This article talks about how wind turbines could be a realilistic source of power and the process of starting to use them could be expediated by the meeting in Copenhagen. Not only will there be a 200 foot turbine on the premiss but tours of a local windfarm off the coast will be available. It also speaks of challenges America would face using them since our government may not endorce it as much as European counties.
My personal view is that humans should use clean energy as much as we can. But would turbines in the middle of the ocean really be that green? Aparently they can, since versions of surface floating turbines are currently under testing. Son not only would turbines at sea not affect the marine life, they would spare wooded areas from being cleared so that they could be installed on land. And boasting the ability to power 200,000 homes, a windfarm is no slouch at being able to produce electricity. So compared to other forms of so called green energy like hydroelectric and nuclear, wind will be on this planet as lond as the sun is working. Some peoples opinions could be to say that the turbines are ugly and loud, but this would not be an issue. Considering that they are being built off the coast I cant imagine them even being visable over the horizon. So do you think offshore turbines could be a good alternitive to dams and nuclear energy?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/business/energy-environment/07iht-green07.html?_r=1&ref=earth
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I think that wind energy through turbines have tremendous potential and is already farther along than nuclear and probably even solar energy. The turbines in the ocean could be very useful. I have passed farmland with hundreds of turbines running on them and they are indeed ugly and space consuming. However, the article also mentioned how ocean turbines are 50% more expensive than land ones, and those are already expensive as it is. If cost can be reduced, this will be a major generator of power int he near future.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering why the American government does not support wind energy as much as Europe. I dont feel like we are using the "great plains" region for any other reason. But the cost is a major factor as this article brings up but I think we should make exceptions to something as important as this.
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