• gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 hour ago

      that’s why IMHO it’s more important to classify the core coupling mechanism (e.g. photoelectric effect, electromagnetic effect) instead of classifying the total energy in -> energy out types.

    • voracitude@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      And some of it is boiling salt!

      Which then boils water, of course.

      But some of it is electrons from photonic impact, no water involved! In the process of energy generation anyway. Statistically and perhaps somewhat ironically, the electrons from that photonic impact may well be used to boil water regardless… Humans just fucking love boiling water.

        • 24_at_the_withers@lemmy.world
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          6 hours ago

          I don’t know, but the Ivanpah solar power station near Primm NV, which is a set of three molten salt towers is reportedly getting decommissioned, removed, and replaced with PV panels. Word is PV technology had improved in efficiency and stopped in cost enough that the whole molten salt thing is no longer economically viable, at least in comparison.

        • voracitude@lemmy.world
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          7 hours ago

          Oh, absolutely. It’s very cool technology! Molten salt is corrosive as fuck, but that just kinda makes molten salt solar towers even more awesome.

      • fartographer@lemmy.world
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        6 hours ago

        They did fix that pretty quickly, but what a classic mad scientist blunder that would turn a well meaning researcher into a villain in any action hero film.