Article

2010-02-15 Economy

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Posted by tipper 2010-02-15 05:34|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 Interesting. Thanks Tipper.

Posted by phil_b 2010-02-15 08:24|| 2010-02-15 08:24|| Front Page Top

#2

Boondoggle, meet Congress.

Taxpayer, meet hole in the sky where you threw money.

Nail, meet coffin.

Posted by Helmuth, Speaking for Ebbaiter8192 2010-02-15 08:50|| 2010-02-15 08:50|| Front Page Top

#3 yes, the 1st and second generation wind power generators didn't work well

and yes, once in a while a 3rd generation generator breaks

and yes, they don't work in light winds

notwithstanding that, the technology has improved enough that, if (maybe that should be 'when') power storage technology improves, wind power will, in many cases, be cost competitive with electricity from natural gas (OK, I realize I have 6 caveats in there)

and, furthermore, the income that farmers get from leasing their property to wind power companies does reduce the subsidies that the farmers require for other purposes

Posted by lord garth 2010-02-15 09:05|| 2010-02-15 09:05|| Front Page Top

#4 Over %50 of all electric power is lost in long distance transmission to local users...

HALF!!!

There are 2 possible solutions.
1) Superconducting transmission lines and transformers
2) Generate the power in the local neighborhood.

IF you had a nice Natural Gas Fuel Cell that could fit a neighborhood or home footprint... the effect would be massive! Add on to that natural gas generation from coal and natural gas powered autos and you can tell OPEC to take a hike!

Posted by 3dc 2010-02-15 10:48|| 2010-02-15 10:48|| Front Page Top

#5 1) Superconducting transmission lines and transformers
2) Generate the power in the local neighborhood.

3) Go Amish.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2010-02-15 11:01|| 2010-02-15 11:01|| Front Page Top

#6 3 is not a starter

Posted by 3dc 2010-02-15 11:51|| 2010-02-15 11:51|| Front Page Top

Posted by Gravinter Prince of the Antelope3830 2010-02-15 19:19|| 2010-02-15 19:19|| Front Page Top

#8 Think micro nukes 3dc. I know I want one.

As a practical matter though distributed generation won't happen any time soon due to the labyrinth of regulatory issues that work to preserve your power company's monopoly or the very limited oligopoly of which they are a part. The technical hurdles are miniscule compared to the this mess.

Posted by AzCat 2010-02-15 22:17|| 2010-02-15 22:17|| Front Page Top

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