On 03/05/06, Randall R Schulz
Carlos,
On Tuesday 02 May 2006 17:04, Carlos E. R. wrote:
The Tuesday 2006-05-02 at 12:37 +0100, Kevanf1 wrote:
... The solar energy is then used to split the water. It doesn't take much in the way of electrical power to produce the two gases after all.
No, it takes the same energy as the combination of hydrogen and oxygen will produce later at the motor (or better, at the energy cell). More, in fact, considering losses.
Sadly, electrolysis is a very inefficient way to produce hydrogen gas. And while it's true we've got so very much more solar energy than we need, even after the biosphere gets everything it needs, it still is a wasteful thing to do with a high-quality form of energy such as electricity. If you want to store the energy, which is of course is a practical necessity, since it's rarely needed in proprotion to its availability, you do better to simply pump water uphill! Electromechanical energy conversion (i.e., motors and generators) is a lot more efficient than electrochemical conversion (batteries, fuel cells and electrolysis).
-- Cheers, Carlos Robinson
Randall Schulz
Sorry guys, I should have made myself a little clearer obviously. I haven't said that solar power would be the 'sole' form of automotive power. I merely embrace it as a supplementary form of power. But those comments about the inefficiency of electrolysis and solar power? It doesn't matter if it is electrolysis produced by the suns rays (photovoltaic) as it is free and is effectively going to waste right now. Solar photovoltaic panels are getting more and more efficient every year. Why not use them? Who knows, in a few years we might well be able to power the wheels directly from solar power. Ok, we'd all have to walk at night ;-))))) Admitedly, the biggest bug bear in a solar powered car is the environmental cost of producing storage cells for night time use. So we have to look at an alternative to that. The day may come when we simply have to because oil will be too expensive for even millionaires to purchase. Of course, if anybody else has any suggestions regarding alternative energy solutions then I'm willing to listen. Perhaps we should take this over to the OT list? I'd very much like to continue the debate as it is very interesting. -- ============================================== I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate. ============================================== PLEASE DON'T drink and drive it's not clever, it's just stupid. Kevan Farmer Linux user #373362 Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR