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A Distributed Solar-Cellular Metaphor

Posted February 15, 2010 7:57 AM

In the last 20 years, industrial nations slowly replaced landline telephones with cell phones, while developing nations skipped traditional telephone infrastructure in favor of cellular. Now extend the metaphor to energy: Can areas without a grid infrastructure turn to distributed solar or other renewables without going the centralized route? The market for home solar systems is huge as their prices fall and potentials to replace kerosene rise. Do you think these areas should stick with the standard or move to a new energy model?

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Power-User

Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Good Answers: 2
#1

Re: A Distributed Solar-Cellular Metaphor

02/23/2010 8:52 PM

For my part, I am convinced that the future of energy is the distributed model for everyone. When you consider the cost of implementing an electric grid and maintaining that grid for eternity, the alternative distributed model is far superior. We have ample energy sources to drive a turbine which in turn can turn a generator which delivers electricity. We can use geothermal for instance. If used with a heat transfer fluids like hydrofluoroether you don't need much heat to power a condensing turbine. And it makes sense when you consider you want power 24/7. Unfortunately, solar does not provide that without heat storage. Hydrofluoroether when combined with an MOHC (metal-organic heat carrier, presently in development) can potentially increase heat carrying efficiency 20-30 percent. This is not the cheapest solution however. The cheapest is the use solar power to heat water which in turn vaporizes the Hydrofluoroether to drive the turbine. The excess heat would be stored underground in a salt solution. The low vaporization temperature of the HFE allows for continuous electric generation. The duration of the continuous generation depending on the volume of the saline heat storage solution. I see no reason to invest trillions of dollars in an electric transmission grid when that money could well be spent on distributed power alternatives. I realize this is a simplistic answer to a very complex problem, but a complete discussion of the topic is beyond the realm of this blog. I have read discussions of power cell technology and they seem to need fossil fuels or a similar non renewable energy source. Geothermal, Solar and Wind seem to be the best fit for a sustainable future. And with these there is no cost per se. I can well for see the day when power poles will be a thing of the past, and that day is not far distant.

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