Background: Energy Consumption Has reached a level that is having a drastic effect in our society, environment and economy due to greenhouse gasses produced from burning fossil fuels.
World power usage in terawatts (TW) from Wikipedia:
Possible Solution
Use energy that is “clean” and that does not harm the environment as much as fossil fuels. Surprisingly only 7% of total energy used in the world is renewable.
Diagrams from Wikipedia:
An area of energy production that is being overlooked is Photovoltaic technology, whose use was only at 0.42% worldwide in 2005.
Photovoltaics:
Photovoltaics (PV) is Clean, and taps into the most abundant energy available. PV cell prices have dropped from around $90 in the 1970’s to around $2.5 in 2003. Technological advances increases efficiency of cells and lowers the price, so we should expect to see more of PV in the years ahead. Solar energy is the energy that runs most life on earth. Plants and algae make sugars from it to power their metabolism. Other living things like fish insects and humans then feed on plants and take their energy. The total solar power available is a few thousand times greater than the current global energy consumption.
These variables lead me to The Helios concept. A tree that uses and collects solar energy.
Prototype Materials:
* 192 x 3V, 22mA solar cells
* 40 x LED, white superbrights 3.2-3.4VDC 20 mA,
10,000 to 12,000 mcd output
* Blue prototyping foam
* Wire/ solder/ electric tape
* Arduino Decimila and various components
* Solar Charge Controller
* 12VDC, 7A Battery
* Lots of Coffee! I mean like, A lot of it.
* VoicePad Recorder
What does it do?
The Solar Charge Controller monitors voltage and when energy conversion is optimum, the solar cell circuit charges battery. In Beta version, the tree will have an addition of functioning outlets. An Arduino micro controller is used to monitors light via photocell sensor.
The lights on the tree turn on when the Arduino senses that its night, as well as a cricket ambient sound.
Specs of the Helios Tree:
Output:
14V peak, .6A
8.4 joules/ second
30 240 joules
Storage:
12V, 7A battery
302 400 joules
Efficiency:
4-5% at optimum light
Circuit Usage:
12V@ 400mA Watts
The chart below illustrated the energy collection and power usage of the Helios Tree.
Summary: Why make a Helios Power Tree?
* To diversify our energy portfolio!
* A step in the right direction, we need to go from 0.42% of PV usage worldwide to 42%
* Micro-generation is the key to avoid 8% loss in transmission
* Electricity Access in places with lack of infrastructure
* Help cut CO2 Emissions but producing power locally near the place of usage and turn the CO2 chart 46 degrees clockwise.
* Inspire future generations to use clean energies in a creative way.
