The field trip to the Nuclear Reactor at MIT has to be the coolest field trip I have ever gone on. When we first arrived we were given a small device that reads the amount of radiation it has been exposed to. My device read 22 to begin with. We then were given a lecture on how the reactor is run, and what the reactor is actually made of.

The most exciting part of the day was when we actually got to go into the nuclear reactor. First we entered a gated room and were showed where the employees check themselves in, so that anyone outside the reactor will know who is in the reactor if there is ever and emergency. We then followed our tour guide over to a big bulk head door. She needed permission to enter and had to scan in using her eyes. The big bulk head door swung open and we all crammed inside a tiny room with another bulk head door at the opposite end. When the first door closed we could open the opposite side door.

Once we entered it was not quite what I had imagine. In the center of the giant dome was the reactor. Surrounding the reactor was feet upon feet of cement or cinder blocks. This is obviously to reduce radiation risk. Interestingly, the guides mentioned that even though they work in a nuclear reactor they are not actually exposed to that much radiation. They explained that a person is exposed to more radiation from the sun on a plane trip from Boston to New York than year of working at the reactor.

We were taken to the top of the reactor, just to look. Then we were shown the control room, and were shown the major controls as well as the commands for a SCRAM. Since this is a reactor used for research purposes; it is SCRAMed in the event of any little problem. Whereas reactors that are used to power entire cities are not SCRAMed right away or at the sight of any minor issue, because the power that is generated is providing people with energy and not just neutrons to run experiments.

When we left the dome, we had to check for radiation exposure. We had to step on a machine, placing our feet over these treads and then place our hands in a box. This machine checked us for exposure that might have gotten on our feet or hands. Everyone was “Clean”. Next we had to wave our hands over another detector as well as our feet. When we left we passed our devices back as well. At the beginning mine read 22 and when we left it read 24, meaning that yes I had been exposed to radiation but it was also such a small amount.

The reactor was very cool. I learned some neat things, but also just to see the inside is something that i dont think many people get to experience

On Friday, in class we conducted a lab testing the voltage of light at different distances. Voltage is a measurement of electric force. We tested voltage at different distances by shining a light on a solar panel at a measured distance. We tested the voltage at the distances 0cm, 4cm, 8cm, 12cm and 16cm. Our hypothesis stated that the closer the distance of the light the higher the voltage and  inversely, the farther away the light is from the solar panel the voltage will be lower.

Naturally, the farther away the light is the lower the voltage is because the electric energy is less at farther distances. This is shown in the results. The results did deviate from what was to be expected. The voltage was higher at the 16cm  After testing for voltage at distances we tested voltage using colored filters. The lighter the filter in color the higher the voltage. This is because the lighter colors allow more light to pass through. These results are also showed the graphs below.

A subsidy is monetary assistance granted by the government to consumers and producers in support of a venture that is in the interest of the public. A subsidy can come in the form of direct cash transfers, tax exemptions, rebates, and price controls.

Many governments around the world are offering subsidies to phase out fossil fuels and expand the renewable energy market. Each country is using a different strategy to encourage this.

United States- The vast majority of federal subsidies for fossil fuels and renewable energy supported energy sources that emit high levels of greenhouse gases when used as fuel.The federal government provided substantially larger subsidies to fossil fuels than to renewables. Subsidies to fossil fuels—a mature, developed industry that has enjoyed government support for many years—totaled approximately $72 billion over the study period, representing a direct cost to taxpayers.

Russia- As of 2010, Russia produced .8 percent of its country’s energy. For the first time ever Russia is offered state-backed support for renewable energy. This new subsidy program states that the plant must have a minimum 5 MW output and developers can receive payments for 15 years so long as they agree to provide power during peak demand hours.

China- Worlds largest manufacturer in wind turbines and in solar panels. China intends for wind, solar and biomass to represent 8% of it electricity generation capacity by 2020. This compares with the less than 4% now in China and the US. China also seeks to dominate in the energy exports. The US is claiming that the actions taken by the Chinese government to further their renewable sector goes against international laws.

Germany- Germany and most of the EU has begun phasing out nuclear reactors has forced subsidy payments to rewable projects with aid depending on energy source.

Sweden- Sweden has put in place a quota model, requires utilities to supply fixed levels of renewable power or buy tradable credits to make up the difference.

“Energy Subsidies Favor Fossil Fuels Over Renewables” Environmental Institute http://www.eli.org/Program_Areas/innovation_governance_energy.cfm

Clover, Ian. “Russia Offers First Ever Subsidies for Renewable Energy” PV Magazine. October 3rd 2013.

“China Announces Anti-Subsidy Duties on US Solar-Grade” http://ictsd.org/i/news/biores/176368/#sthash.6VTWglRb.dpuf

When we think of fuel the first thing that comes to most minds is oil. We know that oil is a limited resource and eventually we will run out. The burning of oil and coal also known as fossil fuels are also harmful to the environment. Because oil is limited and expensive, there have been many attempts to find other sources of energy. This has lead to the expansion of solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy and geothermal energy as a replacement.

A fuel source that is not always thought of is hydrogen. The use of hydrogen as a source to generate electricity and power cars is a relatively new concept.Hydrogen is the most abundant element, so the supply can never be depleted. The process of producing hydrogen is easy enough that it can be done at home. Lastly, hydrogen has no negative effects on the environment. The only byproduct of hydrogen is water and heat.

Hydrogen is not a ready source of energy. Unfortunately this means that hydrogen must be processed into a useable form. This process uses energy and emits greenhouse gasses in the process. Hydrogen can be produced either by separating oxygen molecules in water or by splitting it off into hydrocarbon chains in fossil fuels.

Hydrogen is processed into its usable form using hydrogen fuel cells. A fuel cell is made up of a stack of anodes, cathodes, and other materials. Liquid hydrogen enters around the anodes, where the electrons that are attached to the hydrogen are separated from the atoms. Inside the fuel cell there is an electrolyte that allows hydrogen protons to pass through but not electrons. The atoms reach the other side of the fuel cell, and binds with oxygen; which creates heat and water vapor.

So… what does the future hold for hydrogen fuel? Hydrogen is abundant and will never run out. Hydrogen itself has no negative effects on the environment. But there are many drawbacks and hurdles that hydrogen will have to overcome. As many producers and distributors of new energy technology find, they need the infrastructure to supply the demand, but the demand can’t exist without the infrastructure to support it. Building this infrastructure could cost billions and there is little demand for hydrogen right now. Another drawback of hydrogen is that it is hard to store. Hydrogen must be stored at a temperature of -423 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it in its liquid state. Containers that can store and maintain this temperature are very costly to maintain.

Regardless, hydrogen as a fuel source is gaining attention. Toyota announced that it intends to produce a hydrogen powered car by 2015. General Motors has teamed up with the US Army in a joint venture to develop fuel cell technology to be used in vehicles. Honda and General Motors have also teamed up to develop fuel cell stations. As it seems, the vehicle market is interested in expanding in the direction of hydrogen for its many obvious benefits. It will be interesting to see how these companies overcome some of the issues surrounding the production and storage of hydrogen

“Hydrogen Fuel” http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hydrogen.shtml

“Can Hydrogen be the Fuel of the Future” How Stuff Works.

“Is Hydrogen the Fuel of the Future?” About.Com. http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/fcv.htm

The Marcellus Basin is a 48,000 square miles of shale that stretches from Ohio to Virginia and even into Pennsylvania. The basin was formed 48 million years ago when North American was covered by the ocean. The Marcellus Basin contains about 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas which is equivilent to 80 billion barrels of oil. This gas is being obtained by the process of Hydraulic Fracturing also known as hydrofracking.

Hydraulic Fracturing or hydrofracting is a process of mining for natural gas in shale. The process is done by drilling horizontial “veins” off of a vertical well, and then pumping water and the “slick water” mixture into these veins. This causes fissures in the shale and causes the natural gas to be released. The gas is then forced up the horizontal wells and then stored in tanks. This process is different from conventional drilling for oi; in that the process uses more water and uses the slick water mixture. In fact, six to eight million gallons of water is used per fracking.

Hydrofracking is a controversial process. The drilling damages the surface and below surface environment. The area is damaged to accommodate the drilling and then the soil is contaminated with the chemicals that are in the slick water mixture. This contamination ruins many animal habitats. The one argument in favor of the process is that it is economical. This then leads to the moral question of whether it is more important to save money, or to save the environment. That is for you to decide.

“What is Hydrofracking?” Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation. http://www.peacecouncil.net/NOON/hydrofrac/HdryoFrac2.htm

Goldberg, Debra. “Hyrdofracking Resulting in Radioactive Contaminants in Wastewater” Global Pollution and Prevention News. http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/46493

Hoffman, Joe. “Potential Health and Environmental Effects of Hydrofracking” SERC. http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/hydrofracking_w.html