[mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Automotive technical info wanted (only slightly off topic)

[Garry Stahl]

allen wrote:
> Garry Stahl wrote:
>   
>> I favor non-combustion electrical generation.  Be that wind, wave,
>> nuclear, or hydro.  You can make H2 for fuel cells or combustion
>> engines, use direct electrical, or any number of things.
>>
>>   
>>     
> The common problem to all of the "alternative" energy sources is that 
> they're power is captured by the square foot. If you do the arithmetic, 
> you'll see that area requirements for photo voltaic arrays quickly get 
> out of hand if you've got any ambitious plans. Matching the base 
> electrical generation capacity of the US with solar cells at their peak 
> power production yields area requirements that are in the tens of 
> thousands of square miles.
>   

You notice I didn't mention solar.  Not mature enough and too dependent
on conditions.  Solar has uses and research should continue, however it
is not a grid technology.

However that said their are places on the planet you could "paper
over".  The Saudi "empty quarter" for example it IS empty.  And all
those photon hitting the surface and doing no work. 

Better yet, perhaps the microwave reception station in that useless land
to catch beamed energy from a orbital arrays. Here in the US one of
several dry lake beds would be a good place for microwave farms. 


> Mother nature turns out to be a tougher broad then she's made out to be 
> and humanity isn't quite as all-powerful as we're made out to be. One 
> way or another, us human beings are transients and Mother Nature will be 
> doing just fine long after we're gone.
>   

I have no plans to be gone.  Unlike some people I don't believe we can
"destroy the Earth".  However it is well within our power to destroy
us.  Funny thing but I can about that.

-- 
Garry  AKA  --Phoenix--  Rising above the Flames.

Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Star Trek mort. Viva la Star Trek admiraetur
The Olde Phoenix Inn Http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com