Global Warming Mad

[John D]

Originally Posted by Imaginos

But then if we all turn our TV sets of at night then the energy saved from the LEDs on the front is enough to powere a large town (Bridgewater was the example I was given). If we all charge our mobile phones using solar panels, or in the car, surely we'd be talking Bristol, or Newcastle?

Of course bigger scale solutions are needed, but smaller scale solutions taken up by every one of the 50 million+ people in Britain will make a huge difference.

I agree with most of what you say. It's getting 50 million disciplined to do it. Not all unfortunately are like most of the WAB members.
I am also aware of small solar panels designed for the sole purpose of charging batteries such as in caravans, mobile phones etc. Using them without doubt would be extremely benificial.
However charging from the car isn't that really efficient. The energy has to be got from somewhere and that is from the car engine and hence the use of which, albeit not a great deal,is a source of more polution. Also keep in mind a car engine is certainly not efficient in terms of fuel conversion (diesel 30% nominal, petrol 23 % nominal). It is a handy method rather than an efficient means of charging.

You ain't get something for nothing in the 'energy game'. All these devices have to be manufactured in the first place and energy is consumed in the process. Unfortunately these processes in themselves pour out nasty emmissions. The manufacture of batteries, electronic components, glass and metals amongst the worst processes. All involved in the providing the solutions suggested above.
Just visit a glass works, foundry or an electronics manufacturing plant where various gases are used and 'clean rooms' require significant amounts of energy for air conditioning etc in addition to the energy used in the processes.
As I keep saying there is NO EASY ANSWER when ALL the facts are taken into consideration.
John D

[fbcpmike]

Originally Posted by suffolkw

OK, But there wouldent be high amps involved in transmitting 12V because transformers can be used! this is how its done today! amps in cables creates heat which is lost over a long distance so energy is lost.

12v for localised use has some merit EG, the side wall of our house is unobstructed south facing (natural storage heater), this includes our kitchen wall, lighting here is 12v halogen (approx 200W for about 3 hours a day). Now once I can get the local council to stop prevaricating over a few solar panels on this wall, I can install a 12v 100W system that powers the kitchen lighting, with any over capacity fed to the hot water system, or even better still some solar water panels. I just need to beat the local planning dept into submission.

Originally Posted by suffolkw

Also a cable spanned out a mile will create a 3-4V charge just from the air moving over it so it may be balanced out! Resistance would be the main problem.

Been in the electrical industry for thirty plus years and never heard this one !, are you referring to static ?, or possibly from wind induced cable movement in the earth's magnetic field?.

[suffolkw]

Originally Posted by fbcpmike

12v for localised use has some merit EG, the side wall of our house is unobstructed south facing (natural storage heater), this includes our kitchen wall, lighting here is 12v halogen (approx 200W for about 3 hours a day). Now once I can get the local council to stop prevaricating over a few solar panels on this wall, I can install a 12v 100W system that powers the kitchen lighting, with any over capacity fed to the hot water system, or even better still some solar water panels. I just need to beat the local planning dept into submission.


Been in the electrical industry for thirty plus years and never heard this one !, are you referring to static ?, or possibly from wind induced cable movement in the earth's magnetic field?.

Its just somthin we was tought in physics. Also on the discovery channel on mythbusters they streched out a piece of wet string and it was ver long and they got a chrage off that, dont no how but they did!

[speckled wood]

Originally Posted by suffolkw

Its just somthin we was tought in physics. Also on the discovery channel on mythbusters they streched out a piece of wet string and it was ver long and they got a chrage off that, dont no how but they did!

Perhaps as the result of a chemical reaction of some sort, the same reason you get electricity from a slice of lemon or indeed a saline solution. Often these seemingly "magical" things have perfectly logical answers.

[Paul mabbott]

The Guardian Money supplement today has a page on the costs of various green energy sources and grants available &c: Guardian Unlimited Money | Property | Miles Brignall on renewable energy

Another good source of information, of course, is Centre for Alternative Technology: Centre for Alternative Technology Home Page which runs courses on building your own &c ....