First, I want to say that we are trying to evolve this site into something that brings value to the world. Having said that, thanks to everyone for their support so far. We’re counting on you to help our evolution along, so send us suggestions or comments whenever you have them. Even if the journey has just started, we are excited about where we are and the potential that we have.
In a previous post you met my ConsiderTomorrow compatriot L.J., and now I’d like to take some time to introduce myself.
C.O.
Although I now live on the East Coast, I was born and raised in Kansas. I served 6 years in the U.S. Air Force as a linguist (wonder where I met L.J.) and stayed out here by the Atlantic when my enlistment was up. Currently I work in research and marketing, but I’m going back to school for a career more focused on science and technology–the disciplines in which I believe you have the chance make a real difference. In my opinion there are bright days ahead for human scientific advancement; however, our most pressing issue is energy: clean, renewable, sustainable, affordable energy. I think that finding a responsible solution to this crisis will strengthen our country, especially economically. The answer is there, and it’s going to take all of us to find and implement it.
Oh, and the future under your hood is 100% electric.
Economically, personal energy independence just makes sense. Whether it be wind, solar, gasification, other renewable sources, or a mix of few of these, there are some serious adavantages. And while it will be tough for an individual to become fully independent, our furture may count on getting as close to that mark as we can.
Let’s imagine that you didn’t have a monthly power bill, what would you do with the extra money? As energy prices keep rising they steal more and more of our discretionary income, which is income that doesn’t see its way back into the market to help bolster the economy. And what about the other energy cost we have…how free would you feel emotionally and econmically if you didn’t have to stop at a gas station for your everyday fuel needs? Converting to a renewable home power system cuts out the middleman, and you produce the energy you need when you need it. In addition, converting to an electric car lets you use that energy for all of your basic fuel needs. Those changes make a big dent in the outflow of your hard earned money and give you more to spend on the other important and sometimes non-important expendatures.
Keeping more money in the checking account should get just about everyone excited, but there’s also another consideration: the energy crisis. There are energy resources in this country that are getting old and need to be decommissioned. These power plants are going to have to be replaced, and it gets hard to keep up with power requirements when U.S. power demand is growing, plants are closing, and our economy is dragging its feet. Disastrous things happen when we start to have energy shortages. We need leadership and personal initiative. We could take responsibility in this crisis and calm the stress on the power infrastructure by making power locally in the home. If we don’t look at this problem as it is and leave it to the same people that have been dealing with it for decades, we are in for a rough ride.
One of the great side effects of working toward personal energy independence is that we cut down on our use of carbon based fuels. Athough the debate rages on about the environment, there is no doubt that fossil fuels will someday run out. We need to prepare for that right now with renewables. If indeed we are doing damage to our surroundings, then renewables offer a responsible way to power us into the future.
All of these great things and it seems like we’re crawling to implementation. Unfortunately, many of the renewable technologies aren’t ready for primetime, and their infant state makes them expensive (we still think the econmics work in their favor). On the bright side Americans have shown the will in past times to push through difficulties and do what is right for the good of the many. Call us hopeful, but we believe it can be done. It is just going to take an attitude that doens’t accept business as usual. So, whether it’s wind, solar, or a hybrid, let’s do the hard stuff now so that we can survive the future.
Here’s a term you should know: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). These power systems create electricity by using the heat deep below the Earth’s surface. The government and Google.org (a great outfit) showed their support for this young technology by throwing a combined $100 million at it, and while that initial investment is only the beginning of what is needed, it shows that the technology is getting some much needed attention.
Perhaps a better explanation:
EGS is a baseload resource, meaning that unlike wind or solar power, it will operate all day/all year whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. Another advantage is that this type of power is essentially engineered into a closed system where the water used to run the turbines is recycled. Sounds game changing, huh.
Well as great as Enhanced Geothermal is, it is still a long way from large-scale, commercial deployment. It is reassuring to know, however, that we have money and brainpower flowing into these projects. And the combination of these renewable resources is the only way we can count on a bright future. A future where EGS counts on one of our oldest constants, Mother Earth.
Week after week it seems like more projects to produce electricity via wind are popping up. It’s a new fad, and tons of companies want to get in on the fun. Take the already mentioned Pickens’ Plan. He proposes a huge farm in Texas that will produce thousands of megawatts of power. Pickens also wants to push the percentage of wind power generation into the twenties, which is a tall order considering it is currently at about one percent. That shouldn’t be much of a detterent though because we have the capability (money) and the geography (the U.S. is considered the Saudia Arabia of wind power).
The problem
There is, however, an issue. Despite the fact that an annual U.S. Department of Energy report shows a 46% growth in wind energy in 2007, the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) is set to expire at the end of 2008. This legislation provides major support for building new, more responsible ways to produce energy in this country, and it needs to be, funny as it may sound, renewed. That 46% growth broke records and with incentives to keep growing the industry it will keep breaking records, but there is also the potential that it could come to a screeching halt.
What to do
What is the endgame to all of this: To have a more efficient and responsible way of life. We are not talking about giving up the creature comforts that Americans are used to, although we may have to rethink the way some things are done. The bottom line is that there are many benefits to renewable, and the biggest of them may be that it hits you directly in the pocketbook–favorably. What should you do now? Go over to this American Wind Energy Association webpage where you can send a message to Congress telling them to renew the renewable PTC.
Afterthoughts
I’m a huge proponent of electrifying the fleet. Wind power, along with other sources of renewable energy generation, can take us a step in the right direction. There are two pressing things to think about (and discuss in another post):
1. What if you never again had to pay for fuel for your automobile? (I know it’s crazy, but we’ll talk about it)
2. The grid as it is may not be ready for all of the power we can send to it. (A big issue that we all need to help change)
