TOP-10 non-standard sources of alternative energy

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Alternative energy is a set of promising methods of obtaining, transferring and using energy, which are not as widespread as traditional ones, but are of interest because of the profitability of their use with, as a rule, a low risk of causing harm to the environment.

1. Flying wind turbine

The Buoyant Airborne Turbine (BAT), a huge balloon with a wind turbine, can climb up to 600 meters. At this level, the wind speed is significantly higher than at the surface of the earth, which allows doubling the energy production.

2. Wave power plant

Oyster The yellow float is the top of the pump, which is 15 meters deep, half a kilometer offshore. Using the energy of the waves, Oyster ("Oyster") distills water to a completely ordinary hydroelectric power plant located on land. The system is capable of generating up to 800 kW of electricity, providing light and heat to 80 houses.

3. Algae-based biofuels

Algae contains up to 75% natural oils, grows very quickly, and does not need arable land or water for irrigation. One acre (4047 sq. M.) Of "sea grass" can produce from 18 to 27 thousand liters of biofuel per year. For comparison: sugarcane with the same initial values gives only 3600 liters of bioethanol.

4. Solar panels in window panes

Standard solar cells convert solar energy into electricity with an efficiency of 10-20%, and their operation is quite costly. But recently, scientists at the University of California have developed transparent panels based on relatively inexpensive plastic. The batteries draw energy from infrared light and can replace conventional window panes.

5. Volcanic electricity

The principle of operation of a geothermal power plant is the same as that of a thermal power plant, only instead of coal, the heat of the earth's interior is used. For the extraction of this type of energy, areas with high volcanic activity are ideal, where magma comes close to the surface.

6. Spherical solar cell

Even on a cloudy day, the liquid-filled Betaray glass ball is up to four times more efficient than a conventional solar cell. And even on a clear night, the sphere does not sleep, extracting energy from the moonlight.

7. Virus M13

Scientists at the Lawrence National Laboratory in Berkeley (California) managed to modify the bacteriophage virus M13 so that it creates an electric charge when the material is mechanically deformed. To get electricity, just press a button or slide your finger across the display. However, so far the maximum charge that has been obtained "by an infectious method" is equal to the capabilities of a quarter of a micro-finger battery.

8. Thorium

Thorium is a radioactive metal, similar to uranium, but capable of producing 90 times more energy when decayed. In nature, it occurs 3-4 times more often than uranium, and just one gram of the substance is equivalent to 7,400 gallons (33,640 liters) of gasoline in terms of the amount of heat generated. 8 grams of thorium is enough for a car to travel for more than 100 years or 1.6 million km without refueling. In general, Laser Power Systems has announced the start of work on a thorium engine. Let's see!

9. Microwave engine

As you know, a spacecraft receives an impulse for takeoff due to the release and combustion of rocket fuel. Roger Scheuer tried to erase the foundations of physics. Its EMDrive engine (we wrote about it) does not need fuel, creating thrust using microwaves that are reflected from the inner walls of a sealed container. There is still a long way ahead: the traction force of such a motor is not enough even to throw a coin off the table.

10. International Experimental Thermonuclear Reactor

The purpose of ITER is to recreate the processes taking place inside the stars. In contrast to nuclear fission, this is a safe and waste-free synthesis of two elements. With 50 megawatts of power, ITER will return 500 megawatts - enough to power 130,000 homes. The launch of the reactor, based in the south of France, will take place in the early 2030s, and it will not be possible to connect it to the power grid until 2040.