Alternative energy sources

[Moontanman]

Lets discuss new or alternative energy sources that would positively affect our world. Here is one I found that is probably the last thing I could have imagined.

 

Boron: A Better Energy Carrier than Hydrogen? (12 June 2007)

[Southtown]

I'm fine with electric. What's wrong with electric cars? Combustion engines average around 25% thermal efficiency. Forty mph will lower accident frequency and severity, not to mention adding a few minutes to my quiet commute.

 

As for generating electricity (to either charge cars or process hydrogen or boron,) I like geothermal. Few options yield better out/in ratios while being so scalable. Drilling and plant construction cost initially but will eventually pay for themselves. Pump some water into the ground, and it returns as steam for the turbines. ;)

 

Obviously, we shouldn't limit ourselves. Wind, solar, and hydro are attractive as well. Make the most of each available locale, I say. But ethanol is a ridiculous waste. About 60% (I think) of the energy from ethanol is spent on production and refinement. Plus, it is my sincere belief that humankind must stop the atrocity of wasting ethanol.

 

[Moontanman]

I'm fine with electric. What's wrong with electric cars? Combustion engines average around 25% thermal efficiency. Forty mph will lower accident frequency and severity, not to mention adding a few minutes to my quiet commute.

 

Except that electric isn't a good idea for long distance travel I would have no problem with it. Of course you would have to have the correct generating capacity to make sure everyone would be able to charge their cars.

 

As for generating electricity (to either charge cars or process hydrogen or boron,) I like geothermal. Few options yield better out/in ratios while being so scalable. Drilling and plant construction cost initially but will eventually pay for themselves. Pump some water into the ground, and it returns as steam for the turbines. ;)

 

Geothermal is only practical in limited locations, not really wide spread enough for even a large percentage of the population. Nuclear is the best way to go, modern technology nuclear power plants are the key to the future. Wind, solar, wave power will all have their uses but nuclear is the best way to generate intense electricity on demand.

 

Obviously, we shouldn't limit ourselves. Wind, solar, and hydro are attractive as well. Make the most of each available locale, I say. But ethanol is a ridiculous waste. About 60% (I think) of the energy from ethanol is spent on production and refinement. Plus, it is my sincere belief that humankind must stop the atrocity of wasting ethanol.

Yeah ethanol does have it's problems for sure:evil:

[Southtown]

Nuclear is awesome, of course. But what of the radioactive waste? I remember hearing of a way to chemically neutralize the waste, but I can't remember exactly how. It was a cable docu, I'm sure.

[Moontanman]

Nuclear is awesome, of course. But what of the radioactive waste? I remember hearing of a way to chemically neutralize the waste, but I can't remember exactly how. It was a cable docu, I'm sure.

 

Well, the most advanced designs actually run on what we now call waste. They use it to produce more energy using it up in the process resulting in a much smaller waste stream. The new waste also decays in a small fraction of the time the old waste did so it doesn't have to be sequestered away for a virtual eternity. They can also run on isotopes that cannot be used to make fission weapons. thorium is a better fuel than uranium in the long run and there is more of it in the Earth. Nuclear light bulb rockets could actually carry away this waste and eject it from the solar system in their exhaust. Hows that for economy:hyper: