Vientiane Throne of Civilization

Chapter 1957 Methods of Generating Electricity
The remediation plan provided by the Environmental Greening Bureau still focuses on providing greenery.

The main issue is that they really have no other way to deal with this pollution problem at this stage.

When it comes to environmental pollution, besides cutting off the source, the only other option is to clean it up.

This wave can't be stopped at its source unless the Great Zhou Dynasty stops developing.

Not only can it not be stopped, but with the laying of electricity and the development of various electrical equipment, this pollution will become more and more serious.

This is a major drawback of thermal power generators.

To fundamentally solve this problem, he would have to eliminate thermal power generators altogether.

But this idea is simply unrealistic.

Let alone their current era, even in modern society with more advanced technology, thermal power generators are irreplaceable and are the most important power generation equipment.

This also means that the pollution problem cannot be completely eliminated; it can only be appropriately controlled and mitigated.

At this stage, planting some greenery around the area should be enough, but it certainly won't be enough in the future.

From Zhou Xu's perspective, the best response would undoubtedly be to increase the means of power generation.

The main source of power generation is indeed thermal power generators, and this cannot be changed.

However, he can appropriately reduce the demand for thermal power generators, changing from relying 100% on thermal power generators to relying 70% on thermal power generators, and handling the remaining 30% through other means.

Don't underestimate 30%; if this continues, the long-term impact will be significant.

As a modern person, Zhou Xu naturally understands that there are many other ways to generate electricity in the future, such as solar power, nuclear power, geothermal power, hydropower, wind power, and so on.

As for this area, Qin Fen, a genius in energy and power engineering, undoubtedly knows it better than him.

At this moment, Zhou Xu also called Qin Fen over to discuss this matter.

Qin Fen was mentally prepared for this, and he also knew that His Majesty had no intention of taking any detours.

"Solar energy and nuclear power plants are definitely not feasible right now. Even if we managed to build them, they wouldn't be very profitable."

Qin Fen was very knowledgeable about this field. As the person in charge of all related projects in Da Zhou, he also understood the current situation of Da Zhou. He could come to this conclusion without even having to think about it.

"At most, the only things we can operate right now are wind power and hydropower. Oh, right, the volcanic island has geothermal energy, which is a natural advantage, so we can try to develop geothermal power generation."

"Let's put the volcanic island issue aside for now. What about wind power and hydropower?"

The volcanic island is far overseas, making development and construction inconvenient and lagging behind overall. At present, it mainly serves as a transit station for the Great Zhou Navy at sea.

Blackmoon City has only just completed the popularization of electricity, and even if the volcanic island has geothermal energy, it will be difficult to develop in the short term.

What Zhou Xu is more concerned about now is undoubtedly the development of the mainland.

Qin Fen calmly explained the situation.

"Hydropower and wind power generation need to be combined with local conditions; they can't be done just anywhere."

"Wind power generation requires open land, and it needs to be a very large area of ​​land. A few wind turbines alone cannot form an effective power supply."

“Within our Great Zhou, most of the land has been used for construction. If we’re talking about large areas of open space, then the only place is probably the southern region.” “The premise is that the land there has to be used to deploy a large number of wind turbines, and then there’s no other arrangement to be made.”

"At the same time, the Southern River that runs through the entire south is also a good option; it could be used to build a hydroelectric power station."

"If we do a good job in these two areas, the total proportion of hydropower and wind power in the southern region in the future might reach 30% to 40%, or even higher."

In Qin Fen's view, this was already a remarkable proportion.

From this perspective, the southern region has an even greater advantage in future energy development.

"Regarding the southern region, write me a plan later. Now let's talk about Blackmoon City. In my opinion, there's a waterway with a rapid current running from Blackmoon Port to the factory port. Could we use this to build a hydroelectric power station?"

Given this situation, how could Qin Fen, who had lived in Black Moon City for many years, not have considered it?
Faced with Zhou Xu's question, Qin Fen gave a direct answer.

“It can be manufactured, but the input and output are not proportional. From my perspective, I would not recommend it.”

"Tell me more about it."

Zhou Xu is not the kind of person who cannot listen to advice. On the contrary, he has always advocated that professional matters should be left to professionals, and that laymen should not point fingers at experts.

"The first thing that can be confirmed is that, based on my personal estimate, building a hydroelectric power station on that waterway of Qingshui Lake will not produce much electricity. I'll draw that conclusion first, and then I'll tell Your Majesty anything else."

Qin Fen sealed the deal as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Hydropower stations are limited by the terrain and environment, so they cannot be built too large. Under this premise, once they are built, it is very difficult to upgrade or renovate them later."

"At the same time, the construction process is risky at this stage, and it is impossible to complete it in the short term. Moreover, the construction cost will be very high."

"Once completed, it will not only affect the original waterway transportation, but also the fishing industry on both sides."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xu's brows furrowed involuntarily.

When Qin Fen mentioned "fishing on both sides," he was naturally referring to the fishing industry in Black Moon City and the port area of ​​the factory district.

This is arguably one of the most important industries in these two regions, and if it is affected, it will be a very serious problem.

“The fish in the downstream area swim upstream to spawn during the breeding season. Once the hydropower station dam is built, it will have the most direct impact on this ecosystem. At the same time, the turbine equipment of the hydropower station will also cause great damage to the fish.”

"There's also the problem of soil erosion..."

Qin Fen quickly explained all the problems and the potential consequences, then handed the decision-making power to Zhou Xu.

Qin Fen was quite clear about his position; his job was simply to do the work, and whether or not to build anything was up to Zhou Xu.

Since Qin Fen had already said so much, Zhou Xu naturally gave up the idea.

"Is there any way to control the pollution problem caused by thermal power plants?"

"It definitely exists, but it's not possible right now."

The development of electrical equipment is of epoch-making significance, and there is no possibility of stopping this development simply for the sake of the environment.

Given the current situation, all we can do is try our best to control it.

(End of this chapter)