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In reply to the discussion: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities [View all]green for victory
(591 posts)93. There are various ways of storing heat
Storing electricity is a different problem. We can do it, we went to the moon in 10 years. I think we can do a better job. Our money and scientists have different priorities.
Here's an 18 year old tech solution for heat storage that was applauded by Bill Richardson, ex Energy sec:
In 1995 Solar One was converted into Solar Two, by adding a second ring of 108 larger 95 m² (1,000 ft²) heliostats around the existing Solar One, totaling 1926 heliostats with a total area of 82,750 m² (891,000 ft²). This gave Solar Two the ability to produce 10 megawattsenough to power an estimated 7,500 homes.[1]
Solar Two used molten salt, a combination of 60% sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate, as an energy storage medium instead of oil or water as with Solar One. This helped in energy storage during brief interruptions in sunlight due to clouds.[1] The molten salt also allowed the energy to be stored in large tanks for future use such as night timeSolar Two had sufficient capacity to continue running for up to three hours after the sun had set.
Solar Two was decommissioned in 1999, and was converted by the University of California, Davis, into an Air Cherenkov Telescope in 2001...Solar Two's 3 primary participants were Southern California Edison (SCE), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)."We're proud of Solar Two's success as it marks a significant milestone in the development of large-scale solar energy projects," said then U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson.
"This technology has been successfully demonstrated and is ready for commercialization. From 1994 to 1999, the Solar Two project demonstrated the ability of solar molten salt technology to provide long-term, cost effective thermal energy storage for electricity generation.", Boeing
On November 25, 2009, after 10 years of not producing any energy, the Solar Two tower was demolished[1] The mothballed site was levelled and returned to vacant land by Southern California Edison. All heliostats and other hardware were removed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Solar_Project
That is 18 year old tech. Imagine if a fraction of the cost of the bogus wars was spent on perfecting this heat storage.
What if a trillion dollars was spent on battery technology? Do you think there would be better batteries and perhaps ways of storing the output from PV farms?
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Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities [View all]
green for victory
Apr 2013
OP
Yeah, I was suddenly overcome by a wave of depression on reading that.
Jackpine Radical
Apr 2013
#52
As a brand new investor in 24 solar panels on our roof , selling sunshine back to SCE..
pkdu
Apr 2013
#82
They will be responsible for their own demise if they ignore solar energy.
LiberalFighter
Apr 2013
#4
About the first thing Raygun did upon occupying the WH was to remove Carter's solar panels on the
byeya
Apr 2013
#7
Exactly... I find it odd that if they think solar will win, why aren't they investing in it?
octothorpe
Apr 2013
#48
All of the major energy companies are controlled by a common financial royalty.
AdHocSolver
Apr 2013
#58
Thanks for sharing this information. I wish someone would do a graphic to make it easy to share.
BrotherIvan
Apr 2013
#68
imagine the power of a Wiki-Solar project- everyone that wants contributes
green for victory
Apr 2013
#19
If photovoltaics are feasible in Germany it is feasible in most of the U.S.
yellowcanine
Apr 2013
#12
I guess we should prepare for the rise of the mandated solar insurance industry, then.
bluedigger
Apr 2013
#18
There's plenty of solar companies (especially here in So. Cal.) that will do it for no money down.
SunSeeker
Apr 2013
#42
I am not surprised but happy to note the Democrats has been in the right side of alternative
Thinkingabout
Apr 2013
#34
I don't remember where I got this link. This link might have a bearing on this question.
RickFromMN
Apr 2013
#102
Strictly speaking the demand curve is reflects whatever load is placed on the grid
wtmusic
Apr 2013
#113
I really really don't want to see the utility companies owning "solar rights".
djean111
Apr 2013
#45
Ah, got it. Another westerner here, I know exactly what you're saying.
Egalitarian Thug
Apr 2013
#59
Germany has managed to figure it out. If we can't, maybe we could hire a few Germans
green for victory
Apr 2013
#95