Renewable Energy Paradigm Shift

I was having a discourse with a fellow about renewable energy, when we landed on the topic of efficiencies. He held the belief that the efficiency of the power-generation scheme wasn't as important as the cost. In his mind that was the barrier to universal adoption.

It is generally held that solar photo-voltaic solar systems are only about 11% efficient. That means that they can only convert 11% of the solar exposure they receive to electricity. The rest goes untapped.

But what of other systems ? Wind systems are more efficient, at around

18%. It is due to the fact that it takes a fair amount of energy to start the turbine to spin. That is to say a lot of potential energy is wasted as it goes past the turbine, without enough force to actually turn it.

Much more efficient is the hydro-generation plant. Using nearly identical technology as the wind-turbine, it is at least three times more efficient ! This is because water is much denser than air. So less water has to pass through the turbine to get it to spin with the same force.

But at the end of the day, the system is only useful if we don't squander the energy we are learning to harness. In this particular discourse, my colleague and I drifted into talking about changing the paradigms of renewable energy.


To wit:
1) generate energy from renewable sources - no more dependence on dwindling resources
2) end the dependence on the rigid grid - no more huge power plants & transmission systems that can't handle fluctuating power-generation schemes like solar or wind
3) have each building be responsible for their own energy needs; this is the corollary to #2
4) change building practices to focus on "zero-energy" buildings
5) take advantage of every technology where appropriate & provide government-led incentives (taxes, etc.)
6) waste nothing - everything needs to be used purposefully & converted into something else that useful
7) take a "do no harm" attitude.


The paradigms need to be re-examined from the creation of power; the
effects on the environment of creating that power; the conservation of that power. Unless we, as a society, can accomplish these tasks, we will never be able kick the fossil-fuels dependency.


The opinions expressed in this post are purely those of the author. Opinions are like noses; everyone has one and they are entitled to it !