PLAN SCS Bases/Islands/Vessels (Not a Strategy Page)

delft

Brigadier
Solar is also very space intensive.

On top of everything, you need to consider that Typhoons regularly pass through the region, so any power generation solution would need to be able to withstand Typhoon strength winds of waves.

That makes a lot of conventional green power solutions, like solar farms (which need so much real estate as to be unviable on such small islands) and wind farms.

Ironically, I'm starting to think nuclear is potentially the best solution.

It does not require a great deal of physical fuel mass. The reactors are built like bomb shelters anyways, so should be able to easily be further re-enforced to withstand Typhoon winds and waves.

Finally, a nuclear reactor is effectively unbombable in that bombing someone's nuclear reactors can be seen as having crossed the line from conventional to nuclear conflict, not to mention the environmental devastation such a move would cause.
You should not set aside land for your solar farm. Use the roofs of houses and other buildings and provide for shutters to be mounted in case of a typhoon to protect the buildings as well as the solar panels.
 

weig2000

Captain
Well, since when does China really give a KRAP about the Western press??? LOL
China does not have much to worry about??? but the Western Press is not on the list of existential threats to the PRC?

On the contrary, the PRC leadership has always cared much about western press, both their positive and negative coverage. It's just that in recent years, the negative coverage by the major western media (NYT, WSJ, Bloomberg, FT, etc.) are so stacked against China it has become hopeless. The relationship has largely become hostile and antagonistic. And it's not just between PRC government and the western media; the PRC elites and educated class largely hold the same view towards the western media, at least when it comes to China reporting.

In a larger sense, this trend is almost understandable. Whereas in the '70 and '80, the west had had a rather romantic view of China, if just from an angle of viewing China as an ally against the "evil empire' and of China abandoning the Soviet model. The '90 and the early '00, even after the short-term setback due to the Tiananmen Incident, the west (mainly the US) still had hope of "converting" China, at a minimum, benefiting from the booming China economy. The 2008 financial crisis was a turning point - since then, China has been viewed by the west (particularly the US) as a competitor if not outright adversary. China is perceived now to pose an all-around threat in political, social and economic development model. As members of SDF can testify and witness, China's rapid military developments in recent years are also viewed with anxiety and concern (particular in the US). The media naturally reflects this trend and undercurrent of the respective society. This is the context of the current western press coverage of China, IMO.

This is no absolute "free" and independent media in the world. If, domestically, different media outlets and voices represent different interests and parties on domestically issues and therefore can reach some balance, there is not always such balance when it comes to international reporting. This is made worse when the majority of the audience have either no direct experience or time to explore the topic at hand.

Therefore, we should carefully seek out different opinions and weigh voices when it comes to international reporting. This is at least what I've learned over the years.
 

delft

Brigadier
Is tidal power a viable concept in the face of Typhoons?

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Tidal power most often depends on the rising and lowering of the sea level due to the water flows interacting with bays, river mouths &c. North of Scotland turbines have been placed on the sea bottom to use the strong tide streams. In all these cases the presence of a large amount of land constricts the water flows and increases their energy density. This does not happen near small islands. So no, with or without Typhoons tidal power is no option.
It is possible that local sea currents are reliable enough to contribute to the power supply of the islands but their strength is likely very much less than that near North Scotland.
 

no_name

Colonel
Solar is also very space intensive.

On top of everything, you need to consider that Typhoons regularly pass through the region, so any power generation solution would need to be able to withstand Typhoon strength winds of waves.

That makes a lot of conventional green power solutions, like solar farms (which need so much real estate as to be unviable on such small islands) and wind farms.

Ironically, I'm starting to think nuclear is potentially the best solution.

It does not require a great deal of physical fuel mass. The reactors are built like bomb shelters anyways, so should be able to easily be further re-enforced to withstand Typhoon winds and waves.

Finally, a nuclear reactor is effectively unbombable in that bombing someone's nuclear reactors can be seen as having crossed the line from conventional to nuclear conflict, not to mention the environmental devastation such a move would cause.

I'm thinking maybe a nuclear plant on a self powered floating platform that can plug into the island.
 

mr.bean

Junior Member
I'm thinking maybe a nuclear plant on a self powered floating platform that can plug into the island.

that would be russia's specialty. they make these floating nuclear platforms and china can easily buy from them or jointly build it with them. these platforms would give these islands all the power they need to power radar stations, satellite communication stations and transmitters of all types.
 

joshuatree

Captain
I believe the solution to the problem of power was already indicated to be wave farms, which is different from tidal power and able to withstand storms. I listed an article in post 1840. Regardless of which means, power will not be generated cheaply when it comes to small and remote islands once you factor in cost of whatever infrastructure is chosen. As for other types of renewables -

Conventional renewable energy sources are not suitable for small islands, the researchers said.

Most lack sufficient land area for the installation of solar power panels, which at any rate are usually quickly compromised by faecal matter from birds, the team said.

Moreover, wind turbines cannot generate a stable enough energy supply, and their performance is also severely affected by the weather.
 

weig2000

Captain
that would be russia's specialty. they make these floating nuclear platforms and china can easily buy from them or jointly build it with them. these platforms would give these islands all the power they need to power radar stations, satellite communication stations and transmitters of all types.

Actually, China is planning to build nuclear power platform.

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Chinese authorities have approved the construction of the country's first marine nuclear power platform.

The demonstration project is sponsored by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, which began the R&D process in 2014.

Military analyst Shi Hong explains the technology.

"A marine nuclear power platform is a floating nuclear power plant, built on a mobile platform on the ocean. It can be very helpful for marine resource exploration, and life on small islands. It can provide energy for ocean water purification and electricity generation on islands. Such platforms can improve the quality of living on small islands tremendously."

Marine nuclear power platforms can also provide safe and reliable energy for oceanic oil exploration.

Shi Hong says beyond serving civil functions, the technology also has military applications.

"The development of such nuclear power platforms can present new opportunities for war ships. Military ships have very high standards when it comes to employing nuclear energy. These platforms can serve as basic testing grounds to further develop new equipment and technology for military use."

Two construction plans have been drawn up by the developer. One is for a power plant built on a mobile platform in the ocean. The other is for a submersible plant that can operate below the ocean surface under harsh conditions.
 
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