Comments on: Are we really trying to reduce carbon? http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 17 May 2012 06:37:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: davidw@pennwell.com http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/#comment-32 davidw@pennwell.com Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:09:02 +0000 http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/#comment-32 Geoff, I agree that geothermal has great potential as an energy source. It should be getting much more attention. A question: Is it your understanding that a single "enhanced geothermal" or "geothermal hot rocks" plant could generate the same amount of baseload elecitric power as a single unit nuclear power plant (say 800 MW)? Geoff, I agree that geothermal has great potential as an energy source. It should be getting much more attention. A question: Is it your understanding that a single “enhanced geothermal” or “geothermal hot rocks” plant could generate the same amount of baseload elecitric power as a single unit nuclear power plant (say 800 MW)?

]]> By: Geoff Thomas http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/#comment-27 Geoff Thomas Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:03:53 +0000 http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/#comment-27 Although I understand that people with a wide knowledge of Nuclear can feel passionate about it as a possible answer to Global Warming, the problem is them thinking it is the main answer or the only answer. It is now well known that Geothermal Hot Rocks, also called Enhanced Geothermal, is an equivalent answer, - in a similiar price bracket if not cheaper, using on the generator side identical technology and do-able in most countries. This technology, while not mature, is very developed, and has no waste problem, is not subject to terrorism, nor lack of adequate high quality ore. It also is a much better match with variable renewable energy resources with it\'s ability to ramp up and down very quickly. Whilst there are countries which do not have Geothermal resource available and therefore may be good candidates for Nuclear, most do have it so it behooves the Nuclear industry to stop shouting we are the only way and focus on the places where it is really needed. Cheers, Geoff Thomas Although I understand that people with a wide knowledge of Nuclear can feel passionate about it as a possible answer to Global Warming, the problem is them thinking it is the main answer or the only answer.
It is now well known that Geothermal Hot Rocks, also called Enhanced Geothermal, is an equivalent answer, - in a similiar price bracket if not cheaper, using on the generator side identical technology and do-able in most countries.
This technology, while not mature, is very developed, and has no waste problem, is not subject to terrorism, nor lack of adequate high quality ore.
It also is a much better match with variable renewable energy resources with it\’s ability to ramp up and down very quickly.
Whilst there are countries which do not have Geothermal resource available and therefore may be good candidates for Nuclear, most do have it so it behooves the Nuclear industry to stop shouting we are the only way and focus on the places where it is really needed.
Cheers,
Geoff Thomas

]]> By: Lance Lyons http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/#comment-18 Lance Lyons Thu, 28 May 2009 06:17:57 +0000 http://www.pennwellblogs.com/power/2009/05/21/are-we-really-trying-to-reduce-carbon/#comment-18 If the Energy and Commerce Comittee and Congress are really interested in energy independence and security, they would be endorsing incentives to further develop oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear while working toward an energy grid to support wind and solar. Instead, they choose to follow the lead of Al Gore by instilling fear that climate change will result in catastrophic loss of life unless carbon cap and trade legislation is passed now. It is illogical that scientists can conclude that carbon dioxide at 380 ppm (.038%) in the atmosphere can possibly influence global warming. Afterall, plants and vegitation fluorish in 1,000 ppm carbon dioxide in atmospheres and humans exhale 4% carbon dioxide at every breath. Considering that greenhouse effect is 90% due to water vapor and clouds, I have concluded that the modest increases in carbon dioxide content in air is due to cyclical solar temperature increases, not the other way around. The higher the temperature the less CO2 is absorbed in water and the more it is vaporized in air. This is fact. Carbon cap and trade is all about money and government control. Due to the penalty tax, job losses will be prevalent in the oil, gas and coal sectors and the cost for the penalty will be passed on to the consumer. Ultimately, the US will become even more dependent than ever before on energy imports. If the Energy and Commerce Comittee and Congress are really interested in energy independence and security, they would be endorsing incentives to further develop oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear while working toward an energy grid to support wind and solar. Instead, they choose to follow the lead of Al Gore by instilling fear that climate change will result in catastrophic loss of life unless carbon cap and trade legislation is passed now.

It is illogical that scientists can conclude that carbon dioxide at 380 ppm (.038%) in the atmosphere can possibly influence global warming. Afterall, plants and vegitation fluorish in 1,000 ppm carbon dioxide in atmospheres and humans exhale 4% carbon dioxide at every breath.

Considering that greenhouse effect is 90% due to water vapor and clouds, I have concluded that the modest increases in carbon dioxide content in air is due to cyclical solar temperature increases, not the other way around. The higher the temperature the less CO2 is absorbed in water and the more it is vaporized in air. This is fact.

Carbon cap and trade is all about money and government control. Due to the penalty tax, job losses will be prevalent in the oil, gas and coal sectors and the cost for the penalty will be passed on to the consumer. Ultimately, the US will become even more dependent than ever before on energy imports.

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