As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, the news is full of stories about promising new technologies that will reduce dependence on foreign oil. I don’t think you can get a full sense of the potential until you see a comprehensive list of all the “might happens.” So let’s create one.
I’m only talking about total game-changers, not the incremental things such as more windmills, or energy efficient cars and appliances. I’ll list a few game-changers I’ve read about recently. Maybe you can find links for these and add more game-changers to the list.
Energy Game-changers
1. Finding a way to make synthetic fuel from algae, because it produces way more energy than corn or sugar cane, and grows fast.
2. Finding a way to get approval for nuclear plants, and actually building them in less than a century each.
3. Put mirrors in the deserts, focused on pipes carrying water, to create steam power.
4. Put Stirling engines in the deserts, to take advantage of temperature differences.
5. Use temperature differences between the bottom of the ocean and the surfact to power Stirling engines.
6. Harness wave power.
7. Put solar panels in space, and beam power to earth.
8. Far more efficient solar panels are being invented regularly.
9. Technology to turn coal into liquid fuel
10. Microwave technology to free oil from shale.
11. Geothermal: Drill deep holes and use the earth’s heat.
Realistically, the media is probably exaggerating the potential for all of these technologies. But if only a few work out, we can say goodbye to foreign oil.
What should we add to the list?