Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [energy]

The ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems.

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Are there technologies that provide unlimited free energy?

Many different sources claim to be able to produce "unlimited free energy". For example: UNLIMITED FREE ENERGY IDENTIFIED Company claims to have developed new technology that provides unlimited free energy Is it possible to create energy out of…
Stefano Borini
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Will SpaceX's fleet of rockets triple the entire United States demand for methane/natural gas?

According to Energy Consulting Group's "SpaceX's Starship May Nearly Triple US Natural Gas Demand" page, Our analysis indicates that a fully configured Starship launch (booster and Starship) will use about a 1000 tonnes of methane in the form of…
Evan Carroll
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Does the amount of land needed to get the USA to zero-carbon electricity correspond to a small area of Texas?

After watching Elon Musk's presentation regarding the Tesla Powerwall, I had a question. On his diagram of the USA, he claims that a "tiny blue square" on the top of Texas that consists of solar farms would be enough energy to power the united…
Outdated Computer Tech
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Are 1 to 4 tons of coal required to create only one solar panel?

In the There's No Tomorrow video, they affirm several things about solar panels (and a lot of other things). The one I'm the most curious about is this: All the world's photovoltaic solar panels generate as much electricity as two coal power…
jeromej
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Do wind turbines kill many birds each year?

It has been claimed that due to their large size, and the velocity of their blades that wind turbines kill large numbers of birds that run into them at night, or in fog, and die. http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wind-farm-birds112011.html#cr Do…
Clatoon Adour
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Is this tealight-flowerpot heater more efficient than just tealights?

This article at the Daily Mail describes a small heater based on tealights and flowerpots. It claims that [the system] "make[s] the heating more efficient" (I assume in comparison to just tealights) Is this true? (Based on this question, it seems…
user5582
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Is nuclear fusion energy as safe as its proponents claim?

With my limited knowledge of the process of nuclear fusion energy, this seems like one of the most promising methods for producing huge amounts of energy, with relatively very low risk, once researchers manage to control the process. The claim goes…
Decent Dabbler
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Does nuclear power cause fewer deaths than other forms of electricity production, accidents included?

There have been several questions related to nuclear power in comparison to other forms of electricity production: Are there fewer accidental deaths at nuclear power plants than others? Do coal plants release more radiation than nuclear power…
juhist
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Does keeping a fridge or freezer full improve its energy usage?

It's sometimes cited that a full fridge or freezer helps reduce its overall energy usage (for example, this source says so, based on the amount of cold air that 'can escape' when you open the door). However, I'm doubtful of this, based on the fact…
Andrew Ferrier
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Does the digestion of some foods burn more calories than it supplies?

Calories in food is a measurement of the amount of energy it will provide to the body. I've heard that eating some foods actually make you USE more calories than you consume. Do any foods actually contain less calories than it takes to chew and…
n0pe
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Can thorium end the energy crisis?

It seems that, as of lately thorium is steadily increasing in popularity, as an alternative to traditional nuclear fuels. Here's Mr. Kirk Sorensen in a TED video advocating the use of thorium. Thorium even has a nice, green website, among other…
Mihai Rotaru
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Does the UK have enough wind to power the country five times over?

Greenpeace UK tweeted about the UK having enough wind to power the country five times over: MT @1010: The UK has enough wind to power the country five times over. Let's use it! After a bit of Googling the only source for the data seems to be a…
Wilka
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Did the USA increase oil imports from Russia after the Ukraine invasion?

According to Zhao Lijian of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY) [...] Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Mikhail Popov said, in a contrasting move to pressure its pressuring of European…
Evan Carroll
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Are electric cars beneficial to the environment compared to low consumption modern cars?

Imagine an electric car in a country where most energy come from coal (which i believe is the dirtiest). Add this to the pollution that disposing the batteries will create, or the carbon footprint generated during its production. Is this car really…
ariel
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Is widespread adoption of the electric car unlikely due to lithium scarcity?

Although lithium is very abundant in sea water, only lithium mineral extraction seems to be economically viable. The world's total reserves in lithium minerals is estimated at 13.5 Mt (not sure whether this refers to the weight of the mineral or its…
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