9 crazy ideas that just might be the future of green energy
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Transcript of 9 crazy ideas that just might be the future of green energy
9 Crazy Ideas That Just Might Be the Future of Green Energy
Graphic design by Sam Cornett
Solar RoadwaysIf solar panels were installed on all 31,250 miles of roads and
parking lots in the U.S. the country could generate three times more energy then it uses each year.
Graphic design by Sam Cornett
Piezoelectricity from Walking
Each step we take generates kinetic energy. One footstep
can generate enough power to light two 60-watt bulbs for one second. Harvesting this
power by installing piezoelectric flooring could light areas with a lot of foot
traffic. Photo credit: Flickr/Giuseppe Milo
Piezoelectricity from Rainfall
Just like each step we take generates kinetic energy, so do rain drops. By installing
sensor pads on a rooftop we could collect this energy when
the sun isn’t shining.
Photo credit: Flickr/Kevin Dooley
Burning SeawaterOcean water can be burned when applied with high intensity
radio waves. The waves break apart the water into its chemical components, which can be burned.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Lockheed Martin is designing a system in China that uses
the temperature differential in tropical areas to generate
electricity. Ammonia passes through a heat exchanger
containing the warm water and is vaporized and used to
turn a turbine. It’s then cycled past cold water to
recondense.
Tidal Power
Tidal power is a form of hydro power than converts the energy from ocean tides into electricity.
Photo credit: Flickr/Ctd 2005
Underwater Tide-driven Turbine Farm
Turbines can be used above the ocean and driven by the wind. However, turbines can
also be placed underwater and driven by tidal currents.
The energy unit of Alstom, which General Electric is trying
to acquire, is developing technology for tidal energy. Photo credit: Flickr/phault
Thorium
The U.S. government tested thorium based nuclear power in the 1960s but shut down its
research in 1973. Thorium-based nuclear power has
several advantages over nuclear power including a reduction in
nuclear waste and reduced worries of a meltdown.
Image courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Recycled Nuclear Waste
General Electric and Hitachi created the ARC, which is the Advanced Recycling Center for nuclear waste. The plant would consume 96% of the used nuclear
fuel waste by volume to generate electricity.
Source: GE Hitachi
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