I think I just solved the worlds' energy problem

[Red Squirrel]

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

Instructions unclear, inserted bank card into fusion reactor and now it's stuck.

 

[z1ggy]

Wish I had this thread before I just replied to OP's stock thread.... lol

 

[WelshBloke]

Then you could just have the energy transmitted to earth via microwaves or something.

Why not have the space array powering a Big Fucking Laser (that's the technical term for a big fucking laser), point it at the earth and capture the energy with an array of solar panels on the ground?

 

[WelshBloke]

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.

So put them at the poles to get 24 hour light where the light energy is lowest rather than two on the equator on opposite sides of the planet to give 24 hour light where the light energy is highest?

 

[sandorski]

Woot woot, thanks OP! Gonna open all my windows this winter and crank my electric heaters to Max!! Free energy!!!

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

You could build a huge particle accelerator in space, fully powered by solar power, which creates tiny amounts of antimatter and stores this in strong electromagnetic fields in special storage containers. These could then be used to provide massive amounts of power for space travel or other purposes. The only tiny detail (besides having to build it first) is that you don't have an atmosphere protecting it from (small) asteroids or space debris. And if such a storage container gets damaged and fails you have some pretty fireworks.

If you store it in conventional ways you have the problem of getting it to the earth surface through the atmosphere, and you'll probably spend more energy than you gain that way.

It would be useful for space travel and such, but I don't see it as being worthwhile to serve as power source for Earth. Which means that you can build a particle accelerator and then move it to a position quite far away from Earth's orbit to limit danger to us. Would require shipping stuff back and forth or flying ships there to stock up though. For shorter range travel (within our solar system) it would be better to have it closer by of course.

 

[flexy]

Satire thread? And there are actually serious answers?

Since when was it a "problem" that the sun doesn't shine at night? You know that energy can be stored, right?
It is likely that any way of storing energy ("batteries", heating up water, etc.) would be cheaper than going into space, and probably even more effective/economic than some system on both poles (or opposite ends of the globe) and then sharing the energy between them.

And....POLES? Wtf? If you erect giant solar panels on the poles you have one of them *guaranteed* not getting sun for 6 months every year. Cheezus kids where did you go to school?

** Also, spending money on R&D for more effective "normal" solar panels, or just "normal" solar power plants, say in the deserts etc. is likely money spent WAY more effective than looking into solar panels in space.

 

[sdifox]

Why not have the space array powering a Big Fucking Laser (that's the technical term for a big fucking laser), point it at the earth and capture the energy with an array of solar panels on the ground?

Nowhere to dissipate heat in space.

 

[IronWing]

Nowhere to dissipate heat in space.

In space, no one can see you sweat.

 

[dabuddha]

Way ahead of you

 

[IronWing]

Way ahead of you

It woulda worked too if they hadn't just had to have had that stupid weakly flickering light on the switch.

 

[Red Squirrel]

So put them at the poles to get 24 hour light where the light energy is lowest rather than two on the equator on opposite sides of the planet to give 24 hour light where the light energy is highest?

I was thinking the poles as the equator is mostly water. Suppose you could have giant floating barges with panels and use the water to cool them as well to maximize the efficiency. May be cheaper than the long cables I suppose.

 

[disappoint]

Way ahead of you

It woulda worked too if they hadn't just had to have had that stupid weakly flickering light on the switch.

Infinite energy! Muaahahahaha...and I would have got away with it too, if it weren't for those damned kids.

 

[AMCRambler]

Nope nope nope. Cat plus buttered bread. Infinite rotational energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=Z8yW5cyXXRc

 

[jman19]

OP. Google. Learn it. Thanks.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Could also hook up a generator to Newton's body. Every time someone talks about free energy it would spin and generate free energy, making people talk about it even more...