Energy Crisis Holistic Analysis
CHALLENGE: I challenge anyone to propose a superior solution to our energy needs that fulfill the following post-production criteria: Does not require fuel. Does not require complex infrastructure. Does not degrade or impose on the ecosystem. Provides abundant electrical energy. Provides energy on demand. Can be scaled from nano to planetary. RELEVANT LINKS: FIRST SOLAR PASSES $1 PER WATT INDUSTRY MILESTONE investor.firstsolar.com New solar cell material achieves almost 100% efficiency, could solve world-wide energy problems www.tgdaily.com Nanoantenna Arrays Seen As Possible Solar Cell Replacement cleantechnica.com Scientists Develop Commercially-Viable Carbon Nanotube Sheets devicedaily.com Black Silicon To Revolutionize Solar Cells devicedaily.com New Solar Cell Sets 40.8% World Efficiency Record www.energy.gov IBM claims major boost in solar cell efficiency www.eetimes.com Sharp powers solar panel plant with solar power www.theinquirer.net Scientists seek to make energy as plants do www.physorg.com European Scientists: ‘Let’s Set Up A Global Solar Energy Grid’ www.triplepundit.com solfocus Installing Worlds Largest Concentrated Solar Project in Spain cleantechnica.com 2 Large Solar Plants Planned in California, Each Will Be 10 Times Bigger Than Largest Now in Service cleantechnica.com Coal Power Plant Retrofit With Solar ecoworldly.com Breakthrough Solar Technology That Addresses the Global Energy Crisis www.coolearthsolar.com Sunflower is First Solar Concentrator Safe for Rooftops www.ecogeek.org
April 14th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Although solar energy is promising and we should invest in it I see no large breakthroughs in solar technology. The main problems that remains are how to store energy when the sun does not shine and how to transport the energy. Most of the proposals for capturing more of the spectra such as the use of nanoantennas violate the 2nd Law of thermodynamics and are fuitle.
April 14th, 2010 at 6:45 am
I don’t buy your argument against using geothermal energy. The Earth already radiates away the heat that makes it to the surface. Using a bit of it along the way to gain some free energy will make no difference to the overall ecosystem.
April 14th, 2010 at 9:09 am
“Most of the proposals for capturing more of the spectra such as the use of nanoantennas violate the 2nd Law of thermodynamics and are fuitle[sic].”
I think you mean the 1st law, the second law states: “In a system, a process that occurs will tend to increase the total entropy of the universe.” Which doesn’t directly relate.
Discrepancies aside your statement simply isn’t true.
You see no large breakthroughs because you’re not looking. Try some of the links in the sidebar.
April 14th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
1. Face is only shown 1/2 to prevent indexing by face recognition software. I try to keep a low profile.
2. Nanosolar is nascent technology, I doubt you will be able to easily acquire it commercially for a few years, probably longer.
You will be stuck with conventional silicon solar for now, or thermal if you are more ambitious.
April 14th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Harvesting incidental radiation is one thing, actively extracting thermal energy is another. You do realize that it requires exceptionally deep drilling, and that the process of thermal extraction results in cooling many magnitudes beyond normal? It is not passive by any means, nor “free” as you suggest.
Also you are not thinking long-term or at an appropriate scale given the projected increase in global energy demand.
April 14th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
First i want to thank u for this clip.. 2nd thing is why u show ur half face i don’t understand it.. and thx for sharing and giving us info.. well i am very new to all this. me was searching for a panels which be cheaper to install coz i needed 20kva system… for my home and i am so confused can u explain me whats this nanosolar panel and plastic with ink one i am all confused i want to be green but dont know what to get it i think ur right person to ask for the new technology should have.
April 14th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
watch george carlins video called “saving the planet” if you want a very different perspective on things
April 14th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I can’t fault it.
Even for environmental extremists, the result is the same.
April 14th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
@neotoy No, I mean the 2nd Law. Useful energy can be extracted from a system only if their is an entropy gradient. Many hare-brained schemes propose converting high entropy “waste” heat into useful energy. See my comments on YouTube’s “flexible nanoantennas” site.
April 14th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Why worry about cooling the depths of the earth by a insignificant amount? All heat on the surface eventually is radiated away to space in any case so there is no effect on the environment. By the way, by free energy I meat it in the scientific sense, that is, Gibbs Free Energy, Such free energy drives ecosystems around thermal vents in the oceans.