cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/25441188
If God had wanted us to have nearly unlimited clean energy, He would have placed a fusion reactor into the sky.
cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/25441188
If God had wanted us to have nearly unlimited clean energy, He would have placed a fusion reactor into the sky.
First, that’s funny, cause fusion is the energy of the sun.
But secondly: Solar takes a LOT of real estate and materials up. Along with the batteries for storage. Then to completely be able to rely on solar, you’d have to have many more panels and battery storage than just enough for a couple days worth of power. Clouds and storms and snow and whatnot.
It would take around 15,000 acres worth of solar panels to create the same amount of power as a fusion reactor plant on 50 acres.
And the plant can do it 24\7
But like, the massively higher land use isn’t inherently a problem. For example, if we covered only the land the US currently uses to grow inedible corn for ethanol production in solar & batteries, we would produce enough to power the entire US, Canada, and Mexico 24/7/365, plus a good amount extra. Plus, by employing agrovoltaics, you could still farm actually useful crops underneath them, meaning the land use of the panels becomes in practice a fraction of the area they cover.
See also:
Sources:
I’m not anti solar, dude. I HAVE solar. Solar is a great thing. I just don’t believe it is the end all be all of power creation. I think fusion should be better. Smaller footprint. Safe, short term radioactive waste left, no battery storage needed, creates power 24 hours a day instead of 10 hours if it’s sunny. Honestly, it’s kind of a no brainer. Especially for urban areas\densely packed cities.
https://feddit.uk/comment/23080090