partner we were able to successfully do the activity. Apart from being a new experience for me, I also learned quite a bit about how to calculate the total distance and velocity of the robot.

After assembling our robot, my partner and I determined what power levels we wanted to test with corresponding times. For our first trial we tested the robot at a 25 power level for 2 seconds. Our second trial at a 50 power level for 4 seconds, and our third trail at a 60 power level for 6 seconds. To make sure our trials would produce valid data, we had to make sure our robot had enough distance to travel on our label without inferfering with any other objects. Also, we had to make sure that our robot was traveling in a straight line every time we performed a trial. Below is the data we collected from our trails. The first table includes our own calculations, and the second includes calculations from the computer.

Our Calculations

Power level & time traveled	Distance measured (meters)	Velocity (m/s)
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	0.17	0.085
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	0.171	0.0855
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	0.171	0.0855
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	0.741	0.185
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	0.742	0.186
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	0.751	0.188
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	1.40	0.233
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	1.39	0.2317
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	1.42	0.2367

 

Computer Calculations

Power level & time traveled	# of wheel turns	Distance measured (meters)	Velocity (m/s)
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	0.941667	0.160083	0.0800417
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	0.963889	0.163861	0.0819306
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	0.969444	0.164806	0.0824028
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	4.322222	0.734778	0.184757
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	4.34722	0.739028	0.184757
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	4.38333	0.745167	0.186292
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	8.11389	1.37936	0.229894
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	8.10833	1.37842	0.229736
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	8.14167	1.38408	0.230681

 

For our calculations, we determined the distance traveled by meausring from the starting point to where the robot stopped using a ruler. We marked the starting point with tape and would place the robot there before every trial. When we measured the distance, we would measure from the back of the robot (starting point), to the front of the robot (ending point). To calculate the velocity, we used the formula: Velocity = distance / time. We did not calculate the number of wheel turns, but if we did we would have used the formula:

Wheel turns = rotation /360(degrees).

We also calculated the perecent error in distance from our data to the computer data. For this, we used the formula:

% Error = |(our distance-distance on computer)/average  x   100|

Below is our results for Percent Error:

PWR level  & time traveled	Percent Error
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	6.008
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	4.26
25 PWR, 2 Seconds	3.689
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	0.8432
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	0.4013
50 PWR, 4 Seconds	0.7797
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	1.485
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	1.053
60 PWR, 6 Seconds	2.6519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based off of our percent error data, our measurements were not too far off from what the computer calculated. The percentages are very low, which means we measured fairly correctly.

Overall, I think this activity was a good expereience and I learned a lot from the data my partner and I collected. All three variables (# of wheel turns, distance, and velocity) increase as the time traveled, and power level increased. My partner was awesome and I feel like I learned a lot more doing this hands-on activity than I would have in a lecture.

 

The Nation’s Energy grid is what makes electricity in our houses possible. The Grid is a network of power plants and transformers connected by over 450,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. Electrical power is generated in power plants, which is then moved by the transmission lines to substations. What gets the electrical power to us is a system of smaller, low voltage transmission lines.  These are the power lines we see everywhere around us.

The obvious pros of having this electrical grid are that it allows us electricity and power in our homes, which we really can’t live without. Electricity gives us access to almost everything we use and need in our daily lives.  There are several cons to our electrical grid one of them being the cost. To sustain the grid, and make modern updates so that we can keep up with our growing technologies and demands means investing billions of dollars. Through the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy invested about $4.5 billion to do such improvements.  Severe weather also results in hefty costs.Severe weather may cause power outages which cost the economy between $18 and $33 billion every year. The number of power outages is expected to increase due to the rise in climate change. There is more likely to be extreme weather in the future because of global warming, which means more money needed to fix the power outages.

Below is a diagram of the costs per year for power outages:

       The Nation’s Smart Grid is a more reliable way of getting electricity. As I mentioned above, our demand and need for efficient power and electricity is rising as we take on increasing technologies. This includes increasing numbers of electronic devices we have in our homes, utilities, and recreational items.  As our society progresses, so should our energy grid. The Smart grid is making the future more possible. Grid modernization is working towards energy storage so that we are ready for many generations to come.  Today’s grid primarily delivers electricity in a one-way flow from its generators to our homes. The Smart grid will have a two-way flow of both electricity and information. The smart grid is essential for our modern world and increased demand for reliable electricity.

In order to build an efficient and effective smart grid, it requires hundreds of standards. For example, one of today’s smartphones typically incorporates over 150 standards.  Our nation is currently working to update and develop new standards. The Smart Grid will be a more reliable and efficient electricity form.

Below is a simplified diagram of the Smart Grid:

 

 

Sources:

http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid/beginnersguide.cfm

https://www.smartgrid.gov/recovery_act/overview

http://energy.gov/articles/top-9-things-you-didnt-know-about-americas-power-grid

http://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/electric-power/smart-grid