Mattikistan
16-08-2004, 15:17
Although work continues on a Project Fusion, there are growing calls for alternative sources of power to be adopted as soon as possible. Johanus Metropolis is currently the largest consumer of power, using twice as much as Ruuklar, the third-largest city in Mattikistan. Johanus is closely followed by Central City, although Central City augments its main coal-based power source with wind power.
Citizens are calling for cleaner sources of energy with less or no pollution. The idea of creating a heaven of clean cities and beautiful countryside is somewhat discoloured by huge coal factories on the horizon. Current favourites amongst the Mattikistan University science team include mass wind power, harnessing some of the strong tides in the straight between the Helgoland and Relorian coasts, and nuclear power.
Nuclear power has been dismissed outright by public opinion, however, and for good reason -- we don't fancy disposing of nuclear waste here, or having someone else suffer the consequences. That, and the potentially hazardous effects of simply being near a nuclear power station, which are still being investigated.
Wind power is just as unlikely. In order to replace just a single coal power station, a fair amount of land would need to be consumed. And so far, we are yet to identify an area suitable -- or an area we are willing to cover in windmills. To replace all the coal and oil power stations in Mattikistan, we'd have to cover the whole of Helgoland and probably parts of East Kreekland, which for obvious reasons will not happen.
The tidal power plan has already been put into motion, but as the only place with significant currents is the Relorian Straight, not nearly enough power can be generated from this method. This is more a stall for time than anything else.
Microwave power stations have been considered, but our scientists do not have the necessary equipment or experience to implement such an idea -- or the money. The main hurdle facing the team is the method of collecting solar power. Upwards of 40-60 satellites would have to be put in orbit for effective, 24 hour coverage. Each satellite, according their estimates, would be anything up to 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide. This sheer size would require the satellites to be built in module form and assembled in space. These satellites would also need continued maintenance, which would require reusable spacecraft, which we don't have yet. The ground facilities themselves wouldn't be so much of a problem, but the satellites are simply beyond our capabilities. The price range is rather limiting, also -- estimates put the total cost at somewhere in the region of 150 - 200 billion credits.
As such, the Foreign Affairs department has decided to quiz other nations on what sort of power they tend to use most, and any ideas they may have on replacing the polluting power stations of Mattikistan.
OOC = If you don't have any ideas, you can still tell everyone what sort of power you primarily use (if any).
Citizens are calling for cleaner sources of energy with less or no pollution. The idea of creating a heaven of clean cities and beautiful countryside is somewhat discoloured by huge coal factories on the horizon. Current favourites amongst the Mattikistan University science team include mass wind power, harnessing some of the strong tides in the straight between the Helgoland and Relorian coasts, and nuclear power.
Nuclear power has been dismissed outright by public opinion, however, and for good reason -- we don't fancy disposing of nuclear waste here, or having someone else suffer the consequences. That, and the potentially hazardous effects of simply being near a nuclear power station, which are still being investigated.
Wind power is just as unlikely. In order to replace just a single coal power station, a fair amount of land would need to be consumed. And so far, we are yet to identify an area suitable -- or an area we are willing to cover in windmills. To replace all the coal and oil power stations in Mattikistan, we'd have to cover the whole of Helgoland and probably parts of East Kreekland, which for obvious reasons will not happen.
The tidal power plan has already been put into motion, but as the only place with significant currents is the Relorian Straight, not nearly enough power can be generated from this method. This is more a stall for time than anything else.
Microwave power stations have been considered, but our scientists do not have the necessary equipment or experience to implement such an idea -- or the money. The main hurdle facing the team is the method of collecting solar power. Upwards of 40-60 satellites would have to be put in orbit for effective, 24 hour coverage. Each satellite, according their estimates, would be anything up to 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide. This sheer size would require the satellites to be built in module form and assembled in space. These satellites would also need continued maintenance, which would require reusable spacecraft, which we don't have yet. The ground facilities themselves wouldn't be so much of a problem, but the satellites are simply beyond our capabilities. The price range is rather limiting, also -- estimates put the total cost at somewhere in the region of 150 - 200 billion credits.
As such, the Foreign Affairs department has decided to quiz other nations on what sort of power they tend to use most, and any ideas they may have on replacing the polluting power stations of Mattikistan.
OOC = If you don't have any ideas, you can still tell everyone what sort of power you primarily use (if any).