Solar Air Conditioning
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Stumble ThisThis video starts with a visual montage of the sheer number of air conditioners used on our street in Cairo, Egypt, describing them as energy parasites that actually increase the heat of the surrounding air. It then shows the vacuum tube heat pipe solar absorption cooling air conditioning system installed by solar engineer Les Hamasaki at the Debs Park Audubon Environmental Center in Los Angeles. Les Hamasaki describes the 10-ton solar chiller and we conclude with a note about how solar chillers not only eliminate the need for air conditioners, but the need for entire power plants. They also produce hot water and can be used for sterilizing and desalinating contaminated water. As we say in the video, solar air conditioners "USE THE SUN'S LIGHT TO DEFEAT THE SUN'S HEAT!" Thus, the hotter it gets outside, the cooler it gets inside.
Reminds me of the power outage in Chicago, I think, back in 2000. It was pretty miserable and a few people died as a result. I think that was the same summer when Bush signed (or vetoed) some sort of law regulating the power capacities of air conditioners.
"Also such as"
Too bad it takes a 10 ton system to cool a house.
The narrator obviously has no clue about physics. One watt is one joule (unit of energy) per second. Total energy consumption would be measured in joules; the rate of energy consumption would be measured in watts; the rate of change of the rate of energy consumption would be measured in watts per (time).
Lithium bromide is no safer than other coolants used in air conditioners. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_bromide
Bromide is harmful because it displaces Iodine and interferes with the production of thyroid hormone (among many other ways it can poison you). Lithium is used as a psychoactive drug. Lithium was used as a food additive in the USA until 1948 when manufacturers were forced to stop adding it to food. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_pharmacology#Lithium_and_culture
The device in the video is far too bulky to be adopted in an urban area and provides the same net impact on the heat of the surrounding area as running an ordinary AC from solar panels.
As for nuclear, it is a good candidate for a SAFE short term power solution, but it still consumes fuel and leaves waste, and really should be used as a transitory power source until a good renewable infrastructure can be built up (including solar, wind, water...heart?)
Back on topic, pretty interesting, particularly for those with the space to use them.
As to the cost, I think that has more to do with the current production quantity and methods; the more solar energy alternatives we produce, the more likely the cost will lessen and the methods grow more efficient.
As to the space, I think a slab of solar cells on the roof of every house would be as efficient as the common driveway.
The greatest obstacle to solar energy is that it will allow each building to generate its own energy, which is money out of the pocket of the power company.
If every home in the Southwest of America can generate its own electricity, there will be no more need for companies like Xcel.
My two cents.