TESLA + FISKER ELECTRIC VEHICLES

 Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular across the country. Americans are trying their best to reduce their carbon footprint, so they turn to Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive, the leading developers of electric vehicles. The electric vehicles can use one or more electric motor or traction motors and contain can a battery or generator to convert fuel to electricity. As seen to the left, a direct current (DC) of electricity is transferred into a DC/AC inverter where it is converted to alternating current. (AC) This AC electricity is connected to a 3-phase AC motor. Though EV’s have been ridiculed as expensive to purchase, their maintenance is very inexpensive. What stands out the most for people is the fact that they are not facing the high prices at the pump, rather just plugging in to the electric grid. The process of charging can take hours, so charging overnight is highly encouraged. However, there is also an option of replacing the battery manually.

The four types of EVs are:

• The hybrid electric vehicle,  which uses a small electric battery that increases fuel efficiency by about 25% from conventional vehicles. (Fisker)
• The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, which has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
• The extended-range electric vehicle,  which uses an internal combustion engine to power an electric generator that charges the battery system in a linear process — the engine powers a generator, which in turn charges the battery.
• The battery electric vehicles, which are all electric and must be plugged in to charge. (Tesla)

Fisker Automotive is recognized for producing the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric car in 2011. (FISKER KARMA)

Resources: 

1. http://www.tva.gov/environment/technology/car_vehicles.htm#erev

2. http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/2012/06/driving_an_electric_car_in_bos.html

3. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evsbs.shtml

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Automotive

ROBOT BLOG: PULLEYS

(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

The purpose of the Robot Pulley Lab was to test Newton’s Second Law.

Newton’s Second Law of motion states if a force if exerted on an object, it will accelerate (change its velocity), and it will change its velocity in the direction of the force.

We found that the higher the mass, the less acceleration the weighted pulley had.

We also found that the higher acceleration is directly related to power. The more power the motor used, the higher the acceleration was.

Resources:

1. http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/mechanics/forces/newton/newtonLaw2.html

FRACKING

Hydraulic Fracturing, also known as “fracking“, is the process of pumping millions of gallons of fracturing fluid – composed of water, sand, and chemicals -up to 10,000 feet underground to break apart rock and release natural gas or oil. This controversial process is currently used in nine out of the 10 natural gas wells in the United States today. The controversy is that scientists worry that the chemicals used in fracturing may pose a threat underground or when waste fluids are handled and sometimes spilled on the surface. This short video best explains the Fracking Process.

Pros: Hydraulic fracturing produces around 300,000 barrels of natural gas a day. Using natural gas to heat our homes and power our cars releases far fewer carbon emissions than coal. Fracking has made natural gas cheaper than coal.Natural gas is also an important chemical used in the production of plastics and other chemicals, which can be used in production of many products from tupperware to medicine.  Since US natural gas is cheaper, the low prices make US chemical producers cost-competitive compared to foreign competitors. This process also created 133,000 jobs in the US.

Cons: While Fracking has become economically profitable for the U.S., the process poses threats to the environment. Fracking uses 1-8 million gallons of water throughout the process. The fracturing fluid itself contains approximately 40,000 gallons of chemicals, many of which are carcinogens and toxins including lead, uranium, mercury, and hydrochloric acid. Of this fracturing fluid, only 30%-50% is recovered from underground; the rest remains and is not biodegradable.  The process has also affected drinking water in locations of natural wells across the country. This website is not only extremely informational about the potential environmental risks of tracking, but it also is interactive: Dangers of Fracking

Resources:

1. http://www.propublica.org/special/hydraulic-fracturing-national

2. http://www.dangersoffracking.com/

3. http://nypost.com/2014/05/30/gas-fracking-boosts-us-economy-energy-independence-study/

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY34PQUiwOQ

THE U.S. ENERGY GRID

      Energy is crucial to our everyday lives. We use electricity everyday to help us work and play.  Whether it be to light the room we are in or watch the news on television, energy is being brought to our fingertips. But exactly how is this energy delivered to us?

 I found this video to be a simple explanation to this question: Energy For Dummies

   The United States electric grid was created in the 1890s. It consists of more than 9,200 electric generating units with more 300,000 miles of transmission lines.While the source of the energy varies – natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, wind – all conversions of sources are then generated into electricity. The voltage is then increased and the electricity travels through transmission lines to individual neighborhood transformers, which lower the voltage to a safe level for power lines to distribute.

Massachusetts is a part of the Eastern Interconnection, one of the three major Interconnections which move electricity around the country. The three interconnections are the Eastern Interconnection, which powers states that are east of the Rocky Mountains, the Western Connection, which powers states from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, and the Texas Interconnection, which powers only Texas.

   The Smart Grid is a new project being developed by the government in hopes to decrease the economic and health deficit. The Smart Grid will be able to predict usage patterns and change the amount of electricity used based upon the demand. One aspect of the Smart Grid that is being emphasized and praised for its potential is it’s quick response to power outages and disturbances. The Smart Grid promises to isolate these disturbances as to contain a large-scale blackout. Another aspect of the Smart Grid which will improve our current energy crisis is the implementation of  “SmartMeters.” “Smart Meters” will allow consumers to track their usage immediately, rather than waiting for their bill to come. This will also include an approximation of the consumers’ monthly bills to encourage them to lower usage, and thus, paying less.

 The Smart Grids work by using sensors and wireless parts to allow the grids to gather data on energy use, weather patterns, and transmission capacity. Currently only 8% of the 2.5 billion electrical meters are in use. Developers want to be able to store the unused electricity.

PROS:  

~ Smart meters can allow consumers to track their usage to lower bills.                        

~ Smart Grids are environmentally friendly because they increase efficiency.

~ Blackouts and system-wide electric failures can be prevented easily.

CONS:

~  The estimated price for  rebuilding the grid will cost much

somewhere between $13 billion and $50 billion.

~ If consumers continue to use more and more electricity, it will

defeat the purpose of being energy efficient.

~ Additional fees may be charged for the transition to a Smart Meter.

Resources:

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

2. https://www.smartgrid.gov/recovery_act/project_information

3. http://electrical-systems-lighting.knoji.com/pros-and-cons-of-the-smart-grid/

4. http://energy.about.com/od/metering/a/Pros-And-Cons-Of-Smart-Meters_2.htm

5. https://www.smartgrid.gov/sites/default/files/doc/files/What_is_Smart_Grid_Fact_sheet_200912.pdf

6. http://www.bpa.gov/EE/Technology/smart-grid/Pages/default.aspx