Key test for re-healable concrete

BBC News, Paul Rincon, Science editor, 30 October 2012

Bacterial spores are added to the concrete mix; they are activated by water

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Experimental concrete that patches up cracks by itself is to undergo outdoor testing.

The concrete contains limestone-producing bacteria, which are activated by corrosive rainwater working its way into the structure.

The new material could potentially increase the service life of the concrete - with considerable cost savings as a result.

The work is taking place at Delft Technical University, the Netherlands.

It is the brainchild of microbiologist Henk Jonkers and concrete technologist Eric Schlangen.

If all goes well, Dr Jonkers says they could start the process of commercialising the system in 2-3 years.

Concrete is the world's most widely used building material. But it is prone to cracks, which means that structures need to be substantially reinforced with steel.

"Micro-cracks" are an expected part of the hardening process and do not directly cause strength loss. Fractures with a width of about 0.2mm are allowed under norms used by the concrete industry.

But over time, water - along with aggressive chemicals in it - gets into these cracks and corrodes the concrete.

Longer life

"For durability reasons - in order to improve the service life of the construction - it is important to get these micro-cracks healed," Dr Jonkers told BBC News.

Bacterial spores and the nutrients they will need to feed on are added as granules into the concrete mix. But water is the missing ingredient required for the microbes to grow.

Concrete is the world's most popular
building material, but cracking is a
problem

So the spores remain dormant until rainwater works its way into the cracks and activates them. The harmless bacteria - belonging to the Bacillus genus - then feed on the nutrients to produce limestone.

The bacterial food incorporated into the healing agent is calcium lactate - a component of milk. The microbes used in the granules are able to tolerate the highly alkaline environment of the concrete.

"In the lab we have been able to show healing of cracks with a width of 0.5mm - two to three times higher than the norms state," Dr Jonkers explained.

"Now we are upscaling. We have to produce the self-healing agent in huge quantities and we are starting to do outdoor tests, looking at different constructions, different types of concrete to see if this concept really works in practice."

The main challenge is to ensure the healing agent is robust enough to survive the mixing process. But, in order to do so, says Dr Jonkers, "we have to apply a coating to the particles, which is very expensive".

The team is currently trying to reduce the cost this adds to the process. But he expects an improved system to be ready in about six months.

The outdoor tests should begin after this; the team is already talking to several construction firms that could provide help.

The concrete will then have to be monitored for a minimum of two years to see how it behaves in this real-world setting.

"Then, if everybody's happy, we can think about trying to commercialise the product," said the TU Delft researcher.

Even if the healing agent adds 50% to the concrete cost, this makes up just 1-2% of the total construction cost. Maintenance is a much higher percentage of this total cost, so Dr Jonkers expects big savings through extending the concrete's service life.

LEN, Pertamina to Develop Solar Panel Plant

Jakarta Globe, October 29, 2012

LEN Industri and Pertamina will join forces to build a solar cell production
plant. (AFP Photo)

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State-owned companies LEN Industri and Pertamina are collaborating together to build a solar cell production plant in Rancaekek, Bandung, according LEN Insdustri President Abraham Mose.

Abraham, speaking to Antara news agency on Monday, said that the groundbreaking for the plant's construction is expected to take place in December.

"This an asignment project and at the same time an investment, so that we do have a renewable energy inustry in Indonesia," Abraham said. He gave no further details on the plant, but that it could produce solar cells with a total capacity of 60 MWatts.

"This is a venture and an investment. [It will be done] so that we can have a renewable energy industry in Indonesia," Abraham said. He gave no further details about the plant, but mentioned that it could produce solar cells with a capacity of 60 megawatts.

A presidential regulation issued in 2006 states that solar energy should account for between 0.2 and 0.3 precent of national energy usage by 2025, or the equivalent of 1,000 megawatts per hour.

Abraham also noted that LEN was planning on investing in airport navigation equipment.

"We will make a proposal for the airport navigation project since it is in line with LEN's focus. We will do this in the next five years," he said.

Abraham mentioned that on Nov. 28 the company would introduce products made in conjunction with the Research and Technology Ministry.

 LEN Industri's expertise, according to to the company's president, lies in railway signage, marine navigation, renewable energy, military communication equipment and control systems.

Abraham noted that LEN has a strategic corporate division devoted to mapping industrial trends.

"Basically, we are always monitoring development and looking for opportunities for growth," he said.

Indonesia Geothermal Sector Attracts Panax, Mitsubishi, BP, Chevron

Renewable Energy World, Leslie Blodgett, GEA, October 18, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Indonesia has had the lowest volatility in economic growth of any OECD or BRIC economy over the past decade, while its economy in the short term is conjectured at close to 7% growth per year, according to Proactiveinvestors.com.au.

Concurrently, recent efforts by the Indonesian government to attract geothermal companies seem to be having an effect. At a September meeting in Washington DC on Renewable Energy Opportunities in Indonesia, hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council, speaker Joel Kopp (U.S. Embassy Jakarta) recounted the efforts of Indonesian leaders, who have set a separate feed-in tariff for geothermal at between 10 and 18.5 cents-per-kWh. Also, projects under 10 MW are required to be purchased by state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). Kopp added that PLN has made improvements to their reliability, as well.

Australian Panax Geothermal is making strides in Indonesia. With three key geothermal projects scheduled to begin production in Indonesia over the next three to four years, Kerry Parker, managing director, commented to press on the company’s growth in Indonesia: “Panax has long recognized the investment potential in Indonesia, having launched several projects within the region and with plans to expand on our current interests,” Parker said. Projects for Panax include the recently negotiated power purchase agreements for its Sokoria and Dairi Prime geothermal projects, each with a planned initial capacity to generate 30 MW. Agreements are with Indonesian electricity regulator PT PLN and the Indonesian Government.

One company with increasing interest is Mitsubishi Corporation, which has agreed to acquire 20% shares of Star Energy Geothermal Pte Ltd ("SEGPL"). SEGPL manages operation of the 420-MW Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Project Plant in Java Island, one of the world's largest geothermal resources. This acquisition is the country’s “first entry into the Indonesian power industry and its first operation of a geothermal power plant,” according to the release. Mitsubishi could develop and operate multiple geothermal power plants in Indonesia in the future, including an expansion of Wayang Windu.

Additionally, oil and gas giant BP (UK) could expand its business in Indonesia, it said recently. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik told The Jakarta Post the government was curious as to whether BP would enter the geothermal energy sector after US-based Chevron “had successfully become the world’s largest geothermal power producer after years of operating in Indonesia.”

Chevron Geothermal’s policy, government and public affairs manager, Ida Bagus Wibatsya was quoted that the development could create healthy competition among geothermal energy developers: “It will be very positive for the development of the geothermal energy industry as well as supporting the government’s programs on renewable energy resources.”

This article was originally published in GEA's Geothermal Energy Weekly and was republished with permission.

A geothermal energy project in Tibet. (Photo/Xinhua)

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"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version) 

“…  4 - Energy (again)

The natural resources of the planet are finite and will not support the continuation of what you've been doing. We've been saying this for a decade. Watch for increased science and increased funding for alternate ways of creating electricity (finally). Watch for the very companies who have the most to lose being the ones who fund it. It is the beginning of a full realization that a change of thinking is at hand. You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things. Look at nuclear - the most over-engineered and expensive steam engine in existence!

Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities. The same goes for wind and geothermal. Think of utilities for groups of homes in a cluster. You won't have a grid failure if there is no grid. This is the way of the future, and you'll be more inclined to have it sooner than later if you do this, and it won't cost as much….”

China's geothermal energy could run the country for 260,000 years

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2012-10-07

A geothermal energy project in Tibet. (Photo/Xinhua)

China holds potential geothermal energy between 3,000 and 10,000 meters below the surface of the earth equal to 860 trillion tons of standard coal, a storage which is estimated to have a lifespan of 260,000 years using current figures for energy consumption.

The Ministry of Land and Resources underwent a national survey on the distribution of geothermal energy over the country between 2009 and 2011, re-evaluating the storage of shallow geothermal energy in 287 cities, geothermal energy in 12 sedimentary basins and 2562 hot springs regions, as well as the potential hot-dry-rock geothermal power at between 3,000 and 10,000 meters below the surface of the earth, reports our sister newspaper the China Times.

The results showed that the total shallow geothermal energy storage is commensurate with 9.5 billion tons of standard coal. The usable part is about 350 million a year, which can save 250 million tons of standard coal and reduce 500 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions in a year if the energy is fully exploited and used.

The geothermal power in sedimentary basins is commensurate with 853 billion tons of coal, while the usable part for a year is equal to 640 tons of standard coal, which can reduce 1.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide emission a year.

The survey found the total geothermal energy stored between 3,000 and 10,000 meters below the surface of the earth is about equal to 860 trillion tons of standard coal, which is 260,000 times China's total energy consumption a year.

Geothermal energy is a kind of renewable energy, originating from the original formation of the earth and radioactive decay of minerals. The ministry said the country is moving slowly to exploit the rich energy and need to push the reusable project soon.

A report by Massachusetts Institute of Technology said the United States only has to exploit 2% of its geothermal energy between 3,000 and 10,000 meters below the surface of the earth, which is able to offer electricity equal to 2,500 times the country's total electricity consumption a year.

Related Article:

"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)

“…  4 - Energy (again)

The natural resources of the planet are finite and will not support the continuation of what you've been doing. We've been saying this for a decade. Watch for increased science and increased funding for alternate ways of creating electricity (finally). Watch for the very companies who have the most to lose being the ones who fund it. It is the beginning of a full realization that a change of thinking is at hand. You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things. Look at nuclear - the most over-engineered and expensive steam engine in existence!

Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities. The same goes for wind and geothermal. Think of utilities for groups of homes in a cluster. You won't have a grid failure if there is no grid. This is the way of the future, and you'll be more inclined to have it sooner than later if you do this, and it won't cost as much….”