When
we turn the light on, we don’t think where electricity comes from.
Creators
of new technologies try to combine effectiveness in energy
production, ecology, and interesting looks. Italian architects
designed Solar Wind – a bridge that combines wind and solar power
plants. There are wind turbines built into the bridge’s arches, and
solar panels above the road. The bridge is supposed to produce energy
non-stop.
Photo
by F H Mira/ flickr CC
A
solar-powered houseboat is another example of utilizing natural
energy. The boat can sail safely through open seas, and act as a
functional home for the people on-board. It moves thanks to solar
energy.
Photo by
Orhan Cileli
The biggest solar
power plant in the world was built by Americans.
40 km south of Las Vegas they built a solar power plant that will provide 140 thousand houses with electricity, and will produce almost 1/3 of all solar energy in the United States. The plant consists of 173 500 mirrors that point sunlight to the tower in the middle, where boilers with water are located. Steam-powered turbines generate electric current.
Solar
energy is the purest available energy. Apart from high cost of
installation and maintenance of the plant – it’s totally free! A
sufficient solar power plant could provide all humanity with
necessary energy. The picture below shows, how big it would have to
be (shown in the Sahara Desert) to suit the needs of the world, the
EU, and Germany.
Picture
by Nadine May, Technical University of Braunschweig
The
main problem with renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar
energy, are fluctuations of electric current delivery. When the wind
is strong – there is more current than needed, and when there’s
no wind – there’s not enough. Scientists from MIT came up with an
idea, how to solve this problem.
Photo
by Iwona Burdzanowska/Agencja Gazeta
They
want to place giant 30x30m water-filled concrete spheres under wind
turbines located in the sea. The spheres would act like stabilizers
for the turbines, as well as energy storage.
Each
sphere would have its own pump system that would act according to the
wind; in case of strong winds, water would be pumped out, and extra
energy from the turbine would be stored. In the case of light winds,
however, the sphere would be filled with water that would move the
turbine, enabling it to generate power.
The
scientists believe that a thousand of such structures would provide
energy similar to that of a nuclear plant for many hours.
Questions:
Are
you in favor of ecological power plants?
What
do you think are drawbacks of such systems?
Some
people say that wind turbines spoil the landscape (of course, they
take up more space than gas and coal power plants).
Do
you think that renewable energy power plants will supersede the
conventional ones?
Comments
The only drawback of solar plants is that they require more money and batteries, since it's harder to adjust the output. However, there are already "combined" green power plants which generate power by leveraging multiple renewable sources at the same time and their power outputs can be easily adjusted. The point is, nobody wants to invest in creating those, because nuclear power seems to be "cheaper".
I want to believe that renewable energy power plants will supersede conventional ones. The point is legislators and decision makers are usually economy-driven and focus on the first, artificial approach and care more about personal, temporary gains over losing money, but doing the right thing.
Also, I hope the laws regarding personal "Green" energy generation change drastically as they are ridiculous right now - it's technically not legal to use your own renewable energy, you have to give it back to the grid and pay for energy back from the grid (fossil fuel). This NEEDS to be changed and it's beyond me how it doesn't. I'd definitely arrange my own renewable energy set up if I owned a house, even just for fun and satisfaction.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10364064_668288879884813_1041780724218055441_n.jpg
Yes, I am, of crouse. Thing is, that it's far to expenive to build. I would love to do that kind of construction so I would have it at my house, but it's far too difficult... and, again expensive...
What do you think are drawbacks of such systems?
I'm affraid that they're not as ecological as we might think. By building solar plants in a middle of a Sahara desert, we would change the natural enviroment, and so the effects could be bad.
Some people say that wind turbines spoil the landscape (of course, they take up more space than gas and coal power plants).
That depends, how you look at them. When I was travelling trough Germany, I saw wind turbines everywhere and they didn't spoil a thing! They were part of a landscape...
Do you think that renewable energy power plants will supersede the conventional ones?
I don't think so. I mean, we live in a capitalist world. Noone want's to pay more. Eventually, we will just collapse in our own garbage....
About disturbance of the landscapes by wind turbines, I suggest they looks better than the roadside manufacturing halls or greater factories with high chimneys (although that one looks sometimes spectacularly). Solar batteries doesn’t have to spoiling houses too, they can be excellent designed and they'll be a peculiar decoration of house and neighborhood (example - http://solarcity.com.pk/wp-content/gallery/solar-pannels/solarpanelstationroof.jpg).
If we think about future of this kind of energy, I believe that it will overtakes the conventional power station, cause it’s safer than nuclear or gas plant, lack of pollution comparing to coal power plant and are not wasting a mineral resources. The only problem is the high price and the low technology to be able to using only this kind of energy generating in 100 percent.
Given the fact that traditional fuels aren't renewable I'm sure that people will try to find more alternative sources of energy. And I hope that along with the technology development, we will eventually be able to produce the green energy easily at every corner of the world.
Only to solar panels, they're the only one source that doesn't effect environment and they can be used not only for domestic usage but also in cars.
What do you think are drawbacks of such systems?
Wind and water power plants have some impact on environment like shaping landscapes and people shouldn't live near them ( they're noisy ). Underground heat power plants are unstable. Solar ones require lots of space ( those installed on roofs don't give enough energy ).
Do you think that renewable energy power plants will supersede the conventional ones?
Not in nearest future. Corporations producing energy are too influential in politics in that matter and they don't want to lose profits.
Ofcore is em after renewable energy systems. How long can we exploited our natural resources? Everything have its end even natural resources. How many times did we hear about oil disaster. People will do everything for profit. I would love to live to the time when everything goes ecological. Power plants are great start. Next we should have eco cars and work place.
What do you think are drawbacks of such systems?
"Some people say that wind turbines spoil the landscape (of course, they take up more space than gas and coal power plants)." You can never fullfill everone. Some people always will find a reason to protest. Even those system might take a lot of space they do a lot of good to our natural ecosystem. And we should do everything to make it happen even if it will comes with some disadvantages.
I think main drawback is cost. it's easy if i spend $ 30,000 for this system, but other hand after 15 years and can save only $ 10,000, it's gives us 45 years to go to the threshold of profitability.
Wind turbines are amazing, i love to watch them.
Do you think that renewable energy power plants will supersede the conventional ones?
For some time sure, but now isn't possible.
Cost Of Solar Panels For Home
Solar Las Vegas