Does this sound too good to be true?: Unlimited energy from simple grains of sand. This energy can

[Cal33]

be used for anything and in any way: driving a car, lighting up your home.....etc..... and this is
especially good for the consumer - it's supposed to be dirt cheap.

Are our energy problems over, or is this a hoax?

http://moneymorning.com/energy-revolution-the-new-fuel-creating-a-48-trillion-dollar-energy-market/

[Lorien]

1. Looks to be a hoax to me

it's written like an advertisement; there's nothing of substance there.

[Cal33]

4. I feel the same way, too. I was hoping someone would offer a different point of view. Did you

read the whole article?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Yes.

[Takket]

3. Snake oil.

[PoliticAverse]

5. That's referring to solar cells, which are made from silicon which comes from "simple grains of sand

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_dioxide ).

The rest of the infotisement ( https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infotisement ) posits the idea there's a
revolutionary battery that will change everything. There's a new "battery breakthrough" every week
or so.

Anyway it's all an ad to get you to subscribe to their newsletter.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

6. Once you get past the fact that it's written like a scam, he seems to be saying 'OMG, solar power!'

In which case, the reply is 'Have you been under a rock for decades? Yeah, solar is getting big.'

[hatrack]

7. If it has to do with energy and sounds too good to be true, it's bullshit . . . .

The dead giveaway is if it involves your money or personal information.

And it's been that way since forever.

[JHB]

8. I think I've found the real grain in that beach of bunkum

The MoneyMorning article reads like snake-oil and conspiracy theorizing, but those sorts of things often take some real thing and use it as a springboard for their grift. I think I've found an item that's the springboard here. Can't comment on the science of it, but that's what peer review is for. (This is just a press release.)

Masdar Institute Research Successfully Proves UAE Desert Sand Can Store Solar Energy up to 1000°C
PhD Student Presents Research Paper Developed by Dr Nicolas Calvet’s Team at Conference in South Africa
Released: 4-Jan-2016 2:05 PM EST

Newswise — Abu Dhabi-UAE: 29 December, 2015 – The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that its researchers have successfully demonstrated that desert sand from the UAE could be used in concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities to store thermal energy up to 1000°C.

The research project called ‘Sandstock’ has been seeking to develop a sustainable and low-cost gravity-fed solar receiver and storage system, using sand particles as the heat collector, heat transfer and thermal energy storage media.

Desert sand from the UAE can now be considered a possible thermal energy storage (TES) material. Its thermal stability, specific heat capacity, and tendency to agglomerate have been studied at high temperatures.
***
Replacing the typical heat storage materials used in TES systems -- synthetic oil and molten salts -- with inexpensive sand can increase plant efficiency due to the increased working temperature of the storage material and therefore reduce costs. A TES system based on such a local and natural material like sand also represents a new sustainable energy approach that is relevant for the economic development of Abu Dhabi’s future energy systems.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/masdar-institute-research-successfully-proves-uae-desert-sand-can-store-solar-energy-up-to-1000-c

[packman]

9. Sounds like using sand as a heat sink

an old idea. Collect heat in any way - rocks, water, sand - and then reuse it later when the sun goes down. Greenhouses depend on the heat sink idea.

[Cal33]

10. Thanks for the info. I'll be reading it, but not right now. I'm saving it for another time.

[Igel]

11. Nah, you're overreaching.

It's talking solar and using sand to produce photovoltaic cells.

India, 3,300%?
http://www.advancingtimes.in/india-pulling-out-all-stops-to-realize-100-gw-solar-energy-by-2020-despite-adversities/
"Minister for renewable energy has candidly highlighted that going by the past records we can only expect to achieve 6000 MW of solar capacity every year. However, he also underlined his commitment to achieve solar target by registering 3300% growth."


"Right now, this fuel is just a tiny niche sector, worth about $60 billion."
Compare
http://www.energydigital.com/renewables/3700/2020-Vision:-The-Near-Future-of-Solar-Power
"In August, consulting firm Frost & Sullivan reported that revenues in global solar power market are expected to more than double by 2020, from $60 billion in 2013 to $137 billion."

So on and so forth.

[hunter]

12. Big deal. I can make food from dirt.

I'm looking out the window and our almond tree is beginning to flower.

It's magic!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. This is surely true, and I can get you on ground floor ...

... just send one thousand dollars u.s. to JustABooOnThisBus, in care of the First Bank of Lagos, and I will assure you're a foundling investor with the Prince who owns this process.

You will be a billionaire most assuredly and envious of all your friends.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. $49 for a bunch of reports about solar power

If you've heard of this guy, and have reason to believe he's trustworthy, and really want information about solar power, then it might be worth it. If any of those aren't true, then ignore it. It's the kind of sales pitch that I immediately distrust, but he might just be trying to do whatever it takes to get other people to listen to him.