Cost Of Wind Energy Articles and Resources

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Open Question: Would you vote for me? What party am I?

I am a conservative on fiscal issues but on other issues I differ: 1. Taxes: The less the better on everything but we do need some sort of tax structure to pay for our government. I believe in one 'fair tax" system 2. Healthcare: I agree that something needs to be done about healthcare; it is out of control in this country. I do NOT believe the answer is socialized medicine. I would start by putting a cap/limitations on healthcare lawsuits and giving each family a tax credit (much bigger one than McCain talked about) for buying a policy. But then it would be MANDATORY that everyone buys their own policy no matter what (just like car insurance is mandatory) and you will get fined if you are not covered. I would deregulate the healthcare insurance system so that insurance companies would be more competitive in their pricing. I would also set up a scholarship/recruitment programs to encourage people to get degrees in medicine. We need more healthcare workers! 3. I am a Christian but would not force my ways down somebody's throat. It is irrelevant and against the constitution to do this. I do believe a high standard of morals no matter what religion you are. This is very important if you are in a leadership position. I would lead by example 4. Energy: I believe we need to tap into our natural resources, like natural gas and oil. Natural Gas is something I would target in a big way. Solar and Wind are okay but cannot be used everywhere in the country so more research on Nuclear would be my choice to make it safer to use. I would not pass a cap and trade to do this! I would come up with a tax credit system for businesses transitioning to "greener" methods of producing consumer products. I would map out a deadline date when all business would have to be "green" by or they would no longer get the tax credit and would have to shut down. Plain and simple. The cap and trade does not do enough to help with the environment. It just allows companies to keep producing carbon emissions by passing on the cost of their permits to the consumer OR move overseas and take jobs out of the USA. 5. Abortion: I do not believe in abortion unless extreme case such as rape or incest...or medical reasons for the mother's health. I understand that the government should not tell a woman what to do with her body..However, it is not the governments telling women to go out and have irresponsible sex. There are MANY methods of birth control now days. Abortion is murder, plain and simple. The government puts most murders in prison. 6. Gay Marriage- do not believe there is such a thing as gay marriage but would support some other form of "partnership" for gays so that they have equal rights. I do not believe it is my right to tell Gays how to live their lives but I also do not think they should try to force their lifestyle down my throat either. 7. Our huge deficit and weakened dollar: Something needs to be done about this serious issue that is growing worse daily. Even though I did not agree with McCain on a lot of things, I liked his idea of cutting government spending in half basically for several years so we could play "catch up". We also need to not have ANY pork spending. Sorry special interest groups, you need to raise your own money through non-profit. Something has to suffer when the deficit is this big, and creating tunnels for turtles/vs. preventing inflation or bankruptcy of our nation is really the priority right now. 8. Foreign Policy: I would not go around starting wars for no reason. Sorry Bush supporters. Iraq was not a very useful use of our tax dollars. I would spend lots of time visiting with all nation leaders. I would not ignore the UN (even thought they do seem useless at times). I would stand by our allies. I would stand very firm against countries that are unfriendly like N.Korea, Iran..etc. I WOULD support the military uprising in Honduras. No president should try what that guy did. Those are the countries, that if they DID provoke us through terrorism and/or an attack.... I would consider having a war..there would be a REASON. 9. Gun control- not sure how I feel about this one. I do believe we should have a right to bear arms and defend ourselves but I do think that there are too many gun related deaths in the USA. Would have to figure out how to regulate it. I just hate guns. I do not feel like it is "cool" to own one. I am sure I left something out. Like I said...I am conservative but I am not a "Gods and Guns" type conservative. What do you think? more

Resolved Question: Is "Green" energy all hype?

Look how many solar panels are required just to heat a pool. Imagine providing heat and electricity to run ALL household appliances for ALL Americans nationwide? It takes a 70 foot Ginormous wind turbine just to provide enough power for 1 house. How much would it cost for all this "green" energy Machinery to be built to provide for the ENTIRE nation!?!? My solution: let each family provide their own "green" energy, and not tax me to death to provide for my neighbors; olympic swimming pool. http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/solar-swimming-pool-heater.jpg http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/WCEE/keep/Resources/Photos/Lake%20DuBay/home%20wind%20turbine%20on%20Lake%20DuBay%20(windjue).JPG"Reality" scientists are still debating weather c02 emissions have anything to do with temperature, so quit with the talking points."Quirk" green energy is going backwards. You cant even power a toaster with some of this stuff!"Mysterious" I work with both combustion and electric motors. Anyone will tell you, combustion is far more efficient in raw power and cost. An electric engine cannot power a car the same way, and is far more expensive to repair due to the complexity of the internal coiling and bearings.g, if you read the question, I added my solution in there. And like they say "a picture says a thousand words.."Willie" NATURAL GAS BACKUP" LOL Why the backup willie, maybe because GREENIE energy FAILED to power the building!!!And they "had the panels removed" Lol You fail"mnbvc" finally, a good answer. I too thought about deep current turbines, they make sense because of the constant flow. Also, nuclear would be the best viable option."g" there is NO oil crisis. It is made up by OPEC to drive up price. OPEC is having tankers dump excess oil into the oceans, because they cant fit all their tankers into the ports!!! http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/12469"g" if you care so much, why dont YOU pay for a big turbine installation on my lawn, I'll get you the local permit fee schedule.. more

Voting Question: Conservatives -- Can you read this summary of the Cap and Trade bill without foaming at the mouth?

Summary Of The Waxman-Markey Climate Bill: American Clean Energy and Security Act. June 27th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under Some of the key points of the American Clean Energy & Security Act from Grist, since they know better than I do. You can head to their site to read the nitty gritty, but here is a general summary: Renewable electricity standard The bill creates a renewable electricity standard (RES) that would require large utilities in each state to produce an increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. Qualifying renewable sources are wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, marine and hydrokinetic energy, biogas and biofuels derived exclusively from eligible biomass, landfill gas, wastewater-treatment gas, coal-mine methane, hydropower projects built after 1992, and some waste-to-energy projects. Emission cuts The bill would put a cap on emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, and would require high-emitting industries to reduce their output to specific targets between now and the middle of the century. (This is the “cap” part of the “cap-and-trade” program.) The bill covers 85 percent of the overall economy, including electricity producers, oil refineries, natural gas suppliers, and energy-intensive industries like iron, steel, cement, and paper manufacturers. Emission permits Regulated industries would need to acquire permits for their emissions. (Emission permits are also referred to as “carbon credits,” “pollution allowances,” and various combinations of these words.) If a company cuts its emissions so much that it has more permits than it needs, it can sell excess permits to other companies or bank them for future use. If a company doesn’t have enough permits, it can buy more or borrow its future credits and pay interest on them. Non-regulated entities (banks, nonprofits, people like you) can also buy and sell permits. (This is the “trade” part of the “cap-and-trade” program.) If a company’s emissions exceed its permits, it would be fined two times the fair market value of the permits it should have purchased. How permit auction revenue would be spent About 15 percent of the pollution permits would be sold by the federal government in the initial years of the program. Here’s how the revenue would be spent (shown as a percentage of the value of all permits): * 15 percent would be used to offset increased energy costs for low- and moderate-income households * 5 percent would be used to prevent international deforestation, scaling back to 3 percent from 2026 to 2030 and 2 percent from 2031 to 2050 * 2 percent would be used to help the U.S. adapt to the negative effects of climate change from 2012 through 2021, scaling up to 4 percent from 2022 through 2026 and 8 percent thereafter; half would be spent on wildlife and natural resources and the other half on other adaptation concerns, like public health Investments in energy technology By 2025, the bill would direct an estimated total of $190 billion to energy technologies and efficiency measures: * $90 billion to energy-efficiency and renewable-energy technologies * $60 billion to carbon-capture-and-sequestration technology * $20 billion to electric vehicles and other advanced automotive technologies * $20 billion for basic scientific research and development Offsets Regulated companies would be allowed to purchase carbon offsets to meet a portion of their required emission reductions—meaning they could fund clean-energy projects elsewhere instead of cutting their own emissions. This could lower the cost of complying with the new law. Coal-fired power plants * New coal plants could be built between 2009 and 2020, though they would be expected to adopt carbon-capture-and-sequestration (CCS) technologies when they become commercially available * By 2025, all coal plants built after 2009 would have to capture 50 percent of their CO2 emissions Worker transition * Workers displaced due to new emission regulations would be entitled to 156 weeks of income supplement (70 percent of their average weekly wages), 80 percent of their monthly health-care premium, up to $1,500 for job-search assistance, and up to $1,500 for moving assistance Smarter cars and smarter grids * The bill includes a “cash-for-clunkers” program that would provide roughly 1 million vouchers, ranging from $3,500 to $4,500 in value, to consumers who trade in older, less-fuel efficient vehicles for new vehicles that get better gas mileage http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2009/06/27/summary-of-the-waxman-markey-climate-bill-american-clean-energy-and-security-act/Apparently they can't... more

Voting Question: Could someone give me an estimate on how much it would cost and buy and have installed a stand alone energy sy?

Both Solar and Wind power. How much would it cost to buy and have someone install a complete system into a cabin in a remote area in the mountains in colorado more

Resolved Question: Why are we not focusing on nuclear power, the cheapest and cleanest energy source?

It costs less than a tenth of wind power. more

Resolved Question: What do you like best about cap and trade?

That it will leave your kids with cleaner air? That it will help end American dependence on foreign oil? That it will help create new sources of energy? That it will generate new jobs in alternative energy? That it will boost the stock market with new alternative energy technologies? That it will lower the cost of energy in the long term? (Because it will use more wind, water, and sun to generate energy, rather than costly gas and oil.) That it will make the conservatives look even more irrelevant? That it will make the United States a team player in the community of nations? more

Resolved Question: Spain's Green Jobs have FAILED so why is Obama Praising them and Copying them?

Going Green/Alternative Energy has failed in SPAIN and yet the Democrats in the Congress, Senate and even the Democrat President are copying this failed plan. Spain has over an 18% Un Employment Rate and the Green Jobs didn't create JOBS they added to the UN EMPLOYMENT RATE. WHY? Why can't the Democrats in our Government use our Natural Resourse and stop going with a FAILED PLAN? Below is the LINK: _____________________________________________________ http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2009/06/24/will24.ART_ART_06-24-09_A11_MLE94UP.html?sid=101 Let's not envy Spain's green jobs Wednesday, June 24, 2009 3:00 AM By George F. Will Why, Gabriel Calzada wonders, is the U.S. president recommending that America emulate the Spanish model for creating "green jobs" in "alternative energy" even though Spain's unemployment rate is 18.1 percent -- more than double the European Union average -- partly because of spending on such jobs? Calzada, 36, an economics professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, has produced a report that, if true, is inconvenient for the Obama administration's green agenda. Calzada says Spain's torrential spending -- no other nation has so aggressively supported production of electricity from renewable sources -- on wind farms and other forms of alternative energy has indeed created jobs. But Calzada's report concludes that they often are temporary and have received $752,000 to $800,000 each in subsidies -- wind industry jobs cost even more, $1.4 million each. And each new job entails the loss of 2.2 other jobs that are either lost or not created in other industries because of the political allocation of capital. Calzada says the creation of jobs in alternative energy has subtracted about 110,000 jobs from elsewhere in Spain's economy. The president's press secretary, Robert Gibbs, was asked about the report's contention that the political diversion of capital into green jobs has cost Spain jobs. The White House transcript contained this exchange: Gibbs: "It seems weird that we're importing wind turbine parts from Spain in order to build -- to meet renewable energy demand here if that were even remotely the case." Questioner: "Is that a suggestion that his study is simply flat wrong?" Gibbs: "I haven't read the study, but I think, yes." Questioner: "Well, then. (Laughter.)" Actually, what is weird is this idea: A sobering report about Spain's experience must be false because otherwise the behavior of some American importers, seeking to cash in on the U.S. government's promotion of wind power, might be participating in an economically unproductive project. It is true Calzada has come to conclusions that he, as a libertarian, finds congenial. And his study was supported by a like-minded think tank (the Institute for Energy Research, for which this columnist has given a paid speech). Still, it is notable that, rather than refute his report, many Spanish critics have impugned his patriotism for faulting something for which Spain was praised by Obama and others. You can find similar conclusions in "Yellow Light on Green Jobs," a report by Republican Sen. Kit Bond, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy. What matters most is not that reports such as Calzada's and the Republicans' are right in every particular. It is, however, hardly counterintuitive that politically driven investments are economically counterproductive. Indeed, environmentalists with the courage of their convictions should argue that the point of such investments is to subordinate market rationality to the higher agenda of planetary salvation. Still, one can be agnostic about both reports while being dismayed by the frequency with which such findings are ignored simply because they question policies that are so invested with righteousness that methodical economic reasoning about their costs and benefits seems unimportant. For fervent believers in governments' abilities to control the climate and in the urgent need for them to do so, believing is seeing: They see, through their ideological lenses, governments' green spending as always paying for itself. This is a free-lunch faith comparable to that of those conservatives who believe tax cuts always pay for themselves by stimulating compensating revenues from economic growth. Windmills are iconic in the land of Don Quixote, whose tilting at them became emblematic of comic futility. Spain's new windmills are neither amusing nor emblematic of policies America should emulate. more

Resolved Question: Why should we squander $3 trillion on new nuclear plants, as the Republican Party proposes?

The Republican Party recently put forth a proposal to build 100 new nuclear reactors in the USA. The Economic Analysis Institute for Energy and the Environment at the Vermont School of Law recently did an analysis of the costs of nuclear power. The analysis concluded that consumers could pay $1.9 trillion to $4.4 trillion in excess costs if 100 new nuclear reactors are built instead of using renewable energy and energy efficiency to provide the same electricity. New reactors will cost 12 to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour — at least 6 cents per kilowatt-hour more than electricity provided by renewable energy and energy efficiency. "The low carbon sources that are less costly than nuclear include efficiency, cogeneration, biomass, geothermal, wind, solar thermal and natural gas. Solar photovoltaics that are presently more costly than nuclear reactors are projected to decline dramatically in price in the next decade. Fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage, which are not presently available, are projected to be somewhat more costly than nuclear reactors." http://www.vermontlaw.edu/Documents/Cooper%20Report%20on%20Nuclear%20Economics%20FINAL%5B1%5D.pdf So why should we waste trillions of dollars on new nukes instead of building cheaper renewable energy plants? Aren't Republicans supposed to be against high energy prices? more

Resolved Question: What is the viability of Wind Energy?

i.e. the cost, efficiency and advantages of usin wind power instead of burning fossil fuels more

Resolved Question: Is it fair that the government is spending billions of taxpayers money on the car scrapage scheme?

People can't afford cars at the present time, and many forget that a car is a luxury item and a brand new car is a very luxurious item. Many people buying new vehicles probably don't need brand new cars, and shouldn't be scrapping cars that work perfectly well. As a country, should we be supporting an industry that makes cars that, by their definition have a very short shelf life, and are designed to be replaced. A perfect opportunity to impose improved mileage and lifetimes on car manufacturers has been missed. Instead, like the banking industry, and the government itself, we have bailed out a system which couldn't sustain itself in the first place. And why hasn't the government prevented, and indeed actively allowed the destruction of other industries like fishing, year in, year out, till there is nothing left. Taking jobs and money from communities. Strange that an island would destroy it's fishing industry....I know they try and justify spending millions of tax pounds by saying it's to safe guard (car industry) jobs, but why not utilise the car industries skilled workforce to build efficient, renewable energy, long lasting and durable vehicles. And for the country, why not also solar panels, all sizes of wind turbines, wave power generated power units, and other green solutions which people now and future generations will inherit. The countries which head down this route will have a great head start, and be able to produce this technology cheaper and quicker than those that refuse to adapt. To all the motorists who will send those forwarded emails, (especially the ones in shiny new cars...) asking to keep sending on as a petition to the government about rising fuel costs, this is your opportunity to prevent that situation happening again. The government is spending your money to make sure you will be in that situation again, because you need petrol for your 20-25mpg Brand new car. The original model T Ford did !5-21 mpg. That was one hundred years ago. My god, the whole thing makes me sad and angry. more

Resolved Question: Green Energy Question?

If electricity costs say $0.20kwh and I install some solar power grids and small wind turbines. When these solar power and turbines produce more energy than I use it is sold back to the grid. How much will the electricity company pay for my energy? is it the full price I would pay if buying power or only a small percentage of that??? more

Resolved Question: Financial costs involved in wind energy production?

ok so need 2 know bout the financial costs of wind production. i need actual answers plz i can't find anything exact anywhere else. websites that i would b able 2 understand would b helpful fanks guys :P more

Resolved Question: Renewable Energy Sources.. ?

Hey guys and girls of Y!A :) I'm most definitely not going to ask for every tiny bit of information from you, because that'd be cheating.. But i have a few questions for you all :) Q1: What 2 renewable energy sources (wind power, solar power ect..) do you think are best for the environment? Q2: What 2 renewable energy sources are most effective? And finally Q3: What does Biomass cost? - ANY LINKS TO RESOURCE SITES ARE APPRECIATED BTW! - Thanks :) and don't worry if you don't know an answer to a question, you can just send me a link of an internet site on it. - Kayleigh x more

Resolved Question: Will wind go the way of corn ethanol?

Will wind eventually lose its popular support. Supporters of wind believe that this is the obvious way to go. Free, clean energy. If this was all true, wind would be my numero-uno top choice. Howevre, in regards to wind and solar, there is a major problem which most do not understand at all. Wind power added into any community energy system, is always a redundant and incremental cost! Let me explain. Assume you are in the shoes of the Engineers at Metropolis Power, who must supply the city of Metropolis with all of its energy needs. Black outs and brown outs are not an option. You must design the power system so that there is always enough energy to supply peak demand. Here is the nightmare day for which you must plan. Its a muggy, overcast, dead calm, 90deg F, summer day in Metropolis. Everyone will have his/her AC unit turned on full tilt. There will be no wind to speak of, and solar will work at a very low level of efficiency because the clouds are blocking the sun. On this day, you know that all of the energy needs for the city must come from the coal, nuclear and natural gas power plants. That is the reality scenario. So, when the Metropolis Power Company looks at adding solar or wind to its grid, it does so knowing that the cost of these systems will always be a cost which is above and beyond that of the capacity which is needed to meet the peak demand day. Sure, when there is wind and sun, Metropolis will use it. But this is mostly a face saving public relations stunt for Metropolis management who knows that the citizens of Metropolis would never support paying the cost of a wind or solar system of any significant size because the cost of those wind turbines and solar panels will always be an incremental (above and beyond) cost for the system size which is actually needed to meet the nightmare day scenario. This matters a lot more than most people realize because only 15% of the cost of electricity is the result of the cost of the fuel. In other words, 85% of the money you pay for your electric bill every month is to cover the cost of the personnel, equipment, interest on borrowed capital, and support needed to deliver the energy along with the profit margins and the taxes. Until wind and solar can be made 100% reliable (as in battery storage), these systems will only play the role stage assistant in this theater of life. IMHO, we are far better off focusing on capturing the energy from other clean natural predictable sources like tidal flow and river flow. After all, that ole Mississippi just keeps on rollin along, and ole Mr. Moon just keeps on a shinin! more

Voting Question: How could I summerize this paragraph?

With only the most important facts? I just need the general information on geothermal energy. Geothermal power (from the Greek roots geo, meaning earth, and thermos, meaning heat) is power extracted from heat stored in the earth. This geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, and from solar energy absorbed at the surface. It has been used for space heating and bathing since ancient roman times, but is now better known for generating electricity. About 10 GW of geothermal electric capacity is installed around the world as of 2007, generating 0.3% of global electricity demand. An additional 28 GW of direct geothermal heating capacity is installed for district heating, space heating, spas, industrial processes, desalination and agricultural applications.[1] Geothermal power is cost effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly, but has previously been geographically limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Recent technological advances have dramatically expanded the range and size of viable resources, especially for direct applications such as home heating. Geothermal wells tend to release greenhouse gases trapped deep within the earth, but these emissions are much lower than those of conventional fossil fuels. As a result, geothermal power has the potential to help mitigate global warming if widely deployed instead of fossil fuels.[1] Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal generator on 4 July 1904, at the Larderello dry steam field in Italy.[2] The largest group of geothermal power plants in the world is located at The Geysers, a geothermal field in California, United States.[3] As of 2004, five countries (El Salvador, Kenya, the Philippines, Iceland, and Costa Rica) generate more than 15% of their electricity from geothermal sources. Twenty-four countries generated a total of 56,786 GWh (204 PJ) of electricity from geothermal power in 2005, accounting for 0.3% of worldwide electricity consumption. This output is growing by 3% annually, thanks to a growing number of plants as well as improvements in their capacity factors. Because a geothermal power station does not rely on transient sources of energy, unlike, for example, wind turbines or solar panels, its capacity factor can be quite large; up to 90% has been demonstrated.[4] Their global average was 73% in 2005.[1] The global capacity was 10 GW in 2007. Geothermal electric power plants have been limited to the edges oftectonic plates until recently. Geothermal electric plants have until recently been built exclusively on the edges of tectonic plates where high temperature geothermal resources are available near the surface. The development of binary cycle power plants and improvements in drilling and extraction technology has opened the hope that enhanced geothermal systems might be viable over a much greater geographical range. A demonstration project has recently been completed in Landau-Pfalz, Germany, and others are under construction in Soultz-sous-Forêts, France and Cooper Basin,Australia. more

Resolved Question: Does wind power drain electricity?

I live near a wind turbine farm. After asking my science teacher more about wind turbines she declared that wind turbines are not cost efficient and in some cases have been known to drain power. In addition to this question could a wind turbine power enough energy to create another wind turbine before going out of commission? more

Resolved Question: How to investing in so-called green energy?

There's a contest at my work to be green. One gets points for reducing one's carbon footprint. One of the things I can do to get points is switch to "green" energy producers. The way it works is you pay a little extra money in your electric bill and the green program promises to produce the amount of electricity you used and put it on the grid. The reason why the cost is higher is that the infrastructure of green energy is still being built, so eventually the cost of green electricity should be competitve. I'm hesitant because it just sounds like a donation that isn't tax deductable or an investment that isn't going to have any returns. It's not as if the people putting these windmills up are non-profit, they are making money, so if I put the front money, I should be a shareholder in their company. I would like to know if there is a way to invest in green energy producers the way you would invest in any new business venture, because at least I would that way get a little return on my investment of helping to put up the wind mills or solar panels instead of just paying more to put them up so I can have the pleasure of buying green electricity from the people who I gave money to start their business. more

Resolved Question: solar energy vs. wind energy?!?

Hey guys. I would like to begin heading up a commitee in my school that focus' on making our school greener. I would like to present some facts to them and see if it would be a possibility to have wind or solar energy at our school. I live in northern michigan so it gets very cold, if that makes a difference. Could you please tell me all you know of solar panals and wind turbines? Another big factor is the cost - we have about 90 kids per grade k-12. thanks more

Resolved Question: Does anyone know if there's an experiment I can do that has to do with comparing different energies?

The energy types are: Solar Geothermal. Wind Nuclear Fossils Fuels hydroelectric It doesn't have to encompass all of them. One or two would be fine. I need to figure out which energy source is the best. The one that's considered the best should have an average of good potential, safe to people animals and the environment, cheap (it could have an expensive start up cost but then safe money in the long haul), and etc. Are there any projects that could help me figure this out? Or that could prove that we SHOULDN'T use one of these sources? (Like for ex: this experiment proves we shouldn't use nuclear energy because it is harmful to life and causes cancer). but I can't really use nuclear energy because that's of course dangerous. more

Resolved Question: When will the Liberals give up on Solar and Wind?

Really. First neither are affordable. Second wind mills create noise pollution. Third wind mills will take up space on the earth and if the animal activists are afraid for the animals in Alaska going near a pipe line then the same activists should be just as afraid of wind mills (birds are killed from windmills all the time -and were is the out cry)? Fourth solar panels give off heat outside - will that not contribute to global warming. Fifth how much room is needed to store the energy from wind/solar and what happens in the winter months when their is no sun and no wind. How about hurricane seasons? Hmmm Sixth Wind and Solar should only be done through private investors and not taxing Corporations and Businesses through Cap and Trade which the costs will get passed along to us. Isn't it time to put this liberal dream to bed - at least until it becomes affordable and all the t's and i's are crossed and we the tax Payer won't be left with the BILL. Do you agree ? If not what is your best argument? more

Resolved Question: Wind Turbines and Wind Energy...?

1) About how many KWH can a single wind turbine generate on an average day in the U.S., in New England? 2) How much would one of those turbines cost? 3) What is the rate of $$$ per KWH? Thanks more

Voting Question: I'm doing a project on wind energy....?

I need certain information on wind energy from as reliable a source as possible: 1) How much does a single wind turbine cost (the average turbine being used by governments)? 2) Does a single wind turbine (average size being used by governments) create a profit (in a typically windy area)? 3) Does a wind farm (of 30 or more turbines) create much profit? 4) Does the profit they create (if any) eclipse their cost? Sorry about all of the questions and I would appreciate any information. Thanks............ more

Resolved Question: What type of wind turbines are good to install for homes?

How much would it cost to install? Also, how much electrical energy would be produced yearly? more

Resolved Question: How come Liberal Progressives can't let go of the past and come to the future?

Really, they hold onto old idea's and President Obama is leading the way. Democrat Jimmy Carter put into law a wind fall tax profit on oil companies. To record each profit then send it off to the IRS created a tax increase to consumers at the gas pump along with waiting lines for gas. Gas was so high that the cost to transport food went up along with home heating oil. Reagan got rid of that and gas prices went down, people could get gas whenever they wanted, food prices went down and home heating oil went down. Now why is President Obama seeking to tax the use of Energy? France uses about 80% of Nuclear and 95% of the waste is recycled. In the USA on the Morning Joe show today a spokes woman for Nuclear Power said it wouldn't cost the tax payers as they have investors and the capability to reuse the waste. SO which would you prefer going broke with Obama's Energy Tax knowing that there will be no laws protecting the money collected (like the raiding of social security). OR Nuclear Power which won't cost us but it will cost us less to flick on a switch. Also Nuclear Power is the CLEANEST power around.caldude1...DUH....? Your answer is WRONG and You didn't answer my ASK question which shows your afraid.___________________________ zaza : Your right but Nuclear doesn't TAX the consumer or Businesses. It's clear the Enviormentalist's Goals are to TAX and then get rich. If Obama's Cap n Trade goes through Gore stands to make billions. SO people need to ask themselves why does ALL enviromentalists Programs INCLUDE A TAX . It's all a HOAX to soak us._________________________- Kevin A.R.T. : FULL of it? YOU can't run out of money you don't spend. How much is Obama collecting in taxes? Beside the liberals are putting Ronald down as his plans worked and Obama's just don't. FRANCE has CLEAR AIR and your wrong on Nuclear not being the Cleanest.http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/nuclear.html Air Emissions Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides. more

Resolved Question: PLEASE HELP ME WITH THESE SCIENCE QUESTIONS...?

please can you help me answer as many as you can. Whoever answers the most wins 10 points :) 1. What is the best location for a nuclear power plant? 2. What is the best place for a wind farm? 3.What is the best place for a wave energy generator? (and not just, "in the sea" please :)) 4. What is the best place for tidal barrage? 5. How much does energy generated from tidal barrage cost? 6. What is the best place for a hydroelectric power station? 7. What is the start up time for a hydroelectric power station? 8. How much does is cost to build a solar power plant? 9.What is the start up time for a solar power plant? 10.What is the best location for a solar power plant? 11. How much does energy generated from solar power plant cost? 12.What is the best location for a geothermal power station? 13. What is the start up time for a geothermal power station? 14. How much does it cost to build a geothermal power station? 15. Is there any pollution from geothermal power plants? (i.e visual, noise...etc) Thank you so much, it doesnt matter if you can't answer a lot just anything would be great :) more

Resolved Question: So... Are "Green" job subsidies going to result in millions of lost jobs in the U.S.?

Has Spain's failed experience with "Green" subsidies provided us with a valuable lesson that we should pay attention to? Should Pres. Obama pull the plug on the whole subsidy thing? Green Stimulus Money Costs More Jobs Than It Creates, Study Shows Monday, April 13, 2009 By Josiah Ryan, Staff Writer Every “green job” created with government money in Spain over the last eight years came at the cost of 2.2 regular jobs, and only one in 10 of the newly created green jobs became a permanent job, says a new study released this month. The study draws parallels with the green jobs programs of the Obama administration. But the author of the study, Dr. Gabriel Calzada, an economics professor at Juan Carlos University in Madrid, said the United States should expect results similar to those in Spain: "Spain’s experience (cited by President Obama as a model) reveals with high confidence, by two different methods, that the U.S. should expect a loss of at least 2.2 jobs on average, or about 9 jobs lost for every 4 created, to which we have to add those jobs that non-subsidized investments with the same resources would have created,” wrote Calzada in his report: Study of the Effects on Employment of Public Aid to Renewable Energy Sources. “No other country has given such broad support to the construction and production of electricity through renewable sources,” says the report. “The arguments for Spain’s and Europe’s ‘green jobs’ schemes are the same arguments now made in the U.S., principally that massive public support would produce large numbers of green jobs.” Pat Michaels, professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia and senior fellow in environmental studies at the Cato Institute, a free market group, told CNSNews.com that the study’s conclusions do not surprise him. He added that the United States should expect similar results with the stimulus money it spends on green initiatives. Michaels also said he was not surprised by the study’s finding that only one out of 10 jobs were permanent. “That doesn’t surprise me,” said Michaels. “When we see how imperfect wind energy is and how expensive it is to maintain -- I think many of those jobs will become impermanent here in the U.S. as well.” http://www.cnsnews.com/Public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=46453gwens18a..... thanks for the links. I did read them. With all due respect, in this instance I will have to give the academics and professionals a bit more credibility than a couple of reporters and politicians. The bottom line is that the government can't run itself much less the energy industry. Just remember the Ethanol boondoggle...... we taxpayers have had $Billions of our tax dollars squandered on something that has turned out to be more toxic than regular gasoline. more

Resolved Question: With the same amount of money to invest in a nuclear powerplant, could it be spent on renewable energy...?

With the same amount of money to invest in a nuclear (fission)powerplant, could it be spent on renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.) AND produce the same output? I do not have a concrete stand on nuclear energy simply because I want to look at it (and its alternatives) objectively...and I need more info. Obviously nuclear fission is less desirable in terms of safety and on envirnonmental protection, but does that really outweigh it's ECONOMIC value? I've always believe that people come first and if nuclear energy can help improve the economy of developing nations (and thus, in a way, poverty) then I'm all for it. Plus I know that solar energy is one of the most EXPENSIVE forms of energy in terms of output vs cost (you spend so much for so little output) so it may be unwise and impractical for poorer countries to invest in it. What are your thoughts? more

Resolved Question: Regarding power / energy usage: How can I get off the grid?

If I wanted to stop using public utilities and rely only on solar or wind power, how can I do that? I live in northern NJ, in not the best area, so I don't have much space (it's crowded here and all the houses are really close together). Also my funds are somewhat limited (I'm not sure what it would cost to get un-plugged). How can I get off the grid? Have you or anyone you know done this? How did it go for them; was there much struggle? Any reliable information and links you can give would be great (even if you think it might be too basic). Thanks.No, I don't mean by just flipping off the switch. I still want to have energy and use all sorts of gadgets and appliances at home but not powered by gas, oil or electricity from the public utility company. I rather have a better form of energy like maybe solar or wind power (maybe solar energy is better for where I live in NJ? Or half solar, half wind depending on season?). How can I accomplish this? Is it possible to do living in a crowded area in NJ? more

Resolved Question: Best way to compare the cost of fuels to green energy?

Hello, I would like to compare the costs of the energy costs of the fuels we use today (non renewable) to the current cost of green energy (solar wind water etc). What is the best way to do this? more

Resolved Question: Are You Spending More Money Or Less Since Obama Took Control?

Food costs more- and will continue to rise cause Obamas spending is more than any president in history. Property taxes are going up in most states. Gas prices are going up and that also is expected to continue- cause of speculars from Banks that need money. Energy bills will go up when Obama forces the Coal industry to shut down- cause he wants us to all have wind energy or solar that none of us can really even afford to get. More money will be taken out of our earnings from us who work to give to people who don't work- there is even some states buying cars for people who don't work- thats our tax dollars buying other people cars. Where is the good from this? They are rewarding the people who didn't bother to finish H.School or didn't bother to get a loan to go to college to get good jobs. It took me ten years to pay off my student loans and I never complained about it! Why make it easy for these people who don't want to learn? Anyone can go to college and get a loan! Like I did! Why should I now have to pay for other peoples college? I paid for my own! Nobody helped me! I wouldn't want people I don't know paying for my college anyway! I learned to be responsible paying for it! more

Resolved Question: does anyone know if using home solar power is worth it?

i've been trying to research new energy sources for my house including solar, wind, and human powered pedal options. Solar seems like the most commercialized now but if it works, why doesn't everyone use it. A lot of companies like BP, Mitsubishi, and GE have websites advertizing solar but they don't explain enough about cost and instalation. if anyone out there already uses this tech i'd appreciate some intel. more

Resolved Question: SUPER EASY SCIENCE!! 10 points..not easy for me..?

Question 17 What was NOT an effect of the hurricane of 2005 on the state of Florida? Housing markets declined significantly for up to 4 months after the hurricane season of 2005. Due to reconstruction efforts and aid from the government and insurance companies, the economy quickly rebounded. The amount of migration into the Florida area continues to be on the rise despite the storms. Home insurance costs in Florida decreased tremendously. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 18 Which of the following would be the main reason that air pressure decreases as you go up into the atmosphere. There are fewer and fewer molecules of gases as you go up in altitude causing the air pressure to decrease. The temperature decreases as you go up in altitude causing the air pressure to decrease. The relative humidity decreases as you go up in altitude causing the air pressure to decrease. There is greater moisture at higher altitudes causing the air pressure to decrease. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 19 High pressure areas are associated which of the characteristics below? Choose the three that apply: winds blowing into the center of the high pressure zone clear skies, good weather relatively dry air sinking air -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 20 (Multiple Choice) Which of the following are considered to be a must for safety in a lab situation? (There is more that one correct answer for this question. You must get them all correct to get credit). Read and follow all directions for experiments. While conducting experiments use improper techniques with equipment. Wear the safety equipment prescribed by your instructor. Do not let the instructor know that an accident has occurred. Mix only substances that you have been directed to mix. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 21 The cause of all weather on earth is differences in air pressure at the earth's surface. unequal heating of the earth's surface. differences in the temperatures of meeting edges of air masses. the ability of the atmosphere to retain heat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 22 (Multiple Choice) Which of the following would NOT be something that happens to solar energy when it enters the earth's atmosphere? absorbed by the earth's surface reflected by clouds absorbed by the earth's ocean solar energy is reflected at the thermopause -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 23 In the Troposphere the temperature ____________ as altitude increases (as you go up in height). stays the same increases decreases more

Voting Question: Wind power quesitons. [10 points~]?

Just answer whatever you know. Thanks in advance! -What can this wind power be used for? How is this type of energy easily renewed? What is the cost of using wind power? What are the positive and negative aspects of using wind power? What is the science behind wind power? How is wind power gathered? How is wind power stored for later use? Wat are waste by-products of wind power? Currently, what is keeping wind power from widespread use? When is wind power expected to be easily accessible to the public? more

Resolved Question: I need information on wind turbines in Stoke-On-Trent (uk)?

it has to be in Stoke-On-Trent (uk) and it can be a tesco turbine. I need to know how much it cost to build it,how much energy it provides and some people opinions on it. Also it would help if you gave me a link for a picture more

Resolved Question: is it be possible to charge the battery of an electric bike motor using the rotation of the tire while pedling?

Maybe I have a new idea that I can copyright but I highly doubt it. I know it would be simple to build but require alot of time and tinkering to perfect it. They have electric assist motors for bicycles that can maintain a constant speed of 20 MPH and have a range of nearly 100 miles. Those are the expensive ones though. In most peoples price ranges their options are around 12 MPH and a 30 mile range. It is still pretty acceptable but it still requires being plugged in to charge. yes you could use a solar panel or a wind turbine to charge it but that too costs an excessive amount of money. Now onto the question. In the Toyota Prius they have Regenerative braking, using motor-generators, which converts kinetic energy of motion into electrical energy that is stored in the traction battery and reduces wear on the brake pads. Couldnt this be used on the bicycle to create energy to be stored in the battery? Also you may only want to use the engine as a power assist for going up hills of when you are tired from peddling, couldnt you somehow store the energy from the rotation of the tire in the battery? more

Resolved Question: Why does "green energy" cost so much?

For two years, the city of Durango, Colo., bought electricity for all its government buildings from wind farms. The City Council ended that program this year, reverting to electricity derived from coal-burning plants and saving the cash-strapped city about $45,000. Solar cost $175 per megawatt Wind = $91 Nuclear=$73 Coal=$64 Why does it cost so much?http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090504/UPDATES01/905040340 more

Resolved Question: Do you think wind-powered airplanes are far-fetched?

I'm curious if airplanes can function from wind energy. It would be awesome if propellers operated from the jet stream while flying. I am no astrophysicist or engineer, so this is conjecture. I believe props spin more than 240 RPM's. I choose this over omitting CFC's into the atmosphere. Not only could this reduce energy costs; it might decrease air travel prices. Perhaps they could produce battery-operated planes that plug into generators at local airports. Better yet, I i ships and cruise liners should adopt these principles, if they are substantial.What about placing the batteries at the airport terminal where they can plug them in? more

Voting Question: What kind of incentives does the federal government offer to local governments to use renewable energy sources?

I'd like my town to build a wind farm. However, I know how local governments can be when it comes to paying for new projects. Will the federal government help defray some of the costs, if the city decides to build it? more

Resolved Question: how much does it cost to find wind energy ?

also to fix if breaks,and get it to costomers ? more

Resolved Question: How much money would it cost if we used solar energy and kinetic energy to supply the united states?

I need to know how much money it would cost to supply the entire united states with kinetic, wind, solar, and hydro-electric energy THANKS!!!! :) more

Resolved Question: how much does it cost the country to recieve wind energy ?

also how much to fix it if it breaks ? and how much for people to by that machine ? more

Resolved Question: what is the levalized cost of wind energy?

in like $ / kilowatt hours thanks more

Resolved Question: Help with Kinetic and Potential energy!?

1. Is holding a wound rubber band that propels a toy airplane potential or kinetic energy? 2. Is a bicycle costing on a level sidewalk kinetic or potential energy? 3. Is a tightly wound spring being held in place kinetic or potential energy? Please and Thank You! more

Resolved Question: Can I get or find people to fiance a wind turbine for my home?

I have search long and hard for grants and places that gives loans for renewable energy. There are no grants for individuals and the loans are just to refinance your home to pay for one. I would like to purchase a 10kw turbine to proved all my electrical needs and even sell some to the electric company. I have called around and most are asking for 70k to 100k for building, preparing, and permits. I live in the middle of no where USA so it cost more to have supplies ship to me. Even the tax credits would not help. The tax credit only pays 30% of putting it up.I am a disabled veteran so money is tight.So if anyone has any ideas on how to raise the amount needed to purchase one it would be greatly appreciated. Final thought- If the government really wants us as people to help with energy and a cleaner earth they have to bring down prices for us lower class people so we can afford wind solar or other renewable energy's tax credits are good if your rich enough to afford the up front costs to buy them.I live in Oklahoma we do not have that stuff. I have done a month of research. So I have looked at all government site's and a lot of of .org site. I have hit a dead end and hoping a well of person would give me a low interest loan or even a grant.Please no fraud! If you really want to help me please have a real link. I will not answer to responses where you have a email link, then when you send me a reply it asks for all my personal info. I may be in need of help but I am not in need of having my identity ripped off. Thank you.please help me im begging more

Resolved Question: What is the simplest but most useful recent invention you've heard of?

For me, this oven takes the cake! London, April 9 (ANI): A solar-powered oven made from cardboard is the 50,000-pound winner of a contest to find the world's greenest invention. The invention bagged the FT Climate Change Challenge crown after beating 300 other creations, including a food additive, which stops cows passing wind. Kenya-based entrepreneur Jon Bohmer a Norwegian, set up Kyoto Energy with his Kenyan wife Neema, and has used his own money to fund the project. The oven - which costs just 3.50 pounds to make - can slowly cook casseroles, boil water and bake bread. It is made from two boxes, one inside the other with an acrylic cover, which lets the sun's power in and traps it. Black paint on the inner box and silver foil on the outer help concentrate the heat while a layer of straw or newspaper between the two provides insulation. Bohmer hopes that the oven would put an end to the use of firewood to cook in developing countries. "We're saving lives and saving trees. I doubt if there is any other technology that can make so much impact for so little money," Sky News quoted Bohmer as saying. He plans to use the prize money to conduct mass trials in 10 countries, including South Africa, India and Indonesia and gather data to back an application for carbon credits. (ANI)Edit: Um...i said 'recent'... more

Resolved Question: how much would it cost to use wind as a energy source in a household?

Resolved Question: Conversion costs of wind and solar energy on an average home.?

I need a little help. Can someone help me to find out the conversion cost on an 2,330 square feet home (average size) using wind energy by itself then solar energy by itself. Anything will help. more

Resolved Question: Quantifying the costs of fossil fuel addiction?

There are obvious costs of burning fossil fuels - extraction, production, power plant construction and maintenance, transmission, etc.. What studies have quantified the hidden economic costs of fossil fuel usage? What about social costs? Is it useful or feasible to quantify social costs? Here's a general list: Global warming Air pollution Water and land pollution Thermal pollution National security impacts http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/impacts/the-hidden-cost-of-fossil.html In addition, we can probably add: Price volatility & risk - Energy costs from fossil fuel usage is fuel-intensive (as opposed to capital intensive). As recent years have further indicated, we are held hostage to commodity fluctuations. Job quality - Would you rather work in the dirty coal industry or a wind turbine components factory? To be specific, the questions are: 1. What additional economic or social costs not mentioned here are associated with fossil fuel usage? 2. What studies have reasonably quantified each cost?Some help for davem: Wind power is already economically viable, without even considering the hidden costs. See levelized cost comparison: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/archive/ieo06/special_topics.html Solar power isn't far off either, arguably cheaper when hidden costs are included, something we all pay for, even if it doesn't show up directly on your electric bill, which brings us to the question... more

Resolved Question: what energy source costs no money?

Which one is it out off.... Biomass, Gas, Solar, Tidal,Geothermal, Hydroelectric, wave, wind, coal,or nuclear?? more

Resolved Question: do people know 100's of millions will die?

with the huge wave of environmentalists claiming that we need to stop using oil and coal and resort to more green ways to produce energy, do people realize that countries like Africa that absolutely depend their development on those very resources and with out those resources they would die? solar and wind energy which costs too much for a third world country not only isnt capable of powering say a steel factory but is barely capable of providing adequately for a home. if this movement goes global this will cause genocide for those countries that need to use fossil fuels in order to develop. not only is man made global warming from C02 a pseudo scientific lie, it has created this ideology. a cult movement that has become an unstoppable force. does people actually think about these thingsdysenter this is true. the life expectancy of those without development are significantly lower than those with. a man in Zimbabwe will live on average of 38 years. us in America with great development in all areas live about 66 ...as long as they are hindered from developing the deaths will continue to increase. thats a fact. more