...two after giving the information and allow the reader to decide which they think is the better option. The report is split up into four main sections. The first section consists of the civil aspects, followed by the energy required for each system to run, then the third section explains the environmental impacts and finally the fourth section compares the pricing of both high speed trains to current modes of transportation. Of course none of this could have been done without the contribution and dedication of my classmates Hannah Bieszczat, Ryan Buckley and Devin LeBlanc. I hope you enjoy this report and if you have any questions please feel free to email me. Thank you. Respectfully, HYPERLOOP VERSUS VARIOUS FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING HIGH SPEED RAIL Undergraduate Engineering Students California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Last Updated: March 2014 Abstract In an attempt to meet the growing demand of quick transit as well as alleviate rising fuel prices, the state of California has approved and began construction on a new high speed rail mass transit system between Las Angeles and San Francisco. This plan has a fair amount of opposition, and out of that opposition has recently came Elon Musk’s proposal for the Hyperloop. A revolutionary new type of transit system using closed tubes to fire small capsules at high speed between destinations. The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast the two systems, seeing...
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... Dear Mr. Collins: I understand that environmental and energy-reduction concerns have been on your priority list for some time now. With rising energy costs and a slowing economy, I commend your efforts to explore additional ways Riordan Manufacturing can implement energy-saving programs and practices. As we have discussed over the past few weeks, Lunsford Environmental, Inc. has been providing consultation services to businesses just like yours for more than 20 years. With two decades of experience, our track record of saving costs speaks for itself. Clients of Lunsford Environmental have saved more than $250 million in energy costs. With this in mind, I am pleased that Lunsford Environmental has been able to develop a proposal that, once implemented, will add Riordan Manufacturing to our list of satisfied customers. Our tailored approach will help Riordan Manufacturing implement cost-effective and energy-saving practices that will increase your profits and reduce your environmental waste. Our staff of environmental experts and manufacturing engineers is confident, as am I, that our proposal will provide the best opportunities for your company to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The business proposal we will provide to you details the steps that Lunsford Environmental will take to review your organization’s energy usage and provide you with the latest cost-saving ecological alternatives. This proposal represents the most current research available, as our team...
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...Dear Apollo Shoes: I understand that environmental and energy-reduction concerns have been on your priority list for some time now. With rising energy costs and a slowing economy, I commend your efforts to explore additional ways Riordan Manufacturing can implement energy-saving programs and practices. As we have discussed over the past few weeks, Lunsford Environmental, Inc. has been providing consultation services to businesses just like yours for more than 20 years. With two decades of experience, our track record of saving costs speaks for itself. Clients of Lunsford Environmental have saved more than $250 million in energy costs. With this in mind, I am pleased that Lunsford Environmental has been able to develop a proposal that, once implemented, will add Riordan Manufacturing to our list of satisfied customers. Our tailored approach will help Riordan Manufacturing implement cost-effective and energy-saving practices that will increase your profits and reduce your environmental waste. Our staff of environmental experts and manufacturing engineers is confident, as am I, that our proposal will provide the best opportunities for your company to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The business proposal we will provide to you details the steps that Lunsford Environmental will take to review your organization’s energy usage and provide you with the latest cost-saving ecological alternatives. This proposal represents the most current research available, as our team...
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... Dear Mr. Collins: I understand that environmental and energy-reduction concerns have been on your priority list for some time now. With rising energy costs and a slowing economy, I commend your efforts to explore additional ways Riordan Manufacturing can implement energy-saving programs and practices. As we have discussed over the past few weeks, Lunsford Environmental, Inc. has been providing consultation services to businesses just like yours for more than 20 years. With two decades of experience, our track record of saving costs speaks for itself. Clients of Lunsford Environmental have saved more than $250 million in energy costs. With this in mind, I am pleased that Lunsford Environmental has been able to develop a proposal that, once implemented, will add Riordan Manufacturing to our list of satisfied customers. Our tailored approach will help Riordan Manufacturing implement cost-effective and energy-saving practices that will increase your profits and reduce your environmental waste. Our staff of environmental experts and manufacturing engineers is confident, as am I, that our proposal will provide the best opportunities for your company to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The business proposal we will provide to you details the steps that Lunsford Environmental will take to review your organization’s energy usage and provide you with the latest cost-saving ecological alternatives. This proposal represents the most current research available, as our team...
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...manufacturing company and had established a reputation for identifying new consumer trends. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for manufacturing large, heavy-duty generators at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its generators can be easily modified or customized for different applications. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. The company is considering an expansion of its current product line to include refrigerator and maybe, sometime in the future, consumer appliances. Mr. Burton feels that due to high energy prices, consumers will be more willing to consider purchasing new efficient appliances. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for its innovation and ability to produce high quality products at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its manufacturing processes are adaptable to other durable goods. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. 2 Profile of Tesca Works Tesca Works, Inc. was established by the Smith brothers in 1880 as the Logging Saw Company. The firm started manufacturing large steam saws to serve the logging industry which processed lumber. Their customers were construction companies that provided housing for the population increase in California. The Smith brothers quickly realized that the times were changing. They started looking for the technologies...
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...manufacturing company and had established a reputation for identifying new consumer trends. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for manufacturing large, heavy-duty generators at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its generators can be easily modified or customized for different applications. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. The company is considering an expansion of its current product line to include refrigerator and maybe, sometime in the future, consumer appliances. Mr. Burton feels that due to high energy prices, consumers will be more willing to consider purchasing new efficient appliances. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for its innovation and ability to produce high quality products at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its manufacturing processes are adaptable to other durable goods. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. 2 Profile of Tesca Works Tesca Works, Inc. was established by the Smith brothers in 1880 as the Logging Saw Company. The firm started manufacturing large steam saws to serve the logging industry which processed lumber. Their customers were construction companies that provided housing for the population increase in California. The Smith brothers quickly realized that the times were changing. They started looking for the technologies...
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...manufacturing company and had established a reputation for identifying new consumer trends. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for manufacturing large, heavy-duty generators at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its generators can be easily modified or customized for different applications. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. The company is considering an expansion of its current product line to include refrigerator and maybe, sometime in the future, consumer appliances. Mr. Burton feels that due to high energy prices, consumers will be more willing to consider purchasing new efficient appliances. Tesca Works Inc. is a California-based generator manufacturing company. The company is well known for its innovation and ability to produce high quality products at a reasonable cost. One of its greatest achievements is that its manufacturing processes are adaptable to other durable goods. Also, Tesca Works currently builds commercial appliances. Profile of Tesca Works Tesca Works, Inc. was established by the Smith brothers in 1880 as the Logging Saw Company. The firm started manufacturing large steam saws to serve the logging industry which processed lumber. Their customers were construction companies that provided housing for the population increase in California. The Smith brothers quickly realized that the times were changing. They started looking for the technologies...
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...solar cell to off-grid homes powered by a photovoltaic array. They are an important and relatively inexpensive source of electrical energy where grid power is inconvenient, unreasonably expensive to connect, or simply unavailable. However, as the cost of solar electricity is falling, solar power is also increasingly being used even in grid-connected situations as a way to feed low-carbon energy into the grid. Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s. The 392 MW ISEGS CSP installation is the largest solar power plant in the world, located in the Mojave Desert of California. Other large CSP plants include the SEGS (354 MW) in the Mojave Desert of California, the Solnova Solar Power Station (150 MW) and the Andasol solar power station (150 MW), both in Spain. The 250+ MW Agua Caliente Solar Project in the United States, and the 221 MW Charanka Solar Park in India, are the world’s largest photovoltaic power stations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power Solar power is produced by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity. This is done by using solar panels, which are large flat panels made up of many individual solar cells. It is most often used in remote locations, although it is becoming more popular in urban areas as well. This page contains articles that explore advances in solar energy technology....
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...California should spend money for the San Joaquin River recuperation project because without it, it would cause a lack of water and resources which could lead to death and cause destruction to the human race. Daniel Weintraub in the article River Restoration project offers a Sprinkling of Hope that was published on April 26, 2009 in Sacramento, California by the Sacramento Bee states that the project should continue because restoring the river and bringing back the salmon populations is important for the environment. The Sacramento Bee published this article showing its support and how they found the article as valid. The River Proposal offers results ethically such as the instauration of dihydrogen monoxide (ethos), logistically like the incrementation of salmon inhabitants (logos), and emotionally, for instance, self-consciously (pathos) when under consequential circumstances and fortified financially. This politically delectating arrangement would result in native fish rehabilitation, dihydrogen monoxide...
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...SCGC started back in 1867 when it first installed forty-three gas lamps in Los Angeles, California. At that time the company made the gas from asphaltum, a tar like substance and then later on from oil (History of SOCalGas, 2012). Throughout its 140 year history there have been a series of acquisitions and mergers. The gas lighting business was a promising venture, “until Thomas Edison introduced his new electric light in 1879” (History of SOCalGas, 2012). However, this did not stop SCGC from selling its product; they modified their target market by promoting gas stoves and heaters. In the beginning of the 20th century natural gas was gaining attention, since it was twice as efficient as manufactured gas. The decision was made to, “convert its system to natural gas and build pipelines throughout the state” (History of SOCalGas, 2012). Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, SCGC is the largest supplier of natural gas in the United States. It distributes natural gas to 5.8 million residential, commercial, and industrial meters (20.9 million customers) in more than 500 communities throughout the southern half of California. SoCalGas owns and operates about 97,000 miles of gas distribution mains and service lines, as well as about 4,000 miles of transmission and storage pipeline. The utility also owns gas transmission compressor stations and underground storage facilities (Southern California Gas Company, 2012). It maintains a positive corporate imagine with their motto, “Glad...
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...PrintEmailArticle ToolsPage 1 of 1 Burning coal for energy causes more harm to the environment than it is worth. Gov. Rick Perry and Texas utility companies are in favor of 16 newly proposed coal-fired plants. Coal has been used in the past and has been proven dependable. Environmentalists, ranchers and many Texas mayors are concerned about air quality. Texas emits the most greenhouse gases of any state. Coal is a plentiful and cheap energy source, which is partially what makes it so appealing. However, burning coal pollutes the air tremendously. Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Houston Mayor Bill White object to the proposal along with 15 other mayors and about one-third of all Texans. According to National Public Radio, Miller wants a cleaner way to produce energy with coal. The Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle is 70 percent to 90 percent cleaner than the present method of burning coal. Unfortunately, it is more expensive. Perry is in favor of creating energy by burning coal and says that the IGCC is not ready for Texas. According to NPR, he said that it is a good idea but Texas needs energy now and cannot wait for new systems to be put into place. The decaying state of the environment cannot wait either. Freshman premajor Lauren Wright said, "It is important to think about the long-term consequences and not the immediate benefits of burning coal." IGCC is newer and better technology. It would be foolish not to take advantage of cleaner technology in order to...
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...| PAC -10 CONSULTING | Water Crisis: Extracting Surplus from a Deficit To: Dr. Lee Cerling, Director of Research and Communications From: Jordan Pinkus Date: [ 9/29/2010 ] Re: PAC-10 Overview of Water Crisis: Key Opportunities How to Use This Memo Template Global shortages of potable water have signaled an emerging crisis. The shortages impact developed and developing nations, though the evidence is harshest in the developing world. Despite available drinking water and seemingly abundant domestic water supplies, the United States faces increasing and accelerating shortages. However, in this era of crises (global warming, the energy crisis, the financial crisis), a crisis means business opportunity. 1,4 The average resident of the United States uses 616 gallons per day. Comparatively, this ranks United States second to Canada for per capita consumption. However, the United States population is approximately 10 times that of Canada and therefore total domestic consumption exceeds Canadian several times over, ranking first globally. The scale of water demands strains the hydrologic cycle, which governs the replenishment of fresh water, thereby jeopardizing long-term water resources. 3 Meeting the United States’ water demands traditionally required engineering solutions to a consistent question: Where can we get more water? However, continued strain on resources reveals the need for more than the quick fixes engineers have always turned to. 1 Water-conservation solutions...
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...FPL – An Overview FPL Group, Inc. is Florida’s largest electric utility company. In 1925, through the consolidation of numerous electric and gas companies, they formed Florida Power & Light Company (FP&L). FP&L grew steadily over the next 50 years until rising fuel costs, operating issues, and construction costs began to decrease profitability. In the mid-1980s, FPL diversified with four major acquisitions - Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Telesat Cablevision, Inc., CBR Information Group Inc., and Turner Foods Corporation- in order to minimize the potential risk within the utilities industry. To address problems in operations, FPL began a rigorous program of Japanese-inspired quality control. Management succeeded in transforming FPL into a lean operational system resulting in a drop in scheduled downtime from 18% to 4%, while customer complaints also fell by 60%. By 1989, FPL was recognized as “one of the best-managed U.S. corporations.†Despite the progress in quality, FPL was still dealing with problems: Colonial Penn was losing money, there were safety concerns about a particular nuclear plant, and demand was growing faster than capacity. In 1989, James Broadhead succeeded Chairman Marshall McDonald. Broadhead placed an emphasis on commitment to quality and customer service, increasing focus on the utilities industry, expanding capacity, and improving cost positions. He took measures to scale back the intense quality controls while still working...
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...The cost to feed 30 million American schoolchildren a wholesome meal. It could be done for about $5 per child or roughly $27 billion a year on a one-time investment in real kitchens. Although it sounds expensive, every discipline -- whether it is math, science, the humanities -- the learning environment comes to life in the learning laboratory of a garden or kitchen classroom. In the lunchroom, teachers and cooks alike use daily meals to feed students’ minds as well as their bodies, but a healthy school lunch program would bring long-term savings and benefits in the areas of hunger, children’s health and dietary habits, food safety environmental preservation and energy conservation. (Alice and Katrina 2). Breakfast must include milk, vegetables or fruit, and grains. 3 components; grains could be replaced with meat/meat alternates up to 3 times per week. (CACFP Nutrition Standards). In other words, If the government spend more money on the meal per child and in kitchens. The government will invest less money in healthcare because the children will be more healthy and they do not suffer from diseases related to overweight and...
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...Prayas comments on draft National Solar Mission – For limited circulation Recommendations for National Solar Mission (NSM) Prayas Energy Group 5th November 2009 We welcome the NSM’s intentions to promote solar energy in India. We feel (1) that NSM has to be seen against the backdrop of overriding national goals of equity and development and (2) it should echo India’s international stand in climate negotiations – namely that the rich should pay for mitigation and technology development. Considering the large public subsidy that India is willing to provide for solar (Rs 90,000 crores over two decades, equal to 0.1% of GDP per year today) in spite of the fact that India has little ‘responsibility’ as well as ‘capability’ for GHG mitigation and the fact that some of the Annex-I countries are not even proposing to pay 0.05% of GDP towards their responsibility towards international mitigation and adaptation; it is essential that India has clear in-country objectives that are met by the NSM. We believe the Government of India should ensure that: • Needs of poor are met on priority, • Access to technology and Indian technology development should get a boost, • Least cost options for solar capacity are pursued. These principles lead to our recommendations, the details of which are enclosed in this note. The summary points are the following. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Larger push for Solar Home Lighting systems for the poor houses in remote villages Tariff-based competitive bidding...
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