August 2023 – Bank-Energy.com

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Benefits

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies provide cost effective and environmentally friendly solutions to improving our energy needs.

Energy Storage

Hydrogen is an energy storage medium. Energy, stored as hydrogen in the form of a gas or a liquid, will never dissipate until it is used, making it a good application for emergency generators and other mission critical energy applications. Compare that to other energy storage types like batteries and capacitors which lose the energy stored in them over time and need to be periodically recharged even without use.

Energy Efficiency

Currently most internal combustion engines operate with an efficiency around 25% and power plants achieving about a 35% efficiency; however, a stationary fuel cell, when used in a combined heat and power system, can have an efficiency level of greater than 80%.

Environmental Impact

When hydrogen is used to power a fuel cell, the only byproducts are water and heat—no pollutants or greenhouse gases are produced. Even when fossil fuels are used to power a fuel cell the emissions are significantly reduced when compared with conventional fossil fueled generation technologies. In Connecticut, the annual average emission rates for electric generation facilities on the New England System is .25 lb/MWh for NOx. by contrast, a stationary fuel cell operating on natural gas produces approximately 0.01 lb/MWh for NOx.

Domestic Energy Supply

Hydrogen can be produced using a wide variety of resources found here in the U.S. Hydrogen can be renewable and produced by waste, biomass, wind, solar, tidal, wave, and geothermal. Production technology includes electrolysis of water, steam reforming of natural gas, coal gasification, thermochemical production, and biological gasification. With so many sources for hydrogen generation, the U.S. has the ability to create sustainable energy in an efficient and cost effective manner, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and other fossil fuels.

Applications

Hydrogen fuel cells are cleaner and more efficient than traditional combustion-based engines and power plants. Hydrogen and fuel cells can also be used in mobile applications to power vehicles and mobile power packs.

The benefits of fuel cells are:

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
High Reliability
Flexibility in installation and operation
Development of renewable energy resources
Reduced demand for foreign oil
Improved environmental quality

How Solar Energy can Help Your Budget

By admin 0 Comments

Solar power is the most abundant energy source on earth. It works by converting solar radiation into electricity that we can use to power our homes, vehicles, and even cities. Solar power is a clean and renewable energy source, making it an excellent alternative to non-renewable energy such as coal and oil.

More and more homes are making the switch to solar power each year. This helps us in a collective sense to battle climate change and the effects it is having on our planet. Increased use of solar energy reduces air pollution, water usage, and combats greenhouse gas emissions.

Not only are we helping to save the planet, but homeowners across the United States are financially saving with solar panels. Now is truly the best time to make the switch to solar panels. The average cost of installing a solar panel system has reduced by around 70% in the last 10 years while electricity prices continue to rise.

If you have been considering solar panels for your home, then this blog post is for you. Here, we will highlight how you can save with solar panels installed on your property as well as the average solar panels cost.

5 Ways Solar Energy Can Help You Save

Let’s start by looking at 5 different ways that you can save money by installing solar panels at home. Let’s go!

1. Save on Energy Bills

This is the primary reason that homeowners opt for residential solar panels. By making the switch to solar, homeowners are less reliant on the grid. This will be evident in monthly energy bills, which will be significantly reduced if not completed wiped out altogether.

Solar panels systems have an impressive lifespan of approximately 25 years. It is at this point that the system will be less efficient. Over the course of this lifespan, it is possible to save thousands of dollars on your home’s energy bills.

The exact savings will depend on a number of factors, including:

The size of the solar panel system
Your property’s location
The type of system you install
Your home’s energy needs and usage

Later in this post, we will look at the average cost of installing solar panels and the potential savings with solar energy in Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

2. Save With Tax Credit

State and federal incentives help to reduce the upfront cost of installing a solar panel system on your property. In recent years, that have been efforts to increase the number of homes with solar panel systems, given that this is a greener form of energy. This is good news for homeowners considering making the switch to solar.

In addition to state incentives, homeowners may apply for an ITC tax credit, which is equal to 26% of the cost of a new solar panel system. Many homeowners are initially reluctant to opt for solar panels due to the relatively high upfront costs, though tax incentives do help.

It’s also worth pointing out that homes with solar panels sell for around 4% more than comparable homes that do not have solar. This is worth keeping in mind if you have plans to sell your home over the course of the next 2+ decades. Solar panel financing is also available to help people afford the upfront cost.

3. Double Up With an Electric Car

If you have an electric car or are likewise considering purchasing one, it will pair perfectly with a residential solar system. Electric cars are desirable for many of the same reasons that solar panels are. They are very affordable to run and are better for the environment than more traditional alternatives.

You will be able to charge an electric car at home using solar panels. Solar panels can make your electric car even less expensive to home. It is considerably cheaper to charge an electric car with solar panels than it is to charge it using public charging stations or using grid power.

It is safe to say that, when it comes to saving money, electric cars and solar panels go hand in hand.

4. Save on Water Heater Bills

A solar water heater works in a different way from a solar panel system, though they both help you to reduce energy bills and save money. Whereas solar panels produce electricity that you can use to power your home, solar water heaters produce heat.

Given that a large proportion of your home’s energy can be used to heat water, solar panels are another excellent choice for residential properties.

5. Earn Credits Through Net Metering

Finally, for now, let’s look at net metering which is a way of earning credits that can further help you save on your energy bills. Where net metering is available, you will be able to effectively ‘sell’ your excess electricity to the grid, earning you credits. These credits can be used to offset the cost of any grid electricity that your home uses.

Net metering can help to achieve shorter payback periods for homeowners and yield a better return on investment.

The Benefits of Modern LED Lighting

By admin 0 Comments

Are you looking to update your lighting system in the near future? If so, you might be considering older types of lighting that are common right now, like CFL and fluorescent bulbs.

However, there is a newer and better type of modern lighting that you might want to consider – modern LED lighting.

Not sure if LED lighting is right for you? Keep reading to learn all the benefits of modern LED lighting!

Design Flexibility

Modern LED lighting offers tremendous design flexibility. LED lights come in a variety of colors and have built-in dimming capabilities, which makes them perfect for accent and task lighting.

You can also use them to create ambiance in different areas. You can use its dimming features, colored gels, and subtle variations of a white light design to create different ambiances. You can also manipulate the color, intensity, and direction of the light so that each room can have its unique atmosphere.

Furthermore, LED lights are available in flexible and robust forms. You can use it in a range of shapes and sizes that provides maximum design flexibility.

Long Lifespan

Modern LED lighting offers a long lifespan compared to conventional lighting options. This is a tremendous advantage, as it allows homeowners and business owners to save money in the long run.

LED lighting can last up to five times longer than fluorescent lighting and up to 30 times longer than incandescent lighting. This means fewer lamp replacements and maintenance costs over the years. LED lights can have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours — or nearly six years — of continuous use.

No Danger of Burning

With LED light options from Plug Lighting, there is no danger of burning as with halogen or incandescent lighting. This is because LED lighting produces far less heat and is nearly instantly turned on and off due to its feature of low voltage. It helps provide additional safety measures as there is no need to replace hot bulbs or risk of burns.

Additionally, due to the heat-reducing feature, LED lighting can be placed in even hard-to-reach areas. You won’t have to worry about causing a fire hazard.

Energy Efficient

Modern LED lighting offers superior energy efficiency over traditional incandescent lighting. LED lighting utilizes up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting, meaning it will use less energy throughout its lifespan. The energy efficiency of the lighting also results in less heat output, making the room more comfortable.

Environmentally-Friendly

LEDs create light much more efficiently than traditional lighting technologies. This leads to significant reductions in energy consumption and related emissions.

LEDs also create no heat, preventing energy loss due to heat dissipation. They do not contain hazardous materials such as Mercury or Lead, which is a major environmental consideration. This means that LED bulbs are much easier to recycle than their traditional equivalents.

Upgrade to LED Lighting Now

Modern LED lighting has revolutionized every area of lighting. From its energy-efficient and environmental benefits to its cost savings, it’s one of the best options out there.

So what are you waiting for? LED lighting technology is transforming the lighting industry. Invest in LED lighting now to reap all of its benefits in the long term!

Month: August 2023