Wind is an excellent conservation resource

Space/Science » in reply to Wind a good complement to Nukes

Wind is an excellent conservation resource

bluh — 6/23/2001 3:03:27 AM (archived)

Wind power can be used to reduce dependance on *any* other form of power production, whether hydro, nuclear, coal, oil, etc. Heliostats are good too! But wind turbines are the cheapest and turn a profit in 8 years.

Capital cost comparisons
--------------------------
coal = $1.20 per watt
diesel = $1.60 per watt
hydro = $1.34 to $1.87 per watt
geothermal = ??? (not renewable anyways)
wind = $2 per watt
heliostat = $4 to $5 per watt
nuclear = $4 to $6 per watt
photovoltaics = $6 to $7 per watt

Wind power seems to be right in the price range that would make it the second of two renewable power sources that can compete with coal & diesel. Nuclear isn't even in the ballpark. Why do we bother? Nuclear is steady, whereas the wind doesn't always blow full strength.

The whole thread (32 posts)

Cost of renewable energy - bluh - 6/22/2001 4:33:32 AM
- New Design - Adam - 6/24/2001 1:56:00 AM
- One problem with wind turbines - Larry J - 6/22/2001 4:08:39 PM
  - Reliable Information - bluh - 6/22/2001 5:22:47 PM
  - Re: One problem with wind turbines - PhilW - 6/22/2001 4:18:52 PM
    - Here's a photo - bluh - 6/22/2001 7:28:46 PM
      - To add a point - bluh - 6/22/2001 7:59:41 PM
        
        Wind a good complement to Nukes - PhilW - 6/22/2001 8:57:38 PM
        
        Wind is an excellent conservation resource - bluh - 6/23/2001 3:03:27 AM
        
        re costs - gbaikie - 6/23/2001 5:43:22 AM
        
        I was referring to the capital cost - bluh - 6/24/2001 1:16:21 AM
        
        What bluh fails to mention about nuclear power - FrankLuxem - 6/23/2001 4:16:29 AM
        
        Cool !!! - bluh - 6/24/2001 1:19:42 AM
        
        Infuriating - Gary - 6/23/2001 8:03:09 AM
        
        Wind Power for Mars Lander Mission - bluh - 6/24/2001 1:30:21 AM
        
        Yeah, I grew up in CA - FrankLuxem - 6/23/2001 3:18:17 PM
        
        Both are excesses of evolution n/t - ebnelson - 6/23/2001 9:27:05 AM
- Environmental cost - Nick Hoffman - 6/22/2001 6:35:09 AM
  - Solution is Hydro & Wind - bluh - 6/22/2001 5:31:23 PM
    - Hot air and all wet, I think. - ebnelson - 6/23/2001 2:32:50 PM
      - We need more sci-fi - bluh - 6/24/2001 1:51:31 AM
        
        Have you driven past a ridgeline with dozens of windmills? - ebnelson - 6/24/2001 5:55:27 PM
  - Canada has a pretty good nuclear program - Tom Brosz - 6/22/2001 10:03:09 AM
    - I cannot support nuclear - bluh - 6/22/2001 5:38:16 PM
      - I guess you think no solutions can be found? - ebnelson - 6/23/2001 4:08:08 PM
        
        Yes. That is what I am saying. - bluh - 6/24/2001 1:38:48 AM
        
        A circular answer, bluh - ebnelson - 6/24/2001 5:56:53 PM
      - Confusion about nuclear waste - Gary - 6/22/2001 9:13:47 PM
        
        Um.. you got it exactly backwards - Ilya - 6/22/2001 9:49:44 PM
        
        I stand corrected - Gary - 6/23/2001 1:15:53 AM
        
        Sending wrong message - gbaikie - 6/22/2001 11:08:05 PM
        
        great points (n/t) - PhilW - 6/22/2001 10:40:36 PM

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