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There was indeed a lot of hot air in sustainability thoughts in 2008, and probably still is, but Mackay's treatment is sometimes bordering the absurd. For inst
by olau 5y ago
There was indeed a lot of hot air in sustainability thoughts in 2008, and probably still is, but Mackay's treatment is sometimes bordering the absurd.
For instance, the chapter on wind power starts by comparing a back of the envelope calculation on wind power with energy usage by a fossil car.
While there are occasional good points, I would not recommend reading this book unless you actually know something about the things the book is discussing. It's simply too misleading in important places.
In case anyone is wondering about this, there are real studies on the feasibility of 100% renewables by organizations that actually know this stuff and have done the modelling work.
- gnramires 5y agoMackay's point is that you could get through the confusion relatively quickly, and showing in principle how to evaluate and fight the problem. I don't think it was meant as a final solution -- just to show that it was feasible, and approachable as a problem. Without getting into politics or ideology. I got a quite good intuitive sense of the scales involved, and at least for me Solar clearly reveals itself as an outstanding source of energy (at say 150W/m2).
- rufuspollock 5y agoCould you reference some of the "real studies" you mention - this would help update and amend MacKay's work.