Solar energy and wind energy – The best alternative energy resources

WEYER21 · #1 10-28-2010, 12:52 AM

News On Renewable Energy resources is gaining a lot of prominence these days. Both private and government agencies are trying their best to find and use the most lucrative renewable energy resource. Have you ever thought about the most convenient renewable energy resource?

The best and the most convenient among the renewable energy resources are solar energy and wind energy. Both these energy resources can easily manage in providing enough energy for worldwide consumption.

Let us consider solar energy first. Here are a few advantages of solar energy, over the other energy resources.

1. You don’t require any specific fuel.

2. This energy usage does not release any harmful pollutants.

3. Solar energy is one of the cost effective modes of renewable energy.

The price of solar energy has decreased with the advancement of newer technologies. The efficiency is also much higher when compared to other renewable energy resources.

Unlike the other energy resources, solar energy is available 24/7, without any break.

Another important energy resource is wind energy. Like solar energy, wind energy is also one of the lucrative alternative energy resources. Here are a few advantages of wind energy, over the other energy resources.

The prices of wind turbines may vary according to various factors like size of the wind farm and location, as these directly influence the cost of installation and wind speed.

But when considered in general terms

If the farm is bigger the production cost would be usually cheaper and if the wind is faster the production cost becomes cheaper.

Wind turbines are lucrative than any other alternative energy resource as

1. It does not require fuel
2. It helps a lot in green house gases elimination
3. It is low-priced and efficient than any fossil fuel power plant

Imagine a proper combination of these two renewable energy resources. It would surely put an end to the present energy crisis.

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Viperfreak2 · #2 10-28-2010, 07:58 AM

Let's say the government, instead of spending 800 BILLION stimulating quick fix paving projects (notorious for cost overruns, fraud, padded salaries for execs) took that same amount and built 50 solar panel factories. One in each state. Let's say each building cost 1 billion. Now hire people to build, (5000 employees at each site X 50 locations is 250,000 jobs) buy raw materials (USA sourced only, lots more jobs) and start shipping one solar panel to each house, appartment bulding, and business in America. Hire installation crews to set up the wiring and have a grid system on the roofs so you could attach more later. Build an updated power grid across the USA (more jobs), and THEN (when the 800 billion is gone) sell the solar factories to the private sector. They can keep this process going (and make money selling the panels) until there is enough power being generated to eliminate all coal powerplants. Then eventually ALL powerplants. You could build battery sub stations to store the energy and feed it back at night, or rainy days. You could 'ship' power easily across the country with the new power grid. No more need to drill oil, or import ONE DROP from the middle east.

amacman · #3 10-28-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

Let's say the government, instead of spending 800 BILLION stimulating quick fix paving projects (notorious for cost overruns, fraud, padded salaries for execs) took that same amount and built 50 solar panel factories. One in each state. Let's say each building cost 1 billion. Now hire people to build, (5000 employees at each site X 50 locations is 250,000 jobs) buy raw materials (USA sourced only, lots more jobs) and start shipping one solar panel to each house, appartment bulding, and business in America. Hire installation crews to set up the wiring and have a grid system on the roofs so you could attach more later. Build an updated power grid across the USA (more jobs), and THEN (when the 800 billion is gone) sell the solar factories to the private sector. They can keep this process going (and make money selling the panels) until there is enough power being generated to eliminate all coal powerplants. Then eventually ALL powerplants. You could build battery sub stations to store the energy and feed it back at night, or rainy days. You could 'ship' power easily across the country with the new power grid. No more need to drill oil, or import ONE DROP from the middle east.

it is good to know someone has their eyes wide open .

X5Sport · #4 10-28-2010, 04:44 PM

Solar energy is only available when the sun shines and only viable in certain parts of the world. I would hardly say it was avail 24/7 - it does't work at night, can't presently be stored and craps out when the weather is bad. A solar collector for a city supply needs a vast area of mirrors etc. Technology needs to improve massively.

Wind energy needs wind, takes up vast areas of land (or sea for offshore), is inefficient, doggone ugly and is again technologically far from being a mature system.

I have no doubt that the technology will continue to improve in the same way hybrid cars are, and one day they won't need to drag 200Kgs+ of deadweight batteries around. We have been making internal combustion engines, and steam/gas power generators for years and I guess it will a few decades yet before we get mature long life fully developed viable systems. Until then we have blasted windmills springing up, coal fired power stations ans some new nuclear stations to come on stream. Not perfect, and my own view is that these $billions being made by oil companies really should go into developing 'real' clean energy systems rather than TV ads full of rhetoric and 'aren't we clever' new fossil fuel systems. But, and it's a big But, the oil companies profits make up huge parts of pension funds and have enormous clout everywhere in the world. There are no Politicians willing to take them on and that is the real human tragedy. Nuff said!

amacman · #5 10-28-2010, 04:55 PM

now then ,
as usual it is up to the genius Scottish engineers who are currently developing wave powered generators .
but , as usual again there is a shortage of funding .there is no shortage of coastline and the generators are semi submersed .
go stir some trouble in London where the revenue from Scottish oil is squandered .
we had companies making wind generators over 30 years ago but the NIMBY `s were not having it so the industry never took off .
the Danish grabbed the opportunity to develop wind technology and have gained handsomely .

Viperfreak2 · #6 10-29-2010, 08:25 AM

LOVE the idea! They sit under the water, couple hundred feet off shore so they are invisible. Power day and night. Inexpensive proven technology (a flap on a rod) and we also have a few miles of coastline! The new power grid is still needed to send the electricity long distances, but we need that anyway.

motordavid · #7 10-29-2010, 05:06 PM

Ah, interesting OP post, if one has been in a cave for the past couple of decades...
also, OP's first post/"joined" yesterday. Good to get the discussion going again,
but that Reader's Digest list is not exactly on the leading edge...

I vote for mini-reactors in everyone's home/biz.
GL, mD

JCL · #8 10-29-2010, 06:16 PM

I was amused to see all the discussion in response to a spambot. The same post is elsewhere on the web, from variations of this user name, like WEYER31. Only one post on those other boards as well.

amacman · #9 10-29-2010, 09:00 PM

I knew it was a spambot but the discussion has started .
we have some wave power near to the grid
we have places with outstanding potential if the money comes to get it to the grid .
there is controversy over plans for pylons through the heart of Scotland at the moment . the money could have contributed to an undersea cable which would have opened up more wind and wave projects but unfortunately we seem to be governed by cheapskate losers .

X5Flyboy · #10 11-01-2010, 08:07 AM

Wind, wave, and solar all have a space in our energy needs, but only coal, oil, natural gas, or nuclear can meet peak power needs. The power grid also needs new innovation and updating.

My friend (with 20yrs in nuclear submarines) tells me the French have it right. One nuclear power plant design. Need more energy, build 2. All training is identical. Common parts results in cheaper manufacture. Any problems can be quickly checked on at other plants.

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