Articles by Vincent Xia
Wind Farm “wake steering”: small re-alignments of turbines can increase output by 40%
The wake from one wind turbine makes the turbines behind it less efficient. It’s similar to the way a speedboat is slowed by the choppy water caused by the boat in front. Vincent Xia reports on how scientists at Stanford University have been testing ways of fine-tuning the alignment of turbine arrays to reduce turbulence and increase output. The biggest wins (a 47% increase) are at low wind speeds, when turbines can otherwise stop altogether.
Steering wind power in a new direction could boost production at wind farms
Angling turbines slightly away from the wind can boost energy produced overall and even out the otherwise variable supply, says Stanford study. What’s good for one is not always best for all. Solitary wind turbines produce the most power when pointing directly into the wind. But when tightly packed lines of turbines face the wind on wind farms, wakes from upstream generators can interfere with those downstream.
Steering wind power in a new direction
What’s good for one is not always best for all. Sanjiva Lele, John Dabiri and Michael Howland by pointing wind turbines slightly away from the wind they could increase quantity and quality of power from wind farms. (Image credit: L.A. Cicero) Solitary wind turbines produce the most power when pointing directly into the wind. But when tightly packed lines of turbines face the wind on wind farms, wakes from upstream generators can interfere with those downstream.
Steering wind power in a new direction: How skewing turbines boosts farm output
By Vincent Xia What’s good for one is not always best for all. Solitary wind turbines produce the most power when pointing directly into the wind. But when tightly packed lines of turbines face the wind on wind farms, wakes from upstream generators can interfere with those downstream. Like a speedboat slowed by choppy water from a boat in front, the wake from a wind turbine reduces the output of those behind it.
Finding and fixing natural gas leaks quickly and economically
Stanford’s Robert Jackson used this specially equipped car to survey Manhattan and several other cities in search of natural gas leaks. Credit: Robert Jackson As it flows through pipelines from wells to stovetops, natural gas is prone to leaking, threatening not only human safety and health but also the health of the planet.
Trying to stop natural gas leaks’ wake of destruction
As it flows through pipelines from wells to stovetops, natural gas is prone to leaking, threatening not only human safety and health but also the health of the planet. Stanford’s Robert Jackson used this specially equipped car to survey Manhattan and several other cities in search of natural gas leaks.
Solar intermittency: upbeat “annual” carbon reduction estimates miss the “hourly” reality
There is a maximum speed at which solar capacity can expand. You know you’ve passed it when insufficient storage means solar curtailment, or selling the daytime excess means curtailment of other clean energy generators. As solar grows, so too will this problem. Vincent Xia, at the Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University, reports on a new Stanford study which says emissions predictions are not taking this into account, thus overestimating solar’s benefits.
100% renewables doesn’t equal zero-carbon energy, and the difference is growing
By Vincent Xia While 160 companies around the world have committed to use “100 percent renewable energy,” that does not mean “100 percent carbon-free energy.” The difference will grow as power grids become less reliant on fossil power, according to a new Stanford study published today in Joule. Entities committed to fighting climate change can accurately measure and boost the environmental benefits of their renewable strategies, the authors write. Doctoral candidate Jacques de Chalendar and Prof.
When 100% renewable energy doesn't mean zero carbon
As power grids move away from fossil fuels, companies seeking to cut out carbon emissions will have to go beyond commitments to renewable energy. BY Vincent Xia, Precourt Institute for Energy While 160 companies around the world have committed to use “100 percent renewable energy,” that does not mean “100 percent carbon-free energy.” The difference will grow as power grids become less reliant on fossil power, according to a new Stanford study published today in Joule.
When 100% renewable energy doesn't mean zero carbon
While 160 companies around the world have committed to use “100 percent renewable energy,” that does not mean “100 percent carbon-free energy.” The difference will grow as power grids become less reliant on fossil power, according to a new Stanford study published today in Joule. Entities committed to fighting climate change can accurately measure and boost the environmental benefits of their renewable strategies, the authors write.
Campus energy advances can be optimized and replicated
Over the past several years, Stanford transformed its energy infrastructure by electrifying its heating system, replacing its gas-fired power plant with grid power, creating a unique system to recover heat, building massive tanks to store hot and cold water, and building a solar power plant. The Stanford Energy System Innovations project cut the campus’s total greenhouse gas emissions 68 percent and is lowering the system’s operating costs by $425 million over 35 years.
California can meet 2030 climate goals, but 2050 targets look awfully difficult
California will need to change all sectors of its economy extensively to reach its ambitious climate goals, but the right portfolio of technologies can help the state meet them, at least in the near term. Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz described on Wednesday evening at Stanford University how California can meet its 2030 goals, based on a new report by the non-profit organization he leads, Energy Futures Initiative.
What will it take for California to meet its climate goals?
A panel of energy experts including former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz discuss investments and innovations that could help California get on track to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate goals. BY Vincent Xia, Precourt Institute for Energy California will need to change all sectors of its economy extensively to reach its ambitious climate goals, but the right portfolio of technologies can help the state meet them, at least in the near term.
Clean energy at top of agenda for oil and gas, tech and other sectors
Senior executives at Facebook, Anadarko Petroleum, Sunrun and the California Public Utilities Commission all advocated for a clean energy future in a panel discussion Friday as part of Stanford Energy Week. The four panelists focused specifically on regulations, energy reliability and more infrastructure investments across the energy industry, saying that everyone has a stake in cleaner energy.
Envisioning an energy future with less fear, more cooperation
Transitioning to a more cost-effective, more resilient and cleaner U.S. electricity system requires regulated utilities to become more supportive of residential solar power, Sunrun CEO Lynn Jurich said Tuesday as the keynote speaker of Stanford Energy Week. “The DNA – the core concept – of the utility is fear-based, it’s entrenched, it’s lobbyist,” Jurich said.
Antora Energy’s Shell/NREL prize is latest in series that started with TomKat Center
Antora Energy, a startup developing an energy storage system to integrate large amounts of renewables with the electric grid, was one of four companies selected for funding in the first year of a new collaboration between Shell and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Antora Energy’s technology combines thermal storage with thermophotovoltaic energy conversion.
Doctors Without Borders chapter launches on campus
In early October, Stanford received approval from Médecins Sans Frontières — known in English as Doctors Without Borders — to launch a student chapter of the international nonprofit organization. Founded by Matthew Zheng ’22, the new student group aims to advocate for and support Doctors Without Borders at the collegiate level. Doctors Without Borders was founded in 1971 by a group of journalists and doctors in Paris, according to the organization’s website.
SHIFT hosts third annual health++ hackathon
On Saturday and Sunday, Huang Engineering basement buzzed with activity from participants in health++, the third annual health-focused hackathon organized by Stanford Health Innovations in Future Technologies (SHIFT), an organization that aims to empower students to improve healthcare by promoting and cultivating health innovation.
World leaders come together for inaugural Global Energy Forum
Bill Gates, Condoleezza Rice, Jerry Brown. CEOs, politicians, representatives and scientists. World leaders convened Thursday and Friday at the Hoover Institution for the inaugural Global Energy Forum to discuss the future of energy worldwide as the field continues to undergo major changes.
Flexible phones
You’re inevitably late to your 9:30 a.m. class and pedaling as fast as your legs can allow. Your phone slips out of your pocket, but your case wasn’t rated for bicycle drops. You pedal back, embarrassed and turn your phone over to an ornate (and expensive) spiderweb on your screen.
Co-working space HanaHaus accommodates Palo Alto’s workforce
Located in Downtown Palo Alto, HanaHaus is a creative space designed to give freelancers, entrepreneurs and investors a place to work and collaborate. Built on top of the historic Varsity Theatre, the co-working hub was launched by software company SAP in 2015 to promote innovative thinking among creators. HanaHaus is part of a growing, global trend.
Diving Into the National Ocean Sciences Bowl
Above: The North Carolina School of Science and Math team after receiving their prizes for winning the regional Blue Heron Bowl competition. Editor’s Note: North Carolina Sea Grant is proud to be among long-time sponsors of the annual, statewide Blue Heron Bowl. Here, the member of the 2018 winning team share their preparations for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl this weekend in Colorado.
Charging toward the future on Rogers Road – Vincent Xia and Cuyler McCoy | News & Observer
As teenagers, we understand how important solar energy is to our future.
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