Earlier this month I flew into the Midland International Airport for a family visit. I was struck by the changes on the horizon; where five years ago there was nothing but shrubs and cattle in the distance, now every direction you look the landscape is filled with windmills. In windswept West Texas, wind energy has become a big business. Of course, wind supplies just a tiny fraction of our energy needs, but it’s growing. Where will we get our energy in the future?
Interestingly, US Energy Information Administration data shows that over half of crude oil ends up as transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel). Oil generates only 1% of our electric power. So, clearly moving to energy efficient cars is key to reducing our dependence on oil. Hybrid battery/gasoline powered cars are here and full electric cars are becoming available. Natural gas and fuel cell-powered cars are also possible, and all these alternatives provide a welcome possibility for reducing our carbon emissions.
Speaking of fuels cells, I was intrigued by a segment on 60 minutes earlier this year describing the Bloom Energy Server. This fuel cell is not intended for your car, but can provide electric power to homes, offices, and industry. The especially interesting aspects are that the Bloom Energy Server works ‘off-the-grid’ and you choose the fuel. In effect, you set up your own generating station. Still in development, the Bloom device would be the modern version of the old diesel generator, but quieter and greener. If fuel cells become more practical in terms of cost and operation, not only could we use smaller versions in our cars, but the larger versions, like the Bloom product, could change the way we power our homes and offices.
When we experienced the heavy snows in the East this past winter and many of us lost power for days, it would have been very nice to have a fuel cell in the backyard. Sure would beat wondering when the power would be restored. Fuel cells, windmills, and other green energy options on the horizon are telling us that our energy future will change. Tell me where you think we are headed.
Here in Massachusetts, there’s been a long debate about constructing a wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod. Some say we’ll benefit from the ‘free’ energy, other locals say it is eye pollution. You can make a case for both, but I think the key to new energies will be choosing the most efficient ones.
I think hydrogen should be more heavily researched. I saw that Iceland has been testing hydrogen-powered buses with success.
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Windmill is very helpful. Yeah, it might has an effect on our environment like climate change but it also has its advantage that could help us. Its just a matter of advantage and disadvantage.
It’s very interesting article. I think that this information is very useful.
I am so glad that windmills are becoming a part of our landscape. I also think that in addition to them being used for the “grid”, they can also be used for individual homes. It will certainly be interesting to see what the future of electricity will be.
Dianne C.
great post, thank you
Great comments so far. I am so looking forward to alternative energy becoming more mainstream. It is very cost prohibitive for most technologies right now but the costs are coming down. There are things you can do to help tho. Something as simple as adding a thermal blanket (15.00 ) to your water heater can reduce your water heater’s energy consumption by a noticeable percentage. Imagine if that was a requirement for every household in the US – instant energy savings of 10% or more. Little steps like that can go a long way to helping us reduce our personal carbon footprint. Recovering energy is another way to help. Use a heat transfer power module to power a fan to blow air away from your wood or gas stove. The rooms will feel more comfortable and you will use less materials or gas to get them that way. There are many, inexpensive ways to help reduce our impact on our environment. I am glad GSA and Industry are seeing the benefits of moving to a zero environmental impact stance.
great information sharing and thanks for that.
In effect, you set up your own generating station. Still in development, the Bloom device would be the modern version of the old diesel generator, but quieter and greener. If fuel cells become more practical in terms of cost and operation, not only could we use smaller versions in our cars, but the larger versions, like the Bloom product, could change the way we power our homes and offices.
This is a very thought-provoking post. That Bloom device sounds intriguing. It really would be amazing if “personal” fuel cells became something we all could afford.
I agree with you that things are changing and we now more readily windmill farms etc. I think is is wonderful that we can put things back into the energy matrix if we generate more than we use but it is still costly to implement. What if we could use the same fuel cell in our car as a backup when our home power goes out. Hmmm.
regards Angie
GSA could install currently available commercial fuel cells in stationary applications instead of the typical motor-generator equipment used to provide clean computer power for gov’t data centers for the same cost. GSA would save the 25% of the demand of the motor-generators used driving them and then there is the source energy savings of better than 60% clean electricity generation when a waste-heat chiller is used but maybe Congress will define this energy as renewable { Link } and then maybe GSA will catch on. But GSA doesn’t have to wait on Bloom Box because that technology is available today.
Very interesting post. Since I was a kid (70s) a neighbor has had a windmill on his property. I use to think he was a bit of a loon for doing that. Now I can see that he was really van guard.
I remember reading that there was a contest to develop a plane and technology that could fly across the atlantic. If memory serves Charles Lindburg won it. What suprised me is that the teams spend around 3x on research & development to build the plane than the prize offered. All for the honor and pride of winning and public recognition.
My question is would such a strategy work again? Could we use honor and pride as influences in this effort?