<< / >> / aluminum, incandescent bulbs / 2003

the sella electra (electric chair) refers to the large amount of energy that is embodied in aluminum. the electrolytic process required for the conversion of alumina to aluminum consumes large amounts of electricity. this is why most aluminum smelters are located close to large energy supplies, usually hydo-electric, although a large smelter is being built in oman to be powered by the burning of fossil fuels. although a standard alcoa aluminum chair only weighs 7 pounds, it has 120 kilowatt hours of embodied energy, enough to fully and continuously power the sixteen 25 watt bulbs used on the chair seat for almost two weeks. these power lines supply europe's largest aluminum smelter from a dedicated hydroelectric facility located in the mountain behind. the name of the aluminum company, norsk hydro, illustrates the strong connection between aluminum and energy.