Page 46 - The Celestia Project

Celestia Chapter 5: Energy Independence

double the e ciency of most solar panels on the market. For a Space Age Reality. The
city looking for a fast, clean and reliable power source, a heliotopic Ivanpah Solar Power Plant
system may be just the right investment. in San Bernardino County,
Calif., collects sunlight and
Loser: Tidal Power focuses it on tall towers
filled with liquid salt.
Expensive to build and
expensive to maintain, only a As this story goes to press, a new study just hit my desk. Workers
few tidal electrical generators at the A*Star Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
exist, to date. Most are the added tiny, tubular holes to PV panels. These “light holes” allow
“barrage” type that extract much more sunlight to be collected than conventional panels,
power as tides ow in and out greatly increasing the efficiency of a solar panel—without
of inland basins. They’re known increasing its cost.
to put strain on local ecosystems, although newer technologies
might reduce that damage. While some pundits forecast the According to PVBuzz.com, solar is already overtaking nuclear
growth of this industry, it has some of the same problems that power in the U.S. as the renewable energy of choice:“The Renewables
nuclear does—namely, simply building one requires a huge Global Status Report (GSR) states that new installations increased
budget. While not yet “dead in the water,” tidal power will need by 32 percent (39 MW) during 2013, totaling 139 GW of installed
some sharp innovation to keep pace with the rise of solar, if it’s capacity.” Barring a major breakthrough in energy creation, solar
to be considered as a dollar-for-dollar energy alternative. is likely to remain in the ascendant well into our future.

Winner: Geothermal Heating and Cooling A natural progression from wireless charging is to put the actual
energy source closer to the chargers—and photovoltaic technology
About 15 percent of total energy use can be attributed to could be a great way to do this. If PV panels can be built to be
space heating and cooling and water heating for residential durable, replaceable and a ordable, they could actually “become”
and commercial buildings. While the only completely “green” the road.
technology for accomplishing this is solar, it’s often di cult to
achieve high enough temperatures for space heating with solar That’s exactly what a company called Solar Roadways is working
alone. Geothermal, on the other hand, can pre-heat or pre-cool on (http://tinyurl.com/o67ly78). Now into their second prototype,
spaces signi cantly, with very low embodied energy, other than they’re creating a mom and pop version of solar roadways that
manufacture of the initial components. Run it with a solar-powered is clever and cool.
pump and it becomes a net-zero-energy source for heating or
cooling a structure. We’re expecting to see huge growth in demand One of the things I like best about solar road technology is that
for this technology, as awareness about its many bene ts become it could be built with modular components, with power lines and
common knowledge. communications cables underneath or next two it. Consider the
advantages:
Big Winner: Solar Photovoltaic
Phasing-Out Asphalt. Less use of costly, environmentally
Nearly every day, new discoveries are announced. A spray- polluting asphalt (http://tinyurl.com/ohkj7kv), with potential
on coating for windows that turns them into translucent solar for use of recycled composites and plastics.
power panels. A chemical hurdle crossed that makes possible
“paint-on” solar cells. Soon, every building exterior will become Less Demolition. Need new cables or sewer pipe repairs? No
a solar collector. Clothing that collects solar power and keeps problem, just pop o a few solar road panels and go to work.
your personal electronics at full charge. Solar roadways. Solar Pressure on C&D land lls could decrease dramatically.
vehicles. And eventually, all of it will be invisible: molecular level
technology that simply captures both the direct and ambient light Durable Grid. Widespread use of the panels would not only
of the sun (or moon, or street lamp). power cars, but could be tied into existing grids, creating a massive,
resilient new source of power nationwide. GB

THE CELESTIA FORECAST

Although a mix of technologies will continue to power the world’s energy needs, that mix will lean heavily on solar collection by mid-century,
overtaking all but the most nimble competing methods of energy production. At the same time, public consciousness about the real costs of
energy will shift, triggered in part by the shocking impacts of climate change. Calls for change from around the world will finally be heard by
wealthier nations. Solar power, now ubiquitous and inexpensive, will power devices that are not just lightweight, compact and super e cient,
but designed for disassembly and easy repair. Any excess power will be used to restore the ecological damage of the 20th century, cleaning
polluted water, restoring wetlands and powering the robotic crews that will rebuild cities and homes into hip, e cient shelter for a new century.