Stop Blaming 'Both Sides' for America's Climate Failures

somedude584 said:

I agree that solar and electric can provide benefits to ships but the vast majority of ships will not benefit from solar or wind.

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It doesn't have to be 100% electric, it can be a hybrid system.

An ICE generator producing electricity to run an electric motor (with reduced output based on levels of renewable power stored) is already significantly more efficient than an ICE directly turning a propeller and alternator.

Its the "nah cant" attitude I'm ultimately trying to argue with, innovation takes many forms.

SneekyNinja said:

It doesn't have to be 100% electric, it can be a hybrid system.

An ICE generator producing electricity to run an electric motor (with reduced output based on levels of renewable power stored) is already significantly more efficient than an ICE directly turning a propeller and alternator.

Its the "nah cant" attitude I'm ultimately trying to argue with, innovation takes many forms.

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Most cruise ships and an increasingly number of cargo ships use this system already.

The new Symphony of the Seas will run on natural gas and even has a fuel cell electrical generation system for non propulsion related energy.

Seriously, cruise ships are seriously high tech these days, who knew?

Moving on, I'm in the non nuclear camp too. Keep in mind that it's just an incredibly expensive way to boil water which is then used to turn a turbine and generate electricity.

Geothermal energy is readily available and can do exactly the same thing, only without the shockingly dangerous and expensive fuel, control systems and containment vessels. In addition, geothermal can be throttled on short notice to balance loads with variable generation coming from solar, wind and tidal power.

The only reason we don't have electric planes and ships is that battery technology isn't energy dense enough yet. I believe solutions to this problem will become available before fusion power generation.