Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4.3
Effect of load on the efficiency of hydraulic turbines
In conclusion, hydraulic sources are the most easily used renewable sources and
their exploitation is suggested whenever they are available. Capital investment is
generally high, depending on the site and power of the plant, but it has to be
considered as a long-term investment with no significant risks.
4.8
Renewable Sources: Energy from Waste
Urban and industrial waste can conveniently be used to produce energy in different
ways. Figure
4.4
shows how waste can be treated for use inside or outside the
process and for energy production. Table
4.1
lists typical heating values of waste.
Waste recovery is one of the biggest problems that private and public bodies
have to tackle. Resolution of this problem is evolving slowly because of many
technical, economic, and environmental constraints.
Mass burning facilities where the refuse is burned as received and processed fuel
or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) where the solid waste is processed before burning are
the two options that technology makes available.
A more detailed analysis of these problems can be found in Chap.
16
.
4.9
Energy Storage: Hydro, Mechanical, Electric, Fuel Cell,
Thermal Storage
Storage of energy after its transformation from primary energy into various forms is
a deeply felt but rarely satisfied need. For both utility plants and end users, the
storage of energy should be a way of improving energy management and reducing
