Grid sized batteries - New technology from MIT

Why do we need grid sized batteries? To store intermittent wind and solar energy, so that when the winds don't blow, or it is nighttime, these huge electrical storage devices, can supply electricity to the grid saved from times when the wind was blowing, or the sun was shining.

This is a must watch link on TED pointed out to me by Bo French in our class. It is not just about an apparent great invention, it is also about people truly dedicating themselves to saving our world, and many of these people are inspired young students.
Thanks so much, Bo.

Mojave desert solar update

The U.S. is backing this project by BrightSource Energy with $1.4 billion in federal loan guarantees. This is the same project as discussed in the earlier post about the Desert Tortoise.

The heliostat technology being used is made possible by sophisticated computer tracking of the sun by each of the thousands of mirrors used to concentrate the sun's energy.

In the article, Energy Secretary Steven Chu points out that one key to major expansion of solar and wind energy is large scale energy storage......such as most vehicles being electric powered with a major cumulative battery storage capacity.

5 Technologies....Wall Street Journal

Here is the on-line version of the article Keith brought in to class today. My favorite is the algae biofuel technology. "Algae grow fast, consume carbon dioxide and can generate more than 5,000 gallons a year per acre of biofuel, compared with 350 gallons a year for corn-based ethanol."

RE space-based solar power,  I don't want the microwave receiver anywhere near my backyard (even though the microwaves are reportedly safe).

Thanks Keith!