could there be energy from ice? if yes, how can it be harnessed?

Question

i was thinking a topic for our investigatory project when it suddenly dawned to me if there was energy from ice. :D

Answer 1

Yes, you can get energy from ice by the use of a solid-state thermo-electric heat pump know as a "Peltier Junction".

This artical is a detailed discussion of how they work: http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/1996/Oct/abs940.html

You can see how electricity could be harnessed using the electron flow shown in the diagram here: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/sep99/938380875.Ph.r.html As electron move from the "green" part to the "red" part, its kinetic energy is convert to potential energy. This potential energy could then be harnessed as direct current or stored in a battery.

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Another potential energy source found in ice is methane hydrate. It forms when methane gas becomes trapped inside molecules of frozen water. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/97ASJ/02.07.97_IceEnergy.html
Over the next decade, China plans to invest US $100M in the development of methane gas hydrate aka “combustible ice.” http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4513
There are major issues like the fact that methane hydrates are hard to get at and would be hard to transport. Its crystalline form will change to gas when pressures are lowered, or temperatures rise. P olitical considerations include global warming because extra methane, when released, is another addition to the greenhouse gases. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/11/021105081158.htm http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF13/1320.html

Answer 2

Power is derived from the flow of energy from hot (warm) to cold (frigid). There is energy available in ice to warm anything that is colder such as liquid nitrogen. However, the 'heat of fusion' had to be 'removed' from water to form ice and the same amount of heat must be added back to remelt the ice. Ice can give up energy until it reaches absolute zero temperature (-273C). You can not use ice to produce steam to drive a steam turbine which is why power plants burn coal or oil.

Answer 3

no, energy cannot be harnessed from a solid object, only from liquids or loosely bonded structures. Therefore u could not harness energy from ice.