>From Jed: > See: > > http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/45889.pdf
> http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/09/nrel-says-offshore-wind-could-power-the-u-s-four-times-over On the surface such statistics appear to be very encouraging. I would speculate (as well as hope) that after environmental and other related issues knock the initial 4,150 gigawatt figure down to a more realistic number the amount of electricity that could still be generated would be close, if not more than what we currently consume. Shoot! Maybe we could even become exporters again. It's figures like this that make me wonder that if our leaders could simply coordinate their proverbial hindquarters (as well as their constituents) and try to launch something akin to a fully disclosed Manhattan project the results might be a sight to behold. Granted, it would be another massive public-works project, funded by us, the taxpayer. It probably would be expensive, certainly up-front. Nevertheless, I'm reminded of Kennedy's politically motivated space race to the moon initiated back in the 1960s. I'm reminded of all the technological wonders and spinoff technology that program introduced to many sectors of the economy and society. The "space race" ultimately benefiting everyone, often in surprising and unexpected ways. I'm convinced equivalent spinoffs would ensure, ultimately benefiting everyone if a concerted effort were put in place. As with the goal of putting a man on the moon in ten years, we would be forced to figure out how best to construct sufficient numbers of wind generating units more economically, how best to install them, and how best to construct the necessary infrastructure to store and distribute all the electricity being generated evenly across the nation's grid. In the end I would think that the payback realized in stabilized energy prices, advances in technology - along with the fringe benefit of once again acquiring energy independence would be one of the best investments we ever made. Yeah, yeah. I know... I'm probably preaching to the choir. And, of course, in the meantime we all keep waiting for someone to pull a rabbit out of the hat. LENR to hydrinos... whatever. I'm reminded of what a wise Saudi businessman once was purported to have uttered: Our grandparents herded camels. Our parents rode bicycles We drive cars Our children will pilot jets. Our grandchildren will herd camels. Regards Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.zazzle.com/orionworks
