Tech That Will Save Our Species - Solar Thermal Power

NoMoreCoal writes "Salon has up a story by Joe Romm, former undersecretary of energy during the Clinton administration, discussing a lesser-known alternative energy solution. It's a technology that (he claims) is ready to provide zero-carbon electric power big, fast, cheap and (most importantly) right now: solar thermal power. 'Improvements in manufacturing and design, along with the possibility of higher temperature operation, could easily bring the price down to 6 to 8 cents per kilowatt hour. CSP makes use of the most abundant and free fuel there is, sunlight, and key countries have a vast resource. Solar thermal plants covering the equivalent of a 92-by-92-mile square grid in the Southwest could generate electricity for the entire United States. Mexico has an equally enormous solar resource. China, India, southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Australia also have huge resources.'" Interesting stuff, even if he does mention the Archimedes Death Ray.

Comments

Mice on treadmills

[huckamania]

Just wondering how much energy a square mile (cubed mile?) of mice on treadmills would generate. This would work well for large cities like NY, LA and Houston where the mice are decidely bigger and in greater supply.

Re:Hmmm..

[c6gunner]

My guess would be that it would cost less than the Iraq war. Sounds like a good deal, no?

I can buy a big-screen TV for less than a good security system. It only sounds like a good deal, however, until my TV gets stolen.

Now hopefully some moderators who AREN'T crippled by dementia will come along, and mod your comment "flamebait". What in the the flying fuck does the Iraq war have to do with solar power?