Vote for the most promising alternative power source
- Thread starter Bateluer
- Start date
Your title needs to be changed to reflect the options. Since electric cars are not a power source. Also Nuclear power.
mugs
Lifer
- Apr 29, 2003
- 48,920
- 46
- 91
Algae-based biodiesel, energy from the ocean, solar and wind can all use land (or water) that is otherwise not productive. We won't be robbing Peter to pay Paul like corn-based ethanol
And they're all renewable. I like nuclear too, but it's not renewable. (apparently that is arguable; if it were renewable, I'd add it to my list)
And they're all renewable. I like nuclear too, but it's not renewable. (apparently that is arguable; if it were renewable, I'd add it to my list)
Where's the option for plasma arc gasification? Making energy out of trash... COME ON, MICHAEL! That's just awesome.
At the moment my vote would be for biodiesel because there are some interesting prospects for producing it. Clean coal still scares me. I am not convinced that we can really safely do stuff like store toxic gas underground without long term repercussions. That, however, may be because I am not a geological expert.
At the moment my vote would be for biodiesel because there are some interesting prospects for producing it. Clean coal still scares me. I am not convinced that we can really safely do stuff like store toxic gas underground without long term repercussions. That, however, may be because I am not a geological expert.
Fritzo
Lifer
- Jan 3, 2001
- 41,919
- 2,158
- 126
I think wind and solar have a big future. I envision the US becoming the new Middle East for alternative power sources, shipping electricity to other countries. We have so much unused land in the midwest that would be perfect for wind, and the SW's desert areas for solar. Rock on!
Fuel cells are high on the radar as well. We'll probably see these replacing batteries in the next 10 years.
Fuel cells are high on the radar as well. We'll probably see these replacing batteries in the next 10 years.
SMOGZINN
Lifer
- Jun 17, 2005
- 14,248
- 4,488
- 136
Distributed power. Every building with solar cells, wind generaters, what ever works for your location, combine that with the current grid bolstered with more nuclear. It is the only really possible solution. None of the others can even come close to matching our current needs much less the needs of the future. Even that might not be enough.
SunnyD
Belgian Waffler
SunnyD
Belgian Waffler
hanoverphist
Diamond Member
- Dec 7, 2006
- 9,867
- 23
- 76
a combo of a bunch listed would be the best alternative, not just one will cut it.
solar panels may be inefficient, but the solar fields that actually are used to heat a substance to run a turbine are very efficient, and in 10mw and up are worth it. I helped program a test site that put out 1mw and it was plain awesome. those focusers have some power, even when not aimed at the sun. in the "down" position doing some maintenance, one of the guys trucks got a line burned the whole length of the truck. bubbled the paint, melted the dash, mirror cover and everything plastic it touched. took about 5 min for him to smell it and move his truck out of harms way. generating power efficiently and cheaply will be a great step to the answer, but the others like vehicle fuel wont be solved by any of these types of changes.
solar panels may be inefficient, but the solar fields that actually are used to heat a substance to run a turbine are very efficient, and in 10mw and up are worth it. I helped program a test site that put out 1mw and it was plain awesome. those focusers have some power, even when not aimed at the sun. in the "down" position doing some maintenance, one of the guys trucks got a line burned the whole length of the truck. bubbled the paint, melted the dash, mirror cover and everything plastic it touched. took about 5 min for him to smell it and move his truck out of harms way. generating power efficiently and cheaply will be a great step to the answer, but the others like vehicle fuel wont be solved by any of these types of changes.
We're getting there when it comes to solar panels. $0.08 per kwh is about what I'm paying now, I believe.
http://www.renewableenergyworl...ea/news/story?id=46765
PlasmaBomb
Lifer
- Nov 19, 2004
- 11,636
- 2
- 81
Wait a second, how are these exclusive power sources? Electric cars use electricity... which is provided by everything on that list. I don't get it.
Biodiesel
Should be used for Trucks, Semi's and other large vehicles
Clean Coal
BS made up by the cola lobby.
Electric Cars
within a few years this will be totally practical for every behicle under 5k pounds.
Ethanol
Corn ethanol has only limited use, but is getting more credit than it deserves from the corn lobby. Sugar ethanol is much more promising, problem is only countries like Brazil have enough sugar to do it right. In the USA it could be an additive to Biodiesel but I'm not sure about that.
Geothermal Energy
meh
Hybrid Vehicles
hopefully only temporary, or could be practical for "mid size" trucks, larger than 5k pounds, but smaller than the big semi's
Hydrogen Vehicles
dangerous, and not as practical/cost effective as just straight electric.
Nuclear Power
good until we can get the entire grid powered by wind and solar
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
waste of time
Power from Flowing Water & Waves
waste of time unless your in an area that has no wind and never gets sun (not likely)
Solar Energy at Home
will only be mildly practical once solar farms are in wide use
Solar Farms
most promising source of endless energy. still need to increase the efficiency a tad, but we are close.
Wind Power at Home
same as home solar, mildly practical.
Wind Farms
great, but even the international org promoting windfarms admits that at best only 6% of the worlds energy will come from wind. Past that its just not effective, and if you get to 10%, the towers will actually have a very negative effect on the worlds climate.
Should be used for Trucks, Semi's and other large vehicles
Clean Coal
BS made up by the cola lobby.
Electric Cars
within a few years this will be totally practical for every behicle under 5k pounds.
Ethanol
Corn ethanol has only limited use, but is getting more credit than it deserves from the corn lobby. Sugar ethanol is much more promising, problem is only countries like Brazil have enough sugar to do it right. In the USA it could be an additive to Biodiesel but I'm not sure about that.
Geothermal Energy
meh
Hybrid Vehicles
hopefully only temporary, or could be practical for "mid size" trucks, larger than 5k pounds, but smaller than the big semi's
Hydrogen Vehicles
dangerous, and not as practical/cost effective as just straight electric.
Nuclear Power
good until we can get the entire grid powered by wind and solar
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
waste of time
Power from Flowing Water & Waves
waste of time unless your in an area that has no wind and never gets sun (not likely)
Solar Energy at Home
will only be mildly practical once solar farms are in wide use
Solar Farms
most promising source of endless energy. still need to increase the efficiency a tad, but we are close.
Wind Power at Home
same as home solar, mildly practical.
Wind Farms
great, but even the international org promoting windfarms admits that at best only 6% of the worlds energy will come from wind. Past that its just not effective, and if you get to 10%, the towers will actually have a very negative effect on the worlds climate.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 19K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter