Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
(Serving suggestion.)

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                   

power empire

third world power pillars
  (+1, -5)
(+1, -5)
  [vote for,
against]

A new electrical power provider.

We have 30, 300 metre high power pillars mounted in Northern Africa. Each pillar has a 5 metre high ring, 30 metres in diameter. Inside each ring, we employ 8 people to push a frame round the pillar, turning a turbine.

Each pillar has 60 rings, with a frame in each being pushed round the centre pillar. 60 frames turning a central turbine.

So, using low labour costs, in a barbarick (spelling) way:

For western world = potentially low cost electricity, without cost to the enviroment in a carbon sense

For them = money, commerce.

Pretty stupid, but I'm escalating it from an arguement in my mates lounge, to here.

pedantic, Jan 17 2008


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       Human beings are lousily inefficient power generators - you'd get a better yield per ton by setting fire to them.   

       And we all know we can't do that, because it would increase our carbon footprint.   

       Shucks, foiled again.
zen_tom, Jan 17 2008
  

       Imaginative [pedantic], and welcome to the HB. Very long distance transmission of electricity makes no sense. The world is moving to much more distributed generation and storage models rather than big power plants and lots of cabling. Your idea would possibly work as a community based project in places where consumption was very low, thusly; villagers gather at set time daily to work the 'power pillar' storing the energy in some kind of efficient, cheap and long lasting battery system. Battery supplies power throughout the night sufficient to light at least one room in each hut/house enabling children to study and adults to do piecework. Community prospers and hires workers from neighbouring village to operate 'power pillar' - that village then buys their own pillar and follows the same development path.   

       Congratulations, you have just solved the African crisis. Please report to Stockholm to collect your Nobel Prize.
ConsulFlaminicus, Jan 18 2008
  

       [UB]!! You never told us before that you worked for Booz Allen!
ConsulFlaminicus, Jan 18 2008
  

       Too horrible and imperialistic. If if they did do it they should keep the energy and not be so "third world" anymore. Who's gonna feed the hungry workers? [-]
futurebird, Jan 18 2008
  

       //makes off with millions// = BA. *stamps foot*
ConsulFlaminicus, Jan 18 2008
  

       environment (spelling), mate's (punctuation) argument (spelling) not to mention incomplete sentences.... pedant welcomes pedantic (sorry if this is a bit cruel, but no bones from me)
xenzag, Jan 18 2008
  

       <Richard Attenborough voice> Here in the Armastad 5 tower, the conditions are extremely hot and humid. The stench of human sweat and putrification, overpowering. And as the natives grind the turbines tirelessly, you can almost smell the animosity growing. They are barely generating enough power to pay back the IMF loans that built these gargantuian structures.   

       Yet, in an interview with Chief Bekai Fuloryawill Falan B'Krushd, he states, from the back of his Mercedes Maybach, that the successfull implementation of the Armastad Towers, 1 thru 17, has enriched his people (most notably his four wives and sixteen strong Swedish harem, not to forget his eldest son in Harvard.), pointing, well, pointedly, at the three container loads of King James New Testament Bibles being issued by the "Peace and Power Forever" missionaries.   

       "Food for the body", the Chief continues at our breakfast table, over-looking the unfettered *and* unpolluted lands that the Armastad Towers occupy, "is temporary. But food for the soul, is eternal!", as he hands the waiter a signed copy of the KJNT.
4whom, Jan 20 2008
  

       HALLO, AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU. LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF, I AM TUESDAY N'DINKA, SON OF THE LATE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL CONGO. IN HIS ACCOUNT IS 1.23 GIGA WATTS ...
AbsintheWithoutLeave, Jan 20 2008
  

       "FATHER !"
8th of 7, Jan 20 2008
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle