PPH - Energy isn't only about electricity. Sometimes it's about sustainability.

6/7/2021

Host Sophie Zaken speaks with recent Tulane graduate Sara Good-Chanmugam about sustainability on Tulane's campus, composting and community gardens.

Sara has first hand experience interning for the Tulane Office of Sustainability. Hear from her about the kind of work a Campus Sustainability Office does and get an update on happenings at the Tulane Office of Sustainability.

Also up for discussion is composting! Composting can be a great, accessible way to mitigate the amount of trash going to landfills. However, there are complications and challenges to composting at a university scale. Tune in while we discuss what it takes to start a compositing organization, composting misinformation, barriers to composting, and how to create the right composting environment. Hint it involves worms and the right ratio of browns to greens!

About Sara Good-Chanmugam

Sara grew up in the Florida Keys, in Key West. She moved to New Orleans to go to Tulane University, graduating this past May with a degree in Environmental Biology and Economics. At Tulane she was heavily involved with the Divest Club, now called Fossil Free Tulane, whose goal is to encourage Tulane to divest from fossil fuels, switch to renewables, and incorporate environmental justice into their sustainability goals.

Sara also interned with the Tulane Office of Sustainability, conducted Waste Warriors meetings about sustainability waste problems and initiatives on campus, and volunteered for both Broadmoor Food Forest and Trash Rescue.

1 Comment

Rishi Rishi link

10/25/2022 01:52:52 am

A typical residential home uses alternating current (AC) electricity. AC is normally delivered via electricity transmission lines, which run along roads and highways, and is transmitted to local substations. These substations convert the electricity into direct current (DC), the type used to power household devices. The electricity produced at substations ranges from 120 VAC/240 VAC to 277VAC/500 VAC depending on the locale.

Electricity is created by connecting a generator to a motor and sending it through a series of gears. The gears create a constant motion, which in turn creates a continuous flow of electrons -- the electricity. The electricity travels from the generator to the motor through wires called conductors. The number of conductors inside a wire varies based on the size of the current being delivered. Smaller amounts require fewer conductors than larger amounts.

The speed at which the generator turns determines the frequency at which the electrons oscillate. Higher frequencies mean lower voltages. Lower voltages mean higher voltages. Voltage is measured in units of Volts. Most commonly, 110 VAC is used in North America, 115 VAC is used in Europe and 240 VAC is used in Australia. Frequency is measured in hertz and ranges from 50Hz to 60Hz.

A three phase system consists of three separate circuits, each with a different frequency. Each circuit is separated by two magnetic poles of opposite polarity (like north and south). Three-phase systems have been used since the 18th century to generate electricity because they allow for much greater efficiency.

Three-phase power is often preferred by companies for its stability and reliability. However, most small scale applications do not require this level of control due to the relatively large cost involved in installing the equipment. Instead, a single line can serve many smaller loads without any problems.

One disadvantage of three-phase power is that it produces less torque than single-line power. Another disadvantage is that if one phase fails, it affects other phases. Additionally, three-phase power is more expensive to install and maintain.

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