<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Distributed power could have saved us some serious pain over there]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by infp http://www.grist.org/article/iraq-and-electricity/ Mon, 30 Jul 2007 06:29:54 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/iraq-and-electricity/1 Decentralize US Political Power

Maybe if Dick Cheney was the ex-CEO of a solar company the Iraqis might stand a chance.  

]]> Decentralize US Political Power

Maybe if Dick Cheney was the ex-CEO of a solar company the Iraqis might stand a chance.  

]]> Comment #2 by Kelly http://www.grist.org/article/iraq-and-electricity/ Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:08:40 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/iraq-and-electricity/2 We sure could use distributed generation over here

The centralized power station idea is going to cause a great deal of mischief in the California desert. That's because in the last few years, there's been a boom in proposals for renewable energy projects on public land in the California Desert Conservation Area. It's renewable energy, so it's great, right?

But the projects require lots of land, sometimes 7,000-9,000 acres each. The CDCA is a National Conservation Area, and significant portions of it are also designated critical habitat for endangered species. So the state faces the ugly spectre of environmentalists fighting each other over whether those projects should be permitted. Kinda like Sophie's Choice: shall we save the polar bear or the desert tortoise?

Smaller, more scattered projects, coupled with more self-generation in the cities, would be easier on desert wildlife and the human communities that live in the desert. Unfortunately, the utility company buyers appear to be fixated on the large central station model.

]]> We sure could use distributed generation over here

The centralized power station idea is going to cause a great deal of mischief in the California desert. That's because in the last few years, there's been a boom in proposals for renewable energy projects on public land in the California Desert Conservation Area. It's renewable energy, so it's great, right?

But the projects require lots of land, sometimes 7,000-9,000 acres each. The CDCA is a National Conservation Area, and significant portions of it are also designated critical habitat for endangered species. So the state faces the ugly spectre of environmentalists fighting each other over whether those projects should be permitted. Kinda like Sophie's Choice: shall we save the polar bear or the desert tortoise?

Smaller, more scattered projects, coupled with more self-generation in the cities, would be easier on desert wildlife and the human communities that live in the desert. Unfortunately, the utility company buyers appear to be fixated on the large central station model.

]]> Comment #3 by Sam Wells http://www.grist.org/article/iraq-and-electricity/ Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:05:48 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/iraq-and-electricity/3 Good point

Today Florida Power and Light (FPL) posted its greatest stock gain ever, largely due to taking major risks in wind power - and despite a year with little wind.  I wouldn't call FPL a model of distributed power, but their aggressive stance on wind power made them a ton of money.  

Interestingly, Bagdad already has distributed power.  It's called gasoline generators on the porch or a diesel generator down the street.  I don't think that's what you meant, but the practice is everywhere.

Sure, it would have been great to bring in small combined cycle units and wind turbine farms that could be easily shipped.  These are incredibly efficient and low-emitting.  However, Iraq has shown a reluctance to take over these projects and has horribly mismanaged the ones they did - such as using the wrong fuel for an old oil fired unit.  

The US Government no longer reports power used and hours without outages, and instead reports total megawatt output as to the number of government controlled units that are potentially on-line.  It's that bad.
sammie

Onward through the fog


]]> Good point

Today Florida Power and Light (FPL) posted its greatest stock gain ever, largely due to taking major risks in wind power - and despite a year with little wind.  I wouldn't call FPL a model of distributed power, but their aggressive stance on wind power made them a ton of money.  

Interestingly, Bagdad already has distributed power.  It's called gasoline generators on the porch or a diesel generator down the street.  I don't think that's what you meant, but the practice is everywhere.

Sure, it would have been great to bring in small combined cycle units and wind turbine farms that could be easily shipped.  These are incredibly efficient and low-emitting.  However, Iraq has shown a reluctance to take over these projects and has horribly mismanaged the ones they did - such as using the wrong fuel for an old oil fired unit.  

The US Government no longer reports power used and hours without outages, and instead reports total megawatt output as to the number of government controlled units that are potentially on-line.  It's that bad.
sammie

Onward through the fog


]]>