Many power plants burn coal or natural gas to make steam and generate electricity. But power also can come from a cleaner, more renewable source — concentrated solar power. From sunny Las Vegas, Nevada, Shelley Schlender reports
Posted on July 8, 2009 - by admin
How Does the E911 Work for Wireless Cell Phones?
Many people are getting rid of their traditional land line phones for a wireless cell phones, which is antiquating the existing 9-1-1 emergency system in the USA.
There is nothing worse than thinking the 911 emergency system is universal and working everywhere and standing over someone who just had a life threatening accident and you cannot reach the appropriate dispatch using your Wireless Cellular Phone. Without adequate help the person might die when if there was a working and updated 911 system, help could be just minutes away.
Many times the 911 caller is under stress and is yelling into the wireless cellular phone and wants the person at the other end to provide some help immediately but is too stressed out to answer some basic questions describing their location. This is not only wasting precious time that the 911 attendant could be helping the 911 caller but also wasting valuable travel time for the necessary emergency respondents. ‘I think I am at a certain location on a 100 mile stretch of highway really does not cut it in an emergency.’ In the original design with land line phones, the phone numbers were assigned to specific addresses.
The problem is that money dictates the quality of any 911 system and the training of the people behind the phone. Rural areas do not have the resources available that they might have in urban areas. The rural areas should be spending what resources that they do have on training personnel. Their dispatch receiving equipment could be standardize and designed to just receive already processed data from a central location that receives the data from the internet or wireless cellular phone providers. This location data could be sent by way of the internet for processing where it is translated into useful location information and then the system sends this already processed data to the right local dispatch and connects 911 caller with this correct local dispatch.
Presently the state or region in which the system is located dictates how the 911 system works which creates a challenge for developing a standardized system. Even though the FCC has continually made mandates since the 90’s that the system should exist they never have mandated how the systems should work so the results is there is no national standard 911 system.
To be fair it is a daunting task to come up with a standrdized 911 emergency system that will work in all cases as technologies change and improve.
In the 90’s the technology just was not there to make it work when the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) first started making mandates. But the technology now exists to make it work but no one technology works in all situations. Each system needs to be made up of several unique systems that interact and decide which system will work best under what situation. This level of complexity can be too pricy for any local area to take on and continually keep updated as the technology changes. This is why this decision making should be done at a central or regional processing station that decides which technology will work the best to locate the 911 caller. This decision making could be a form of artificial intelligence where the processing station knows about where the data is coming from and knows that the area is urban or rural area and which technology would work the best. In the future 911 system might be part of a dedicated internet that would only be used for emergency 911 calls and be set up as a high priority communications system with redundant equipment.
It is my hope that the new President Obama will make the 911 system part of his charge to build and update the infrastructure in the USA bringing the emergency 911 system into the 21st century and creating new jobs in the process. Power for the systems could be tied to solar and wind power with battery and/or diesel generator backups. This new standardized system could then be a model for all emergency equipment used around the world.
There is nothing worse than thinking the 911 emergency system is universal and working everywhere and standing over someone who just had a life threatening accident and you cannot reach the appropriate dispatch using your Wireless Cellular Phone. Without adequate help the person might die when if there was a working and updated 911 system, help could be just minutes away.
Many times the 911 caller is under stress and is yelling into the wireless cellular phone and wants the person at the other end to provide some help immediately but is too stressed out to answer some basic questions describing their location. This is not only wasting precious time that the 911 attendant could be helping the 911 caller but also wasting valuable travel time for the necessary emergency respondents. ‘I think I am at a certain location on a 100 mile stretch of highway really does not cut it in an emergency.’ In the original design with land line phones, the phone numbers were assigned to specific addresses.
The problem is that money dictates the quality of any 911 system and the training of the people behind the phone. Rural areas do not have the resources available that they might have in urban areas. The rural areas should be spending what resources that they do have on training personnel. Their dispatch receiving equipment could be standardize and designed to just receive already processed data from a central location that receives the data from the internet or wireless cellular phone providers. This location data could be sent by way of the internet for processing where it is translated into useful location information and then the system sends this already processed data to the right local dispatch and connects 911 caller with this correct local dispatch.
Presently the state or region in which the system is located dictates how the 911 system works which creates a challenge for developing a standardized system. Even though the FCC has continually made mandates since the 90’s that the system should exist they never have mandated how the systems should work so the results is there is no national standard 911 system.
To be fair it is a daunting task to come up with a standrdized 911 emergency system that will work in all cases as technologies change and improve.
In the 90’s the technology just was not there to make it work when the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) first started making mandates. But the technology now exists to make it work but no one technology works in all situations. Each system needs to be made up of several unique systems that interact and decide which system will work best under what situation. This level of complexity can be too pricy for any local area to take on and continually keep updated as the technology changes. This is why this decision making should be done at a central or regional processing station that decides which technology will work the best to locate the 911 caller. This decision making could be a form of artificial intelligence where the processing station knows about where the data is coming from and knows that the area is urban or rural area and which technology would work the best. In the future 911 system might be part of a dedicated internet that would only be used for emergency 911 calls and be set up as a high priority communications system with redundant equipment.
It is my hope that the new President Obama will make the 911 system part of his charge to build and update the infrastructure in the USA bringing the emergency 911 system into the 21st century and creating new jobs in the process. Power for the systems could be tied to solar and wind power with battery and/or diesel generator backups. This new standardized system could then be a model for all emergency equipment used around the world.
Posted on July 8, 2009 - by admin
Solar Power and … Shade?
Have you always wondered how to keep your home at a reasonable temperature, while still remaining energy efficient and getting as much out of you solar panels as possible? The obvious first thought is that shade isn’t good for your rooftop PV panels, which benefit from maximum exposure to the sun. So you may not think solar energy and shade go together, but there’s actually a symbiotic relationship there. At least, that’s the case in the following examples:
A solar tree is one example of sun and shade working in collectively. While shading your car from damaging rays, a solar tree can house panels that provide electricity to adjacent structures, as well as to hybrid cars parked beneath them.
The subject of solar trees brings us to foliage. Planting trees around your south-facing windows offers shade indoors when the sun is burning hot. A deciduous tree, though, will shed in the winter, so the sun can help warm thermal walls and floors, reducing cooling bills in the process.
Solar pool covers float above the pool water, covering it entirely. But rather than keeping the water cool, they do quite the opposite. Solar pool covers are made from a film of tiny air bubbles, each collecting and retaining heat, then transferring it the pool water. Covers can reduce heating costs by up to 75%!
There are several options for balancing the amount of shade your home receives. Have you been considering investing in solar energy? Get a free estimate from a prescreened contractor.
A solar tree is one example of sun and shade working in collectively. While shading your car from damaging rays, a solar tree can house panels that provide electricity to adjacent structures, as well as to hybrid cars parked beneath them.
The subject of solar trees brings us to foliage. Planting trees around your south-facing windows offers shade indoors when the sun is burning hot. A deciduous tree, though, will shed in the winter, so the sun can help warm thermal walls and floors, reducing cooling bills in the process.
Solar pool covers float above the pool water, covering it entirely. But rather than keeping the water cool, they do quite the opposite. Solar pool covers are made from a film of tiny air bubbles, each collecting and retaining heat, then transferring it the pool water. Covers can reduce heating costs by up to 75%!
There are several options for balancing the amount of shade your home receives. Have you been considering investing in solar energy? Get a free estimate from a prescreened contractor.
Posted on July 8, 2009 - by admin
Solar Power And You Pool Hot Tub
Since the beginning of mankind we have been using solar power for heat whether it simply be setting out in the sun and warming up or today’s high tech devices that convert the suns energy into electricity. Over the past 100 years our dependence on solar power has diminished as we used the natural resources such as gas and coal to heat our homes and create electricity for our ever whim. History has a way of repeating itself just like when the automobile was fist introduced their was a divergence on how to power it many companies produced electric cars even steam cars were made for a short time but it was not until the advent of cheap gasoline that the manufactures concentrated their efforts on the gas power internal combustion engine. Today the car manufactures are looking to alternative fuels again they are looking at electricity for a car power source just like they were some 100 years ago.
The same thing is happening with the pool and hot tub industry at one time the only way to heat water was with the sun today pool supply companies are again looking at using the free solar energy being supplied by the sun to heat our pools. We have all sent the standard black panels surrounding pools that have pool water pumped through them and the suns energy is transferred to the pool water. This solar heating of the water results in a better user experience in pool or hot tub usage the water is warmer and will remain warmer in the fall and will heat up quicker in the spring allowing a longer swim season.
Today’s new solar panels are much more efficient than the panels of old the new technology has been imported from Europe where the cost of energy is much higher so the development of alternative energy has been accelerated.
Today pool manufactures are looking closer at utilizing the suns energy to help reduce the amount of fossil fuels our pools consume each year. A new item on the market is a solar powered skimmer this skimmer is an automatic pool cleaner that runs completely on solar energy no wire no hoses, I just swims through the water collecting debris, the manufacture claims that with the new solar skimmer you can reduce the operating time of your pump by two thirds! The solar skimmer also acts as a chlorine distributor it will dispense chlorine as it does its job. The manufacture is looking at adding some other features such as a remote control and a pool alarm to the skimmer.
The same thing is happening with the pool and hot tub industry at one time the only way to heat water was with the sun today pool supply companies are again looking at using the free solar energy being supplied by the sun to heat our pools. We have all sent the standard black panels surrounding pools that have pool water pumped through them and the suns energy is transferred to the pool water. This solar heating of the water results in a better user experience in pool or hot tub usage the water is warmer and will remain warmer in the fall and will heat up quicker in the spring allowing a longer swim season.
Today’s new solar panels are much more efficient than the panels of old the new technology has been imported from Europe where the cost of energy is much higher so the development of alternative energy has been accelerated.
Today pool manufactures are looking closer at utilizing the suns energy to help reduce the amount of fossil fuels our pools consume each year. A new item on the market is a solar powered skimmer this skimmer is an automatic pool cleaner that runs completely on solar energy no wire no hoses, I just swims through the water collecting debris, the manufacture claims that with the new solar skimmer you can reduce the operating time of your pump by two thirds! The solar skimmer also acts as a chlorine distributor it will dispense chlorine as it does its job. The manufacture is looking at adding some other features such as a remote control and a pool alarm to the skimmer.
Posted on July 8, 2009 - by admin
Solar Power Importance – How It Can Create A Prosperous Future
We are indeed fortunate to live in a world of modern technology which has provided us the convenience of electricity at the flip of the switch. Most of our modern gadgets run on electricity and sudden power outages frustrate us no end. We take all this for granted and therefore cannot imagine a world without electricity or fuel for our vehicles. Neither do we stop to think that conventional energy which is obtained from natural resources like fossil fuels will not last forever. In the present scenario of global warming and ozone layer depletion, the world needs to make a lifestyle change to protect the environment for the future generations. We have to seriously look towards alternative energy and alternative fuels to take care of our needs.
Nature has provided us with an unlimited source of energy in the form of solar power. This is a natural resource, freely available and will be replenished as long as the Sun shines. Solar power is the energy obtained from the heat and rays of the sun. Solar power has many uses. It can be used to generate electricity using photovoltaic solar cells and concentrated solar power. It can be used to heat buildings directly by passive solar building designs, or cooking and heating food with the help of solar ovens. Solar Chimneys can be used to heat and cool air.
Alternative energy is the future trend and most of the technologies pertaining to alternative energy depend directly or indirectly on the sun. Solar energy drives the atmosphere and virtually supports all life on Earth. Heat and light from the sun along with hydropower, geothermal power and wind energy account for most of the flow of renewable energy. Solar Power refers to the process of conversion of sunlight into electricity. The electricity can then be used to power up our homes, businesses and industries to continue the cycle of life.
Agriculture depends on solar energy. Plants use sunlight for photosynthesis and thus produce food. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are closely related and use solar power as their source of energy. Solar water heaters were the earliest use of solar power and continue to be used even today. Solar cookers used for cooking and drying foodstuffs offset fuel costs, reduce demand for firewood and improve air quality due to reduction of smoke. Domestic use of solar power is the best way to conserve our natural resources.
There are many technologies which are being used to harness solar energy. Applications span through the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and transportation sectors. Solar energy can be used to produce food, heat, light and electricity. The flexibility of solar energy is manifest in a wide variety of technologies from cars and calculators to huge photovoltaic plants. Recent price hikes and erratic availability of conventional fuels are factors that are renewing interest in solar heating technologies. Thus solar power is important to the very existence of the world as a whole.
Nature has provided us with an unlimited source of energy in the form of solar power. This is a natural resource, freely available and will be replenished as long as the Sun shines. Solar power is the energy obtained from the heat and rays of the sun. Solar power has many uses. It can be used to generate electricity using photovoltaic solar cells and concentrated solar power. It can be used to heat buildings directly by passive solar building designs, or cooking and heating food with the help of solar ovens. Solar Chimneys can be used to heat and cool air.
Alternative energy is the future trend and most of the technologies pertaining to alternative energy depend directly or indirectly on the sun. Solar energy drives the atmosphere and virtually supports all life on Earth. Heat and light from the sun along with hydropower, geothermal power and wind energy account for most of the flow of renewable energy. Solar Power refers to the process of conversion of sunlight into electricity. The electricity can then be used to power up our homes, businesses and industries to continue the cycle of life.
Agriculture depends on solar energy. Plants use sunlight for photosynthesis and thus produce food. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are closely related and use solar power as their source of energy. Solar water heaters were the earliest use of solar power and continue to be used even today. Solar cookers used for cooking and drying foodstuffs offset fuel costs, reduce demand for firewood and improve air quality due to reduction of smoke. Domestic use of solar power is the best way to conserve our natural resources.
There are many technologies which are being used to harness solar energy. Applications span through the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and transportation sectors. Solar energy can be used to produce food, heat, light and electricity. The flexibility of solar energy is manifest in a wide variety of technologies from cars and calculators to huge photovoltaic plants. Recent price hikes and erratic availability of conventional fuels are factors that are renewing interest in solar heating technologies. Thus solar power is important to the very existence of the world as a whole.
Posted on July 8, 2009 - by admin
"living Off Grid Solar Power" System © – Act Now!
Do you also think that you are paying too much to the Power-Company each month? Well, “Living Off Grid Solar Power” System seems to be the ultimate answer for that problem. It is almost unbelievable that this technique requires no more than a weekend to get it done. Take two minutes of your time in order to find out more why any of us should use it a.s.a.p.
Overview
So, what is the secret of this “Living Off Grid Solar Power” System? – Well, it is about downloading one of these user-friendly guides that explain in simple words how to create Solar-Cells at minimal cost & effort. It is highly important to work with a professional guide; check whether it offers the following: clear information, detailed diagrams, video tutorials, and technical support. This way or another, here are just a few advantage & advices that can help you out.
Main benefits
This solution provides various benefits; here are just a few of them:
* Extremely easy to be implemented by almost anyone.
* Very quick return on investment (ROI).
* Uses natural and clean resources.
* Leaves us almost unaffected by any possible energy crisis.
* Can work for anyone, no matter where he/she lives on the globe.
Tip
If you live abroad make sure that your guidebook enables you to build a 220V-240V unit.
Final words
Many home-makers already recognized the fact that “Living Off Grid Solar Power” System is a ‘must have’ for the simple reason that it truly works, and most importantly it saves up 80% on elect. expenses. Without any question – there are plenty other pluses provided by this special idea, simply because more people are becoming aware of the opportunities that it provides. Now it is time to take action, so at this point it is advised to test it as in most cases it will take you no more than a single weekend to have it working.
