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> they would be very efficient https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox > In economics, the Jevons paradox (/
by ajuc 8y ago
> they would be very efficient
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox
> In economics, the Jevons paradox (/ˈdʒɛvənz/; sometimes Jevons effect) occurs when technological progress or government policy increases the efficiency with which a resource is used (reducing the amount necessary for any one use), but the rate of consumption of that resource rises due to increasing demand.[1]
> In 1865, the English economist William Stanley Jevons observed that technological improvements that increased the efficiency of coal-use led to the increased consumption of coal in a wide range of industries. He argued that, contrary to common intuition, technological progress could not be relied upon to reduce fuel consumption.[4][5]
With enough energy crazy things are possible. Terraforming planets, human-lifespan interstellar travel, swarms of space habitats allowing everybody to have their own ecosystem changing to their will. Assuming people won't do it because they don't do it now (when energy is limited) is unwise.
Don't you think some rich people would like to have their own space habitat where they can change gravity, day-night cycle, and the whole ecosystem at will? It's possible with current technology, just very expansive. It creates new real estate from scratch. With enough energy everybody could have one.
I don't see any point at which people decide "this is enough". Always there will be some people that want more.
BTW I agree it won't be a Dyson sphere, it will probably be a Dyson swarm. Much easier to start, cheaper, and has all the benefits of a sphere.
- raverbashing 8y agoThat's a good comeback The counterproblem is: capturing energy from a star is one thing, transporting it to where it can be used a different problem (as we even see today with electric cars) Or maybe they will just mine bitcoin with it, who knows
- TeMPOraL 8y agoTransporting energy from a star is simple: concentrating the light. The most basic incremental design for a Dyson sphere would be a swarm of mirror satellites. How do we see energy transport problem with electric cars? That's only a matter of the right sockets not being available. The power grid is there.
- raverbashing 8y agoCan the grid handle 10% of cars moving from gas to electricity? 50%? 90%? Not to mention battery issues (range, charge time, safety, etc) which are getting better, no doubt about it It's not only a matter of having the right socket
- ajuc 8y agoIt's complicated, for sure, and will need changes in the infrastructure. But it has some advantages as well. Imagine 10 000 000 cars with 50 kWh battry capacity each connected to the grid and letting 10% of their capacity to be used for balancing of the network. If the grid has excess power - charge to 100%. If the grid lacks power - discharge to 90%. That's 50 GWh of balancing capacity. It basically solves the problems with unpredictability of most of the renewable power sources.