5 ms·
Instead of using brackish regions like river deltas, wouldn’t it make more sense to setup clusters of floating “lily pad” style DC power plants in tropical area
by Dangeranger 8y ago
Instead of using brackish regions like river deltas, wouldn’t it make more sense to setup clusters of floating “lily pad” style DC power plants in tropical areas where the coast experiences regular heavy rainfall? The fresh water would sit atop the surface membrane due to its’ lower density and slowly filter through to the ocean surface. DC could be converted to AC onboard floating stations and transmitted to coastal regions using ocean floor cables.
- mchannon 8y agoLet's do the math. Rainiest spot on Earth sea level, say 1 inch freshwater per day, every day, and somehow consistent all year. One square meter, 100% efficient, looks like it would produce less than 1 kW with a river feeding it. With just rain, figure on well under 100 watts. Probably under 10 watts. Compare with a floating PV array, also 1 square meter, but real-world 20% efficient cells. In the same rainy rainy spot. Probably much higher than 10 watts, even factoring in nights and overcast skies. Maybe you could combine them, but I bet you'd get better bang for your buck by just doubling the floating PV array size. PV doesn't need a freshwater (or saline) source either. If you care about consistent power then you'll need a battery (or grid connection) either way.
- nanomonkey 8y agoI would think that you could combine the two. The solar collectors could also funnel rain water to a column of this membrane that is located within the salt water.