So cool — er, hot!
Sunrgi’s ‘extreme’ solar concentrators to match grid power
It has built a prototype device that magnifyies light 1,600 times onto expensive germanium solar cells. It intends to produce the devices in 12 to 15 months, capable of generating electricity at 5 cents a kilowatt hour–competitive with coal-fired power plants..
By focusing light onto high-end cells, they can get convert 37 percent of sunlight to electricity–substantially higher than the 15 to 20 percent range for typical silicon solar panels. Concentration also allows manufacturers to use less material for cells, which is a large portion of a system’s cost.
The company, founded by Silicon Valley veterans, intends to sell its systems to businesses and then utilities building solar power plants to meet peak power demands. The technology can be applied to residential homes as well.
In the article, they mention that it can generate temperatures over 3,000 degrees, so they use a cooling mechanism to dissipate heat down to a reasonable temperature. I can’t help but think, shouldn’t that heat be transferred to a steam generator instead? I mean, why dissipate useful energy before it has done work?
I’m serious, by the time I can afford and locate a house to live in, I think a reasonable, cost-effective method of electricity generation will be possible. I’d surely love to create enough electricity at home to power it and a commuter vehicle, wouldn’t you? Even better if it involves the opportunity for steampunk fun.
“I’d surely love to create enough electricity at home to power it and a commuter vehicle, wouldn’t you? Even better if it involves the opportunity for steampunk fun.”
Only if I can wear goggles!
Well clearly. I’d make it whistle occasionally, when working in the hottest part of the day. ;)
Well clearly. I’d make it whistle occasionally, when working in the hottest part of the day. ;)
“I’d surely love to create enough electricity at home to power it and a commuter vehicle, wouldn’t you? Even better if it involves the opportunity for steampunk fun.”
Only if I can wear goggles!
“I’m serious, by the time I can afford and locate a house to live in, I think a reasonable, cost-effective method of electricity generation will be possible. I’d surely love to create enough electricity at home to power it and a commuter vehicle, wouldn’t you? Even better if it involves the opportunity for steampunk fun.”
1. The method exists: nuclear fission. Stupid hysteria.
2. Steampunk is so utterly the future. And if it’s not, boo!
Hehe.
It’s the futurepast! Or is it pastfuture?
Maybe it’s the should-be future from a should’ve-been past…
Wow. That’s nearly deep.
Maybe it’s the should-be future from a should’ve-been past…
Wow. That’s nearly deep.
Hehe.
It’s the futurepast! Or is it pastfuture?
“I’m serious, by the time I can afford and locate a house to live in, I think a reasonable, cost-effective method of electricity generation will be possible. I’d surely love to create enough electricity at home to power it and a commuter vehicle, wouldn’t you? Even better if it involves the opportunity for steampunk fun.”
1. The method exists: nuclear fission. Stupid hysteria.
2. Steampunk is so utterly the future. And if it’s not, boo!
You may have already heard all this before, but I am catching up on steam stuff and i just listened to a great podcast interview with the guy from Steampunk magazine, and he talked quite a bit about environmental and actual steampunk use in power. Heres a link if it interests you…
http://steampunkspectacular.org/blog/index.php/2008/03/23/steampunk-spectacular-the-second/
You may have already heard all this before, but I am catching up on steam stuff and i just listened to a great podcast interview with the guy from Steampunk magazine, and he talked quite a bit about environmental and actual steampunk use in power. Heres a link if it interests you…
http://steampunkspectacular.org/blog/index.php/2008/03/23/steampunk-spectacular-the-second/