Solar, Wind, and Wave power are all solar power, just at 0, 1, and 2 degrees of distance. Winds are created by differential heating and waves (not tides) are produced by the wind.
There is less than 100% conversion at each transition but there can be a benefit from concentrating the energy into an easier to harvest form/location, and by time shifting (still have wind and waves at night). But ultimately I think it makes sense to look as low on the "food chain" as possible.
On average the solar power density is something like 1350 watts per square meter, or ~5 million horsepower per square mile. For most single family homes we could cover our energy needs using our existing roof footprint if we could convert that power cost efficiently. Now, that's less effective as we move from the equator to the poles as the angle of the sun falls, but it's still plenty of energy to cover a significant portion of the load, and the generating capacity maximizes during the summer when the demand is also higher.
One of my ongoing rants is hearing people talk about energy shortage. There is absolutely no energy shortage period, end of story. There may be a technology shortage for harvesting and using that energy but we can fix that. Lets dump the pessimistic approach and have a bit more can-do!
There is less than 100% conversion at each transition but there can be a benefit from concentrating the energy into an easier to harvest form/location, and by time shifting (still have wind and waves at night). But ultimately I think it makes sense to look as low on the "food chain" as possible.
On average the solar power density is something like 1350 watts per square meter, or ~5 million horsepower per square mile. For most single family homes we could cover our energy needs using our existing roof footprint if we could convert that power cost efficiently. Now, that's less effective as we move from the equator to the poles as the angle of the sun falls, but it's still plenty of energy to cover a significant portion of the load, and the generating capacity maximizes during the summer when the demand is also higher.
One of my ongoing rants is hearing people talk about energy shortage. There is absolutely no energy shortage period, end of story. There may be a technology shortage for harvesting and using that energy but we can fix that. Lets dump the pessimistic approach and have a bit more can-do!
Comment