The Physics of Renewable Energy

These pages present a brief overview of the physics laws and principles that apply to the various forms of renewable energy generation which I researched during my RSNZ Fellowship year in 2009. this was to be the content of a Adobe Flash program I was creating but time ran out (and I lost my software), [...]

Flash Education: Renewable Energy Overview

Click on the above screenshot to see the Flash animation. This interactive tells a story in pictures and words about three of the major types of renewable energy. The aim is to provide an accessible overview of hydro, wind and solar photovoltaic power generation.

Wind Farm Animation (Hau Nui Wind Farm)

Click on the above screenshot to view the interactive wind farm animation. (The animation attempts to recreate a partial view of the Hau Nui wind farm in New Zealand’s Wairarapa district as seen from the access road.) To find out more about this wind farm and how wind farms are planned and the optimal sites [...]

Silicon doping in solar cells

Doped Silicon: This basic flash file I made illustrates how solar cells are made by adding tiny impurities of Gp III and GP V elements to silicon (GP IV element). [Use the keys at the bottom to navigate] The results in an electric field being formed across the p-n junction. Without the built-in electric field [...]

Model Pelton Wheel Hydroelectric Generator

In an earlier post I outlined an educational activity building a water-powered turbine (Pelton Wheel style) with milk bottle tops and plastic spoons. This was successfully trialled at the first Schoolgen Sister Schools Cluster Day in Spetember. Making the turbine (a linear to rotational kinetic energy converter) was the first stage in the creation of a working model of [...]

Where I am at.

It has been too long since I have updated my blog. I have been so busy with my project and at work that I have neglected it. However I havent been idle! After preparing and presenting 5 talks on “Photovoltaics: Powering the future” (Genesis Energy Greenlane, Huntly, Hamilton, and two talks to schools) I was straight into [...]

Building a turbine: Starting inquiry into hydroelectricity

 - Schoolgen Sister School Activity –  Outline-  Students have 20-30 minutes to assemble a water-powered turbine (Pelton wheel)  from pre-prepared items that could be used to drive a small electric generator. Suggested background to this activity- 1)     Bring in partially disassembled F&P smart-drive washing machine- show the motor, remove the permanent magnet rotor, show the rotor [...]