[DeepSpace9er]

I want something like this to work so 'going green' wont consist of using more expensive light bulbs that contain hazardous materials in them.

[The E]

First of all, someone has to prove that this actually is a viable, safe and non-poisonous way of producing energy on the industrial scale. [flamebait] If you want green energy, there is no alternative to nuclear reactors, IMHO [/flamebait].

[Flipside]

I don't like nuclear reactors, but I'd agree they are the best way to go, simply because many of these cleaner techniques are untested on a massive scale. Yes, you could start small with them and work your way outwards, but until they are capable of taking on the load, your need a dependable core-power system, and whilst they are unpleasant if they blow up, you're probably more likely to be hit by a meteor than killed by a radiation leak from a nuclear power station.

As for cold fusion, I've seen a few of these 'miracle cures', enough to say 'bring me a working, feasible prototype' before I open the champagne and celebrate the new era of mankind.

Edit: That makes interesting reading with the word filter

[DeepSpace9er]

Everyone thinks 'Chernobyl' when they think nuclear. It also has the consequence of radioactive waste with a several thousand year half life. I dont think the latest generation of power plants can ever go critical like Chernobyl did but the 100-200 years of uranium 235 we have left (at current consumption levels i believe) doesnt really make it a very sensible long term option. I think hot fusion is probably the more likely candidate for the future of the grid. This cold fusion might produce something that could power your car or your house or something, which would be very cool too.

[BloodEagle]

Note: Chernobyl is safe, now.

[Mobius]

What about solar energy? The number of solar plants is increasing and there even are small versions for the general populace.

They'd be probably useless in many other countries due to noticeable weather differences, but that's better than nothing.

[The E]

What about solar energy? The number of solar plants is increasing and there even are small versions for the general populace.

They'd be probably useless in many other countries due to noticeable weather differences, but that's better than nothing.

Solar energy has some good promises, and since the technology underneath it is constantly developed further, it might some day cover a more significant portion of the world's energy needs. But since its output is still related to the weather, there needs to be a power source capable of providing a stable energy output.
Oh, and before someone mentions orbital energy collectors that beam energy down here: If someone ever builds this in orbit around this planet, I'm leaving for Mars. I don't like Death Rays. Especially when I'm not the one controlling them.

[BloodEagle]

What about solar energy? The number of solar plants is increasing and there even are small versions for the general populace.

They'd be probably useless in many other countries due to noticeable weather differences, but that's better than nothing.

Solar energy has some good promises, and since the technology underneath it is constantly developed further, it might some day cover a more significant portion of the world's energy needs. But since its output is still related to the weather, there needs to be a power source capable of providing a stable energy output.
Oh, and before someone mentions orbital energy collectors that beam energy down here: If someone ever builds this in orbit around this planet, I'm leaving for Mars. I don't like Death Rays. Especially when I'm not the one controlling them.

Greenhouse -> Wind Turbine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_updraft_tower

[The E]

Problems there:
1. Finding a suitable Location.
2. Maintaining the thing.
3. While this could replace nuclear energy in places with lots of sunshine, I don't think it would work that well in, say, the place I live in. (Europe doesn't have that many spaces that meet the requirements). So, for Africa, this is feasible. Maybe even for America. But not here, sadly. Not enough to fill the mass production role.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Solar energy has some good promises, and since the technology underneath it is constantly developed further, it might some day cover a more significant portion of the world's energy needs. But since its output is still related to the weather, there needs to be a power source capable of providing a stable energy output.

I thought I read about a recent breakthrough in solar panel tech that not only boosted output but allowed for production even in cloudy conditions. 

[BloodEagle]

Problems there:
1. Finding a suitable Location.
2. Maintaining the thing.
3. While this could replace nuclear energy in places with lots of sunshine, I don't think it would work that well in, say, the place I live in. (Europe doesn't have that many spaces that meet the requirements). So, for Africa, this is feasible. Maybe even for America. But not here, sadly. Not enough to fill the mass production role.

Solar energy has some good promises, and since the technology underneath it is constantly developed further, it might some day cover a more significant portion of the world's energy needs. But since its output is still related to the weather, there needs to be a power source capable of providing a stable energy output.

I thought I read about a recent breakthrough in solar panel tech that not only boosted output but allowed for production even in cloudy conditions. 

Greenhouses stay warm in cold/cloudy conditions. Which is why the thing works at night, year-round.

[Scotty]

Well, if all you are basing your criteria on is that it works in disparate weather conditions:

Molten Salt Solar Power

Once again, Huzzah for Debate research !

[FUBAR-BDHR]

I don't agree with that one for one good reason.  They built a power plant (well part of one anyway) around here using molten salt as the liquid.  Good in theory until something breaks which didn't take long (matter of days).  I don't know much of what happened after that but I'm pretty sure they gave up trying to remove the salt after it cooled.  Guess the engineers never though of needing to shut it down in a non controlled situation. 

[Scotty]

Guess the engineers never though of needing to shut it down in a non controlled situation. 

Viola:

Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor/Integral Fast Reactor

[FUBAR-BDHR]

I don't think the one I am talking about was nuclear.  It was standard coal fired.  If it was nuclear then they sure as hell did one heck of a cover up. 

[The E]

Well, if all you are basing your criteria on is that it works in disparate weather conditions:

Molten Salt Solar Power

Once again, Huzzah for Debate research !

I didn't know about that one, thanks. If it gets workable, let me know.

Greenhouses stay warm in cold/cloudy conditions. Which is why the thing works at night, year-round.

Well, yeah, but there's a second part to the "suitable location" thing: space. According to the wikipedia article, these things take up a lot of room, room that isn't readily available where I live. And I really, really doubt that someone would want to put their main power supply somewhere where direct control is next to impossible.

[Fury]

We're already sitting on an renewable energy source capable of sustaining human needs far into the future; geothermic heat. In fact, I read a scientific article on the subject not long ago that claimed yet another major breakthrough towards wider adaptation of geothermic heat as an alternative to nuclear power. Couldn't find the article now however.

Guess the problem is drilling deep enough and finding most ideal locations to build power plants on.

[BloodEagle]

We're already sitting on an renewable energy source capable of sustaining human needs far into the future; geothermic heat. In fact, I read a scientific article on the subject not long ago that claimed yet another major breakthrough towards wider adaptation of geothermic heat as an alternative to nuclear power. Couldn't find the article now however.

Guess the problem is drilling deep enough and finding most ideal locations to build power plants on.

Oregon is practically surrounded by volcanoes, so.... 

[Cold Fusion]

Of course I'm real!

[The E]

But can you produce more energy than a nuke?