Comments on: How Dense Can They Get? http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/ Ideas on Liberty Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:41:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: sooffvak http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-63470 sooffvak Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:53:05 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-63470 must look at this <a href="http://www.chanel-bags-2011.com/" / rel="nofollow">chanel 2011</a> for promotion code must look at this chanel 2011 for promotion code

]]> By: Kimberley Witchey http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19401 Kimberley Witchey Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:38:04 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19401 The Cape Wind project off Nantucket has its opposers; the rich folk who live there and don't want their view spoiled by windmills. Another example of "Not in my back yard". Oh well. The Cape Wind project off Nantucket has its opposers; the rich folk who live there and don’t want their view spoiled by windmills.

Another example of “Not in my back yard”. Oh well.

]]> By: ChrisfromTN http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19389 ChrisfromTN Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:45:52 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19389 What about the "Cape Wind" project? Isn't that a private group that is trying to build a wind farm off of Nantucket Sound? It is politics that get in the way of private companies that try to make reasonable contributions at their own expense based on forecasted profits. If density is the key, and we can admit that Nantucket Sound has a fairly unique and plentiful wind resource, then doesn't it follow that sometimes wind turbines make sense? What about the “Cape Wind” project? Isn’t that a private group that is trying to build a wind farm off of Nantucket Sound? It is politics that get in the way of private companies that try to make reasonable contributions at their own expense based on forecasted profits. If density is the key, and we can admit that Nantucket Sound has a fairly unique and plentiful wind resource, then doesn’t it follow that sometimes wind turbines make sense?

]]> By: Rob http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19330 Rob Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:54:32 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19330 I think that we are tackling this issue from the wrong end! On the domestic front, consider how much energy can be saved by using more efficient Appliances. The use of flat-screen TV's vs the old CRT is a good representation. Same utility. Less power usage. If we focus more on applying this to all energy using products, the gap between renewable energy producing technology and demand will be met far sooner. Wind Turbines are one of the dumbest ideas ever thought. Besides the variable nature of the wind itself, we also have something that is overly mechanical in nature, and therefore more likely to break down or be put out of commission by the elements. Solar panels have no moving parts, and could be engineered to last for a long time, as well as be made very cheaply. Hopefully, one day they will be able to put out enough juice to power the average home. Panels that can also work at night, working off heat radiation are also in the works. The Algae idea is also good, but requires infrastructure. Infrastructure = control and profit. Imagine being totally free of utility and oil companies! Soon, someone will make a battery that is lightweight and efficient enough to be able to run a car properly. I think that we are tackling this issue from the wrong end!

On the domestic front, consider how much energy can be saved by using more efficient Appliances. The use of flat-screen TV’s vs the old CRT is a good representation. Same utility. Less power usage.

If we focus more on applying this to all energy using products, the gap between renewable energy producing technology and demand will be met far sooner.

Wind Turbines are one of the dumbest ideas ever thought. Besides the variable nature of the wind itself, we also have something that is overly mechanical in nature, and therefore more likely to break down or be put out of commission by the elements.

Solar panels have no moving parts, and could be engineered to last for a long time, as well as be made very cheaply. Hopefully, one day they will be able to put out enough juice to power the average home. Panels that can also work at night, working off heat radiation are also in the works.

The Algae idea is also good, but requires infrastructure. Infrastructure = control and profit. Imagine being totally free of utility and oil companies!

Soon, someone will make a battery that is lightweight and efficient enough to be able to run a car properly.

]]> By: Kimberley Witchey http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19322 Kimberley Witchey Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:13:22 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19322 I got to wondering if these alternatives included depolymerization. I read some years ago that through this process, turkey guts and other waste might yield about 600 million barrels of Texas light crude each year. Here's the website: http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/2003/Anything-Into-Oil1may03.htm The name of the company is Changing World Technologies. I haven't heard anything more on this plant or the technology, but I'm wondering if this could by used as an adjunct to bio fuels and other sources of energy. I got to wondering if these alternatives included depolymerization. I read some years ago that through this process, turkey guts and other waste might yield about 600 million barrels of Texas light crude each year. Here’s the website: http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/2003/Anything-Into-Oil1may03.htm

The name of the company is Changing World Technologies.
I haven’t heard anything more on this plant or the technology, but I’m wondering if this could by used as an adjunct to bio fuels and other sources of energy.

]]> By: Karl Lembke http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19057 Karl Lembke Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:34:40 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19057 A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that if algae can be made to produce at the 100,000 gallons per acre per year rate, the world's energy needs can be met from an algae farm 145 miles on a side. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that if algae can be made to produce at the 100,000 gallons per acre per year rate, the world’s energy needs can be met from an algae farm 145 miles on a side.

]]> By: Richard W. Fulmer http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19049 Richard W. Fulmer Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:45:37 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19049 Stan, Good point; I withdraw my conjecture. Wind turbines currently kill an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 birds in the U.S. per year, and wind penetration estimates range from 1.3 to 1.9% of total U.S. electricity generation. Taking the worst case scenario, if we meet the goal of 20% penetration by 2030, the annual kill will be 20*40,000/1.3 or over 615,000. That’s a huge number, but (as you demonstrate) far fewer than are currently killed by other means. Thanks! Stan,
Good point; I withdraw my conjecture. Wind turbines currently kill an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 birds in the U.S. per year, and wind penetration estimates range from 1.3 to 1.9% of total U.S. electricity generation. Taking the worst case scenario, if we meet the goal of 20% penetration by 2030, the annual kill will be 20*40,000/1.3 or over 615,000. That’s a huge number, but (as you demonstrate) far fewer than are currently killed by other means. Thanks!

]]> By: Sheldon Richman http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-19046 Sheldon Richman Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:02:18 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-19046 Mr. Fulmer has asked that the article be corrected with respect to bird kills from wind turbines. Mr. Fulmer has asked that the article be corrected with respect to bird kills from wind turbines.

]]> By: Todd Wynn http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/how-dense-can-they-get/comment-page-1/#comment-18992 Todd Wynn Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:06:00 +0000 http://www.thefreemanonline.org/?p=13606#comment-18992 Great article! You certainly hit on the important issues with 'renewable' generation. I also support a free market approach to these technologies. If Americans really want renewable energy as some advocate then this sector of the economy should be entirely funded by voluntary citizen purchases. You can read more about my solution here: http://www.cascadepolicy.org/pdf/env/2008_49.pdf Great article! You certainly hit on the important issues with ‘renewable’ generation.

I also support a free market approach to these technologies. If Americans really want renewable energy as some advocate then this sector of the economy should be entirely funded by voluntary citizen purchases.

You can read more about my solution here: http://www.cascadepolicy.org/pdf/env/2008_49.pdf

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