Alternative Power Systems 119
deuterium (heavy hydrogen) as fuels. These fuels may be found in sea water
in large quantities, thus reducing the scarcity of nuclear fuel. It is estimated
that there is enough deuterium in the oceans to supply all the energy the
world would ever need.
If nuclear-fusion reactors could be used in the production of electrical
energy, the process would be similar to the nuclear-fission plants which are
now in operation. The only difference would be in the nuclear reaction that
takes place to change the circulating water into steam to drive the turbines.
The major problem of the nuclear-fusion process is controlling the high tem-
peratures generated, estimated to reach 100 million degrees Fahrenheit.
Another energy source which could be used in the future is the fuel
cell. This type of cell converts the chemical energy of fuels into direct cur-
rent electrical energy. A fuel cell contains two porous electrodes and an elec-
trolyte. One type of fuel cell operates as hydrogen gas passes through one
porous electrode and oxygen gas passes through the other electrode. The
chemical reactions of the electrodes with the electrolyte either release elec-
trons to an external circuit, or draw electrons from the external circuit, thus
producing a current flow.
Still another possible alternative power production system utilizes
tidal energy. Tidal systems would use the rise and fall of the water along a
coastal area as a source of energy for producing electrical power. Coal gas-
ification is yet another process that could be used for future power systems.
This process is used to convert the poorer grades of coal into a gas. The use
of oil shale to produce fuel is also being considered.
It should be pointed out that many of the future energy sources are di-
rect conversion processes. For example, the fuel cell converts chemical energy
directly to electrical energy, and the solar cell converts light energy directly
to electrical energy. A more complex transformation of energy takes place in
most power plants today. Heat energy is needed to produce mechanical en-
ergy, which produces electrical energy. This explains the inefficiency of our
present systems of producing electrical energy. Perhaps advances in electri-
cal power technology will bring about new and more efficient methods of
producing electrical energy.SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
For many years, many have regarded the sun as a possible source of
electrical power. However, few efforts to use this cheap source of energy