It isn't pointless: it means that you can run more for the same price, or run the same for a lower price and less heat generation. The technology can also be applied to further the device efficiency of spacecraft components. Earth's manifest destiny should eventually be met via colonization of the solar system.
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Now saying thatunnamednewbie13 wrote:
The technology can also be applied to further the device efficiency of spacecraft components. Earth's manifest destiny should eventually be met via colonization of the solar system.
I like
we need to hurry up space wise so house prices (well here in the UK) can come down
All power grids generate a base load. This remains constant and supplies enough power to cater for excess demand. IIRC, it takes around a day or more to start the generators at the power stations in New South Wales' central coast. It would be impractical to shut a generator down as demand drops, then start it back up again when demand rises (during the cycle of a day or week). As a result, the power stations are churning out the the same amount of power, 24/7... they are churning out the same amount of greenhouse gasses, 24/7.Bertster7 wrote:
Less demand = less energy generated. Any way of slowing the increase in demand is a very good thing.mcminty wrote:
Using them may be all good and well, but unless the actual generation of electricity is stepped down, it won't make one bit of difference.
Yes, low wattage electronics are good to curb the increase in demand, but they won't result in any actual difference in greenhouse emissions.
Mcminty.
But as there is a pretty constant increase in power demands, by using lower power consumption products you're reducing the increase, hence the number of new power stations that will be built, hence reducing emmissions.mcminty wrote:
All power grids generate a base load. This remains constant and supplies enough power to cater for excess demand. IIRC, it takes around a day or more to start the generators at the power stations in New South Wales' central coast. It would be impractical to shut a generator down as demand drops, then start it back up again when demand rises (during the cycle of a day or week). As a result, the power stations are churning out the the same amount of power, 24/7... they are churning out the same amount of greenhouse gasses, 24/7.Bertster7 wrote:
Less demand = less energy generated. Any way of slowing the increase in demand is a very good thing.mcminty wrote:
Using them may be all good and well, but unless the actual generation of electricity is stepped down, it won't make one bit of difference.
Yes, low wattage electronics are good to curb the increase in demand, but they won't result in any actual difference in greenhouse emissions.
Mcminty.
Last edited by PureFodder (2007-06-10 16:16:04)
That's not quite right.mcminty wrote:
All power grids generate a base load. This remains constant and supplies enough power to cater for excess demand. IIRC, it takes around a day or more to start the generators at the power stations in New South Wales' central coast. It would be impractical to shut a generator down as demand drops, then start it back up again when demand rises (during the cycle of a day or week). As a result, the power stations are churning out the the same amount of power, 24/7... they are churning out the same amount of greenhouse gasses, 24/7.
Yes, low wattage electronics are good to curb the increase in demand, but they won't result in any actual difference in greenhouse emissions.
Mcminty.
There are power plants which bear the main load. These provide cheap energy but can't change they're output very quickly. (usually coal or oil burning power plants).
And there are power plants which buffer peak loads. These are more expensive but have the advantage of being able to change the output very quickly. (for example reservoir power stations and (not so sure) nuclear power plants)
Of course it's a bit more complex than this but that's the principle behind it. I think CameronPoe could tell as a few interesting facts about this since he works at the power grid (at least that's what I remember).
Actually even not considering this your point is flawed as a drop in general demand means that the 'base load' as you call it can also be lowered.
It's pretty easy in the end: more low energy electronics = less greenhouse gas emission
edit: spelling
Last edited by derstralle (2007-06-10 16:29:00)
I seem to remember there are dams that use low demand electricity (to pump water up to a reservoir at night then use it to make electricity during peak times.derstralle wrote:
That's not quite right.mcminty wrote:
All power grids generate a base load. This remains constant and supplies enough power to cater for excess demand. IIRC, it takes around a day or more to start the generators at the power stations in New South Wales' central coast. It would be impractical to shut a generator down as demand drops, then start it back up again when demand rises (during the cycle of a day or week). As a result, the power stations are churning out the the same amount of power, 24/7... they are churning out the same amount of greenhouse gasses, 24/7.
Yes, low wattage electronics are good to curb the increase in demand, but they won't result in any actual difference in greenhouse emissions.
Mcminty.
There are power plants which bear the main load. These provide cheap energy but can't change they're output very quickly. (usually coal or oil burning power plants).
And there are power plants which buffer peak loads. These are more expensive but have the advantage of being able to change the output very quickly. (for example reservoir power stations and (not so sure) nuclear power plants)
Of course it's a bit more complex than this but that's the principle behind it. I think CameronPoe could tell as a few interesting facts about this since he works at the power grid (at least that's what I remember).
Actually even not considering this your point is flawed as a drop in general demand means that the 'base load' as you call it can also be lowered.
It's pretty easy in the end: more low energy electronics = less greenhouse gas emission
edit: spelling
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