Introduction to wind energy systems Research Paper

Introduction to wind energy systems - Research Paper Example Coal and nuclear energy have adverse environmental impacts despite being examples of alternative sources of energy. Wind power looks extremely promising as much as it has comparatively high costs. According to Johnson (14) a typical wind energy system has a turbine which works to harness kinetic energy and convert it into usable power. A wind energy system can also be combined with a solar panel. The introduction of a solar panel to the wind energy system is supposed to increase overall efficiency in terms of power generation. In other words, these two technologies complement one another. This power provides electricity for farms, homes, schools and business establishments. Site selection is very important in such a way that, for a small home, the site should be more than half an acre of land and the wind speed should be at least 16km/h (Johnson, 5). The size of the turbine to be installed greatly depends on energy consumption; for instance, homes require smaller turbines as compared to business establishments. It follows that the smaller the turbines the lesser the noise produced. The sound produced can easily be compared to the whispering of leaves as the wind blows past them. Wind energy systems can either be on-grid or off-grid. The off-grid system occurs when a home or business enterprise totally relies on the power generated by turbines and it is completely disconnected from the electric utility company. Studies reveal that this system is 30% more costly than on-grid. This system is made up of a wind turbine mounted on a tower (Appstate). The tower is usually wired up to a control box which works to regulate battery charging. Ecomall believes that an electric utility is expected to give credit to the owner in the event that a grid tie power system sends its electricity to the public grid. The electric company will sum up the monthly credits so as to determine the amount of money owed to the owner of the wind energy system;

Managing the Financial Future Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Managing the Financial Future - Essay Example These are international standardized test used by various schools and universities of US, Australia and UK to select students for various courses. The education sector in general is experiencing a healthy growth rate and on an average 110,000 individuals sit in the tests that will be catered to by Prepgenie. Prepgenie provides the aspirants with test preparatory tools like practice exercises, test papers and online interactive gaming sessions. As a strategy Prepgenie outsources content creation to low cost destinations like Asian countries. Its development centers in India and Vietnam have a pool of English educated, highly qualified yet low cost professionals who create content. It helps Prepgenie in minimizing cost and yet provides quality products. As a unique strategy, Prepgenie also uses multiple platforms to deliver the preparatory and learning tools in order to reduce cost and increase customer retention and interactivity. The online proprietary interactive platform provides better learning experience for the aspirant and also allows Prepgenie to capture crucial data about individual learning preferences learning style. Prepgenie also uses its LMS to create a vibrant online community of test takers. However, an offline mode of content delivery is important - more so for overseas customers where access to the Internet is limited, or is expensive. However, this medium is expensive as it involves publication, stock maintenance and delivery. Digital download is by far the most inexpensive for Prepgenie, thereby enabling it to offer more volume of content. However, this mode suffers from three major disadvantages - possible piracy, higher cost of ownership for the user if s/he intends to print these documents and no interactivity with the company. A combination all three platforms helps Prepgenie to maximize profit, minimize cost and increase interactivity. PrepGenie aims to cater to 1000 students in its first years of operations. Over the next 3 years, it aims to expand its student base to about 5000 students across Australia, UK and US and increase its average revenue per student from the present USD 450 to USD 1000.As on Jan, 2009, Prepgenie has a small team of 17 team members. It plans to increase its team size to about 30 by year end and to 45 by the end of the 3rd year. Prepgenie plans to introduce low cost products as a market penetration strategy. However, within the 2nd year of its operations, it plans to introduce comprehensive, multimedia based preparatory tools that will let PrepGenie charge premium prices. On a long term basis, PrepGenie aims to be the most innovative test prep solutions provider for a range of tests. Question 2 Describe how finances are managed within your department or project, including the nature and use of budgets and how these are established. Explain how your financial management processes fit into the overall strategic and operational planning

The Democratic Peace Theory

The Democratic Peace Theory The primary claim of democratic peace proponents is that democratic states do not wage war against each other[1]. This theory is based on the findings of Immanuel Kant in the late 18th century. In his findings Kant argues that the natural evolution of world politics and economics would drive mankind inexorably toward peace by means of a widening of the pacific union of liberal republican states.[2] According to Kants theory liberal republics insure that the state interests are transferred from single monarch to the society thus making wars less probable. This assumption can be explained by a notion that in democratic societies the decision of waging wars is transferred from a monarch to the average citizen who bears the costs of war. Furthermore, the interdependence between national interests and citizens self-interests establishes a tendency of placing ultimate authority in the hands of the average voter[3] thus reducing the chance for well-institutionalized democracies to fight war s against each other. Michael Doyle in his publication Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs adds another principle of pacification to Kants list of three definitive articles of liberal constitutions. According to Doyle: The regular rotation of office in liberal democratic polities is a nontrivial device that helps ensure that personal animosities among heads of government provide no lasting, escalating source of tension[4]. The inner state check and balance system does not exclude the probability of war between states, but instead it explains that liberal wars are only fought for popular, liberal purposes[5]. Accordingly, most common argument of democratic peace theory is the constitutional and legal restraints on executive action. In other words placing constraints on the ability of leaders to fight other democracies are the foundations of peace in democratic states. The democratic peace theory also suggests that Democracy tends to foster economic interdependence, which reduces the likelihood of war. Firstly, it is more likely for countries who share the same values, to have close economic ties with each other. The economic interdependence significantly reduces the probability of confrontation between states. The preponderance of systematic evidence for at least the post-World War II era, however, suggests that mutual economic interdependence, measured as the share of dyadic trade to GNP in the country where that trade is proportionately smaller, is strongly associated with peaceful relations in subsequent years.[6] In other words, economic interdependence helps create transnational ties that promote peace rather than conflict. Furthermore, states have a mutual benefit from the economic relations and conflict with each other is going to harm their economy. Thus, the potential loss of trade and its negative impact on countries critical imports or exports decreases the willingness of both sides to fight. Based on historical evidence, despite the liberal claim that democracies have never gone to war with each other, there have been more conflicts than instances of cooperation situation which provides a fertile ground for realism to flourish. Up until the end of the Cold War realism was the dominant theory of international relations as it explained most of the political events. However, after the end of the Cold War started crisis of realism due to the circumstances that it failed to predict or predicted wrongly several events, especially the unification of Germany (October 1990), dissolution of Warsaw Pact (July 1991) and the end of Cold War (dissolution of USSR December 1991). None of this events resolved in a hegemonic war as many realist predicted. It seems as if other theory such as democratic peace theory is better at explaining the events after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The democratic peace theory gives a logical explanation of the events which lead to peaceful disso lution of Soviet Union and end of the Cold War. Any understanding of the change in the Soviet Unions international behavior, before its political fragmentation, and in time reciprocated by the West, demands attention to the three legs on which the liberal vision of Immanuel Kants Perpetual Peace Stands. This stands are: 1. Development of Liberalization and democratization process in Soviet Union; 2. Desire to enter western markets rise of economical interdependence; and 3. influence of the International organizations. As Emmanuel Kant has predicted in his findings the natural evolution of world politics and economics would drive mankind inexorably toward peace by means of a widening of the pacific union of liberal republican states.[7] Democracy, economic interdependence and international organizations constitute the basis of the 21st century international relations. [1] Edward D.Mansfield and Jack Snyder, Democratization and the Danger of War, P8 [2] Michael W. Doyle, Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, Part 2, p349 [3] Edward D.Mansfield and Jack Snyder, Democratization and the Danger of War, P21 [4] Michael W. Doyle, Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, p.230 [5] Ibid. [6] Bruce Russet, a neo-Kantian perspective: democracy, interdependence, and international organizations in building security communities, Security Communities, Cambridge University Press, P.374 [7] Michael W. Doyle, Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, Part 2, p349

Siddhartha :: essays research papers

Monday Theology First off, let me start by saying that Siddhartha is a book that I never would have voluntarily chosen to read. A book based on Indian culture (dot, not feather) and set in a period of many years ago didn’t sound like my idea of a fun evening’s read. But now, after completing it, I can say that I was 100 percent incorrect and pleasantly surprised. This book was just chocked full of all kinds of symbols, signs and ideas, two of which really seemed familiar to me. Not because they are novel or revolutionary, but more because they are beliefs that I have held for sometime now. And the interesting thing is that I am not exactly sure where they came from. The first and probably most dominant theme was that of where Siddhartha was trying to find his enlightenment. He began by following a strict regime and belief structure that he was born into. He then â€Å"rebelled† and started to follow the Samana’s and their practice of self denial. Later, he went 180 degrees and indulged in â€Å"the sins of the flesh†. Not finding contentment in either of these, he finally settles on living on the river and becoming a ferryman. This is where he found the true meaning of Nirvana. He realized that true enlightenment cannot be reached through teachers because it cannot be taught- enlightenment comes from within. This is where I step into the picture. At the start of this semester, we were asked to tell something about ourselves, and where we were spiritually. I stated that I was a â€Å"Ten Commandment Kid†, being raised on bible movies on Sunday morning TV. I also stated that I had no formal biblical training, and that I went with my grandfather on â€Å"Sunday morning road trips† to his newest church of the month. Or week. I think that he was like Siddhartha in the fact that he was never satisfied with the answer that anyone ever gave him, so he moved on, still searching. This was his gift that he gave to me. The places that I attended and the movies that I watched asked many more questions than they ever answered. Even as young as eight I realized that while knowledge was good, true enlightenment, or wisdom, wasn’t going to come from any one pulpit or preacher. I have since found that the best church is on top of a hill, looking over a pasture with a gentle breeze blo wing the clouds slowly by.

The Sister Brothers

Peter DeWitt novel â€Å"The Sister Brothers† is set in western frontiers of America in 1850’s. Eli and Charlie Sisters are notorious professional killers, are on their way to California to kill a man named Hermann Kermit Warm. Charlie makes money and kills anyone who stands in his way. While Eli on the other hand has doubts about what they do for a living and falls in love easily. In â€Å"The Prince† by Niccolo Machiavelli he says the best way to manipulate people and gain power is through Intelligence, fear and emotion.In the novel â€Å"The Sister Brothers† Charlie the eldest brother employs all of these tactics to control his brother and those around him. â€Å"The wise man does at once what the fool does finally†- Niccolo Machiavelli Charlie uses his intelligence to trick others into thinking that he is a gunslinger that plays by the rules. In one instance, Charlie and Eli are cornered by a group of trappers. The trappers plan to kill the brot hers to gain fame and fortune. So Charlie proposes the idea of a fair duel between him and the leader.As Eli counts to three Charlie turns around and shoots all the trappers in the head killing all of them. Charlie was able to dominate the situation and live by using intellect. â€Å"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both†- Niccolo Machiavell Charlie though has the best of both worlds. His brother loves him devotedly while others around him fear him. Charlie has killed so many men that he has become infamous and when people hear his name they tremble with fear. For example when Charlie and Eli trap Hermann he lays his gun down and gives up without a second thought.He knows that they could kill him before he even moved to pull the trigger. â€Å"A wise prince should establish himself on that which is in his own control and not in that of others† â€Å"I was not an efficient killer. I was not and had never been and would never be. Charlie had been a ble to make use of my temper was all; he had manipulated me, exploited my personality†-Eli Sister. During their days as assassin Charlie had tempered Eli into a killer through his personality. All Eli wanted to do was protect his brother from those who wished to hurt him.Charlie understood this and used his brothers protective emotions to advance himself in criminal underworld. In all of the violent situations that occur in the novel Charlie and Eli always come out on top through intelligence, fear and emotion. Niccolo Machiavelli would call Charlie â€Å"The Perfect Prince†. Charlie has used all of the techniques that Niccolo would advise someone to gain and maintain power in their lives. So by using the techniques the Machiavelli suggest isn't it possible for anyone to gain and maintain power?

A Complicated Kindness

â€Å"Fire and Rain† by James Taylor is a song mentioned in A Complicated Kindness that Nomi can relate to easily. James Taylor was born March, 12th 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts, although he was mainly raised in North Carolina. By age 14, Taylor was writing songs, singing, and had learned to play the guitar and cello. In 1966, he moved to New York City to form a band with some of his friends and by the end of the year they were performing regularly at cafes. Unfortunately, while in New York, Taylor lost himself in drug abuse for a time, but would later lead to the inspiration of some of his songs, including â€Å"Fire and Rain†. After he was back on track with his life, he recorded a few demos and had them sent to Paul McCartney, whose label signed Taylor immediately. A few weeks later, he fell back into his old habits of drug abuse, and was hospitalized in Massachusetts. After his recovery, in 1970, Taylor released his single â€Å"Fire and Rain† which was inspired by his experiences with drug abuse, depression, the suicide of his friend Suzanne, and the institutional psychiatric treatments he received. â€Å"James Taylor Biography†). While Travis is playing this song for Nomi, she is thinking about herself and her family. Nomi can relate this song to her life, because just like Taylor, she has lost loved ones, her mother, (who likely committed suicide like Taylor’s friend mentioned in the song) and her sister, abuses drugs, and has no faith in life. The song connects to both the themes of endings and loss which are present in the novel. The line, â€Å"I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end,† connects to the theme of endings, which Nomi has problems with due to the incomplete ending of her own life. The part about sunny days probably made Nomi recall all the good days and memories she has of when her family was whole. She even begins to cry in the novel, during this line. Nomi can relate, â€Å"But I always thought that I’d see you again,† to how she always thought that Tash and Trudie might come back to see her, which also ties into the theme of loss, because Nomi lost two of the most important people in her life. Another line that Nomi can connect to is, â€Å"You’ve just got to see me through another day,† which simply reflects on Nomi’s discontent with her life and the struggle she has just to get through each day. There are many poetic techniques incorporated into the song as well. Obviously, there is a lot of repetition due to the repeating chorus and the line â€Å"I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. † This line is also a metaphor for the different emotions Taylor, and Nomi, have felt. Fire could be seen as anger, passion, or possibly rage while rain is probably referring to sadness and despair. There is also a lot of rhyming in the song such as â€Å"I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end/ I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,† and â€Å"You’ve just got to see me through another day/ And I won’t make it any other way,† as well as others, which makes the song flow more smoothly. The sound device of assonance is used in the line, â€Å"Sweet dreams and flying machines,† because sweet, dreams, and machines, (although machines is not neighbouring) all have similar vowel sounds. Works Cited â€Å"James Taylor Biography.† Bandbiographies.com. Retrieved 16 January 2013. http://www.bandbiographies.com/james_taylor/biography.htm