Search results: 55 results
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Solar energy and space propulsion
Alternatives magazine n° 22, 4th quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: You only talk about the use of solar energy from space for land applications, yet its primary application is to produce energy for space stations. And what about space propulsion? Answer: Aside from generating… Read more
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CO2, mother of all evils?
Alternatives magazine n° 22, 4th quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: A lot of ink has been spilled (but you're not the only ones) on all the evils of CO2. Isn't there a way to turn it into a resource instead and use it to manufacture materials in the chemical field, for example… Read more
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Is nuclear a carbon-free industry?
Alternatives magazine n° 22, 4th quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: Isn't saying that nuclear is a carbon-free energy taking it a bit far? Or is the CO2 generated by ore mining and transportation and by the construction and operation of enrichment and reprocessing plants … Read more
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Electric cars: What should be done with used batteries?
Alternatives magazine n° 21, 4th quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: You indicate that the power sector alone produces 41% of all CO2 emissions. In that case, can we say that the use of an electric car in France produces 0 grams of CO2 per kilometer? And what about the 300 … Read more
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Have studies been carried out on biomass sustainability?
Alternatives magazine n° 20, 2nd quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: In Alternatives 19, you indicate that biomass is the energy of the future. But if we use it for human needs, won't this create a problem for soil reconstitution? How is productivity evolving in terms of the … Read more
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To my knowledge, thorium reserves are more abundant than uranium. Shouldn’t this be taken...
Alternatives magazine n° 20, 2nd quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: Alternatives hasn't yet mentioned thorium. But this metal is also, potentially, a nuclear fuel, although investigations are still in progress. India is already interested in it. To my knowledge, thorium … Read more
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What is meant by "cogeneration" and "combined cycle"?
Alternatives magazine n° 20, 2nd quarter 2009 Category: FAQQuestion: What is meant by "cogeneration" and "combined cycle"? Is there a connection between the two? Answer: Cogeneration is the production of electricity and heat from the same fuel: natural gas, biogas (from … Read more
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How much of France’s electricity is generated by fossil fuels?
Alternatives magazine n° 19, 3rd quarter 2008 Category: FAQQuestion: Could you tell us how much of France's electricity is generated by fossil fuels? Answer: Well behind nuclear power, which accounts for nearly 77% of France's power generation, fossil fuels are used to fuel … Read more
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Has anybody ever thought of using variable-speed wind turbines to move water?
Alternatives magazine n° 19, 3rd quarter 2008 Category: FAQQuestion: Has anybody ever thought of using variable-speed wind turbines to move water?Wind turbines are particularly inefficient because the power grid runs at 50 Hz, limiting turbine speed. On the other hand, water … Read more
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Why have we seen such an increase in uranium prices over the last few years?
Alternatives magazine n° 19, 3rd quarter 2008 Category: FAQQuestion: Why have we seen such an increase in uranium prices over the last few years when:1/ uranium resources are sufficient for centuries to come;2/ unlike oil, uranium deposits are well distributed on the planet;3/ … Read more
