08-23-2012, 09:21 AM
(08-23-2012, 01:10 AM)Lissa Wrote: Simply, direct solar works on small scale (a home), but does not work on a large scale (city) due to amount of power need, inefficiencies of solar cells at this time, and size of space needed to produce the power. You're more likely to be able to get better efficiencies and more generation through indirect solar power (wind).
The other problem is sheer power density of all power producing methods compared to nuclear. To put into perspective, the standard fission reaction, 200 MeV (splitting of U235 or Th233 atom), is about 8 fold that of a chemical reaction, 3 eV (like combustion). A single fission reaction produces as much energy as 66,000,000 CH4 + 2 O2.
Well 3 things.
1: no single power source can help us get through life....you always need a combination of things.
2: nuclear is not a structural solution because we all know the disadvantages (waste, danger, scarcity, only a few countries that will own the fuel etc.. in 100 years you have the same problem as with oil)
Solar and wind are the future; doubting this will only increase the time of innovations and full scale use.
Take solar; already now, in large parts of the world using solar panels on roofs of family homes can harvest enough energy for an average family to live off. Of course there is the issue of no energy at night or less in winter, but first you have the el-net to buffer this, and second in only a few years the first energy storage systems will become commercially available.
The coming generations of organic or DS solar cells are a factor of 10 (at least) cheaper than Si, way compensating their (for now) lower yields. These cells will be so cheap you can coat any surfcae with them.
And what about integrating in windows generating energy only from IR and UV light and letting pass through the rest.
The only reason we don't use more solat energy at the moment is pressure from conventional energy companies and poltical ignorance and unwill.