re: #69 Odahi

I’m in favor of alternative energy, if it doesn’t pollute worse than what it replaces (check out what’s in Li-Ion batteries, and what they do to get it, and where it goes when they die). The batteries used in much solar technology are REALLY bad news. Plug-in hybrids? Where do we get all that extra electricity? More coal plants? More oil from our good buddies the Saudis and that ilk? I’m definitely in favor of energy independence, low environmental impact, and sustainability. Which technologies will give those to us? Personally, I favor LOTS more nuclear power plants. Check the U. S. Navy’s record on safe use of nuclear power. The latest designs are cleaner, safer, and more efficient. THAT is independence we can all live with.

What we should have is a manhattan project to perfect the orbiting solar panels. This technology could actually supply power to the whole world. Right now they say it will be 10-20 yrs to perfect…I think it doesn’t have to be that long.
en.wikipedia.org

The Discovery channel had a show on it where the researchers were trying to send the power via microwaves between Haleakala and the big island.

yourdiscovery.com