OT - Oil, renewable/recoverable energy strategies
Yes, the big problem with hybrid cars, is the battery. In particular, the fact that batteries don't work when they get cold. It gets cold, for much of the year, over most of the U.S. This problem, from my limited knowledge, is at least 10 years away from being solved. When they develop a battery that will power my SUV, after it's been parked outside at 20 below all night, then I'll buy one.
As far as storing energy (fixed location), this problem has been faced, and solved already. Here's how it's done: build two dams on a river, close together but at different heights. When you need energy, let water run through the turbines to the lower reservoir. When you have excess energy, run the turbines backward, and pump water uphill. This is already being done with excess energy from nuclear power plants during low-use times (nukes are most efficient if run at full capacity all the time). 95% efficiency of energy conversion. Store the energy in the higher water, indefinitely.
And you can use electricity to produce hydrocarbons, for a mobile fuel source.
The main problem with this, is convincing people that dams are a good thing. Personally, I think they are a lot prettier than wind turbines. |
