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Terraformer

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From: The Fortunate Isles

Registered: 2007-08-27

Posts: 3,964

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Tesla Master Plan For Renewable Energy Transition

https://www.tesla.com/ns_videos/Tesla-M … Part-3.pdf

Interestingly, despite the focus on solar power, wind makes up a majority of the proposed energy mix for America. However, it appears to be assumed that solar is charging vehicles. Regarding storage, high temperature thermal storage is mentioned, but not low temperature storage for homes, which is instead lithium-ion batteries (which are then used to power heat pumps ). LiFePO4 batteries are assumed to last for 20 years and then be recycled.

I think a lot of the assumptions are... optimistic. Especially the mineral requirements -- the modelling assumes copper ore is 1% copper, but the current average is 0.6% and dropping, and massively expanding mining will mean lower grade ore. Total cost (global) is projected at $10T over 20 years, mining 3.3 GT of raw material each year, which is compared to the amount of hydrocarbons mined without regards to the form the material takes (it is a lot easier to pump liquids or gases than earth). The amount of battery storage for America is only 8 hours, so pray there are no cloudy days I guess. Hydrogen is stored in salt caverns for such eventualities (IDK why, if you're willing to accept the sort of cycling efficiency hydrogen gives, you wouldn't just build compressed air or thermal based energy storage though, it's a lot simpler to deal with).

Anyway, there it is. Thoughts?

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Use what is abundant and build to last

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 20,856

Re: Tesla Master Plan For Renewable Energy Transition

This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars memberss over time.

Best wishes for success with this interesting new topic!

(th)