# Clean energy for the world based on using large capacitors **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244 "2026-01-01T16:19:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bodangus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/1 "2026-01-01T16:19:47Z")
Yeah I guess, based on the Ark of the Covenant. Is the problem the unreliability of individual environments and Earths atmosphere or is it possibly the oil indu$try not liking the idea? Maybe some other reason, like religion? Or a combination of all three? Great Debates or Factual Questions? Flipped a coin so to speak. Feel free to move it as needed. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/2 "2026-01-01T16:24:31Z")
> [@bodangus](#): > > Is the problem… Could you tell us what the problem is? You haven’t actually told us what you’re talking about or what you want to debate. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/3 "2026-01-01T16:25:47Z")
A capacitor is a temporary energy storage device, not an energy creation device. Other than that I can’t make heads nor tails of whatever you’re trying to talk about or ask about. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/4 "2026-01-01T16:32:21Z")
No debate framed so we’ll try discussing this in #In My Humble Opinion. **Moderating:** ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/5 "2026-01-01T16:38:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > A capacitor is a temporary energy storage device, not an energy creation device. This, exactly. If you want to have energy stored in your capacitor, you have to first generate the energy through some other method. And, those methods which we have today all have well-established strengths and weaknesses. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/6 "2026-01-01T16:44:47Z")
Current technology can only produce capacitors with rather low energy density. Batteries are a much better solution, although they aren’t great yet, either. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/7 "2026-01-01T16:45:11Z")
Capacitors can help with power generation infrastructure, by smoothing out supply from intermittent sources like solar and wind. When the Sun is shining bright or the wind is blowing hard, and you’re getting more power than you need, you store some in the capacitors, and then when the wind calms or the Sun goes behind clouds, you take it back out. At least, in principle. In practice, with current technology, other energy storage systems are much more practical. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/8 "2026-01-01T16:46:36Z")
A weird form of pseudo-capacitor (non-electronic) is where you use renewable energy sources to pump water up to a high reservoir and then in off hours let that water run downhill to power generators and supply city water. The Sodium Batteries are changing the storage equation currently. They are much cheaper and safer than lithium. But actual capacitors, not a big help overall. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/9 "2026-01-01T17:09:49Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > A weird form of pseudo-capacitor (non-electronic) is where you use renewable energy sources to pump water up to a high reservoir and then in off hours let that water run downhill to power generators and supply city water. And note that this is nothing new. [Candlewood Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlewood_Lake) in western Connecticut was built a hundred years ago as a pumped storage facility. Edited to add, the earliest such facility was built in Switzerland in 1907. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/10 "2026-01-01T17:16:16Z")
There are net energy sources, energy vessels, and energy sinks. Net energy sources, a.k.a. fuels, have an EROEI greater than 1. Energy vessels store energy. They can be very useful, even though they’re not 100% efficient. Energy sinks are things that masquerade as net energy sources, but actually have an EROEI less than 1. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/11 "2026-01-01T17:24:55Z")
If the OP is talking about the energy storage problem (caused by supply and demand not matching for renewable energy) I think the most efficient technique is still to convert the electricity generated in low-demand times to potential energy then use that potential energy to generate electricity in high demand times. E.g. > **[Dinorwig Power Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinorwig_Power_Station)** > > The Dinorwig Power Station (Welsh: Gorsaf Bŵer Dinorwig, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced \[dɪˈnɔrwɪɡ\]), known locally as Electric Mountain, or Mynydd Gwefru, is a pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme, near Dinorwig, Llanberis in Snowdonia national park in Gwynedd, north Wales. The scheme can supply a maximum power of 1,728... I’ve heard talk of other techniques like heating up sand, but AFAIK none of them are more efficient. Could be wrong though. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/12 "2026-01-01T17:35:33Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > A weird form of pseudo-capacitor (non-electronic) is where you use renewable energy sources to pump water up to a high reservoir and then in off hours let that water run downhill to power generators and supply city water. The [Taum Sauk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taum_Sauk_Hydroelectric_Power_Station) reservoir in Missouri actually consumes more energy to pump the water up to the reservoir than it produces on the way down, so it is mainly used as an additional source during times of peak demand, and refilled at times of low demand when there’s excess capacity. Of course, even with hydroelectric power, there are sometimes [unfortunate consequences.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taum_Sauk_Hydroelectric_Power_Station#2005_upper_reservoir_failure) And to the OP, since capacitors need to be charged by some source of power, why would “the oil indu$try” care? ---
**Author:** ![bodangus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/13 "2026-01-01T17:40:28Z")
Sorry I didn’t get back sooner. The capacitor just stores energy. The seemingly endless supply of energy comes from the electrical potential differences between the atmosphere and the Earth itself is what would keep the capacitors charged. How it would be reliably utilized is over my head. It seems to me like something that could provide electricity for the world. But, I asked if the variability of the Earths climate from place to place and from time to time or, the oil industry and it’s desire to stay profitable or that the Ark of the Covenant and it’s religious connections might be some of the reason this container (capacitor) of ‘free’ energy hasn’t been developed and utilized. Sorry for any confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/14 "2026-01-01T17:41:44Z")
Am I the only one not seeing the connection to the Ark of the Covenant? ---
**Author:** ![bodangus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/15 "2026-01-01T17:50:38Z")
The Ark was a capacitor. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/16 "2026-01-01T17:53:18Z")
> [@bodangus](#): > > The Ark was a capacitor In a movie, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/17 "2026-01-01T17:55:15Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Am I the only one not seeing the connection to the Ark of the Covenant? I thought this was a mythbusters reference… > **[Is the Mythbusters prank from “Baghdad Battery ” the cringiest thing ever?](https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/movie-tv/is-the-mythbusters-prank-from-baghdad-battery--the-cringiest-thing-ever/93401484/)** > > Is the Mythbusters prank from “Baghdad Battery ” the cringiest thing ever? - ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/18 "2026-01-01T17:58:57Z")
> [@bodangus](#): > > The capacitor just stores energy. The seemingly endless supply of energy comes from the electrical potential differences between the atmosphere and the Earth itself is what would keep the capacitors charged. Can you provide a more detailed explanation about what exactly is happening above that keeps the capacitors charged? ---
**Author:** ![bodangus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/19 "2026-01-01T18:01:11Z")
I guess I’m asking about a form of energy vessels then. EROEI in this case seems to me to be hard to apply here as the source of the energy placed into the capacitors would be I guess, some form of naturally generated static electricity which is there all the time, stored and concentrated in what would be like a battery. I suppose a wind farm would be similar except I think the capacitor might be less environmentally destructive. Maybe people wouldn’t like to see or hear lightning strikes and such happening at the capacitor center out side of their town. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244/20 "2026-01-01T18:01:50Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Can you provide a more detailed explanation about what exactly is happening above that keeps the capacitors charged? And, how about a cite that shows that legitimate scientists and engineers think that this is even possible? Otherwise, this is all fevered dreams and ideas that have no scientific backing, and is up there with the “this device would let cars run on water, but Big Oil covered it up!!” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-energy-for-the-world-based-on-using-large-capacitors/1026244.md?page=2)