June 23, 2008
Even the jet-lagged Argonauts were awake bright and early at breakfast this morning. As we discussed the past, present and future of energy, the Argonauts quickly caught on to the flow of a driving group conversation. As we became more familiar with each other and loosened up, Anthony and I acted out nuclear fission. We did a smashing job!
The whole crew rushed over to the Department of Energy by way of the intricate D.C. Metro. There, Mr. Rogers presented new and emerging technologies, including LED lights, biofuels and wind power. I was surprised by the progress and implications of these unknown technologies. Why aren't we benefiting from these fantastic energy-saving devices now? If they're already developed, why does it take so long to commercially produce them?
To compare new technology to existing technology, Mr. Rogers took us out to two hybrid cars developed by General Motors. At a price of $1.20 a gallon for biofuels, the hybrid biofuel car could reach a massive 120 miles per gallon. In fact, they are developing cars that don't need a single drop of petroleum! I believe that the Department of Energy hasn't had widespread public support because they haven't advertised the benefits that could help both the environment and the consumer's wallet. If the public was truly aware of the benefits of "green" research, the world would be much happier environmentally and economically.
After the Department of Energy, the Argonauts walked the block to the National Air and Space Museum. We were asked a simple question: "How do these technologies convert, use and fight different types of energy?" By comparing space shuttles from different eras, we observed differences in design and material that all related to surviving the immense and raw energy of the sun. We saw that Apollo 11 used inflammable material to avoid overheating the astronauts during re-entry to the earth, while the new Phoenix robot reflects the sun's heat using gold plating. The Argonauts also pulled together some interesting connections between sciences. In order to fulfill Newton's Laws of Motion, scientists must use a very raw form of energy, hydrogen fuel, to escape the Earth's gravity. The shuttle must also be engineered to be aerodynamically efficient, and the complicated computer systems must precisely monitor the shuttle's progress to ensure a successful takeoff. This type of collaboration is more necessary and abundant than meets the eye.
At the IMAX presentation, 3D Sun, I learned that energy can travel through space as light or as high-energy gas particles. These particles are blasted out of the sun and travel millions of miles to Earth, where they disrupt the magnetosphere. Then, the particles are powerful enough to shut down everything from satellites to power plants. This results in massive, unpredictable blackouts. Obviously, there is still a lot to learn about energy in our universe.
Following our comparison of technology between eras, Ranger Kelly guided us around the downtown monuments. Even the Washington Monument is determined to stay energy-efficient by re-placing and focusing the lights. With sore feet but happy minds, the Argonauts finally returned to the International Building for a well-deserved night's sleep.
June 26, 2008
With only a few hours of sleep under our belts, we zipped on our fleeces and headed down to the National Energy Technology Laboratory, also known as NETL. This is the only laboratory in the United States that focuses on fossil fuel research development. From the outside, the campus could be described as an industrial facility, judging by the massive pipes and warehouse-like buildings.
NETL itself was an illusion from the outside, and so was the complex technology. As a scientist showed us a few fuel cells that are "baked like cookies," I realized that the technology itself is not complex; the ingredients make it look complex. The ingredients are very easy to pull together as long as the baker has the right tools.
In the "gas lab," the Argonauts figured out why the sky is blue and how flames emit frequencies. We even heard a flame "sing" as the frequency of the fire caused a pipe to vibrate.
After learning about fossil fuels, what could be a better follow-up than field experience? We took a short drive down to Fort Martin, a coal power plant on the Cheat River. We were graciously given a full tour of the plant, including the new "scrubbers." These towers cut down on pollutants in the emissions of sulfur dioxide by 98%. To put that into perspective, that would roughly equal the output of one vehicle. That's almost nothing.
Fort Martin is a 1,000 Megawatt station that burns 2,700,000 tons of coal a year. The sheer size of this facility was overwhelming. However, it is important to note that most of the facility is used to filter the emissions. With 550-foot towers, this facility visually represented the energy it outputs. When we suited up with hardhats and ventured deep into the plant, we discovered the technological complexity of the control room. There were more switches and lights than a NASA control room! It looked as if an alien with ten arms would work in there.
The interior of the facility was extremely hot; the average temperature of the facility is over 100 °F! We were all sweating buckets except for Toba, who remained unaffected by the heat.
At the end of today, I fell that my entire perspective of coal-generated power has been flipped from negative to positive by both Congressman Mollohan and NETL. Fossil fuels are not working against alternative energy, but with them, as we try to find solutions for future energy demands. Things look much more positive and motivating for the future knowing that everyone cares about polluting emissions.