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From: rbowman <bowman@montana.com>
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: The joy of Democracy
Date: 23 Oct 2024 23:39:36 GMT
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On Wed, 23 Oct 2024 22:03:50 GMT, Scott Lurndal wrote:

> Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> writes:
>>On Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:34:13 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>
>>> The problem is that we can in theory  produce marvellous low entropy
>>> products like computers, but only at the expense of increasing entropy
>>> elsewhere.
>>
>>There is an absolutely massive source of energy literally pouring down
>>on us, that we can use for this entropy reduction. It’s so massive, it’s
>>inconceivable (at this stage in our civilization) that we could ever
>>exhaust it. It supplies this energy at the rate of about a kilowatt of
>>power per square metre of Earth’s daylit surface.
> 
> Any given square meter will only be receiving maximal insolation for a
> fairly short time with seasonal variations in most locations.  Better to
> measure average KWh/m2 (about 6 ignoring clouds).  Assuming 20% solar
> panel efficiency, that drops it about 1.2KWh/m2 on a sunny day.  Typical
> homes in the states use 30KWh/day, about 25m2 of panels.   A data center
> can use 100 to 200KWh an hour or more.  Some data centers use far more.
> https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9js5291m#section.13.1

There is a reason for the attempt to reactivate Three Mile Island rather 
than putting up solar panels around Harrisburg. 

I've used a small solar setup that was adequate for my needs -- in 
southern Arizona about 25 miles from the border. Even there during an 
atypical rainy winter I had to make decisions about usage. The solar 
cooker crowd go used to very rare roasts.

In Montana it's much more sketchy. My indicator is the mobile speed 
indicators. They're radar units on a trailer with a display to show your 
speed. It flashes if you're above the limit but so far they are only a 
gentle reminder and don't issue a ticket. They are powered by solar 
panels. They work great during sunny August weather, not so great this 
time of year. 

Now you could blanket the entire state of Arizona with solar panels. Then 
you need to deal with distribution and all the law suits by parties that 
don't want transmission lines in their backyard. Wind and hydro both have 
the same problem.