Not sure if you saw the episode, but that was part of the premise. Tesla has batteries capable of being storage units for solar energy, these battery panels in sequence could replace power plants.
- smellmyfinger

I didn't, but it seems like an obvious solution. The fact is that the Sun gives enough energy in one hour to power the planet for a year... we just don't know how to efficiently harvest that energy yet. We are however making decent progress

Solar is cheaper than any other form of electricy now . They are producing panels at a fraction of the original cost now. Teslas cost $35,000 now and even less after a rebate.. obviously factor in not buying gas and its definitly cheaper to own.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

The tax credit was 8k, which is great, almost 20% of the car. The US government cheesed though and limited the rebate to first 200k sold though.

I didn't, but it seems like an obvious solution. The fact is that the Sun gives enough energy in one hour to power the planet for a year... we just don't know how to efficiently harvest that energy yet. We are however making decent progress
- lumlums

When we figure out fusion its game over for fossil fuels..

Solar will pass hydro within the next couple years...

How "green" is the mining required for the battery materials though. No current solution is perfect.

How "green" is the mining required for the battery materials though. No current solution is perfect.
- daeth

Lol...

Kinda comparing blue whales to fleas here... the technology for electric vehicles will only improve when it becomes cost effective. So when its cost effective to use electric mining equipment they will make the switch. Gotta start somewhere.

How "green" is the mining required for the battery materials though. No current solution is perfect.
- daeth

Yeah, that's an issue. Especially in some situations where the technologies require rare elements in order to make the device. That's why research into silicon/aluminium/other abundant materials is good, along with research that looks to utilize waste products from current energy processes.

Yeah, that's an issue. Especially in some situations where the technologies require rare elements in order to make the device. That's why research into silicon/aluminium/other abundant materials is good, along with research that looks to utilize waste products from current energy processes.
- lumlums

Ever heard of the "ring of fire" in Ontario?

How "green" is the mining required for the battery materials though. No current solution is perfect.
- daeth

They are lithium ion I believe, which is an environmental hazard, however, that material can be recycled.

They are lithium ion I believe, which is an environmental hazard, however, that material can be recycled.
- smellmyfinger

Can be but as far as I've read it's cheaper just to toss it and mine new materials. An increase in demand for the materials needed for batteries will have a negative impact on the environment but I guess the hope is that it'll be the lesser evil.

Ever heard of the "ring of fire" in Ontario?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Messy situation that

Yeah, that's an issue. Especially in some situations where the technologies require rare elements in order to make the device. That's why research into silicon/aluminium/other abundant materials is good, along with research that looks to utilize waste products from current energy processes.
- lumlums

We need to power everything with nuclear energy like in the fallout games. Nothing went wrong in those games.. I think it's a fine example of where we could be in the future!

Can be but as far as I've read it's cheaper just to toss it and mine new materials. An increase in demand for the materials needed for batteries will have a negative impact on the environment but I guess the hope is that it'll be the lesser evil.
- daeth

We'll be mining astroids in the next 50 years.. and having a wasteful byproduct isnt the same as pumping the world full of co2... its like nuclear waste.. at first we had no use for it, now they can harvest the waste to use for energy.. technology keeps advancing

They are lithium ion I believe, which is an environmental hazard, however, that material can be recycled.
- smellmyfinger

Totally jumping in on this without reading anything but your post, but last I heard there's 1 plant that recycles those batteries. 1. It's in the States somewhere.

Again, this was about a year ago I heard a big debate on the radio about it.

We need to power everything with nuclear energy like in the fallout games. Nothing went wrong in those games.. I think it's a fine example of where we could be in the future!
- daeth

Those games aren't based on meltdowns and use of nuclear power. It's fallout from nuclear war.

We'll be mining astroids in the next 50 years.. and having a wasteful byproduct isnt the same as pumping the world full of co2... its like nuclear waste.. at first we had no use for it, now they can harvest the waste to use for energy.. technology keeps advancing
- Arctic_AARDVARK

With the way the world population is going we'll all die of hunger, disease, and war before it gets to that point anyway lol. Sorry future generations!

With the way the world population is going we'll all die of hunger, disease, and war before it gets to that point anyway lol. Sorry future generations!
- daeth

True dat.

Totally jumping in on this without reading anything but your post, but last I heard there's 1 plant that recycles those batteries. 1. It's in the States somewhere.

Again, this was about a year ago I heard a big debate on the radio about it.
- weirdoh

You are correct, it's in Ohio. They have expanded though, and are able to handle vehicle batteries. This is where the government needs to step in and spend the money it is foolishly earmarking for another unnecessary pipeline.

Those games aren't based on meltdowns and use of nuclear power. It's fallout from nuclear war.
- weirdoh

shut up

You are correct, it's in Ohio. They have expanded though, and are able to handle vehicle batteries. This is where the government needs to step in and spend the money it is foolishly earmarking for another unnecessary pipeline.
- smellmyfinger

or consider cutting military spending by just 1% lol

With the way the world population is going we'll all die of hunger, disease, and war before it gets to that point anyway lol. Sorry future generations!
- daeth

Wrong:

Water

Wrong:

Water
- RickJames77

There will be future wars over access to fresh water.

So maybe war, but the root cause will be water.

or consider cutting military spending by just 1% lol
- daeth

Bad idea right now. Military spending has already been cut. They need the money, just need to spend it more wisely. ISIS is not the JV team our fearless leader made them out to be, China is always a threat, North Korea will need to be dealt with at some point and Russia is an enigma right now as to what their play is going to be.

There will be future wars over access to fresh water.

So maybe war, but the root cause will be water.
- RickJames77

Not if you buy enough over priced Stella Artois glasses.

Wrong:

Water
- RickJames77

freshwater shortages are going to be crazy. the overall mismanagement of resources worldwide is incredible. if we actually survive this future generations will read about us in textbooks and go "what a bunch of selfish female genitalias"

You are correct, it's in Ohio. They have expanded though, and are able to handle vehicle batteries. This is where the government needs to step in and spend the money it is foolishly earmarking for another unnecessary pipeline.
- smellmyfinger

Canada is at a crossroads right now..

If big oil convinces the gov't to build any of the proposed pipelines we are screwed.. we'll become a petro-state and lag behind the rest of the world. Lums can call me anti-alberta aardvark all he wants but actually im just anti-tar sands expansion. Its a dying industry so investing in mega projects is a horrible idea. If the Saudis are getting out then shouldn't that say something? It all boils down to the oil oligarchs not wanting the world to have free energy.