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Search results for: “renewables”

  • CH4 context: the largest methane leaks of all time?

    CH4 context: the largest methane leaks of all time?

    Global methane emissions run to 360MTpa. 40% is agriculture, 40% is the energy industry and 20% is landfills. Within energy, over 30% of the leaks are from coal, 30% are from oil, 27% are from gas. This short note quantifies some of the largest methane leaks of all time, and provides context for the recent…

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  • Energy of rotation: angular momentum, inertia and flywheels?

    Energy of rotation: angular momentum, inertia and flywheels?

    This data-file calculates the energy stored in rotating masses. This includes 50Wh – 100 kWh flywheels. In power grids, the angular momentum of large rotating generators is known as ‘inertia’ and can run from 30kWh to 30MWH per turbine. Inertia has historically been a crucial part of stabilizing grids. Hence how do the physics work?…

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  • Cable installation vessels: costs and operating parameters?

    Cable installation vessels: costs and operating parameters?

    This is a database of cable installation vessels for offshore wind and power transmission; tabulating costs (in $M), contract awards (in $/km), capacity (in tons), installation speeds (in meters per hour), power ratings (in MW), crew sizes and positioning systems. There is a paradox over costs.

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  • Offshore wind: installation costs by vessel?

    Offshore wind: installation costs by vessel?

    An offshore wind project is likely to cost $2,500/kW, of which c$1,500/kW is turbines and $1,000/kW is offshore installation costs. This data-file aims to estimate the breakdown by vessel type, day-rates and costs per turbine.

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  • Energy storage: top conclusions into batteries?

    Energy storage: top conclusions into batteries?

    Thunder Said Energy is a research firm focused on economic opportunities that can drive the energy transition. Our top ten conclusions into batteries and energy storage are summarized below, looking across all of our research.

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  • Gas turbines: operating parameters?

    Gas turbines: operating parameters?

    A typical simple-cycle gas turbine is sized at 200MW, and achieves 38% efficiency, as super-heated gases at 1,250ยบC temperature and 100-bar pressure expand to drive a turbine. The exhaust gas is still at about 600ยบC. In a combined cycle gas plant, this heat can be used to produce steam that drives an additional turbine, adding…

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  • Prime movers: efficiency of power generation over time?

    Prime movers: efficiency of power generation over time?

    How has the efficiency of prime movers increased across industrial history? This data-file profiles the continued progress in the efficiency of power generation over time, from 1650 to 2050e. As a rule of thumb, the energy system has shifted to become ever more efficient over the past 400-years.

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  • US electric utilities: leading companies in transmission and distribution?

    US electric utilities: leading companies in transmission and distribution?

    The average US electric utility has 25 GW of generation, 15,000-miles of power transmission, 100,000 miles of distribution, 8M customers, 3.5% dividend yields and 6.5% long-term target growth. We wonder if there is upside on expanding power grids? A dozen companies are in our screen.

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  • Direct reduced iron: costs and projects?

    Direct reduced iron: costs and projects?

    Direct reduced iron (DRI) is produced by reacting iron ore with H2-CO syngas, fueled by natural gas, in over 150 facilities worldwide. Direct reduction iron costs $300/ton, consuming 3,000kWh/ton of energy and CO2 intensity of 0.6 tons/ton. The process can be decarbonized via low-carbon hydrogen in the syngas, as the world strives towards decarbonized steel.

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  • Cement costs and energy economics?

    Cement costs and energy economics?

    This data-file captures cement costs, based on inputs, capex and energy economics. A typical cement plant requires a cement price of $130/ton for a 10% IRR, on capex costs of $200/Tpa, energy intensity of 1,000 kWh/ton and CO2 intensity of 0.9 tons/ton. Cement costs can be stress tested in the data-file.

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