Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Actually I think the ultimate energy solution is the simplest.
Use solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Collect the hydrogen. Release the oxygen into the atmosphere. Burn the hydrogen to generate electrical power. In doing so the hydrogen recombines with oxygen to produce only one "waste" material... water.
Repeat.
It's God's perfect energy cycle.
The problem is with storing and transporting hydrogen, which is extremely explosive and such a small atom that it easily escapes. It also tends to cause typical piping to become brittle.
Hydrocarbons are hydrogen bonded with carbon. The carbon gives the hydrogen substance and makes it easier to store and transport. But when burned the carbon is released, producing damaging pollutants like smoke, smog and... AOC.
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Yes, the devil is in the details.
Instead of using solar to make hydrogen gas you can also use solar to make hydrocarbons (algae). This is fully renewable and we have a complete infrastructure in place to use this fuel. Although we can go a very long way with electricity, perhaps 90% of our needs, we will still need jet fuel and other portable fuel sources.
But here is the interesting thing -- Fusion creates the same radiation that we call sunlight. It needs to be filtered, but one by product of a fusion plant could be the radiation that algae use to make hydrocarbons.