Introduction to Wind Power & Energy from the Wind

Wind has been in use since the early days of civilization but its use is what differs from today’s world. In those days wind was used primarily to drive ocean-going ships that connected continents and opened up international trade. One of the famous winds is the Monsoon that held up local and international trade.

In western countries however, wind was a major component and energy source in pumping water. The idea of using wind to generate electricity had not been given a thought then.The use of wind to generate electricity was realized in the 19th century when the 12 kW DC windmill generator constructed by Brush in the USA and the research undertaken by LaCour in Denmark.

However, for much of the twentieth century there was little interest in using wind energy other than for battery charging for remote dwellings and these low-power systems were quickly replaced once access to the electricity grid became available.

The onset of oil is considered to have hit hard on the development of Wind Energy since it was cheap and plenty. However in the 1990s when the price of oil suddenly rose, due to uncertainty of quantity, the need for a reliable source of energy that was environmentally-friendly started again. This time government funded projects led the way.
As the development of Wind energy has gone beyond borders, many concepts and designs have been proposed and tested on a massive scale. Countries and government funded projects have shown some fascinating designs. The Golding of 1955) and Shepherd and Divone in Spera of 1994, record the 100 kW 30 m diameter Balaclava wind turbine in the then USSR in 1931 and the Andrea Enfield 100 kW 24 m diameter pneumatic design constructed in the UK in the early 1950s. In this turbine hollow blades, open at the tip, were used to draw air up through the tower where another turbine drove the generator. Horizontal and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines have emerged as the two major conceptual designs used commercial. Germany is currently leading with the invention followed by Sweden.

Kenya's Evans Wandogo receives Gorbachev Award

Mikhail Gorbachev celebrated his 80th birthday at a star-studded charity gala in London, where he honoured Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of the internet as a "man who changed the world".

The former Soviet leader personally chose Sir Tim, CNN founder Ted Turner, and Kenyan engineer Evans Wadongo, as the winners of the inaugural Gorbachev Awards.

The Mikhail Gorbachev - The Man Who Changed The World gala at the Royal Albert Hall was hosted by Kevin Spacey and Sharon Stone.

It featured performances from Dame Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins, Bryan Ferry, Paul Anka, Melanie C, Valery Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, Lech Walesa, the former Polish president, and actresses Goldie Hawn and Milla Jovovich were among stars who made a red-carpet entrance to the event.

Also due to attend were Israeli president Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister Sir John Major and England football manager Fabio Capello.

Proceeds from the evening were to be donated to the Raisa Gorbachev Children's Institute for Transplantology and Haematology in St Petersburg, and to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Kenya Go-Green Expo 2011

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is hosting an exhibition dubbed: Go Green Expo 2011 from 29th-31st March 2011 at, Kenyatta International Conference Center - Court Yard.

Green Economy has been described by UNEP as economic growth that reduces carbon emissions and pollution, while enhancing energy and resource efficiency. The Exhibition will provide an opportunity to showcase green initiatives by diverse stakeholders contributing to green economy in Kenya.

The Go Green Expo aims at show casing companies from all sectors, multi-nationals, NGO’s, private sector, public sector, individuals, schools, universities, hospitals, among others whose initiatives are contributing to a green economy. Initiatives that contribute to a green economy contribute low carbon emissions. High carbon emissions contribute to climate change Past economic growth strategies focused on rapid accumulation of physical, financial and human capital at the expense of excessive depletion and degradation of natural capital which includes natural resources and ecosystem goods and services.

Economic growth in recent decades has been achieved through drawing down natural resources leading to widespread ecosystem degradation and loss without allowing adequate time for stock of natural capital to regenerate. The transition to green economy is a key intervention in safeguarding global economies from the effects of climate change. The Go Green expo:

1. will offer exhibitors an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of a green economy as being a one time cost and once invested in systems and equipments it contributes to national good by ensuring that raw materials are efficiently used and wasteful production is avoided.
2. will offer exhibitors a chance to show case green products and services that they manufacture and provide
3. Will provide an opportunity for the public to be educated on a green economy and how they can tap into existing international funding for example through carbon trading
4. Will demonstrate how stakeholders whohave embraced a green economy have beneffited in international markets. Goods that have been produced in an environmental friendly manner are advantaged as they stand a greater chance to be purchased in global markets.

Plan to Attend.

Source: NEMA Website

Lake Turkana Wind Power Project Given a Go - Ahead

Related Posts:
Lk.Turkana Wind Power Project - Details
Wind Power In Kenya - Ngong Wind Power Station

The Lk. Turkana Wind Power Project which was to start installation last year has finally been given the green light. This had followed months of delay from the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Energy in handing out a Letter of Support. The Letter of Support provides two components ie

1. An assurance from the firm's lenders that the Government will step in and help in case KPLC (Kenya Power & Lighting Company) will
be unable to buy the power generated.
2.IPPs (Independent Power Producers) will obtain liquidity support through the IDAPRG (International Development Association Partial Risks
Guarantees) while the termination and political risks will be covered by MIA (Multilateral Insurance Agency)

Mr.Wageningen, the company's chairman said that they have raised Sh.20Billion, 30% of the estimated project cost and saying that lenders have shown positive attitude towards the project.

The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project will involve the installation of 365 Vestas Wind Turbines each with a max output of 865kW and a combined output of 300MW. Work will start in October 2011. First 50MW will be ready in September 2013.And by the close of 2014, the project will be producing 300MW into the National Grid.

Earth Hour - During the Hour

During this year's Earth Hour event, there was worldwide response to honour the hours. Many people switched off their lights as soon as the clock reached 08:30pm. This years theme was to go beyond the hour.

During the darkness which was reduced by pockets of candle light here and there, people sat in silence to remember the Japan Quake Victims and those injured during this horrific incident.





Facts About Earth Hour
Hour is about turning off the lights for one hour.
Earth Hour, was first started in Australia (2007) as a way to bring community together to acknowledge the importance of reducing consumption of earths natural resources.  Turning off the lights for an hour helps us see the impact we have on the environment..

Just one year after the first "Earth Hour" in Sydney Australia it became a viral phenonemon.  Now spreading globally with a movement reaching more than 50 million people that participate in more than 35 countries.

Sidney set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 5%.

In the USA it is estimated that 80 million people joined the Earth Hour movement in 2009, which had grown to  nearly 1 billion globally.

Recent estimates show 1 billion supporters in 4,100 cities from 87 countries located on seven different joined in turning off their lights for earth hour..

Earth Hour hopes to encourage consumers, businesses, and governments to be thoughtful in action plans to caryy out practical ways to reduce emmissions. 

Earth Hour 2011
This Saturday, Earth Hour swept around the globe as people switched off their lights for Earth Hour.With a record-breaking 134 countries participating, the global community showed it is united in commitment to a sustainable future.Now, let's take the next step and commit to ongoing action for the planet.

To see pictures of 40 Cities before and after Earth Hour Click Here

Here is me during the Earth Hour.

Earth Hour - Go Beyond The Hour

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.

With Earth Hour almost upon us, our thoughts are with the people of Japan during this incredibly challenging and sad time for their country.

LETS TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND DO MORE++

SO WHAT IS EARTH HOUR?

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries/territories officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.
Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

3phase Blog Supports Earth Hour

Power Factor (In Detail) #3

Related Posts
Power Factor #1
Power Factor #2

From our previous discussion we saw that Power Factor can be defined in 3 definitions. ie

• The cosine of an angle between Voltage (V) and Current (I)
• True Power / Apparent Power
• Resistance / Impedance

Please note that in the above expressions, the value of Power Factor can never be greater than 1. A good power factor is always 0.9 or 0.89

In this post we are going to look into detail the Power Factor of angle between Voltage(V) and Current (I)


The power factor PF is mathematically defined as the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current. True power is defined by the equation . The graphical representation produces a product of the voltage and current. This product is represented as a sine wave, which is twice the frequency of the voltage and current and represents the instantaneous power and its direction. If the power sine wave is completely on the positive side of the axis, it shows that the power in the system is traveling only in one direction, toward the load.

The area under this power sine wave curve represents the amount of energy delivered to the load. If the power sine wave is shifted, the difference in area between the positive and the negative sides represents the power delivered to the load. The negative side of the power sine wave represents the reflected power from a reactive load.

A lagging power factor is one in which the current is lagging behind the voltage and is characteristic of an inductive load.

A leading power factor is one in which the current is leading the voltage and is characteristic of a capacitive load. If the phase angle were to be shifted to be greater than 90 degrees in either direction, the load would effectively become the source.

Power Factor Correction
A power factor of one (1) or "unity power factor" is the goal of any electric utility company since if the power factor is less than one (<1) , they have to supply more current to the user for a given amount of power use. In so doing, they incur more line losses. They also must have larger capacity equipment in place than would be otherwise necessary. As a result, an industrial facility will be charged a penalty if its power factor is much different from 1.

Industrial facilities tend to have a "lagging power factor", where the current lags the voltage (like an inductor). This is primarily the result of having a lot of electric induction motors - the windings of motors act as inductors as seen by the power supply. Capacitors have the opposite effect and can compensate for the inductive motor windings. Some industrial sites will have large banks of capacitors strictly for the purpose of correcting the power factor back toward one to save on utility company charges.

First Green Energy Centre to be set up in Nairobi, Kenya

Kenyans are set to reap the rewards of a new initiative to help local companies develop and set up climate friendly technologies that will create thousands of jobs.
World Bank’s Special Envoy for Climate Change Andrew Steer announced that the world’s first Climate Innovation Centre (CIC) will be established in Nairobi.

Mr Steer made the revelation yesterday during a conference at the Danish Embassy, Nairobi, dubbed "Green Growth in Kenya" which will focus on the private sectors role in promoting green growth in the context of the country’s changing climate.

The CIC is spearheaded by the Royal Danish Embassy and the Banks Information for Development Program and is expected to help Kenya’s private sector boost industry competitiveness, job creation and cut effects of climate change.

Climate technology
"The creative spark of private Kenyans and African entrepreneur can transform climate challenges into market opportunities. This Climate Innovation Center will provide the help to make it happen," he said.In the first five years, the CIC is expected to create more than 70 climate technology businesses, generating some 4,600 direct and indirect jobs.

"The private sector has a pivoted role in the economy, contributing to 80 per cent of Kenyans GDP. It is expected that 1.7 million informal SMEs will be assisted by CIC," said Geert Aagaard Anderson, the Danish Ambassador to Kenya.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said Kenya must take a green development path if it is to realise faster economic growth.He said the energy sector, which drives the country’s economic growth, has the potential to generate renewable energy of up to 7000MW, if fully exploited.

Kenya to build local power transformer plant

Kenya is set to construct the first electricity transformers manufacturing plant in the region to boost electricity distribution in the country.
According to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company the plant will manufacture and assemble transformer for local as well as regional market.

In a paid up advert in local dailies the company is calling interested firms to help in carrying out a study on the viability of such a project.

Late last year the company raised 9.8 billion shillings through a rights issue, which KPLC says was meant for upgrading its systems in the country.

KPLC has invited prequalification bids for a viability study on building a local transformer manufacturing plant to help meet the country's growing demand for power.

 Kenya suffers regular power failure owing to insufficient electricity generation capacity and a dilapidated transmission network which have been largely blamed on investor flights and high power bills.....

3phase blog is 1 year old

The 3phase blog is celebrating 1 year old since it was created.It has been a long journey especially the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) part.To all who have taken the time to comment or even read the posts....A big Thank you.

Not to forget all bloggers out there whom we have exchanged ideas and back links on how to make this site better better by day.Especially the synctum blog..thanks

Kudos to the dot tk (.tk) team who freely provided me with the .tk domain (www.3phasepower.tk) thus reducing the long domain name provided by Google guys.
Finaly thanks to Adobe for creating Adobe Photoshop which has enabled me edit my images to taste.

Thank you guys for the wonderful, inspiring and courageous comments...


Where We Came From

This was the first header when the blog was new.

A few months after I landed on the Google Search I changed the header to this.Was too big so didn't last long.

The best so far.Was put up soon after the FIFA World Cup kicked off.