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Some interesting facts: Whenever it is a clear day and the
sun is overhead there is an average of 1000 Watts of energy that reach the surface of the earth for every square meter
of surface area. This means that if we can convert all this radiant energy we would be able to run a one and a quarter
horsepower motor on each and every square meter ( 1 meter = 1.196 yard). Think of it... you could have your yard full of junk
electric motors! :-) In reality, what this means is if we can convert this power economically we can
power up all of our homes hundreds of thousands of times over... We would be able to power all our transportation
systems... We would be able to supply energy for every facet of life support -- ALL without pollution, environmental
degradation or radiation hazards. If you have doubts about the potential of solar power check out the thermoelectric
power plant at Kramer Junction, California ( http://www.eere.energy.gov/solar/csp.html)
The above thermosolar electric generation system produces 354 megawatts total power.
Heat is stored in buried hot oil tanks to enable 24/7 energy production! There is no reason that this technology cannot be
developed for smaller site specific applications for residential and business heating, air conditioning AND electric power
generation. There is no reason that this power cannot supply compressed air for transportation ( http://www.theaircar.com); to charge batteries in electric vehicles; to produce hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles or for zero emissions hydrogen powered
internal combustion engines.
No machine has yet been invented that will convert 100% of its energy input. However,
we have made great strides and we can convert solar energy to electricity with 30 to 50% and higher efficiency using
solar thermal technologies which utilize the infrared (heat) portion of the solar spectrum. We can, 'today' mass produce
solar panels which use the 'light' portions of the solar spectrum with up to 17% efficiencies and this technology is becoming
mainstream. We are producing "millions of panels yearly" with an average of 14% efficiency. While conversion efficiency
is important, the most important aspect of renewable energy production is the 'COST per Watt' or the 'cost of the KiloWatt
hour' (1 KiloWatt of electricity production for 1 hour) of electricity; and the 'cost' of the British
Thermal Unit (the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit -- heat).
Just how much energy is 1000 Watts per meter squared? What is the practical limitation
of the technology? Simple mathematics will prove that with today's mass produced PV panels (14 % efficiency), if we utilize
1/2 of 1% of the land (.5% or .005 X available land area) we can produce an average of 4000 times the total energy that all
the electric utilities together can produce. If this is true why are we not employing this technology to solve our
power and transportation problems??? Truly, the earth's available solar energy is phenomenal!!! This does
not count wind energy, geothermal, hydrogen fuel cells, etc. It is VERY important however, when estimating sustainable
energy resources, that we thoroughly examine the cumulative detrimental gaseous and other negative byproducts resulting
from new technological implementation. Many sustainable technologies are very clean while others emit greenhouse and
other gases. Solar and wind are among the cleanest. Geothermal is very clean. Fuel cells can be very clean if only hydrogen
is used as the base fuel. If propane, natural gas or gasoline is used in fuel cells, carbon dioxide is emitted. Biofuels can
burn much cleaner than fossil fuels and they are renewable inasmuch as bio-diesel and other fuels can be made from corn, flax
seed and other organic produce. However, most combustible fuels emit carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, in varying percentages.
Very importantly, why are we not intensively employing research and development
efforts and funding for developing and improving mass production for photovoltaic energy and other clean renewable technologies?
Fortunately, private industry and the Department of Energy 'are' working to do something about it. And, there is a limited
amount of funding that is being supplied by the agency to assist in the development of renewable sources of energy. Much
of the progress that has been made for solar and renewable technologies from the beginning of history to date, has been
made by individual entrupreneurs. And, over the last 30 years (the last 10 in particular) much research and development has
been funded by European countries, China, and Australia. Domestic and foreign corporations and private investment are
becoming increasingly involved -- with an 'increasing awareness' of renewable energy's potential capacity and
an awareness of upcoming profitability. An amazing number of new technologies that will make possible large scale
mass production of solar panels and wind energy machines to charge batteries, air powered machines and to
supply hydrogen. Gearing up production facilities for complex manufacturing technologies is not an easy achievement. It likely
will take 15 to 20 years before 'world supply' catches up to 'world demand,' but this time could be greatly
shortened with proper priority, emphasis and funding. It is truly an opportunity for all countries, the United States
included. (Or should we just let Europe and the rest of the world recognize this opportunity and leave us in the dust?)
Since man is determined to expand to outer space, how much solar energy is there
available from one square meter of manufactured surface area in space at 93,000,000 miles from the sun? In
one square mile? In ten square miles? In 100 square miles? And, how much solar energy is available along the
entire length of earth's orbital path 24/7? How much solar energy is available in space at our distance from the sun if
earth's orbit were transformed into a globular grid of longitute and latitude lines? The answers to the above questions
are 'indeed astronomical' and beyond narcistic human comprehension. Perhaps this is the reason we fail to seek the answer.
There are other additional renewable and clean energy sources available. Among them are geothermal, ocean
currents, ocean wave and tidal energy. There is confusion about these, but they are separate energy sources. Geothermal energy
is available in several forms. The most commonly accepted definition is the energy available from volcanic heat or heat from
the core of the earth. Another form of geothermal energy is solar geothermal energy. This is the residual energy stored in
the soil, rocks and water that remains from spring, summer and fall sunshine. The earth itself becomes an energy storage medium,
and this energy can and IS extracted to create hot water and heat for homes, business and industry. It does require some energy
to extract it, therefore it is not usually a 'bonus' energy like hydroelectricity or solar where it is only necessary to intercept
and utilize this energy. However, one of the often overlooked forms of earths renewable energy is 'tidal' power. It does not
depend upon solar resources, it does not depend upon wind or wave action (which is intermittent) and it does not depend upon
ocean currents. Therefore, in a time when earths weather may become hot or cold and disrupt the ocean currents and other forces,
it is a reliable energy source. Tidal energy is a result of the gravitation forces of the sun and the moon, and it can be
put into play by placing turbines in the tidal currents. It has been proven to be very effective and since water has a density
of about 1,000 times that of air, it can generate 1,000 times more power per square meter of intercepted media (water in this
case). For more information on this phenomenal source go to: http:// www.bluenergy.com .
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