Electrical Power Systems Technology

Alternative Power Systems 121

today on a limited basis. For instance, flashlights and radios can be pow-

ered by solar cells. The main advantage of this usage is that a solar battery

can be used for an infinite period of time. Considering all of these aspects

of solar energy and its potential, many feel that solar energy will be the

next major form of energy to be utilized extensively in the United States.

The development of large-scale power production systems which use so-

lar energy, however, remains questionable.

GEOTHERMAL POWER SYSTEMS

About 20 miles below the crust of the earth is a molten mass of liquid

and gaseous matter called magma, which is still cooling from the time that

Figure 5-1. Block diagram of a solar

power system