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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Share Your ThoughtsSend comments to m.olken@ieee.org |
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Readers are encouraged to share their views on issues affecting the electric power engineering profession. Send your letters to Mel Olken, editor in chief, m.olken@ieee.org. Letters may be edited for publication. China's Future in Electric EnergyThe choice of "Energy Supply in the Developing World" as the theme for the July/August 2005 issue of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine is a good one. I know both authors of the China article. They are reporting from conventional "Power System Developments to Meet the Challenge" statistics.One specific renewable energy source in China from existing small hydro plants was not mentioned. By the end of 2000, these small hydro plants had an installed capacity of 24,850 MW, accounting for 32.4% of the Chinese supply. The annual output from these small hydroelectric plants amounts to 80 billion kWh, accounting for 36.2% of China's usage. China's hydroelecric potential amounts to about 680,000 MW, and the small hydro power source has great potential to attract worldwide attention for both technical and financial investment. In this century, it is imperative that China develops dispersed power generation. At the same time, China must promote water conservation. Sustainable development of small hydropower facilities will serve to improve flood controls and provide adequate water for human and animal use. Recycled water for agriculture will upgrade local environments and produce conditions that will encourage worldwide support. Alexander A. Tseng Right Issue, Wrong ReceptacleMy compliments on what I thought was a very interesting issue (IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, July/ August 2005). I do however have a comment on the cover art depicting electrical receptacles.First, the grounding type receptacle depicted on the cover is an incorrect artist's representation of what technically should be a NEMA 5-15R, two-pole, three-wire configuration, which has a polarized (a large and small) slotted arrangement. The depicted receptacle has equal size slots. Second, as a worldwide technical organization, the depiction on the NEMA configuration receptacle in South America, Africa, India, and China is technically incorrect. The individual standards that prevail in each country determine the various electrical receptacle configurations. Michael Foley Editor's Note: Mike, thank you for the kind words about the magazine and for your comments.Your observations about the sockets are right on target. We were aware of the "error," having actually looked at the worldwide array of socket types. We then decided that if we were to be totally accurate, we would have to show just about a different one for each of the countries covered in the articles that were highlighted on the cover. The decision was then made to depict an artistic rendition with incorrect similarity rather than confusing correctness. But it is reassuring to know that we are being monitored, if not read. And yes, we are aware that oceans are blue and not purple. —MIO |
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