Nuclear power appears to be a powerful way to make steam that spins a turbine. Same with geothermal, wind, & hydro. Maybe not solar? Isn’t energy lost in the multiple energy conversions (heat, water state, kinetic)? Is it theoretically possible to have a power source that more directly moves electrons through a circuit? If solar is the only one that can, it’s limited in efficiency and where it can be used. What about power generation undersea or on Ganymede or something?
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DC generators do exist, they’re called a **Dynamo,** which functions in the same manor as an AC generator, they just use a commutator (which periodically flips the current direction) and some other components to convert the spinning motion to direct current. They also have brushes which need to be replaced and they (dynamo) tend to be very inefficient and are being phased out. Tidal generators are something that is being explored, but those also generate AC power.
AC is easier to generate and easier to transmit over long distances and is the main reason that AC is used predominately
>Is it theoretically possible to have a power source that more directly moves electrons through a circuit?
Theoretically, yes it is, however your need a rotating magnetic field to generate electron flow from mechanical movement, and this creates AC power by default. To create DC power you need to rectify that AC power which reduces the efficiency and needs more parts in the dynamo.
>If solar is the only one that can, it’s limited in efficiency and where it can be used. What about power generation undersea or on Ganymede or something?
Countries like Russia and the US have explored the idea of placing small nuclear reactors on the sea floor to use the ocean as a natural heatsink to keep the reactors cool. These have military implications so they aren’t discussed too often. Like I said above Tidal Generators are also something being worked on, but again these produce AC current. The best way to generate DC power would be to place solar panel arrays in space (outside of the atmosphere to capture the full energy of the photons) and send the power down to earth
In principle AC power is incredibly easy to generate compared to DC, and AC is much easier to transmit long distances because of it’s ability to easily step-up and step-down the voltage through the use of transformers.
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