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The problem was how to get the water back into the tower without expending more energy than you create?
The solution was found in a study of ancient Rome and in particular a few of the spectacular Water Shows they put on
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Umm... could you point to the solution - any writeup about it online?
Because my understanding is that its impossible. Rolling water up the tower will take more energy than water rolling down will generate.
(I love reading about attempts made in creating perpetual motion machines.)
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Do you think the US is ready for a safe, reliable, non hazardous approach to producing energy?
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Not unless its cheap too.
My bet is on:
1. Solar energy. But not solar farms. Instead - all windows being converted into solar windows. This is very inefficient as of now - but should change in the next few years.
2. Using the idea behind cox clocks to run small devices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox%27s_timepiece
Cox clock worked without any external source of power. It worked because of the natural difference between day temperature and night temperature.
3. Windmills in the sky.
http://www.makanipower.com/
and turbines in oceans.
(This probably is the most cost effective substitute to oil and coal in my opinion. Low startup investments. Almost any place in the world is suitable. Works through out the year - not seasonal. Safe. Cheap.)
How you can make money of this trend?
Solar roof installation kits and services are an easy sell.
Power audit services will sell well too. You go to medium to big businesses and tell them you'll help them cut their power needs.
Trading in carbon certificates is going to be huge.
You could make quite a bit of moolah by selling carbon certificates to small businesses and allowing them to claim that they are 100% green...
One person already doing it for websites:
http://www.co2stats.com/