I wonder if we would even switch to some different way of electricity if we found a new better way to generate and use it but require making new infrastructure.
There are a bunch of different ways to generate electricity that we already know about.
The photovoltaic effect which is used in solar panels generates electricity from light. The thermoelectric effect which uses the temperature difference between the two faces of a a thermocouple to generate electricity. Electrochemistry can generate electricity from various chemicals such as in batteries.
The issue is that these methods don't scale as well as just steam generators. Steam generators can reach up to 50% efficiency. So yea, unless we find a method that scales better and has higher efficiency we will keep using steam generators for a while.
if power electronics get a bit better than they are now, we could switch to DC power transmission and DC/DC converters instead of transformers. bunch of infrastructure could be replaced one by one, but benefit is slight except for already used undersea cables
but on generation side, it's either photovoltaics or spin a magnet
AC also needs to deal with line resistance, and cheap, efficient multi-MW, multi-kV DC/DC converters aren't there so far, but there are prototypes (and drop-in transformer replacements https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_transformer) Advantage is that these converters can be more efficient than transformers and you don't have to deal with reactive current (if DC). Obvious downside is that frequency control isn't there
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Evolution: everything turns into a crab.
Engineering : everything turns into steam which powers a turbine
The future is steamed crabs!
Well, I'm from
upstate MaineAroostook County and I've never heard the term "steamed crabs"Physics: Everything becomes a single number that explains everything in the universe.(42)
Dry active yeast comes alive at 42°c
I like the way you think
This is the plot of the DOOM games is it not?
Doom 2016, but they are definitely using the souls. Turbine honestly would have been preferable.
I think they were just using the souls to open the portals then the cultist took over. So really they were the good guys /s
Till we come up with a better way to generate alternating current than spinning a magnet inside a coil, it will always be turbines
I wonder if we would even switch to some different way of electricity if we found a new better way to generate and use it but require making new infrastructure.
There are a bunch of different ways to generate electricity that we already know about.
The photovoltaic effect which is used in solar panels generates electricity from light. The thermoelectric effect which uses the temperature difference between the two faces of a a thermocouple to generate electricity. Electrochemistry can generate electricity from various chemicals such as in batteries.
The issue is that these methods don't scale as well as just steam generators. Steam generators can reach up to 50% efficiency. So yea, unless we find a method that scales better and has higher efficiency we will keep using steam generators for a while.
Can't wait for cold fusion to replace regular nuclear reactors. Then we will be finally able to boil water like no one ever did before!
if power electronics get a bit better than they are now, we could switch to DC power transmission and DC/DC converters instead of transformers. bunch of infrastructure could be replaced one by one, but benefit is slight except for already used undersea cables
but on generation side, it's either photovoltaics or spin a magnet
The problem with DC is line resistance. AC has to deal with line impedance, which is much easier on long distance transmission.
AC also needs to deal with line resistance, and cheap, efficient multi-MW, multi-kV DC/DC converters aren't there so far, but there are prototypes (and drop-in transformer replacements https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_transformer) Advantage is that these converters can be more efficient than transformers and you don't have to deal with reactive current (if DC). Obvious downside is that frequency control isn't there
"The Only Thing They Fear Is You" intensifies.
They are rage, brutal, without mercy. But you, you will be worse. Rip and tear until it is done.
Intensifies?
I was so disappointed when I found out about the miniature steam turbine that my PVE system uses....
Modded Minecraft pumping lava out of the nether to run generators