A Wind-Win Situation
Slashdot announced this week news of a town in Missouri that will soon be 100% wind powered. Rock Port, Missouri has a population of only about 1400 people (according to the 2000 census), so it only takes four 1.25 Megawatt wind turbines to provide enough power. The turbines are located at the Loess Hill Wind Farm. According to the farm's website, the turbines connect directly to the city's high voltage line, though the supply does have backup from other power sources in the municipal system. The U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program highlights Rock Port here.
Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn't it? Unfortunately, not everyone likes the sight of these towering turbines, which brings us to another problem often associated with environmental remedies: NIMBY, which stands for Not In My Backyard. Everyone likes the idea of green power, but when it comes down to having to look at the tall metal structures, many people refuse. One man has caused quite a stir in his historic Atlanta neighborhood, where neighbors say the windmill owner has "invaded the public view" and also accused him of erecting the structure simply to show off his "environmental bling."
The race for the world's first "green" island
Tommy Lee's green makeover_thumbnail.jpg)
Transportation Alternatives: Designing a "post-automobile" street
_thumbnail.jpg "Green superheroes")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-14-2008 @ 11:34AM
Phil L. said...
Good news - but I'm hard pressed to really consider it "100% wind powered". Their approach works because it's attached to a grid that can accept excess power when it's windy, and supply power when it isn't. They can't cut the cord.
Of course, this is a problem with many alternative energy sources: They don't work all the time - yet we expect a power supply system that's always available. We need a way to address this fundamental limitation in order to fully incorporate alternative energy.
Reply
5-15-2008 @ 6:15AM
Thanh T. said...
I think upgrading an old infrastructure to include new alternative powered energy sources such as; solar, wind, geo-thermal, wave powered and so on is a good start.
Within the past few years, an aging power grid has cause massive blackouts throughout cities across the nation-region, with major traffic jams causing headaches, confusion, and disorder.
I think it’s about time for an upgrade.
I think a lot of home owners across the nation are building-buying smarter, cleaner, more energy efficient homes.
Summer is just around the corner...some people are already commenting on the weather pattern changes-heat.
Reply