tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156940350159100953.post483866193791043350..comments2024-01-14T22:07:22.183-08:00Comments on Sustainable Energy - without the hot air: Making numbers stick - desalination, melting, and boilingDavid MacKay FRShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08023079754784119955noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156940350159100953.post-51746804476373861852011-06-10T00:08:38.817-07:002011-06-10T00:08:38.817-07:00This is an important question when trying to commu...This is an important question when trying to communicate complex ideas that involve numbers, especially to the average numerophobic :-) I like the idea of relating the quantities to more day-to-day experiences.<br /><br />I wonder if the comparison of desal cost with water heating cost is a little misleading. Even if your water is very cold (near zero) and you're aiming at reaching 65 degrees for your hot water, 7 degrees of temperature rise is roughly 1/8th of that, or 12% - this is not insignificant in terms of efficiency gains! It's like using 12% more hot water.<br /><br />From my point of view in Australia, the desal plants are generally closer to the water users than the dams, so perhaps a comparison in terms of energy cost for pumping water X kilometres or whatever, would be more interesting :-)<br /><br />However, thinking about it now - I have to admit that I think this number is going to stick with me!<br /><br />http://insightofland.blogspot.com/Crno Srcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969066805364684888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156940350159100953.post-79594671118461171972010-10-24T18:34:53.913-07:002010-10-24T18:34:53.913-07:00The mountaineer, if high enough up, won't be a...The mountaineer, if high enough up, won't be able to have 80 degree Celcius water before it is boiling. I've had so-called boiling hot water tea several times in the mountain tent; distinctly tepid and most welcome.David B. Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02917182411282836875noreply@blogger.com