| In case you had not considered it, Energy is one of the | | | | look forward to clean coal technology, hydrogen cells |
| most important flows for a human civilization. Indeed, it | | | | (when new materials come available cheap) and solar |
| is wise to work on the most efficient generation and | | | | as our increases in efficiency are making strides now, |
| distribution methods with the least impact. The US | | | | so the ROI is getting there to compete. |
| Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the most | | | | Steam is a powerful source of energy, and it develops |
| important agencies in our Nation, and how we handle | | | | quite a lot of force. There was a Steam Driven |
| our energy needs, conservation and technologies will | | | | Aircraft, a couple actually; all in museums now. Today |
| affect our economy, environment and the stability of | | | | we have the technology to make Nuclear Aircraft, |
| the Country itself. | | | | steam driven, talk about performance, they could stay |
| In days gone by, we used steam engines for | | | | in the air "forever" and never land if we did not need |
| transportation. Trains and even the first cars, in fact | | | | to repair them - kind of interesting, perpetual airplane. |
| most of the early industry used steam engines to | | | | Sure we could easily build upon the steam model, even |
| create the power to do work. Yes, steam engines | | | | totally re-design it. Robert asks if we can make an |
| were problematic, but back then, it is all we had and it | | | | automobile with a steam engine, use the same body, |
| worked. Well, it worked as best as it could considering | | | | only it could run off steam. Yes, we can do that, one |
| the technology of the day. Could we re-design the | | | | issue is that it would make advection fog, which could |
| steam engine with modern materials and technology to | | | | cause issues in colder climates - massive car pile ups |
| forego our addiction to foreign oil" asked Robert, who | | | | might ensue. That problem could be solved however. |
| recently inquired about such a concept at the Online | | | | With a modern day steam engine, you would not have |
| Think Tank. The answer; Sure, we could. | | | | to build the steam engine out of Iron any more, you |
| In fact, but I suspect with sound frequency | | | | could use lightweight materials now, totally change |
| bombardment, carbon nano-tubes and maybe helium | | | | everything. If the system was enclosed it would not |
| gas, instead of water, we might be able to borrow | | | | make vapor trails, sure we could make steam cars, no |
| some of that old technology back again someday and | | | | problem. It does take a lot of energy to heat water, but |
| put it to very good use. Old steam engines were | | | | who says you have to do it by fire? You could excite |
| made with iron, today we have much lighter materials. | | | | the molecules in another way. Why do I like Robert's |
| We still use steam today for somethings. | | | | idea? Well, I live here: |
| Geo-Thermal potential in the US is not being used | | | | So needless to say, the fuel prices are not very funny |
| properly, and probably worth about 5-6% of our total | | | | for me and it is dragging our economy. The cost of |
| usage, if we were to go for it. Many of these | | | | energy affects everyone, it is a real issue and we |
| geo-thermal units run off steam technologies, yes, far | | | | really need to consider all the possibilities as we move |
| superior to the old stuff. As far as energy goes, I kind | | | | into the future. |
| of like Nuclear, Ocean Wave Energy (and Hydro) and | | | | |