Re: Solar power

["Richard W. Tarara" <rtarara@saintmarys.edu>]

-----Original Message-----
From: LUDWIK KOWALSKI <KOWALSKIL@alpha.montclair.edu>


> A message on wind energy (from another list) is posted below. Does anybody
> have a clear idea why progress in that area of technology, and in attempts
> of using other forms of solar energy, is so slow. Such sources of power
> are highly desirable in view of global warming.
>                                                       Ludwik Kowalski
> **************************************************************************
A number of quick points come to mind, but perhaps the most important are:

The sun 'don't' shine at night.
Occasionally the wind dies.

This makes both technologies supplemental rather than sustaining for a power
system.  As a consequence, a Utility must maintain either a dual system
(coal/oil/gas/hydro/nuclear and wind/solar) or build expensive storage
systems (pumped storage). It is should also be noted that the entire world
installed wind capacity amounts to only a small fraction of 1% of the world
energy demand (had the number at one time, .04% I think), so you can get
some feeling for the task of changing over any appreciable amount of the
current fossil fueled energy system with these 'cleaner' technologies.

Many other factors--cost, true environmental cost when production of
photovoltaic materials are considered (or solar energy redistribution for
extremely large solar projects).  Energy density is the chief problem for
both wind and solar and therefore you must use vast amounts of land to
sustain systems that can afford even small percentages of current energy
demand (wind turns out to be worse than solar although you can have dual
usage of the land on which the wind generators sit).

In the U.S., research has slowed due to lack of official support (projects
started back with the 'Energy-Crisis' and Jimmy Carter have largely been
dismantled--especially wind projects).  The tax breaks that spurred the
California wind-fields have expired so interest (and profitability) have
waned.

As long as the Arabs are willing to pump oil at current rates and sell at
current prices there is little incentive outside the 'green' movements to
push for other energy sources.

Search the Web, many sites on this kind of thing or read the Sci.Energy
public newsgroup where you'll see a variety of opinions spanning the
political spectrum and with reasonably good references (at times) to support
the conflicting viewpoints.

Rick