Futurists Explore Alternative Energy

Posted by Dave Klecha - Greenedia Editor on March 4, 2008 at 10:40:43 PM

What are the prospects for solar being the catch-all solution to our energy problems?

Most environmentalists will say that it cannot, and then go on to list the array of "belt-tightening" solutions that need to be addressed. They and other naysayers will point to the low efficiency of solar panels, or the manufacturing expense, or what-have-you. Usually an improvement in technology is not factored in, but that's because they tend to be taking the wise and conservative position of doing what we can with what we have, not hoping for a breakthrough that may never come.

Ray Kurzweil, noted futurist, doesn't quite see it that way, and neither does the panel he sat on at the request of the National Association of Engineers. With a series of strong predictions under his belt, and a penchant for seeing dramatic changes down the line for humanity, Kurzweil provided a no less bold prediction by suggesting that solar will be supplying all of Earth's energy in 20 years.

One of the reasons they cite is the diversification in the solar market currently underway. Instead of just the traditional photovoltaic panels, installed in static racks to catch what sun they happen to be pointed at, the latest generation of solar uses sun-following computers, concentrators that use just a fraction of a typical photovoltaic cell to generate power, and innovative ways to use the heat from a solar concentrator to generate electricity.

The other reason seems to be that technological advance simply continues to accelerate. In a concept that Kurzweil calls the Singularity, technological advance accelerates constantly, and the time it takes for a new technology to reach 80% of the population decreases with every cycle of innovation. Mobile phones, for instance, have reached a staturation level in less than 20 years what it took Alexander Graham Bell's telephone a century to achieve.

If Kurzweil is right, and there's no reason to think he might not be at this point, the energy situation could rapidly become a question of the past, in the same way that instant, round-the-world communication has become a given. If solar is competitive with coal in five years, the possibilities indeed become limitless.

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i think we should just

i think we should just appreciate whatever measures the world can try to use to contribute to clean energy sources
greenearth-andreblogger.blogspot.com

Submitted by andrew on Sat, 2008-05-10 23:02.

Clobal warming is now a

Clobal warming is now a world massive issue,i think that the entire human race is eagerly waiting to use any technology as long as it provides a solution of control to global warming.There is a need there fore to constantly invest in new technologies for newer clean energy sources and then empower the people to use them.Its important to note however that its not as easy as it sounds "to have solar being the catch-all solution to our energy problems"and neglecting other energy sources whose total potential has not yet been discovered
http://greenearth-andreblogger.blogspot.com/

Submitted by andrew on Thu, 2008-05-15 01:47.

Hi, this is great stuff. I

Hi, this is great stuff. I work for a new site, www.crushedplanet.com, that has an environmental channel. If folks know videos about solar or other compelling "climate" videos, check out our site and consider submitting, http://www.crushedplanet.com/channel/enviromaniacs

A funny green video is at http://youtube.com/watch?v=CxnqUszvaeA.

thanks.

Submitted by Lewis on Fri, 2008-05-23 12:09.

Increasing of temperature in

Increasing of temperature in the earth is known as global warming. Global warming mainly is caused by the human. Greenhouse gases also a cause of the global warming is known as green house effect.
=====================

susan

California DUI

Submitted by susanhenry03 on Mon, 2008-09-15 22:17.

The problem is now is that

The problem is now is that there is to much talk and little walk... I decided to put solar P. in my Miami home..but the cost of it plus the insurance increase made imposible. I am so sad tha the government wont give incentives. All I really do among be energy efficient is I give trees as gifts I guess the neutralizes some of my carbon footprint. by the way there are many sites to buy trees as gifts; from the http://www.arborday.org to the one I use http://www.treesinstead.com

Submitted by pgml on Fri, 2008-09-26 05:09.

Solar thermal is a game

Solar thermal is a game changer for solar power. The ability to store energy as heat makes it a reliable steady output provider that can replace base load coal power. Day and night power, no fading when clouds pass over.

It's at least 20 times cheaper to store heat as to store electricity. Solar thermal with heat storage is inespensive, with prices expected to be as low as 5-8 cents/kWh once it gets up to economy of scale. Air or water cooling will work, although water cooled plants are a little more efficient. Water cooled plants can simultaneously desalinize sea water or brackish water. That could be a godsend for some third world countries as well as some developed countries.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/04/14/solar_electric_thermal/index.html

http://climateprogress.org/2008/04/14/concentrated-solar-thermal-power-a-core-climate-solution/

Submitted by frflyer on Sun, 2008-12-07 22:06.

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