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what power sorces would be good to use in a book 150 years in the future? sence there is plenty of natural gass and coul to use for a nother 300 years. would they still use them? or will there be something new? dont have a lot of time to check often but ideas will be welcome as often as i can. Rommel Fenrir Wolf II
Posts: 856 | Registered: Nov 2006
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Wind Farms and Solar energy are the main two I can think of off the top of my head, and nuclear comes to mind right now.
Hydroelectric and Geo-thermal energy could come into play as well if you want to go that way, I like the idea of tapping into the planet's lava flow for heat and energy.
Ok... I think coal would be good as well, but it'll be down played if you plan on using more economical ventures to save on Climate Change and whatnot.
[This message has been edited by Leigh (edited April 24, 2007).]
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Biodiesel (hmm, is that how you spell that?) or other things based on a general trend toward renewable energy sources. Turning our garbage into energy seems like something as a society we're going to have to do before too long, or we'll be overwhelmed by our garbage...
Posts: 1911 | Registered: Mar 2007
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What jumps into my mind is the book "Friday" by Heinlein. The treatment of energy was revolutionized not by the source of energy but by the storage of energy. The sun, wind, geothermal, and nuclear are all abundant sources of energy, but the storage of the energy until it can be used is the current problem. The reason battery powered cars aren't dominating the market is because the batteries haven't reached a storage capacity to where they can match combustion fuels.
Assuming that we have mastered our battery problems, there is still the question of where will the power come from to charge the batteries. I think in 150 years, we will have mastered the atom to where we can build smaller and safer nuclear plants. Solar and Wind power take up too much real estate.
[This message has been edited by Leonidas (edited April 24, 2007).]
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What about a more direct way of harnessing solar energy. Maybe collecting engergy directly from solar flares emitted by the sun.
Posts: 9 | Registered: Apr 2007
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I agree with Leonidas - batteries are the crux of being able to take full advantage of any alternative energy source; mastering batteries opens them all up.
As an initial source of power - what about harnessing biological power? Perhaps genetically engineering organisms which are incredibly efficient at breaking down things (such as our garbage, as mentioned by others above). This could be done on a grand, large power-plant scale, or possibly even on an individual consumer basis (your garbage disposal becomes your home power plant).
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The only futures I would feel much like considering either involve variations on the status quo or humans figuring out a way to actually be part of the ecosystem in a sustainable way.
Actually, in the Bible, Ezekiel was instructed to eat a sprouted bread and burn his own dung for fuel. You've probably seen the Ezekiel bread if you hang around Low carb dieters or health food stores. As for the other... that's when your diet becomes a true lifestyle change
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Fusion and Biochemical batteries that run on bacterial break down of sugar/alcohol are two up and coming techs that are likely going to need 50+ years R&D(maybe maybe not) to get as efficient as contemporary products.
Posts: 514 | Registered: Nov 2005
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I like a combination of power sources. Hydrogen Ethanol type fuels nuclear (possibly fusion by then) Solar Wind Geothermal Hydroelectric
I just really think we'll be able to figure out how to use our own planet for our needs, without polluting it. With the possible exception of nuclear, all of those ideas are clean and safe.
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A late addition to this thread, but...what can be gleaned about the power sources a hundred and fifty years in the future from examining what was thought about a hundred and fifty years in the past? Something out-of-left-field might be called for. (Ever read Jack Williamson's "The Equalizer," on how a simple new way to generate power (or electricity) utterly changed a society?)
Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005
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