Question 1 a) Continuing concerns about the ‘sustainability’ of both fossil and nuclear fuel use have been a...

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Physics

Question 1
a) Continuing concerns about the ‘sustainability’ of both fossiland nuclear fuel use
have been a major catalyst of renewed interest in the renewableenergy sources
in recent decades. One of the criteria of renewable energy sourceis it does
not entail significant pollutant emission or other environmentalproblems.
i) Based on this criterion and solar photovoltaic panel life cycle(from raw
material extraction, manufacturing to disposal), discuss thesustainability of
solar photovoltaic panels.
ii) On a large scale, compare the sustainability between windenergy and solar
energy (PV panels).

b) Consider a horizontal axis aero-generator that designed todevelop 100 W
(electrical power) at a wind speed of 7 m/s. NACA 4412 airfoil isused for the wind
rotor blade and the design power coefficient is close to themaximum value of
commercial small wind turbine. The combined drive train andgenerator efficiency
is 0.9. Assume the air density to be 1.224 kg/m3.
i) Suggest the number of rotor blade. Provide the reasons for theblade
number selected.
ii) Estimate the power coefficient. Calculate the wind rotorradius.

c) One of the elements considered in energy efficient buildings ishigh performing building envelope. Determine 2 parts of buildingenvelope that applicable to a single-storey house in Malaysia.

Answer & Explanation Solved by verified expert
3.7 Ratings (466 Votes)
a i Although it seems that solar energy is a perfectlysustainable and green source of energy but taking a closer lookreveals the entire pictureProducing photovoltaic panels requires minerals like coppernickel and cadmium For instance if we think of silver itssupply and demand for photovoltaic purposes are respectively 27billion kg and 242 million kg in 2017 Other minerals such aslithium or silicon are also at risk of having a demand thatoutstrips supply today and in the futureThe problem here isntreally about these minerals being finite resources because thereare still many reserves It is about the mining activitiesthemselves    See Answer
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