The history of machine learning begins in 1950 with Alan Turing and the “Turing Test”, a test he created to determine whether or not a computer has real intelligence. In order for a computer to pass the test, it must be able to fool a human into believing it is also human. The test basically was a guessing game. There was a judge, a female contestant and a male contestant and the based off the answers to a series of questions the judge had to choose which of the respondents was human and which was the computer. The most recent modification to the test however doesn’t involve contestants. Simply, it is a judge and a computer and the judge has to determine if the respondent is a computer or a human. Since Turing introduced this test, the results have proven to be highly influential and also regularly criticized. However, overall the test has become incredibly influential in the artificial intelligence and machine learning world.
Another major advancement that occurred in the machine learning world was in the 1990s when scientists began creating programs for computers to analyze. From the data, computers where able to draw conclusions based on the massive amounts of data they were presented with. Simply, the computers were able to “learn” from the data. Computers, like IBM Watson are now able to store endless amounts of data, ranging from different topics, and they are able to make connections between the data in order to draw conclusions. For example, in 2011 IBM Watson was put to the test. Watson went up against the two greatest Jeopardy champions. After the first round, Watson was ties for first with $5,000. However, Watson made an incredible comeback and entered into final Jeopardy with $36,681, the next player having only $5,400. This test was groundbreaking not only for the IBM team, but also for AI and machine learning. Watson was able to enter into its data base to collect data it needed to answer the question, analyze the data, and great an answer all within seconds.
In 2012, Google developed an algorithm that was able to autonomously look through YouTube videos to identify all the videos that contained cats in them. Similarly, in 2014, Facebook developed the DeepFace software which was an algorithm that was able to recognize and verify individuals based on their photos.
These singular advancements in machine learning have made huge impacts on technology today and how we use it daily. Seeing how computer intelligence went from the Turing machine up to iPhones with facial recognition is incredible and it just shows that it will continue to change rapidly and that there is still much more to learn.
In case you still don’t have a firm grip on the concept of quantum computing the video below does a great job at explaining it. Try to make sure you have somewhat of an understanding of what’s going on or you’re sure to be even more confused by the end of this post.
In quantum computing, the user is able to run the given computations simultaneously because it allows you to tap into those parallel timelines that stack on top of each other. It does this by using qubits that can store information in more than one position at any given moment. On the other hand, in conventional computers the positions of 0 and 1 are mutually exclusive. Each addition of a qubit gives you an additional exponent of processing power by allowing you to tap into one more of these theoretical timelines. According to these quantum theorists and accompanying scientists, there are a significant number of parallel universes that have inconsistencies with the one that we are living in but are just as real and can theoretically be accessed with these computers. There are points in these parallel timelines that overlap and these are known as a nexus which allow for us to move between the given timelines. These changes and overlapping between parallel timelines have been used to explain the global phenomenon known as the Mandela Effect. Some believe that the Mandela Effect is a consequence of traveling between these timelines as events that occurred in the past change or aren’t as you remembered them to be.
Even back in 2005 David Deutsch stated that Quantum computation will be the first technology that allows useful tasks to be performed in collaboration between parallel universes. Not many people believed him then but with increased interest in bringing quantum computers to life many of his speeches and explanations have resurfaced in the past couple of years.Below is an excerpt from a Closer to the Truth interview in which Deutsch explains the basics behind quantum computers.
There is plenty of controversy surrounding the field of quantum computing. The first question that many people ask is why there is even a need for quantum computers, as the conventional ones that we have now work well enough and anything more is unnecessary. Geordie Rose made an analogy for these critics that are still having trouble grasping the concept of quantum computing: A horse may have outran the initial Wright Brothers flight, but a plane is not supposed to be a faster horse, it is a machine that takes advantage of another resource that nature has given us (the air) to fill a particular niche that horses would never be able to fill. Quantum computers follow the same pattern. While some conventional computers may be more stable and functional that quantum computers right now, this may not be the case in the near future. Quantum computers also take advantage of their given resources, by utilizing superposition and entanglement, to perform in ways that conventional computers would never be able to do.
Depending on the intent of the user, this additional processing and computational power could have a huge positive or an equally as large devastating effect on the world of technology as we know it today. In 1994 mathematician Peter Shor discovered a quantum algorithm that could find the prime factors of really big numbers. The basis of Cryptography is that if you multiply two large enough prime numbers it will be extremely hard to break this back down into the two parts. With a quantum computer and Shor’s app, this math could easily be computed and subsequently cryptography could be cracked.
Since the creation of the first commercial D- Wave quantum computers, founder Geordie Rose has left the project and started a new project namedKindred. At the moment, Kindred is focusing on building the world’s first human-level AI which Rose assures will be created within all of our expected lifetimes. At Kindred, Rose’s team consists of 34 of the top 50 individuals in the deep learning space community, all working together to change the field of artificial intelligence as we know it. As of right now, the engineer’s at Kindred have been working with full scale humanoids known asThromang to conduct research and practice machine learning. With some of the brightest minds that made quantum computing a reality now on board with Kindred’s Artificial intelligence project the possibilities of the technology are virtually unlimited. It is impossible to predict exactly what this field has in store for the future but with the exponentially increased processing power of quantum computers and the current level learning ability of artificial intelligence it will only be a matter of time before science fiction becomes reality.
In last week’s blog post, I discussed how Amazon is impacting markets through digital transformation. Their easy online services and innovative technologies, including Amazon Go, make it difficult for large department and grocery stores to compete. However, there is one market Amazon has left untouched, and that is the transportation market.
Over the past few decades, transportation has become much more advanced. New technology has brought new ideas to the market, and companies implementing these new ideas are the ones coming out ahead. One of the major new players to make a splash in the automotive market is Tesla, and their development of high-performing autonomous vehicles is one ought to pay attention to.
Tesla is America’s top Electric Car company creating disruption in the automotive market. In recent years, car companies have adopted Tesla’s innovative ideas to create green and autonomous vehicles. The shift from gas to electric is basic, but developing brand new technologies for cars is more complex and challenging to work with. Therefore, car companies are forced to make a leap of death in order to compete: either roll out autonomous vehicles or go bankrupt trying. However, this technology will not come without controversy.
There are many reasons why autonomous driving is disruptive, minus the fact that it will take over millions of driving jobs. Overlooked problems of autonomous driving are the accidents that take place on the road. What if two autonomous vehicles get into an accident? Who is liable when neither person had control of the car? These are issues that need to be addressed legally.
Another problem with autonomous driving is that many people are going to want to take a nap when they hit the road, and that just cannot happen. Tesla has technology that can detect whether the driver is asleep behind the wheel or not, so no one can drive with both eyes closed. I do not see this feature going away anytime soon, and I hope legislation does not change that.
Finally, the last problem I see with the brand new vehicles coming out is the WiFi feature. I really do not think it is smart to put a ton of wireless access points in cars when it is really easy to hack into them. I saw this video below some time ago, how a few hackers were able to control a person’s vehicle while in use through WiFi connection.
This must be prevented from becoming a common occurrence.
There is missing legislation in regards to autonomous vehicles, and many hiccups will come with drafting this legislation. Will it be ethical for there to be autonomous taxis in a world where you cannot fall asleep behind one (an autonomous vehicle)? Should steps be taken to limit the power of autonomous vehicles? Questions like these will all have to be answered in time, but should be answered sooner rather than later. Before we eliminate manuals and automatics, we need to understand autonomous first.
The energy sector is facing many difficult challenges to address how globally the power sector must be transformed in the near future to sustain technological advances. These challenges entail meeting requirements of securing energy for when the need arises in the future, ensuring that they are addressing climate change as well as helping those people who lack access to energy resources.
The Future in Energy Transformation
The world is in the midst of an Energy Revolution. Energy technology innovation has become an integral part in meeting the increasing demand for energy. In order to meet this objective the United States has promoted energy efficiency in all sectors; due to higher future energy demand it has implemented changes specifically in the production and consumption of energy. Such changes include measures to utilize technology innovation for the reduction of gas emissions, increase utilization of renewable sources to produce electric energy, and an increase of awareness of how energy efficiency affects climate change. In the past ten years energy companies have been required to review and restructure their current business model. Power companies have been forced to think outside the box by implementing new strategies in order to be able to sustain a market share in the energy sector. Extensive initiatives have been taken by these power companies to address the increasing electricity demand as a result of the evolution of technology. The utilities companies have concluded that if they don’t act fast they will be left behind, especially with the drastic decrease in prices for renewables and energy storage. The protruding of distributed energy resources caused many changes to take effect at a faster pace than originally planned by the energy companies. As such, the electric power industry realizing that in order to remain competitive they must continuously invest monies in research and development. Energy companies are also required to make extreme modifications to their current business model in order to comply with the new requirements pursuant to the Paris Agreement on climate change; the framework has been finalized for the nation’s first carbon regulations. The energy revolution sets the ground work and the foundation on a global basis for the efforts to address climate change as well as coming up with ways to sustain a low-carbon energy future. Recent changes in the energy sector have resulted in the recognition of the importance of economic growth in the energy division, and at the same time the need to address climate change. It has become apparent that the emerging of advanced energy technologies provides many options to implement and address the challenges of the increased energy consumption. Advances in technology are the leading factors in driving this energy revolution to a whole new spectrum. The energy transformation creates additional possibilities for technologies which have proven that their exceptional accomplishments have been regarded as having the potential to change and reshape the surroundings in which we live and work.
Energy transformation has contributed to the economic growth as well as the great contribution to cleaner energy in the future. Currently in the United States the utilization of fossil fuels has drastically decreased, this was due to the vast technological innovations. It has resulted in the remarkable task of continued technological progress in wind, solar, and biofuels of which it has caused an increase in the use of renewable energy. The makeup of these energy sources has resulted in a vast shift: petroleum and coal are being replaced by the growing use of natural gas and renewables, resulting in a cleaner energy future. In addition to the benefits of meeting the increased demands of energy in the future, there have been also economic benefits. Increased production of oil, natural gas, and renewable energy has contributed to the increase in employment in these industries. Technological innovation and increased production of energy translates to price reduction for the supply of energy. The reduction in prices will benefit businesses as well as the residential arena; businesses realize an increase in their net income which translates to having to pay higher taxes to the taxing authorities, and households have an increase of disposable income.
As stated earlier, the breakthroughs and advances have been made predominantly in the technology sector of renewable energy. Energy companies have concluded that solar wind and hydro power are more efficient for meeting today’s growing energy demands; how will renewable energy be utilized in 30 years? The development of energy storage technology has been determined to be of the defining feature in the future of energy. There are various benefits to energy storage which is due to the renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar, these will have the capacity to meet the supply and demand for energy. There are some drawbacks as well to the utilization of wind and solar. Since the production of renewable electricity is associated with wind and solar power they are also considered unreliable when it’s dark or there is minimal wind blowing. As we have realized how vital these power sources have become to our growing demand for energy, there is an increase demand for the investment in technologies that allow energy producers, such as the power sector, to come up with the capacity to store energy that is generated when the sun shines and the wind blows. The stored energy will be released on a need to basis, which results in providing a clean air environment as well as satisfying the high demand or when the wind or the sun is not available. As the world discovers new ways to meet its growing energy needs, there is also consideration taking place on how power companies are increasing their efforts to address climate change.
Conclusion
Renewable energy in various forms offers great opportunities for technological innovation and progress. Over the next thirty to fifty years continued efforts without interruption must be facilitated in order to keep up with the increase in demand for energy. Renewable energy development can be beneficial in underdeveloped and developing countries. Biofuels are highly regarded as a means of addressing climate change as well as satisfying the increased demand for the use of energy. The increase in the development of energy storage technology, finding new energy carriers will result in meeting greater energy demands.
Recommendations
Continue to invest in research and development for new ways for improved energy storage technologies.
Continued efforts to educate the public on energy efficiency – the purchase of energy efficient appliances
Implementing stricter building guidelines – the construction of buildings and homes to be built with higher energy efficiency codes.
What is climate change? Climate change speaks to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer. Global warming speaks to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth’s surface. It is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is causing climate patterns to change. However, global warming itself represents only one aspect of climate change.
(Only view first fifty minutes)
We all have noticed that climate change is happening. The temperatures have increased over the years. Statistical data have been released whereby it was noted that the earth’s average temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees in the past century. Although these changes seem small in nature overtime they will cause major changes in the climate and weather. There has been a great shift on the weather, in some parts of the world there has been heavy downpour, other parts drought, in recent years there has been major heat waves lasting for a longer period of time. The temperature on Earth heavily relies on the balance of energy in the planet. We are seeing the earth’s ocean being affected by being warmer and the high level of carbon dioxide being absorbed by the ocean is changing the chemistry of the seawater. Ice glaciers are melting and sea levels are rising. The culprit of this global warming is predominantly due to human activities which have caused to be released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases are derived from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil to produce energy. The greenhouse gases are emitted into the air which forms a blanket around the Earth, the energy is disbursed around the atmosphere and it gets warm. This “greenhouse effect” is vital for the survival on earth. Also, the clearing of land for agriculture, industry, and other human activities has increased the greenhouse gases. As a result of this built up of greenhouse gases it can change the Earth’s climate.
How is climate change being addressed globally?
As per the 2015 Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on climate Change (UNFCCC) which states that every country commits to implement modifications to help lessen the impact of climate change. The target is meeting was to limit warming of 2 Celsius; this will be accomplished only by a reduction of 41% in total energy related to carbon dioxide emissions, and 70% reduction in power sector emissions. Every country will be facing different challenges due to their limited economic development, access to the developed energy infrastructure, access to cheap domestic fossil resources and renewable energy potential. The commitment includes the omission of fossil fuel and changing on how we use land. The energy challengefor the future will be to meet the challenge of achieving the world’s growing energy needs in a reliable and competitive way at the same time help to fight against climate change. The plan is to curtail the three quarters of global GHG emissions, which are energy related, as such major changes and transformations are necessary in order to satisfy the UNFCCC agreement. In order to meet the 2C deadline we must consider utilizing nuclear power as among the energy sources and technologies available today that could meet the climate-energy challenge. Transformation of the energy sector will play an important role in accomplishing to meet the 2C requirement; energy is the primary contributor to environmental warming gases, but the energy transition plays a key factor to a cleaner and more secure energy future. The transitions of energy companies by implementing improvements in low-carbon energy technologies are dropping costs of renewable energy. The implementation for onshore wind and new utility-scale solar panel installations has improved the decrease of the impact on climate change. Action that must be taken in order to achieve the 2C requirement is to ensure that we address the coal and gas fired power plant emissions since coal and gas power plants generate 63% of today’s global electric supply. The use of renewable sources might solve this problem instead of using fossil fuels. In California, the utility company PG&E made a commitment that they by 2031 will be 55% using renewable energy, and will be closing their Diablo Canyon Plant. The use of renewable resources is one of the ways to fight against climate change.
Another option will be the utilization of nuclear energy to mitigate further the cause of global warming. The application of nuclear energy where it utilizes electron beam irradiation, are effective for the removal of gaseous pollutants, including harmful gases such as dioxide, nitrogen oxide which are emitted in Carbon fuel power plants. Nuclear energy can be useful to mitigate the problem of pollution in the ocean. Recently it was reported that European scientists developed a multi-band gas sensor (i.e. Miregas) which can be used to detect poisonous gases in the atmosphere. This device uses a novel light source to detect dozens of emissions effectively. They hope that this gas sensor will be able to help to reduce global warming by detecting harmful gases at a faster rate; this project is estimated to be in its final stage of completion by 2020.
Many countries have taken action to accelerate their plans to adopt procedures to address climate change in the wake of president elect Donald Trump. President elect Donald Trump during his campaign has on numerous occasions took the stance that any increase in global warming is not due to human intervention today, president elect Donald Trump has changed his outlook and commented that he thinks that there is some connection between human activity and climate change. Trump has made energy one of the hottest topics in his run for presidency. He has committed to undo President Obama climate change initiatives. One of the ways is that Trump has declared that he will fight to remove the U.S. from the agreement signed at the UNFCCC by President Obama. Trump has stated that he will throw out the Clean Power Plan, where it was implemented in order to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, predominantly those plants which were using coal. Trump also has stated that he will bring back coal and will create many jobs; this action will put U.S. back many years in the fight against climate change. Canada has announced earlier this week that it is planning to move up the transition from traditional coal power to clean energy by 2030 and will result in an improvement of air quality and an increase in health of the Canadians citizens. China has become the forefront in satisfying their commitment to clean energy by the production of huge amounts of solar panels. Countries are being held accountable for their commitment to implement proper strategies to deliver a greener future. It is estimated that 60% of global energy demand growth over the next 20 years will come from either gas or zero-carbon fuels such as wind and solar. If U.S. goes back to revitalizing the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas it will mitigate the work that has been done to date to provide clean energy.
-Transportation in the Future – Revamping the U.S. Transportation system by 2050
The technologies of traditional transportation require the use of fossil fuels for vehicle energy. The combination of the rising cost of fuel prices, and the detrimental effects of petroleum as a fuel source there has been an uprising interest in finding alternative in transportation technology.
For many years companies have been working diligently in advancing with the development of sustainable transportation alternatives, as discussed throughout the semester about the development of hybrid and electric vehicle technology. Hybrid Cars use a rechargeable energy storage system to supplement fossil fuel energy for vehicle propulsion. The hybrid’s smaller engines from the regular cars are more efficient, and have the capability to use a combination of different fuels such as petroleum and ethanol. Hybrid electric vehicles have a battery inside and are able to be charged from the main power. Hybrid cars also have the capability for an energy recovery mechanism, which slows a vehicle by converting its kinetic energy into a form which can be either used immediately, or it can be stored and used later on. Jaguar Land Rover will be building electric cars for Britain according to Fortune. According to Forbes Britain has committed to investing $485m for the introduction of autonomous cars and for the improvement of greener technologies for their cars. China has invested approximately $4.5 billion in 2015 to build electric cars in order to decrease its fuel imports as well as improve its air pollution. China automakers have introduced into the market various electric vehicle models; it was estimated that between January through October 2016 there were 337,000 new-energy vehicles, which includes all energy and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It is estimated that there will be approximately 5 million new energy vehicles on the road by 2020.
According to Feng An claims that by 2050 China’s transportation sector by introducing all motor vehicles free of exhaust emissions; China is strategically addressing its energy deficiency my implementing new-energy powered fast trains and bio-powered airships. Boats and ships will be able to be powered by underwater energy stored stations utilizing wave and solar energy. The future of transportation is full of new prospects. Various car companies are approaching the increase in demand for energy in various ways.
Another means of transportation is the introduction of vehicles powered by fuel cells. Japan is the dominant country which is introducing the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. It has been estimated that approximately 40,000 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will hit the road by 2020 as well as 160 fueling stations. The fuel cell vehicle is a type of electric vehicle which uses a fuel cell, instead of a battery, or in combination with a battery, to power its on-board electric motor.
Public Transportation in the Future – Solar-Powered Trains
What is in the future for public transportation? Californian Tom Hunt claims that renewable energy such as solar power trains can be utilized in the train system. The company Solar Trains LLC which has been founded by Tom Hunt has initiated the probability to construct a solar canopy over miles of the train tracks, enough to solar-power the nation’s electric train system. The concept is to install the solar panels above canopies instead of putting them on the trains and the trains would travel under the canopies. The introduction to use solar as canopies above the trains would result in trains going faster and more efficient. The use of solar train canopy has the capacity to reduce enormously the use of fossil energy on trains. Currently the NJ Northeast Corridor, Midtown Direct, North Jersey Coast and Raritan Valley Line use overhead wires to run its trains, just imagine if the system would convert to using solar powered trains there will never experience overhead wire problems due to temporary power loss. According to Hunt the trains would be more efficient. The Obama administration had provided funding for this type of rail improvement but the Republican governors declined. Currently California is making an attempt to improve its rail system for high-speed rail linking the Bay Area to Southern California, which will be entirely powered by electricity; this plan is a long time away from being completed. This type of rail system overhaul is a huge undertaking, which needs to be thought out carefully.
Public Transportation in the Future – Solar-Powered Cars
Solar powered cars get their energy from the sun by converting it into electricity. These cars are powered by electricity, which fuels the battery, which also runs the car’s motor, but some solar cars direct the power straight to an electric motor. Solar cars use photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into energy. One of the major benefits of a solar car is that they are efficient for the environment since they do not create greenhouse gases. The Solar powered car of the future would entail a car being covered in solar coatings which will be able to be charged up while going down the highway or being parked in a sunny spot. Currently, a German solar company by the name of Heliatek is introducing this idea whereby constructing a car whose sun roof is replaced by an organic solar cell windows.
Transportation in the Future – Fly Electric!
It has been projected that by 2025 Electric Planes will be the way to fly. In 2015 a plane was tested to fly in the French Alps. It was a two-seater aircraft, which ascended more than 20,000 feet in under two minutes, and reached speeds of 142 miles an hour; an overall flight duration of 300 miles. This plane did not burn any fuel and did not release any gases, and used an all-electric powered by a single battery. Engineers at the University of Stuttgart built the electric powered plane. It is estimated to be cost effective as well as safe to the environment. Currently it is estimated that an airplane releases around 500 million tons of carbon dioxide into the earth each year, which is an apparent factor for global warming; electric flight will replace petrochemical. By 2025 if these electric planes are utilized they have the capability to carry 100 passengers, and due to advances to these technologies flying might become cheaper in the long run.
Transportation in the Future – Fly Solar!
On July 13, 2016 after sixteen months and a 17-leg journey, a solar powered plane concluded it’s around the world flight touching down in Abu Dhabi. The plane as it is named “Solar Impulse 2”. The solar powered plane was the result of the commitment of providing clean air flying. The plane’s wings are compiled with 17,000 solar cells that power four electric motors. The solar cells recharge lithium batteries that allow the plane to fly at night. There are numerous improvements that need to be made; as such it might not be a means of air transportation any time in the near future. Flying solar is not a possibility now, but might be in 20 years from now with further research into alternative aircraft power.
As the world discovers new ways to meet its growing energy needs, energy generated from Sun, which is better known as solar power, and energy generated from wind called the wind power are being considered as a means of generating power. Solar power is one of the widely used methods of renewable technology or alternative energy which is produced by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity. This is done by using solar panels, which are large flat panels made up of many individual solar cells. In the past these solar panels were predominantly used in remote locations, but today these solar panels are being installed on top of roofs of homes and schools in the urban areas as well. Whereas French Company Ciel & Terre has been developing large-scale floating solar solutions, their innovative Hydrelio Floating PV system allows PV panels to be installed on large bodies of water such as: drinking water reservoirs, lakes, irrigation canals, remediation and ponds, and hydro-electric dam reservoirs. The combination of solar power and wind power to produce enormous energy called the solar wind power which will satisfy all energy requirements of human kind. Power companies are increasing their efforts to address Climate change. Energy technology innovation is essential to addressing climate mitigation goals, as well as supporting economic and energy security objectives. Companies must meet these demands by providing cost-effective technologies. The reliance on fossil fuels and recent trends such as unexpected energy market fluctuations strengthen the reason to make sure that energy companies evaluate the future demand in order to adequately plan accordingly. In 2015 global climate change became a very hot topic of discussion among government leaders throughout the world. The energy sector is involved in innovations to address clean energy technologies across all sectors important for an economy based on low carbon power sources that as a result will have a minimal output of greenhouse gas emissions into the biosphere. According to iea.org wind and solar PV have the potential to provide 22% of annual electricity sector emissions reduction by 2050. With growing demand for energy, there is also a need to provide the infrastructure to provide this growing demand it forces the emerging careful management of available resources to reduce carbon dioxide by inventing low-carbon solutions.
Climate change has been such a concern on a global basis. A conference was held in Paris on December 2015 whereby all of the world’s nations agreed by consensus to all work together to take action on the issue of climate change. They reached an agreement that countries would make every effort to limit the use of greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement disallows for countries to utilize fossil fuel and an energy producer. As President Elect Donald Trump takes office we should see what his actions will entail. As of now Trump has as much stated that he will attempt to renegotiate the agreement. During the campaign Trump has as much expressed that he does not believe that climate change is manmade. There have been numerous discussions lately on the subject, but we should wait and see what transpires once he is in office.
A UK based company, Highview Power Storage, has introduced its Liquid Air Energy Storage technology. In 2014 the UK Government Department of Energy and Climate Change awarded them approximately $11.6m grant to build a plant which is designed to convert low-grade waste heat from the onsite landfill gas engines into electrical power. It was assumed that this system will be cost effective, clean and will bear no environmental impact. It has integrated storage energy technology by using cheap, off peak energy to cool air using a conventional industrial refrigeration plant. The technology comprises of three basic principles of Liquid Air Energy Storage which is: a charging system, energy store; and a power recovery. When it’s charging at off-peak or has excess electricity it is used to power an air liquefier, which produces liquid air. Then the liquid is stored in a tank at low pressure. When the power needs to be recovered, the liquid air is pumped to high pressure, evaporated and heated. The high pressure gas drives a turbine to generate electricity. When heat is added gas is released which makes the process more efficient. According to Highview liquid airenergy storage has advantages over other storage technologies since it does not require the same material as the lithium that batteries need. The material that is used in the industrial refrigeration plant is stainless steel. The advantages of Liquid Air Energy Storage is predominantly due to no geographical constraints, low capital cost, long lifetime of over 25 years, scaleable to 100MWs/GWhs, mature components available for a global supply chain, integration of industrial low-grade waste heat and waste cold, uses no scare or toxic materials.
General Electric is one of the leading energy sector where is always thinking of the future of Energy Storage. The management and control team of energy supply and usage is always surveying new ways for the search for new, more cost-effective energy storage solutions. These systems main purpose is to store energy for use on demand. The United States is the leader in providing these services to develop and developing countries. There are various types of storage systems: solid state batteries, flow batteries, thermal and hydro, but batteries have become the company’s main business target. The US Government has taken an interest in ensuring that utilities companies are addressing energy storage and offers $4.5 billion in loan grantees for these companies to develop innovative energy solutions. GE’s energy storage solutions are currently present in 25 countries where it has the capabilities of producing over 50 megawatt hours of grid storage. In 2015 to increase its business model GE has announced a spinoff of energy storage, solar and electric vehicles into a startup called Current. GE’s aim is to utilize Current’s business model in order to cut energy waste, simplify power by combining separate energy products, manage demand and ultimately cut customer energy bills. https://www.gerenewableenergy.com/innovative-solutions/energy-storage.html
Another company by the name of Southern California Edison believes that supply from batteries is ready to compete against gas-fired peaker plants. One of the largest power grids, PJM Interconnection LLC, believes that lithium-ion batteries are already competitive with gas when it is needed short term. The battery storage systems have three basic parts: the DC battery that stores the energy, the AC power conversion that converts the energy from AC to DC and a control system that manages the operation of the storage system.
With the technology always changing companies are forever dipping into diversifying its business model. Tesla Motors, In., one of the leading electric cars maker in 2015 announced that it has produced solar-rechargeable, whole-house electric battery. Tesla is one company that its aim is to develop green technology. Tesla introduced its first electric car of which one of the advantages of driving an electric car is that if you forget to power the battery and leave it to drain completely the car will lock, all the wheels lock and the car won’t move again without a new replacement battery of approximately $30,000. To resolve this problem it partnered with Panasonic to manufacture the lithium-ion cells for their electric vehicles. Tesla Motors is also planning to enter the market of creating solar roofs that will be integrated with battery storage collected from the rooftop solar panels. Mercedez Benz is another company who is also planning to offer its consumers a garage-mounted battery pack to store energy collected from rooftop solar panels.
What will the future of Energy be like in 30-50 Years? There are higher future energy demands; in the next 30 to 50 years and our global environment will demand more and more energy. There are three driving forces that will make energy more in demand. There is a vast increase in technologically dependency. The emerging technologies (i.e. autonomous vehicles, advanced genomics, mobile) have the potential to change and reshape the surroundings in which we live and work. The extensive use of the Internet whereby people rely extensively to communicate through email, the use of online banking, tools to find information and many more. These are just a few of things that people are so reliant on the internet. It has been estimated that by 2051, the US population is projected to reach the 400 million threshold, and 420 million by 2062. The future of energy is also affected by the supply side of energy, whereby various sources of energy are working together to make fuel in order to satisfy the increasing demands in the next 30 to 50 years. As we noted earlier coal was the dominant source of energy in America, but in recent years the use of coal has decreased drastically, as such in the future will be the second most protrusive source used in the future as energy over the next 30-50 years. This decrease in coal is predominantly due to coal plants becoming older and obsolete. As a result, the closing of these coal plants mean that there will be less coal being produced. The closing of old plants does not necessary induce for new coal plants to be built. It is estimated that coal with drop by 30% of the nation’s energy in the year 2064. Another agent of energy change is the increase of renewable energy. Solar and wind are two examples. It is vital that both government and businesses are knowledgeable on the upcoming new technologies so that they can begin implementing strategies and start preparing for its impact. In recent years there have been numerous disruptive technologies introduced into the public sector. Natural Gas will be considered the primary source of energy. The growth of natural gas will be the biggest change. Natural gas is considered to be in abundance and cheap. Currently, 25% of natural gas accounts for the production of electricity, and the majority of homes are being heated by natural gas. Due to the high gas demand, low cost, and the abundance of it, natural gas will be the driving factor of utilization in the future. In the year 2040, natural gas is estimated to make up 35% of US energy production, resulting in being the driver source of energy surpassing coal consumption. It is apparent that the advancement will forever revolutionize the lives of many people, businesses and especially the overall economy. Energy transformation is being driven by five global megatrends interacting with and amplified by a set of shifts taking place within the power sector. The five megatrends-technological breakthroughs; climate change and resource scarcity; demographic and social change; a shift in global economic power and rapid urbanization – are challenges for businesses. Is the Energy sector ready to revitalize its business model to sustain current and future disruptive innovations? In the near future, society will be forced to find new ways and will be required to research and develop alternative energy sources. If no action will be taken in coming up with new ways to generate energy there will be an energy crisis in this century. Breakthroughs and advances have been made in the technology sector of renewable energy. Energy companies are addressing the growing demand of having to provide new products and services by making strides in how energy sources are extracted, created and used. Renewable energy technologies are being utilized such as solar wind and hydro power, which are more efficient for meeting today’s growing energy demands. According to Forbes “The development of energy storage technology is going to be one of the defining features of the 21st century’s energy landscape”. Energy storage technologies allow you to get the most out of renewable energy resources such as wind, which produces more power than it is needed at night where much goes to waste. They can use this wasted energy to heat homes and offices. One of the future sources of energy storage as we said is batteries. Batteries are an integral part of an electric vehicle. This energy storage technology, i.e. “zombie” batteries are being used in the existing electronic vehicle. As the demand increases and the number of electronic vehicles are increasing in purchases, charging stations are being set up in various places. It has been estimated that a lithium ion battery could last from 5 to 20 years and still retain 80% of its charge. The lithium ion battery afterlife can be utilized in homes.
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000397437
Various countries utilize solar power, wind power and water power as their renewable energy. It is estimated that in the future renewable energy sources will be a thing of the past. Korea is planning to invest $36 Billion in renewable energy by year 2020. They are planning to use this money to develop renewable energy industries, such as solar and wind power and eco-friendly power plants by year 2020. It is estimated that power plants will generate 13 million kilowatts of electricity manually which is an equivalent of 26 coal plants. In addition, 4.5 trillion is to be invested in energy storage and 2 trillion in eco-friendly power plants. Another advantage to this investment of building plants and investing in renewable energy will result in an increase of 30,000 jobs by 2020. The Netherlands has built a high-tech Dutch solar bike path. This high-tech solar bike path is called “SolaRoad”, whereby one of the two lanes has solar panels which serves as the feeder of energy back to the grid. The solar panels are designed to be able to generate enough electricity to power homes. After a year of testing it was concluded that the solar panels generated enough energy to power a home for a year just from operating for only six months. There is still more work to be done with improving these solar panels; an issue occurred whereby a portion of the panels peeled off and the path had to be closed off. Japan has entered the solar panel by placing them on their rooftop. Japan has begun work on what will be the biggest floating solar farm. This solar farm is being built on a reservoir. This is estimated to supply energy to approximately 5,000 households when it is completed in 2018. China, Brazil, Egypt and India are also countries which have joined in putting solar panels on their rooftop. The government is encouraging Tokyo builders to make buildings more energy-efficient with solar panels in addition to having form of storage and other devices such as fuel cells. California installed solar panels which resulted in an excess of solar energy. California is considered the leader in the production of solar energy.
We need energy to live…everything we see, feel, hear depends on energy. There are many forms of energy, chemical energy, chemical reaction, radiant energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy, static electricity and nuclear energy. The future of energy: more complex, resourceful technology and brilliant innovations. Global demand for affordable, reliable energy will continue to increase at a rapid rate. Technology plays a vital role for the increase demand of the transformation of new energy. How will the world satisfy its need for energy? Demand for energy continues to increase persistently. Great challenges materialize for the increased demand of energy; the long-term environmental sustainability of fossil fuels, vulnerabilities in the energy supply chain, and volatility in energy markets. As it relates to energy transformation, these challenges could have serious impact on how it is produced and used, and will be a critical factor in the future of the global economy, geopolitics, and the environment. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2015 the U.S. produced 4 trillion kilowatt rows of electricity, of which 67% was from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum). What are some of the components which will affect the resolution for the U.S. energy markets through 2040? Energy market trends are analyzed and the forecasts of such analysis of trends are being utilized in order to examine if there is a need for changes in policies, rules and regulations. This analysis serves as an indicator to address the role energy will potentially play in the future of advanced technology. In August, 2016 the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) devised “The Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AE02016)” which discloses their long-term forecasts of energy supply, demand, and prices through 2040. This report is utilized to provide an analysis of energy market trends which will be the focal point for the determination of potential changes in policies, rules and regulations. In addition, it reviews the impact that advanced technologies might have on the demand of energy in the future. The report focuses on the revisions of rules and regulations.
In the 2016 AE02016 changed its Clean Power Plan to require different states for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel generators, and an extension of tax credits for wind and solar energy. Along with a decrease of natural gas prices, the changes will in the end affect the projected electricity generation fuel mix.
It addresses the implications of the changing electricity generation fuel mix for overall coal demand and the coal production outlook across U.S. coal supply regions.
Addresses the implication that resource and technology improvements and prices on the outlook for U.S. oil and natural gas production.
Discusses the implications of medium- to heavy vehicle
Addresses alternative economic, energy market, and policy scenarios for energy related emissions.
According to the AE02016 report, when the state implements its Clean Power Plan the results disclosed projections from the 2015 Net Electricity production from coal, natural gas, and renewable, reported levels of: natural gas-fired electricity production increases by 26% in 2030 and by 44% in 2040, and generation production for renewable increases by 99% in 2030 and by 152% in 2040. The projected changes are the effect in electricity production with both natural gas and renewable exceeding coal production in 2024 (natural gas) and in 2028 (renewable). Without the Clean Power Plan the levels of: coal-fired generation 436 million kWh lower than in 2015; natural gas-fired generation is 594 billion KWh higher than in 2015; and renewable generation is 828 billion kWh higher than in 2015. Based on this analysis it discloses that the coal-fired generation continues to decline even if there is no Clean Power Plan put in place, and the natural gas becomes the dominant fuel for the production of electricity.