Nuclear power: A dream that failed

[johnd83]

3. *sigh* let's do some math...

Total energy usage in US in 2009: 25,155 TWh -> 69.9 TWh per day

I am going to assume that the earth's surface gets 100 W for 12 hours a day. This is a pretty rough estimate but it is within an order of magnitude. This means that each square meter gets 12 kWh per day.

69.9 TWh / (1200 kWh/m^2) = 58.25 billion m^2 = 58,250 square km

This is the area of sun incidence that you would need to capture at 100% efficiency. Now let's say solar is used, which has around 10-20% efficiency. I'll be generous and use 20% efficiency.

58,250 square km / (20%) = 291,250 square km. Land area of NY: 141,299 square km. So you need to cover NY twice to gather enough energy.

Biofuels (at least current ones) are way low, like around 1% efficiency. Wind is also not very efficient per square meter of sunlight. I also worry that wind power will change global wind patterns.

So... we are left with geothermal, nuclear, or fossil fuels as practical alternatives. If you find a math error I am interested to hear it. I have a Ph.D. in engineering (I actually do; I am not being a troll. I care about this stuff).