How good is alternate energy?

[random]

re: Making hydrogen (and oxygen) from water and surplus electricity,
yes BUT it requires MORE energy to break down H2O into H and O than you can get from using the H and O....

one of those nasty Physics laws.....

Second Law of Thermodynamics: "You can't break even"

That's a drawback of ANY form of unstable energy generation: in order to keep the supply stable, you need to generate more than is needed whenever possible, and store it - and in ALL cases, you will never get back as much as you put in. The only differences between various storage media is how much you can get back, and how long you can store it.

 

[BruceP]

The last time I checked by definition a gas (methane) fills the container that it is enclosed in.

I believe, when measuring how much volume a gas consumes.... it is COMPRESSED INTO LIQUID STATE. (at which point, it no longer compresses)

For example, propane is also known as LPG (Liquid Propane Gas).

 

[BigG]

I believe, when measuring how much volume a gas consumes.... it is COMPRESSED INTO LIQUID STATE. (at which point, it no longer compresses)

For example, propane is also known as LPG (Liquid Propane Gas).

I do not think a cow would produce the 300 liters or 80 gallons of methane per day. A cow only consumes 30 to 50 gallons of water per day plus 25 pounds of food how would it produce 80 gallons times 3.88 pounds per gallon of methane equals 310 pounds of methane per day.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Here is a think outside the box idea. Makes good sense to me.

Why Covering Canals With Solar Panels Is a Power Move

Covering waterways would, in a sense, make solar panels water-cooled, boosting their efficiency.

www.wired.com

 

[Oliver]

re: Making hydrogen (and oxygen) from water and surplus electricity,
yes BUT it requires MORE energy to break down H2O into H and O than you can get from using the H and O....

one of those nasty Physics laws.....

Of course it does but it's storage. Consider they're using surplus electricity that there's no use for, waste electricity. Only rather than waste it, it is utilized to make hydrogen which can be stored to be used to make electricity when the wind isn't blowing or sun shining.

 

[skeets]

(Pumping water uphill INTO a hydroelectric dam has been done for years)
Ram pumps. Archimedes screw, also works flowing down to make electrical power, Water wheel piston pumps, there are a more but you get the idea. All they need is flowing water to make them work. They have been used for hundreds of years. Making hydrogen requires beaucoup more energy than it produces.
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.

 

[D2Cat]

Have you seen the heat pumps that put heat into the house when it's -24F outside?

One I saw was made my Mr Cool, and was installed in Fargo ND with no backup heat. Pretty amazing what is being developed.

 

[skeets]

I wonder what the power usage was, and the cost of the unit

 

[Tughill Tom]

I wonder what the power usage was, and the cost of the unit

I'm going to install a 18,000 BTU mini-split HP later this year and it will work down to -15F. Only runs off a 20Amp 220V breaker.

 

[D2Cat]

I wonder what the power usage was, and the cost of the unit

He has all the info in the video. Power cost, usage, etc.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: Consider they're using surplus electricity that there's no use for,

'surplus' electricity don't exist in Ontario.....,got a &^^$$%^ high bill to prove that, I even get charged for the 'power loss' in getting electrons to me !

 

[BruceP]

It is well-known that electric heat is 99.99% efficient. (all the power is converted into heat) however, the cost of electricity is very high so it is not cost-effective to convert electricity into heat.

HOWEVER: A "heat pump" is a GREAT way to conserve electricity. This is because the electricity is used to MOVE the heat... not converted into heat.

Modern heat-pumps use variable-speed (DC Brushless) compressors and fans so minimal electricity is used move the heat. This same technology is used in modern refrigeration/freezers. A lot of computer power is needed to manage all of this.... and the cost of powerful computer-chips has become dirt-cheep in the past 10 years.

 

[DNDN]

Of course, alternative energy is better than traditional energy, because it is less harmful to humans and nature. The main source of energy is coal, but it is a relic of the past. My grandfather worked in a coal mine for 20 years and ruined his health. And there are thousands of people like that who have suffered for the common good. Isn't it better to use energy from the sun or water, for example? Especially now there are a bunch of companies like this https://www.simplyswitch.com/energy/suppliers/bulb-energy/. They directly sell you electricity and gas that has been extracted from alternative sources. We should all take care of our health and the health of our nature.

 

[lynnmor]

Of course, alternative energy is better than traditional energy, because it is less harmful to humans and nature.

You are painting with a very broad brush.

 

[Jchonline]

You are painting with a very broad brush.

I agree. Lets be much more specific because there really are a bunch of dirty parts of wind and solar energy production.

 

[Orange man hero]

The net saving and efficiencies from alternative energy is very low at this point. And as for global warming, the same people lie about everything, ie. race -sex- etc. So who in their right mind would believe them on GW.

 

[jimh406]

Well, not everyone is in their right mind. All of those heavy metals and chemicals used for production are great for everyone, and who cares if we lose birds to wind turbines.

I think most of know the reason that “green” energy is called “green” is that they give “green” to the politicians that support their companies, so the companies make more “green”.

Of course, we could just ask all those Texans that lost wind power how much they like it.

 

[BigG]

Of course, alternative energy is better than traditional energy, because it is less harmful to humans and nature.

Do you have any proof of this? All forms of energy come at a cost and yet there is no hard line as to what is good energy or bad energy. Solar farms waste good farm land are ugly and limited in power, wind farms are just not feasible in many locations. Enviromentalist do not like hydro electric. Nuclear energy has its own set of problems with production and waste disposal.

Every one on the green side wants to condemn fossil fuels. They better take a look at all the things that come from fossil fuels. How many will give up their a/c and heated home? All that lithium for the batteries is not without its own problems How about the fresh produce found in the supermarket? For the heck of it how many will give up the super market all together. Amazon might say they are going to electric trucks to save the plant but wouldn't the earth be better off if Amazon just stop selling unneeded products? Shut the lights off in the cities.

This is a very complex problem that is not solve by the PC statements that fossil fuels are bad and we must stop using them. Most people enjoy the standard of life that the fossil fuels allow us to enjoy. Giving them up will give a very different standard of life that we will not enjoy.

 

[ddavis83864]

I

Ethanol has the same problem. When you calculate all the energy used to grow a bushel of corn (diesel, fertilizer, electricity, etc) plus the electricity and natural gas required to distill the alcohol and blend it with gasoline, it really is a taxpayer and environmental boondoggle.

I don't disagree with the premise that ethanol is a loss leader but the tax payer funded subsidies ended in 2011. The ethanol industry no longer receives any incentives.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...After fighting to keep the,at the end of 2011.

 

[Orange man hero]

People in general have little comprehension of saving any energy. How many farm, city and suburb lights do I see burning all day every day for no good reason. In rural areas millions of useless stop sign stops are made every day when there are no cars of trucks around. Truckers know that it takes a lot more energy to get a vehicle going forward again after a stop compared to a slow roll. I slow roll thru most rural stop signs.