The Seasteading Institute

I haven’t seen this discussed as a power generation option, so I thought I would bring it up. Here are some links that explain and show you what I’m talking about:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/cool_earth_gets.php

and

http://www.coolearthsolar.com

And here are some pics from the article and CoolEarth website:

Here are the advantages I see from this type of technology from a Seasteading standpoint:

1. Critical parts are protected from the marine environment, especially corrosive ocean spray and salts deposits
2. Balloons are very light-weight and can be suspended high above the ocean surf
3. Spars can be used for support structures
4. Easy to clean salt deposits from the surface
5. Balloons are easily repaired
6. Can be partially aimed by rotating the entire spar structure in the water

Here are the problems I see:

1. No compression support between spars. Will likely require underwater rigid structure between the spars to keep the wires in tension.
2. Structure will constantly be in motion in the water, from both current and wave motion, requiring constant re-targeting of the solar balloons to the sun

I think overall this is a very viable option for power production. I have thought of several improvements to the design, but will post them separately in this topic.

I look forward to your thoughts.

– You may get what you want, but will you want what you get?