overview for gandalf_der

solar PV → heat pump → water heater; direct, no A/C or intermediate components. Practical? Feasible? in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

IIUC, it’s variable D/C which must be regulated and/or inverted to A/C involving more hardware, conversion, and waste.

Actually, I had a discussion about this with someone who really knows this stuff recently, and we figured that the inversion process isn't actually that inefficient. The efficiencies achieved are often >95%, so there isn't actually a lot of loss.

Elements of Renewable Energy in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

yes, and more importantly, normal Hydro plants could be updated to release water at selected times, to create "on-demand power". The energy is stored in the water behind the dam. So conventional, already-existing hydro dams can perform a two-sided function: Storing water, and to release it on-demand. Like a battery that is refilled by nature.

parts in a Renewable Energy system in c/technology@lemmy.world

[–] gandalf_der_12te 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My idea is that most Hydro-Power plants can be used as reservoirs with little modification.

And biomass can be burned at whatever moment you like (provided you have the plants to do so), so it is "on-demand power" in some sense.

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Elements of Renewable Energy (slrpnk.net)

submitted 2 months ago by gandalf_der_12te to c/energy

55 comments fedilink

Renewable Energy has many parts, and some of them can do jobs that others cannot do. It is important to work together to bring the best renewable Energy to the world that we can hope to achieve.

This diagram represents a short overview over different elements of a renewable energy network, and what the different parts can do, and what not.

For example, Hydropower can be both an energy source (flowing water through a turbine) but also a means of energy storage (by keeping the water behind the dam). Renewable Biomass can be stored well, but can also be turned into a renewable source of energy. Batteries can store energy well, but cannot produce energy.

Thoughts, comments, likes :-)

Boiling Point: Is it ethical to have children in the face of climate change? in c/collapse

[–] gandalf_der_12te 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I guess you should do what makes most sense to you.

There is no such moral obligation as to "have children" or "don't have children". The choice should be yours.

Fools in c/soilscience

[–] gandalf_der_12te 3 points 2 months ago

"TOTAL LACK OF RESPECT for the Earth and the secrets that lie beneath the surface" had me for a moment. great comedy, lol

What Will We Do With Our Free Power? in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 2 points 2 months ago

non-urgent computing (AI training)
non-urgent transports (i.e. construction material)
steel, aluminum production

As electricity demand from data centers soars, Meta and Google are looking at a novel solution: harnessing clean heat far below Earth’s surface. in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 1 points 2 months ago

The thing I heard is that geothermal energy is actually only renewable on geological timescales, i.e. not really "renewable". It's just that there are very large reserves, so it's not immediately obvious. But I can't find a link rn.

Hydrogen Policy’s Narrow Path: Delusions And Solutions in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 1 points 2 months ago

It's a conundrum, because while biofuels are expensive, there are ways to make them significantly cheaper, for example refining organic garbage and waste into fuels.

Hydrogen Policy’s Narrow Path: Delusions And Solutions in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 1 points 2 months ago

actually, that's not true. I built a hobby-grade hydrolysis machine in my garage for a total of $3. I can't imagine hydrolysis machines to be significantly expensive in general.

The reason why they're expensive today is because they're completely over-engineered. But that's not physics' fault. It's just someone seeking the "highest-quality product" instead of one that makes economic sense.

Would you buy 2nd-hand PV panels? in c/energy

[–] gandalf_der_12te 2 points 2 months ago

Just informing you: You can see the power output of PV panels by looking at the Watt number. It says something like 400 Wp (Watt peak - i.e. Watt under direct sunlight). Voltage is more or less irrelevant.

Work Less Not Smarter in c/degrowth

[–] gandalf_der_12te 1 points 2 months ago

Source: https://wtfhappenedin1971.com/

Productivity has already gone up, now it's time for compensation to catch up.

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the solar revolution (slrpnk.net)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by gandalf_der_12te to c/solarpunk

3 comments fedilink

The dissemination and distribution of solar power might seem minor today, but if you model solar growth as roughly exponential - as is typical for new developments - then solar could become the dominant power source in 2036 - which is not far into the future, even on human timescales. I ask you to keep your head up high, and believe into the future, because I care about you, and I don't want you to suffer from depression and anxiety.

Sources: solar energy growth and energy mix

56

the case for hope (slrpnk.net)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by gandalf_der_12te to c/solarpunk

6 comments fedilink

two signals drive the human spirit: positive and negative vibes.

while at first glance, both might seem like legitimate ways to actuate people, one (negative) is devouring, the other (positive) is enhancing. that is why positive news should be preferred here instead of negative ones.

I'm saying this because I see a lot of very dystopian headlines being pushed around here.

(while at first glance, negative news might seem to get more attention; in the long run, positive news is what sticks with people. be encouraging, not discouraging.) :D