Exactly... just wondering if energy had to be conserved locally or globally?
Let me give you an example scenario:
Let's say (ignore the mechanism for now) that it's possible to send a small amount of information from point A to B. This information takes a tremendous amount of energy to generate at point A, and when it's received at point B it can be used to (somehow) unlock a tremendous release of energy. If you only looked at point B, it would look like you had an "over-unity device." But in reality the energy spewing out at point B is paid for at point A, and the information transfer by occurring at the speed of light does not violate causality.
Not claiming it's possible, just asking if it's expressly forbidden by fundamental physics or not.
(If it were possible it would of course open up all kinds of very amazing things like remotely powered space propulsion, a whole next level of power grid technology, or orbital solar power that actually worked, but I know of no effect that accomplishes anything like this so it's total sci-fi even if not forbidden by any known law.)
Edit: according to another response this likely is not possible. Oh well. :)
api|11 years ago
Let me give you an example scenario:
Let's say (ignore the mechanism for now) that it's possible to send a small amount of information from point A to B. This information takes a tremendous amount of energy to generate at point A, and when it's received at point B it can be used to (somehow) unlock a tremendous release of energy. If you only looked at point B, it would look like you had an "over-unity device." But in reality the energy spewing out at point B is paid for at point A, and the information transfer by occurring at the speed of light does not violate causality.
Not claiming it's possible, just asking if it's expressly forbidden by fundamental physics or not.
(If it were possible it would of course open up all kinds of very amazing things like remotely powered space propulsion, a whole next level of power grid technology, or orbital solar power that actually worked, but I know of no effect that accomplishes anything like this so it's total sci-fi even if not forbidden by any known law.)
Edit: according to another response this likely is not possible. Oh well. :)