The future methods of generating electricity?

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    Electricity Future
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential future methods of generating electricity, exploring various existing and theoretical approaches. Participants consider both well-known methods and more speculative technologies, touching on concepts from physics and engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention traditional methods like magnets and coils, and solar cells, while others suggest chemical methods such as batteries and fuel cells.
  • There are mentions of alternative generation methods like piezoelectric and triboelectric systems, though their practical application is questioned.
  • Magnetohydrodynamics is proposed as a potential method, contingent on having a significant source of high-energy ions.
  • Cold fusion is introduced as a concept, but its feasibility and the need for magnets and conductors in fusion processes are debated.
  • One participant suggests the idea of using hot helium atoms in fusion to generate electricity directly, bypassing traditional turbine systems.
  • Concerns are raised about the efficiency of piezoelectric systems in vehicles, suggesting they may waste more energy than they produce.
  • Various resonant systems and thermoelectric methods are mentioned as promising for small-scale electricity generation.
  • There is a discussion about the limitations of current nuclear fission reactors in terms of energy conversion efficiency.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the future of electricity generation methods, with no clear consensus on which methods will prevail or be developed further. Some agree on the potential of certain technologies, while others remain skeptical about their practicality or efficiency.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current technologies and the challenges of achieving high efficiency in energy conversion. There is also an acknowledgment of the theoretical nature of some proposed methods.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring innovations in energy generation, students of physics and engineering, and individuals curious about emerging technologies in sustainable energy.

Miyz
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Two main methods of generating electricity that I know off, and that are common:
1 ) Magnets & Coils
2 ) Solar cells.

The only two methods! What do you all think are the possibile future methods?
Are we close? Is there something you recommend me of look at?
I was just thinking of how limited we are in generating electricity, and wondering when the day comes where we are not!

So what do you all think?!

Miyz,
 
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Miyz said:
Two main methods of generating electricity that I know off, and that are common:
1 ) Magnets & Coils
2 ) Solar cells.

The only two methods! What do you all think are the possibile future methods?
Are we close? Is there something you recommend me of look at?
I was just thinking of how limited we are in generating electricity, and wondering when the day comes where we are not!

So what do you all think?!

Miyz,
Did you forget the Chemical Method (batteries)?
 
sophiecentaur said:
Did you forget the Chemical Method (batteries)?

Ow yes! Totally slipped my mind.
But other than that! What do you think is possibile in the future? Or what are some project/ideas/theories are being worked at now?
 
On a very small sscale, you have piezoelectric and triboelectric generation - but don't imagine you could run your car on them!
The other one would be magnetohydrodynamics which, given a massive source of high energy ions, could be 'a goer'.
Wiki can help you with all three.
 
sophiecentaur said:
Did you forget the Chemical Method (batteries)?
The other chemical method: fuel cells.

And thermoelectrics.
 
How about Hamster Wheels, too?
 
No. Hamster wheels are prime movers, unless you have electrified hamsters running inside a magnetic cage.
 
SteamKing said:
No. Hamster wheels are prime movers, unless you have electrified hamsters running inside a magnetic cage.

I'd have the RSPCA down on me like a ton of bricks.
 
AVE Where an artificial tornado is created with generators at the in let ports just google Atmospheric Vortex Engine
 
  • #10
There is also cold fusion
 
  • #11
unclebob said:
There is also cold fusion

Fusion alone, cold or not, doesn't generate electricity. If you want electricity from fusion you need magnets and conductors, like always.
 
  • #12
ModusPwnd said:
Fusion alone, cold or not, doesn't generate electricity. If you want electricity from fusion you need magnets and conductors, like always.

Magnetohydrodynamics? You could get yourself a plasma easily enough with fusion - but then I suppose the fusion wouldn't be 'cold'.
 
  • #13
Maybe. I might just think of that as an exotic form of magnetic fields and conductors though.
 
  • #14
Thanks for the info. ModusPwnd your right unless you can capture free electrons. maybe? I guess not as conductiors are still needed. again thanks
 
Last edited:
  • #15
In fusion, it should be possible to get the hot helium atoms to flow against a voltage gradient and run into an electrode. The electrons would be steered toward another electrode. This would convert helium kinetic energy into DC electricity fairly directly. You wouldn't need turbines and a heat exchanger.
 
  • #16
Ow very very interesting methods!
 
  • #17
Yet, do you all think the magnet + conductor method will be replaced? I mean something else would be more useful and sufficient?

The future always has promising innovation, but I personally believe this method will stick with us for a very long time.
 
  • #18
Khashishi said:
In fusion, it should be possible to get the hot helium atoms to flow against a voltage gradient and run into an electrode. The electrons would be steered toward another electrode. This would convert helium kinetic energy into DC electricity fairly directly. You wouldn't need turbines and a heat exchanger.

Thanks guy for all of your responses it has been very enlightening. uncle bob
 
  • #19
I haven't seen thermocouples mentioned.
 
  • #20
Miyz said:
Yet, do you all think the magnet + conductor method will be replaced? I mean something else would be more useful and sufficient?

The future always has promising innovation, but I personally believe this method will stick with us for a very long time.

Yep. You've got it about right, I think. Unless we ever have a surfeit of lemons with zinc and carbon rods.
 
  • #21
Piezoelectric strips on car tires, rather than in roads?
 
  • #22
If it reduces your mpg (which it would have to, to produce appreciable amounts of energy), would there be any point?
 
  • #23
sophiecentaur said:
If it reduces your mpg (which it would have to, to produce appreciable amounts of energy), would there be any point?

So true. It would probably waste more energy than create it as well. Another kind of perpetual motion machine baloney. Thanks for confirming.
 
  • #24
It made me think of those flashing trainers that kids wear - but I believe they have batteries in them - what a waste. It would wear the little darlings out quicker if they actually needed to supply the energy from their own muscles.
 
  • #25
Some of you mentioned the fusion and magnetohydrodynamics things here , well I personally think it could be a good thing if only we could learn to achieve the first thing the fusion itself and sustain it for considerable amounts of time.
When the hot ions would pass through coils that would generate electricity also the method about the helium atoms and DC which was mentioned here sounds interesting although haven't read on that one.
Because on the current technology we are actually wasting a lot of energy that we just can't get like an average RBMK or other nuclear fission reactor is rated at maximum thermal power of about 3000MW of which only about 1000mw is the maximum electricity produced I think mainly due to the water/steam/turbine 30/40% efficiency level.
I think with the MHD that generates electricity directly from the plasma charge we could get better efficiency ratings.
 
  • #27
Well there is really only a few major types of energy
Mechanical, Electric, Electromagnetic, Magnetic, Nuclear, and Thermal
There will be a limited number of conversions because there is a limited number of energies.
 

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