Solar Energy vs. Windmills: A Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages by Derwick Associates

Derwick Associates Venezuela agree that two of the most popular forms of green energy are windmills and solar panels. Investors and governments all over the world are after them. There are a few differences between solar energy and windmills in their efficiency, level of environmental impact, and certain other aspects. In this article, you will find the major differences between these technologies.

Solar Panels

According to Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt Lopez , here are the major advantages of solar energy:

•  Solar energy is completely pollution-free. Since solar panels do not create any gas, smoke, or greenhouse gases, there is no environmental impact.
• A number of developments in the science of solar energy have resulted in higher power output per panel.
• Solar power systems do not need much maintenance. Once installed, they continue to give out energy for life. As long as the sun is there, solar power systems will work.
• You can either connect your home to a solar power grid or have solar panels installed on top of your house (if your home is in a remote location). Hence, solar energy gives flexibility to the consumers.
• This form of energy does not need to be converted for certain purposes, such as indoor and outdoor lighting, heating, etc.
• Solar energy will not create any rapid changes in price, according to Derwick Associates

Albeit, there are a few disadvantages as well to solar energy systems. Here are some of them, according to Derwick:

• Solar systems cannot work in the night, and their efficiency goes down dramatically in cloudy weather conditions.
• Solar energy is widely known to be more inefficient than other forms of energy. A panel usually converts about 22 percent of the sunlight that falls on top of it. However, there is ongoing research and development in this field that will result in better output from panels.
• Storing solar energy for future use is difficult with the current technology. Batteries for storing solar power are massive and costly, and hence they are not equipped to handle most scenarios.
• Installation of solar panels requires a large investment. This is one reason why solar systems are not yet popular.
• Solar panel systems work the best on sunny days, but hot weather usually results in lower output.
• Traditional solar panels made by crystalline silicon are more efficient, but they are very bulky as compared to newer, thin-film solar panels. This means, today’s solar panels are either lightweight or efficient, but not both.

Wind Power

Another option as shown by Alejandro Betancourt Lopez, a windmill, which converts the energy from the wind into electricity, is a great source of green energy. Like solar power, windmills also get great attention from investors and governments. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of wind power.

Advantages:

• A windmill does not create any pollution. It does not generate smoke or greenhouse gases that negatively   affect the environment.
• Capturing energy from the wind is very easy and effective with the modern technology.
• The land on which a wind turbine is established can still be used for other purposes like agriculture. This is not true in the case of solar farms. In addition, many people believe windmills give an aesthetic look to the landscape.
• It is easy to build wind farms in remote areas not connected to the nation’s main power grid.
• Since the wind is the only raw material, and it is available everywhere, windmills can power any location in the world.
• Wind turbines come in all sizes and shapes. It is hence easy for both people and businesses to use them for power.

However, there are a few disadvantages as well to this type of power. Here are a few of them, according to Derwick Associates:

• The power output of a windmill is usually not constant. It tends to be unsteady depending on the strength and velocity of the wind in the location.
• Although they are more efficient than solar power, windmills do not measure up to the efficiency of fossil fuels.
• Windmills tend to make noise pollution, and hence they are not appropriate for areas where people live.
• Windmills are as costly as solar panels, and they need high maintenance cost as well.
• Wind farms tend to kill birds on occasion, and that is not in anybody’s best interest.

Conclusion

Pedro Trebbau Lopez agrees that windmills and solar systems are expected to change our world dramatically. However, they require further research and development. Solar panels need to provide more output per surface area, while windmills should be able to contribute more power even at erratic wind velocity.

Derwick Associates Venezuela - Life of Nuclear Power Plants

Even with major nuclear disasters in the past most experts agree that this type of power is extremely safe, especially when considering how much cleaner it is than traditional power sources like coal. When the world’s first nuclear power plant opened in 1954 in the Russian city of Obninsk it was a truly revolutionary way to make power. This power plant ran for four years before the second nuclear power plant opened.Derwick Associates Venezuela, Today, however, there are 440 commercial nuclear power plants in operation and many new ones being constructed across 30 countries.

Most of the nuclear power plants constructed more than ten years ago were designed to run for about forty years before they would be decommissioned. Surprisingly, very few of the components of a nuclear power plant were specifically designed to be able to be replaced to help extend the life of the power plant. Due to the fact that this source of power has been proven safe and effective, however, both private companies and governments have been working hard to help extend the life of these power plants. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt Lopez

Replacing Non-Replicable Parts

In the past several years companies have taken up the task of figuring out how to replace turbines, lids and other parts in these power plants because they are beginning to wear out due to the incredible heat and radiation exposure they are subjected to. Derwick, The main obstacle is that these parts were not designed to be replicable so there are no existing instructions for how it can be done.

With new power plant construction costing millions of dollars, however, it is well worth the investment to have new parts constructed and installed since it can extend the life of a power plant significantly. In fact, most countries which have existing nuclear plants have already approved the use of these types of parts, and once it is done they will extend the licenses for these plants to run an additional thirty to fifty years so it is clearly a wise investment.

Derwick - How Does a Nuclear Power Plant Operate

Nuclear power could be the solution to our growing energy needs. Nuclear power plants produce huge amounts of electrical power using only very small amounts of raw material. The operation of a nuclear power plant is straightforward in principle, although there are many complicating factors to take into consideration. Pedro Trebbau Lopez

The Principle of Electricity Generation

Electricity is generated inside a nuclear power plant in much the same way as in a coal, oil, or gas-fired power plant. The fuel is used to generate heat, which is in turn used to turn water into steam. The steam drives a turbine which is attached to an electricity generator. As the turbine turns, an electrical conductor is rotated in a magnetic field, which causes an electrical current to flow in the conductor.

Once the steam has been used to drive the turbine, it is cooled using cold water from a nearby lake so that it condenses back into a liquid, which can then be used again. In contrast, the uranium fuel can only be used once in the reaction. The used fuel is highly radioactive and must be stored carefully to prevent it contaminating the environment.

Using Nuclear Fission to Generate Heat

Whereas a fossil fuel power plant burns coal, oil or gas to generate heat, in a nuclear power plant the heat is produced in a nuclear fission reaction. Fission is the process of splitting a uranium atom into two smaller atoms, releasing a huge amount of energy in the process. Alejandro Betancourt Lopez

The nuclear fission reaction is triggered by firing neutrons (a type of subatomic particles) at the uranium fuel. Each neutron causes a uranium atom to break apart. More neutrons are released during the breakup of the atom, and these neutrons can then trigger further uranium atoms to break apart in a self-sustaining reaction.

Controlling Nuclear Fission for Power Plant Safety

Because every fission event creates at least two neutrons, the nuclear fission reaction has the potential to quickly get out of control. To prevent an explosive reaction from taking place, nuclear power plants use control rods to absorb the extra neutrons and keep the rate at which fission takes place to a manageable level. Derwick Associates Venezuela

Nuclear power is generally very safe. Disastrous nuclear meltdowns are very rare because there are safety procedures that can be used to shut down a nuclear power plant if the fission reaction starts to get out of control, including plunging the control rods fully into the reaction chamber to soak up all the neutrons.

The Role of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power plants safely and reliably produce electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. For this reason, they have an important role to play in electricity production.

Derwick Associates - Natural Gas: An Underground Resource

Formed by decayed and compressed organic matter, natural gas is a trapped fuel found in underground deposits that has been there for millions of years. People around the world depend on this fossil fuel to produce manufactured goods, run their appliances, provide them with electricity, and power their compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt Lopez

According to the Natural Gas Supply Association, the United States, alone, usually accounts for roughly 25% of the world’s natural gas consumption each year. Russia is not far behind in their use of natural gas, along with the European Union.

In its pure form, natural gas is colorless, odorless, and shapeless. Natural gas can occur by itself, just above or dissolved in a petroleum deposit. There are a variety of rocks that help trap the gas and keep air out, making the environment prime for natural gas.

Unlike many other fossil fuels, natural gas burns cleanly and emits lower levels of byproducts that are harmful to life. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases that is highly combustible, but when burned, gives off a great deal of energy. Alejandro Betancourt Lopez

Although natural gas mixtures vary widely depending on where they are mined, they usually consist of: methane, ethane, propane, butane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and a trace of some rare gases such as helium, neon, and xenon.

Like all fossil fuels, using natural gas also has its downside. Carbon dioxide and methane emissions can cause harm to the environment as greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. Pedro Trebbau Lopez

Currently, there is controversy over the methods used to extract natural gas from the earth. Some people argue that hydrofracking, a method gaining popularity in use, results in increased toxic emissions into the air. As its name implies, hydrofracking also uses up a great deal of water, which is one of earth’s finite resources.

Regardless of what people think, natural gas consumption continues to increase around the world, as it is still known as one of the least harmful energy producers. As long as people continue to need electricity and live the way they do now, there will never be an end to the consumption of natural gas.

Derwick Associates and Renewable Energy

Derwick Associates Venezuela

Fossil fuels are the most common energy source used by people today. However, there are other sources of energy that are cleaner and plentiful than oil and gas. Derwick Associates believe they will be the sources of energy that help us get to work, keep our houses warm and keep the city lights on at night. Derwick Associates, Pedro Trebbau Lopez asks: What are these alternate sources of energy that scientists are currently studying?

Wind Energy :

It is estimated that there is enough wind being generated on Earth to provide power to everyone on the planet. Wind energy is produced by large windmills that convert the wind into electricity. However, it takes hundreds or thousands of windmills in one location to provide the power needed to power even a single community. One goal that scientists are chasing is to harvest wind energy from the upper atmosphere. That is where the majority of the wind originates on Earth. As part of their consulting experience, Derwick Associates can provide guidance on Wind Energy as a renewable source of energy.

Solar Energy :

For plants, sunlight is the main energy source that allows them to grow. For humans, the sun could also be a valuable energy source that could provide cheap power to millions of people. While solar power has already been proven to be a viable way to power our homes, government regulations have made it more expensive to produce solar panels.  At Derwick Associates be believe that until policies change, it may be decades before solar power becomes a mainstream energy source.

Geothermal Energy :

Geothermal energy technology basically takes heat naturally generated underneath the Earth’s surface and uses it to provide cheap and efficient heating. Many homeowners in recent years have taken advantage of geothermal heat pumps to warm their homes in the winter and then cool their homes in the winter. It can also provide hot water to showers and wherever else hot water is needed.

Hydroelectric Energy :

Water is an amazing source of energy. When water gets moving fast enough, it can power the machines needed to transport electricity to people all around the world. The best part is that it rains almost everywhere on Earth. This means that there is the potential for a pond or a lake just about anywhere on the planet. Those living in poor countries may be able to tap into this cheap and efficient source of energy in the future.

Biomass Energy :

This type of energy is stored in plants and animals until they die. Examples of biomass include burning sugar cane, corn or cow dung. These energy sources are natural and abundant throughout the planet. In fact, it is one of the most popular energy sources on Earth today. Corn and sugar cane are currently being used to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.

There are many different types of alternative energy sources that could one day reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. Future wind and solar power systems would be able to generate as much power as we need without releasing as much carbon dioxide into the air. That would create less pollution and make the air easier for everyone to breathe.

Derwick Associates is a company of integral services that offers solutions ranging from the simple supply of equipment for energy plants to the installation of power plants.

Derwick Associates has a wide range of capabilities that include: engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning, as well as operation and maintenance.

In this way, Derwick Associates is responding effectively to the worldwide demand increase of energy by supplying highly reliable and efficient energetic solutions; always giving special consideration to its social and ecological impact.

Derwick Associates - Expertise Series: Field Services

Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt Lopez

One of the leaders in the energy power-plant field, Derwick Associates is recognized for its experience and expertise. Through years of practice over many different projects, our expert team of project managers has overseen the design, procurement, construction, operation and management of many power-plants across Venezuela. Over the years, these activities have allowed Derwick to acquire experience in: Field Services

The Field Services Division guarantees the presence of certified, skilled workforce necessary for the installation of high quality equipment, in order to provide seamless and efficient delivery.

Our field services are provided at any stage of your project, accordingly to your time schedule and under strict controls:

• Boroscope inspections, including detailed report
• Repair of instrumentation, electronic control systems and mechanical equipment
• Exchange, disconnection and installment of turbo generators and components
• Annual and semi-annual inspections of packages and control systems, including calibrations
• Annual and semi-annual turbines inspection
• Control systems updating
• 24 hour attention to clients for any type of turbo generators, associated equipment and balance of plant
• Provision of parts and tools needed for any work related to turbo generator units
• Levels 1 and 2 of maintenance, including all necessary tools
• Dual conversion of turbo generators (Liquid/Gas fuel)
• Conversion packages (PC to PD / PD to PC)

Derwick Associates Dedicated To The Safeguarding Of Indigenous People - Pedro Trebbau López

Derwick Associates Venezuela

Leading energy company Derwick Associates, Venezuela talks about the projects their non-profit foundation supports.

The company are dedicated to helping social and charitable projects, so they created the Hermogenes Lopez Foundation, which helps communities, families and individuals across Venezuela. The foundation is non-profit and works nationwide to help people get more education, as well as sporting facilities and opportunities for jobs.

One project that the foundation supports is the Loyola-Tauca Project in Puerto Ordaz. This project works with locals and colleges to continue the safeguarding of the indigenous people of Venezuela. They ensure that old age cultures and traditions are preserved, as well as taught in colleges and schools.

Derwick Associates assisted the project by providing transport facilities for the students of the Loyola College to get to the Indigenous University of Venezuela. By doing this, they were able to raise awareness of the indigenous cultures to the college students, and in turn, ensure that the cultures are protected in the future.

The project includes educating students from the Loyola College Gumilla about old age traditions and the culture of the indigenous people. One student who was involved in the project said that it was an important experience because it brought them out of their virtual world. The project is not only to be amongst the indigenous people of Venezuela, but it is also intended for prayer and a spiritual experience for all those involved.

Vice President of Derwick Associates, Pedro Trebbau López, said of the project, “It’s important for us here at Derwick to be a part of projects like this, because our heritage is something should be learnt by everyone, of all ages. This is why the safeguarding of the indigenous people of Venezuela will always be something that we support. Projects like this are one of the main reasons why we created the Hermogenes Lopez Foundation, to ensure that our cultures and traditions are not forgotten.

We will continue to help projects like this as much as we can, as we are passionate about being as philanthropic as possible, in terms of being environmentally and social conscious.”

Derwick Associates and the Hermogenes Lopez Foundation are always looking to help any social, ecological or charitable causes, especially local to their power plants in Venezuela.