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Arizona has turbine generators driven by fields of mirrors that concentrate the sun on a single spot on a water tower.
Massive amounts of land used for that method.
The trades are pretty constant but not a wind turbine in site. Doesnt make sense except that geothermal is probably cheaper.
The trades on this side aren't strong enough nor consistent enough. Companies have studied this already. That is why the wind turbines are in other areas of the island.
I don't know if wind turbines could get through an environmental assessment in Puna - too many rare birds and bats to contend with.
Plus, many people object to their noise and aesthetics.
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quote:
Originally posted by leilanidude
Massive amounts of land used for that method.
Wonder where we could find large tracts of land that are subject to plenty of sun but not really great for habitation? Royal Gardens? HOVE? 1 % of Parker Ranch?
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"Look up the Bloom energy box; A fuel cell device that can power a large building. No grid necessary. This is now; what do you think is going to pop up in ten years?"
The Bloom energy box burns natural gas ! How much of that resource do we have in Hawaii ?
We have a geothermal resource and we should use it !!!
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We have a free and unlimited supply of energy right under our feet. Of course we should use it.
Anyone who is against that just isn't thinking rationally.
They have aluminum plants in Iceland but no bauxite. Why? Because they have free energy.
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The Bloom energy box burns a small amount of natural gas to power it's solid oxide fuel cells.
The upsides are the US leads the world in Natural gas production, so no foreign wars needed; And it would eliminate the need for antique grid technology.
The other thing is to remember is that this is new technology; and will get better or replaced by a better one.
The Grid isn't going to get any better, only costlier to maintain, and more expensive as fewer people use it.
If you think the Grid Transmission System is as good as it gets; By all means, continue to enjoy it's reliability and efficiency.
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Paul says;
"We have a free and unlimited supply of energy right under our feet."
______________________________________________________________
snorkle asks;
Would you please tell me where to get this free energy? I've been paying HELCO .43/KWH for mine.
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There's a whole bunch of free energy heading towards Pahoa.
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Bloom box has been talked about for years with no sign of becoming residential available for 5 or 10 years. Do you actually know what the technology is, that is the actual equation? Do you know solid oxide fuel cells operate around 800 degrees C? Do you know a Bloom Box right now costs $700,000?
The flow probably means the end of putting in a new geothermal plant in southeast Puna. However, PGV will keep going as long as it can, which is probably another 20 to 30 years. PGV also could get a PPA (power purchase agreement) from HELCO to increase output from 39MW now to 60MW. This will mean new wells will have to be drilled but by then, there will be fewer people to complain.
There is a new geothermal plant coming and it may serve both the west and east side, as well as be away from populated areas. Since this is a lame duck governor with lame duck PUC appointees, it will be the next PUC that will make this decision. Initial investigations are being done and the next plant will probably have all 100% of geothermal royalties go to the koko kanaka maoli via OHA.
"We come in peace!" - First thing said by missionaries and extraterrestrials
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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quote:
Originally posted by snorkle
The Bloom energy box burns a small amount of natural gas to power it's solid oxide fuel cells.
The upsides are the US leads the world in Natural gas production, so no foreign wars needed; And it would eliminate the need for antique grid technology.
There is no source of natural gas in Hawaii.
The bloom box will not work here !!!
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obie,
My point is the Grid is dying. Anything that's used to power it is not a good long term investment.
Geothermal is truly a locally available alternative technology; But putting it into a technological obsolete tree catching money pit is like putting a new Chevy engine in a rusty old wagon.
