Kiss the Rain

Water-Air Thermal Differential Generator

Have you ever noticed how at the beach the water is a different temperature than the air? That occurs because of the difference between the heat capacities of fluid and gas, as well as the evaporation of said fluid.

It also presents a simple opportunity to generate power, albeit modestly. Two heat sinks are connected to a Peltier Cell; one exposed to a reservoir of water, and the other exposed to open air. Over time, the temperature differential generates an inexhaustible continuous flow of electricity.

Of course, the problem presented by such a power plant is the high cost of the materials used, which means it will likely take many years after construction to be cost effective. But the benefit of materials science is that the farther we travel into the future, the cheaper it all becomes. And so at some point years from now, building such a device will likely make economic sense.

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