Zero-emission Power Plants Proposed

ckbreckenridge writes "Supercompact, superfast, superpowerful turbines called ZEPPS (zero-emission power plants), designed to combat global warming, could help produce the electrical power needed to keep up with 21st century demand. They would consume methane and oxygen and produce liquid carbon dioxide, which could be sequestered underground. The current electricity grid would need to be replaced by a 'supergrid' across the USA, says Jesse H. Ausubel in The Industrial Physicist. Work on such a system should start as soon as possible, since CO2 levels leaped up 2 ppm in the past two years as global warming becomes more of a reality."

Comments

Re:How is this diffrent?

[k98sven]

Oil won't escape from containment and (supposedly) cause catastrophic global warming...

I take it you haven't seen a burning oil field then?

Re:Reduce Demand, Not Supply

[multiplexo]

Typical approach, sate the demand rather than reduce it.

OK, we're going to reduce the demand for power starting with you. The government will be by later on today to confiscate all of your electrical and gas appliances. This will improve both the environment and the signal to noise ratio on /.. It might be a little rough on you when you're freezing in the dark this winter, but you'll be able to console yourself with warm thoughts about the good you are doing for the planetary environment.

Re:Reduce Demand, Not Supply

[TrollBridge]

I agree! Let's start cutting our energy use by taking computers out of everyone's homes. Most people don't really NEED a computer at home. They're just wasting energy. We'll start with yours. Hand it over.

My point being, of course, that it's easy to stand on a pulpet and demand that everyone lower their quality of life for the sake of the collegtive good, but it's not so easy to make that sacrifice yourself.

A more realistic approach would be continued efforts at increasing energy efficiency while developing alternatives. Demand for energy simply isn't going to decrease. Ever.