http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/02/rubber-from-the-sun-and-power-too/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:37 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/02/rubber-from-the-sun-and-power-too/comment-page-1/#comment-1064204 Jerry Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:01:08 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6511#comment-1064204 What's fascinating is that, in 1932, one could write in a sober, matter-of-fact way about the future exhaustion of coal and oil reserves and the need to develop renewable energy sources. Today, these topics are controversial and politicized, and many people try to pretend that the limitations of fossil fuels is some kind of plot invented by evil commie environmentalists. (Cf. the "drill, baby, drill" slogans of the McCain campaign.) What’s fascinating is that, in 1932, one could write in a sober, matter-of-fact way about the future exhaustion of coal and oil reserves and the need to develop renewable energy sources. Today, these topics are controversial and politicized, and many people try to pretend that the limitations of fossil fuels is some kind of plot invented by evil commie environmentalists. (Cf. the “drill, baby, drill” slogans of the McCain campaign.)

]]> http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/02/rubber-from-the-sun-and-power-too/comment-page-1/#comment-1064198 George Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:06:17 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6511#comment-1064198 They're working on all the things you mention, Scott. The problem is even at very high efficiencies, cars just aren't big enough to capture enough solar energy to run them in a practical way. They’re working on all the things you mention, Scott. The problem is even at very high efficiencies, cars just aren’t big enough to capture enough solar energy to run them in a practical way.

]]> http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/02/rubber-from-the-sun-and-power-too/comment-page-1/#comment-1064197 Toronto Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:06:06 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6511#comment-1064197 SuperCaps in car-sized packages *are* being developed. Liquified salts had the spotlight in the late seventies. And then there's always "reverse hydro" (pumping water uphill into reservoirs or tanks for later release), water separation by electrolysis, and so on. Flywheels, clock springs, and other Acme products show up from time to time. SuperCaps in car-sized packages *are* being developed. Liquified salts had the spotlight in the late seventies. And then there’s always “reverse hydro” (pumping water uphill into reservoirs or tanks for later release), water separation by electrolysis, and so on. Flywheels, clock springs, and other Acme products show up from time to time.

]]> http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/02/rubber-from-the-sun-and-power-too/comment-page-1/#comment-1064190 Scott Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:49:26 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6511#comment-1064190 I'm an illustrator, not a scientist or engineer, but I've always been fascinated by this simple technology -- concentrated sunlight -- and thought it had great potential as a clean energy source. Here's my question: why aren't we developing high-tech capacitors to store energy for intermittent sources of power like this? Are there other practical ways to store it (besides the obvious batteries)? Flywheels? Some substance that absorbs and retains heat really well? Like I say, I just scribble for a living, so go easy on me! :-) I’m an illustrator, not a scientist or engineer, but I’ve always been fascinated by this simple technology — concentrated sunlight — and thought it had great potential as a clean energy source. Here’s my question: why aren’t we developing high-tech capacitors to store energy for intermittent sources of power like this? Are there other practical ways to store it (besides the obvious batteries)? Flywheels? Some substance that absorbs and retains heat really well? Like I say, I just scribble for a living, so go easy on me!

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