(NaturalNews) A recent issue of Inorganic Chemistry contains a report about the many advancements being made in the field of solar energy production. The concept of "personalized solar energy", a model by which people power their own homes using the energy from the sun rather than rely on the power grid, is becoming more viable as scientists have discovered improved ways of storing large quantities of solar energy.
The new method of energy storage is similar to plant photosynthesis. Scientists have designed a catalyst that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen that are then stored in
fuel cells as fuel. The entire process from production to use is both clean and sustainable.
Dr. Daniel Nocera, author of the report, noted that
energy use is expected to increase three-fold in the next century as countries around the globe continue to industrialize. The ability to capture and
store energy from the sun has the real potential to solve the world's energy and pollution crises.
He further explained that self-sustained living through personalized energy production will release many in third-world countries from poverty. Since wealth is typically scaled alongside energy use, an increase in energy availability will help to increase the standard of living for those in living in the world's poorest countries.
Although the initial cost of solar equipment is typically high, the unlimited availability of
free energy from the sun after the fact is an invaluable asset. Researchers recognize the potential benefits of energy independence both for the well-being of people and the
environment and they hope that the concept will become more mainstream.
Comments by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
I would like to believe that "personalized
solar energy" is the wave of the future, but experience has taught me that certain forces in modern society don't like individuals to have their own independent
power. Independent power means independent freedom (along with zero utility bills), and if there's one thing that the big power companies don't want right now is people generating their own power on-site (because it results in them losing customers).
Innovation is always the enemy of the status quo. Personalized solar power may, indeed, represent a technological breakthrough, but that doesn't mean the political environment will allow it to succeed. After all, free energy technologies like
cold fusion (which isn't really "free" but it's close) have existed for two decades now and yet continue to be marginalized by mainstream
scientists and universities.
Affordable, personalized solar energy sounds nice, but until the political climate changes to allow more personal freedom on this matter, it's going to remain on the fringe. Energy dependence is one of the main ways people remain controlled and powerless (literally), and the powerful institutions in our society aren't about to give up that control.
Sources for this story include:http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/acs-the121609.php
About the author: Mike Adams is a consumer health advocate and award-winning journalist with a mission to teach personal and planetary health to the public He has authored more than 1,800 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams launched NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also the founder of a well known HTML email software company whose 'Email Marketing Director' software currently runs the NaturalNews subscription database. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body.
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Sunday, December 27, 2009
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