I think I just solved the worlds' energy problem

[SaltyNuts]

So all energy ultimately comes from the sun. So why not just capture it via solar panels? Now, I get that there is a problem in that the sun is not always shining. But that is ON EARTH. So put them in SPACE. Then you could just have the energy transmitted to earth via microwaves or something. Why has no one else thought of this? Pollution would effectively be eliminated.

Thanks.

 

[lxskllr]

Sounds loke a good idea for an entrepreneur. You should totally do this.

 

[IronWing]

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7397207206_1f96e06771_b.jpg

 

[renz20003]

The tech isn't there for the capacitors needed yet.

 

[Gibsons]

They were available in Simcity 2000, fercrissake.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've always said they should build huge solar farms on both poles. Convert it to a high DC voltage and send it to each continent from both poles, with lines going between each continent. At any given time there is always sun at either pole. Each continent would also have it's own DC storage system. Throw in existing hydro electic, and more localized solar/wind in the mix too. Then have nuclear and other fossil fuel plants on standby.

"But this would cost so much money, to run all those cables!" is probably the first thought. But consider how much money is spent on oil pipe lines, under sea fibreoptics and other major projects. It's really a drop in the bucket when you think about it. It would be done.

The problem with putting it in space is the logistics of bringing the power back down efficiently. Whatever you choose to use as a beam of energy is going to decimate anything in it's path. Maybe even the ozone layer. If you put it at the equator you could have space cables though. But I'm not sure there are any materials strong enough to deal with that centrifugal force. Essentially you have a cable or tower going to space, the solar panels, then another cable going further to act as a counter weight. The centrifugal force would keep the whole assembly straight. In theory, at least. Actually this would be bad for pretty much all non geostationary satellites as they'd eventually cross paths... so ya scratch that idea lol.

 

[lxskllr]

The problem with putting it in space is the logistics of bringing the power back down efficiently.

Extension cords. $1 each from the dollar store. It would cost less than a rocket launch.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Extension cords. $1 each from the dollar store. It would cost less than a rocket launch.

Can't forget a bag of zip ties, you want to make sure they don't get unplugged. Probably want the UV resistant ones too. But yeah think we're good to go.

 

[Imp]

Use a space charger and drop massive lithium-ion batteries from orbit. It's not like they'll nuke anything.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

So all energy ultimately comes from the sun. So why not just capture it via solar panels? Now, I get that there is a problem in that the sun is not always shining. But that is ON EARTH. So put them in SPACE. Then you could just have the energy transmitted to earth via microwaves or something. Why has no one else thought of this? Pollution would effectively be eliminated.

Thanks.

People did think of this exact same thing. A long time ago.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US3989994A/en?q=solar+radiation&q=microwave&q=space

 

[Skunk-Works]

They were available in Simcity 2000, fercrissake.

Was thinking the same thing.

 

[Ken g6]

Japan is actually working on the project. http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/...akes-step-forward-in-space-based-solar-power/

 

[JulesMaximus]

We could build an array of solar panels around the sun, in effect, capturing all of its energy! A giant sphere if you will. We could call it a Dyson Sphere... I have no idea why we would call it that. It just came to me.

 

[Paratus]

So all energy ultimately comes from the sun. So why not just capture it via solar panels? Now, I get that there is a problem in that the sun is not always shining. But that is ON EARTH. So put them in SPACE. Then you could just have the energy transmitted to earth via microwaves or something. Why has no one else thought of this? Pollution would effectively be eliminated.

Thanks.

Shit dude. I was pointing giant space based solar panels for 15 years. Let me tell you it's a pain in the ASS.

 

[Paratus]

We could build an array of solar panels around the sun, in effect, capturing all of its energy! A giant sphere if you will. We could call it a Dyson Sphere... I have no idea why we would call it that. It just came to me.

Good idea we'll need one to power our laser black hole generators for interstellar travel.

 

[Svnla]

I am not as worry about energy as I am with clean water.

 

[Paratus]

I am not as worry about energy as I am with clean water.

You can always make clean water with energy.

 

[Svnla]

You can always make clean water with energy.

If you are talking about desalination, it is not a magic bullet to solve clean water problem.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-impacts-of-relying-on-desalination/

Also, let say if we find a way to do it cheaply and no damage to the environment, how are we going to deliver the massive amount of water to farms in Kansas/inland from the plants on the coasts?

 

[PowerEngineer]

So all energy ultimately comes from the sun. So why not just capture it via solar panels? Now, I get that there is a problem in that the sun is not always shining. But that is ON EARTH. So put them in SPACE. Then you could just have the energy transmitted to earth via microwaves or something. Why has no one else thought of this? Pollution would effectively be eliminated.

Thanks.

Otherwise known as a death ray!

And you should really at least google an idea before you presume no one else has thought of it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Shit dude. I was pointing giant space based solar panels for 15 years. Let me tell you it's a pain in the ASS.

Reaction wheels FTW, and solar trackers.

 

[disappoint]

You can always make clean water with energy.

That's hardly an original idea my dear boy. The universe came up with it first.

That's assuming of course, that the universe can come up with ideas. You may think that's preposterous. Perhaps not as much as it might initially seem.

When we humans go about our daily lives we walk down the street and just walk right by life forms there right beside us. Ants, worms, bacteria. We don't give them a second thought because they are not intelligent enough for us to really take much notice. You are not looking to have a conversation with an ant for obvious reasons.

Suppose the universe is intelligent, and far more intelligent than we can even imagine. It might be so intelligent as to have no desire to communicate such intelligence.

Or if it did have that desire and it did communicate we might not be intelligent enough to understand it or even realize that such communication took place. Or misinterpret this communication as something else.

The ant you walked by has no idea what intelligence we humans are capable of. We are just this giant thing that moved by. You can read Shakespeare to an ant, but it doesn't register as anything meaningful to the ant at all.

At least that's what the ant told me. And I believe ants. I've never seen one run for president.

 

[Paratus]

If you are talking about desalination, it is not a magic bullet to solve clean water problem.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-impacts-of-relying-on-desalination/

Also, let say if we find a way to do it cheaply and no damage to the environment, how are we going to deliver the massive amount of water to farms in Kansas/inland from the plants on the coasts?

We recycle urine and condensate on the ISS. Takes power. Desalination works, takes power. Sewage treatment, takes power. Pumping water to where it's needed takes power.

Globally the amount of water is fixed. We can only run out of usable drinking water locally. There's fixes for that of varying cost.

That's all I meant.

 

[Paratus]

That's hardly an original idea my dear boy. The universe came up with it first.

That's assuming of course, that the universe can come up with ideas. You may think that's preposterous. Perhaps not as much as it might initially seem.

When we humans go about our daily lives we walk down the street and just walk right by life forms there right beside us. Ants, worms, bacteria. We don't give them a second thought because they are not intelligent enough for us to really take much notice. You are not looking to have a conversation with an ant for obvious reasons.

Suppose the universe is intelligent, and far more intelligent than we can even imagine. It might be so intelligent as to have no desire to communicate such intelligence.

Or if it did have that desire and it did communicate we might not be intelligent enough to understand it or even realize that such communication took place. Or misinterpret this communication as something else.

The ant you walked by has no idea what intelligence we humans are capable of. We are just this giant thing that moved by. You can read Shakespeare to an ant, but it doesn't register as anything meaningful to the ant at all.

At least that's what the ant told me. And I believe ants. I've never seen one run for president.

 

[sdifox]

maybe we should just inject real money into fusion reactor research.

 

[Chaotic42]

I was expecting a giant plastic ball filled with oil.