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The Pickens Plan: Can Wind Energy Save America?
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Rob - 08:07am on 07/08/2008
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Where does the wind energy go into my car?  Are they going to produce liquid wind?

Midwest America is the “Saudi Arabia of wind energy.”

Bullshit - we’re the Saudi Arabia of coal.  Electricity production fuel is not a problem for the US.  Transportation fuels are.

electnixon - 09:07am on 07/08/2008

What happened to nuclear energy? How much would it cost, compared to the above, to safely store nuclear waste?

Hairy Polemic - 09:07am on 07/08/2008

Besides the issue of building the transmission grid there is one big hole in the process.

Unless the design of the windmills is vastly different from current models the limiting item is simply finding enough technicians who understand all the processes (power generation, mechanical and hydraulic and control circuits) who are willing to do the high work on towers that tall.

Unless they come up with elevators and platforms built for safety there are few who will work a couple of hundred feet in the air and another factor is having to do it at 10 below zero way up there in the winter season.

DayTrader - 09:07am on 07/08/2008

What happened to nuclear energy? How much would it cost, compared to the above, to safely store nuclear waste?

Good question, but I think this goes back to my point about the government staying out of this.

Based on what I know, and admittedly I’m no expert, I think the solution for electricity lays with nuclear power.  But the market, driven by experts who know what they’re doing working to create energy that will meet the publics demands in terms of quantity and cost, is the best mechanism for solving this debate.

Rob - 09:07am on 07/08/2008

willing to do the high work on towers that tall.

A couple of firms have an interesting concept for windmills: Float them on helium blimps and get them up where the winds are stronger. Reel them in when they need maintenance.

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Proof - 09:07am on 07/08/2008

Clear that one with the FAA!  Sounds interesting as the wind is probably a lot more reliable up there. 

Looking at the statistics in a couple of the best locations for wind in the country you can see that you can’t count on the wind to blow in peak months.  Last year in Valley City they only got 25% of capacity in July and August.

The Whistler - 10:07am on 07/08/2008

Unless the design of the windmills is vastly different from current models the limiting item is simply finding enough technicians who understand all the processes (power generation, mechanical and hydraulic and control circuits) who are willing to do the high work on towers that tall.

My relative in the power company said they’re having an huge problem getting maintenance guys to work on the Langdon turbines.

The Whistler - 10:07am on 07/08/2008

Kennedy refused to allow the wind generators near his place in the North East.
THe reports were that he didn’t want his view spoiled.

RebTex - 10:07am on 07/08/2008

Video of same here.

The Whistler - 10:07am on 07/08/2008

What happened to nuclear energy?

Much better solution than wind.  The environnazis killed nuclear energy development in this country.  As the French has shown, nuclear can account for almost all of the stationary energy needs (homes, businesses) of a country.

docdave - 10:07am on 07/08/2008
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