Transcript Progress Report on Masters Project December 7.ppt+

Report on Masters Project
Making Connecticut Energy
Independent by 2050?
By Burton Bruce
December 7,2015
Historical Energy Epochs in Connecticut
 Throughout the History of Connecticut energy has come form a variety
of sources.
 Some of these sources are unique to Connecticut such as whale oil or
are unique to New England such as Hydro Mechanical or Hydroelectric
power.
Connecticut’s Home Heating Methods are Evolving
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
Natural Gas
Bottled Gas
50.0%
Electicity
40.0%
Oil
30.0%
Coal
Wood
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
 The trend seems to be weaning Connecticut off of fuel oil and
substituting natural gas and electricity.
 Heat Pumps (operated by electricity) are increasing in popularity due to
tax incentives and proven efficiency.
Connecticut's Sources of Electricity in 2015
 In 2015 Connecticut's electricity is provided by:
 Nuclear
 Natural Gas
 A smattering of renewables: hydroelectricity, wind (just coming on line), solar
Energy Storage is Critical to an Energy Independent
Connecticut
Candlewood Lake
“Hydrostor”
Elan Musk’s “the Wall”
 The issue currently with wind and solar produced electricity is that it is
variable.
 A future built on renewables must have developed storage capability to
mitigate the variable nature of renewables.
Some Current Energy Storage Technologies
“The Wall””
“Hydrostor” underwater compressed air storage.
Pumped Hydro is the oldest form of large scale energy storage,
Candlewood Lake, CT was created nearly 100 years ago.
The Key Technology That Makes an Energy Independent
Connecticut Possible
 The ability of the smart grid to initially quickly react and eventually
predict electricity needs at the very local level will minimize the need for
over production of electric power to meet unknown needs.
 The smart grid will be able to take advantage of variable power form
solar and wing and direct it to storage facilities for later use.
Connecticut's Energy Needs in 2050
CT Energy Consumption Enhanced Efficency
350
300
Trillion BTU
250
200
Oil
Gas
150
Electricity
100
50
0
2012
2017
2022
2027
2032
2037
2042
2047
2050
Year
 The above chart is a compilation of predictions based on moderate
assumptions to overall energy needs in 2050.
 Connecticut's electric needs for 2050 will be ~ 170 Trillion BTUs (~50 TW-hrs)
 Connecticut will still need some petroleum products.
Connecticut Can Meet its Total Electricity Needs in 2050
Total Renewable Sources
Plant Characteristics
Sorce
Plant Costs (2012$)
Nominal
Nominal
Energy
Capacity
Capacity
capacity
(kW)
(TW-hr)
(MW)
Overnight Capital
Cost ($/kW)
Fixed O&M Cost
Fuel Cost
Unit
($/kW-yr)
($/MWhr)
s
Comment
Photovoltaic
8,000
8,000,000
32.0
$
3,873
$24.69
0
80
km2
Offshore Wind
1,500
1,500,000
9.0
$
6,230
$74.00
0
300
Turbines
Tidal turbines
3,000
3,000,000
6.0
$
3,500
$75.00
0
600
Turbines
500
500,000
3.0
$
2,936
$14.13
0
Conventional
Hydroelectric
Pumped
Storage
4
50
50,000
0.3
$
5,288
$18.00
Times 2015
capacity
0
Total
11,550
50.3
53
Billion $
430 Million $
 Connecticut's needs for electricity are met and with an over production of capacity.
 Connecticut can trade for the energy resources it does not have such as petroleum
products.
Notional Hybrid Energy Reef
150 m Wind Turbine
• Example of what can be placed in Long
Island Sound
• In addition the Energy Reef could
generate Hydrogen and store it in some
of the energy storage farm balloons to
be used when needed.
Compressed Air Energy
Storage Farm
• This storage method would minimize the
“Hindenburg fears” that still hover
around Hydrogen
Two Tidal Turbines
• Hydrogen can be used to power either
fuel cells or gas turbines.
Connecticut Can Be Energy Independent by 2050!
 Connecticut has the resources in:





Offshore wind
Hydroelectric Potential
Solar capability and the land to dedicate to it.
Tidal power
Underwater energy storage.
 So technologically the answer is defiantly “YES”.
 Ultimately the decision rests with “we the people”…