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The link in the OP misses a couple fundimental probems with solar power. First, the sun doesn't shine all the time! Solar is only practical as a suplimental source for established baseline power, unless energy storage on a massive scale can be implemented.
Electric Energy storage on a massive is a mature technology developed nearly 100 years ago. It is called Hydroelectric Pumped Storage and capable of storing and releasing gigawatt hours of energy on a daily basis.
The link in the OP misses a couple fundimental probems with solar power. First, the sun doesn't shine all the time! Solar is only practical as a suplimental source for established baseline power, unless energy storage on a massive scale can be implemented.
again, the futurist is not interested in the problems. his point is, given the rate of technological advancement, all problems will be solved on a timeline based on the fact that we double technological capability every 2 years.
Electric Energy storage on a massive is a mature technology developed nearly 100 years ago. It is called Hydroelectric Pumped Storage and capable of storing and releasing gigawatt hours of energy on a daily basis.
Look it up on Wiki.
You are correct, but are ignoring the basics. Hydro pumped storage, requires what to operate? Water, and lots of it, and geography that provides an elevation change for water flow. And to operate effectively, solar energy requires lots of sunny days. Hence, they are typically located in deserts. Now, just what is in short supply in desert areas?
In addition, hydro pumped storage requires duplicate pumping and generating systems, above the high cost of solar panels in the first place. To really evaluate the costs of solar, you need to include these costs.
Hydro pumped storage is not uncommon in areas where hydro power is used. It allows the existing turbine system to be used for power generation, thereby eliminating much of the duplication of costs requierd with such a system with solar. For example, the Robert Moses system near Niagara Falls has used such a system for around 50 years, so that water flow over the falls during daylight hours was not as negatively impacted.
Are there any existing solar generating systems that use hydro pumped storage as a storage system? I am not aware of any.
The link in the OP misses a couple fundimental probems with solar power. First, the sun doesn't shine all the time! Solar is only practical as a suplimental source for established baseline power, unless energy storage on a massive scale can be implemented.
Actually in conjunction with advances in solar energy technology there are also significant advances being make in electrical energy storage technology. The advances in electrical energy storage technology should not only address the issue of "The sun doesn't shine all the time" but a fundamental problem wiith the production of electrical energy no matter what the source. Basically electrical energy that doesn't get consumed at the time of production basically gets wasted.
....at some point it will but I've heard predictions for cheap solar before. I read an article promising $1 panels just around the corner.... 3 years ago.
Go back even further. This is the exact same pipe dream the Global Cooling fanatics were spewing during the 1970s, even while the industry was receiving massive taxpayer subsidies.
Solar power will never be a viable alternative in Alaska, even if it were free. The only time we really need the power to heat our homes is when there is no sunlight.
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