Wind Turbines

**florida girl** · 01-07-2009, 09:30 PM

As I crossed the bay this morning, the water was churning, and there were many whitecaps. Not uncommon, particularly this time of year with the North wind blowing in. I wonder just how much power could be captured with wind turbines on the causeway? Come to think of it, there are several areas with high winds. I think it would be a good idea to harness some of this power.

**30ashopper** · 01-07-2009, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by florida girl

As I crossed the bay this morning, the water was churning, and there were many whitecaps. Not uncommon, particularly this time of year with the North wind blowing in. I wonder just how much power could be captured with wind turbines on the causeway? Come to think of it, there are several areas with high winds. I think it would be a good idea to harness some of this power.

I did some reading on these a while back when I was researching green energy for the home. Apparently turbines need to be high up, sitting in smooth wind currents for best efficiency. Placing them over water helps with this as there are no objects on the surface that churn up the currents. The towers can also be built lower, saving on cost. I think your only problem with this plan is in finding one of those mammoth wind turbines that can withstand a cat 5.

**florida girl** · 01-07-2009, 10:05 PM

I've also done some research, and have found that vertical turbines are more efficient and quieter. As time goes on, prices and technology improves. It seems there is a great potential there if we could harness it.

**SWGB** · 01-08-2009, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by 30ashopper

I did some reading on these a while back when I was researching green energy for the home. Apparently turbines need to be high up, sitting in smooth wind currents for best efficiency. Placing them over water helps with this as there are no objects on the surface that churn up the currents. The towers can also be built lower, saving on cost. I think your only problem with this plan is in finding one of those mammoth wind turbines that can withstand a cat 5.

Originally Posted by florida girl

I've also done some research, and have found that vertical turbines are more efficient and quieter. As time goes on, prices and technology improves. It seems there is a great potential there if we could harness it.

Unfortunately the big issue is hurricanes, moving parts just don't work well with those kinds of forces and speeds. You would really need an easily taken apart version.

**John R** · 01-08-2009, 01:58 AM

Also, for wind generation to be feasible, there needs to be a minimum of 11mph avg. consistently. Something we don't have.

**AAbsolute** · 01-08-2009, 05:45 AM

Yesterday morning was the first time I had ever heard of harnessing tidal energy. I don't know how I missed it all these years. Dams are predictable for generating hydro-energy, but I understand they hurt migration of wildlife. Tidal energy uses the tides and doesn't block the free movement of anything. I think we are going to find that there are a lot of breakthroughs coming in this.

**wrobert** · 01-08-2009, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by florida girl

As I crossed the bay this morning, the water was churning, and there were many whitecaps. Not uncommon, particularly this time of year with the North wind blowing in. I wonder just how much power could be captured with wind turbines on the causeway? Come to think of it, there are several areas with high winds. I think it would be a good idea to harness some of this power.

If Ted Kennedy does not want to see them off the coast of Nantucket, why should I have them in my view of Choctawhatchee Bay?

**AAbsolute** · 01-08-2009, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

If Ted Kennedy does not want to see them off the coast of Nantucket, why should I have them in my view of Choctawhatchee Bay?

Sounds like Florida Girl's offering to put them off her backdoor. I appreciate her sacrifice. Something tells me the neighbors might get a little overly vocal.

**John R** · 01-08-2009, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

If Ted Kennedy does not want to see them off the coast of Nantucket, why should I have them in my view of Choctawhatchee Bay?

Does the bay have an arm that heads up to dfs? you or your descendants will never see a turbine or generating device in the bay. have you not been following the conversation, or is this standard red rhetoric?

**AAbsolute** · 01-08-2009, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by John R

Does the bay have an arm that heads up to dfs? you or your descendants will never see a turbine or generating device in the bay. have you not been following the conversation, or is this standard red rhetoric?

That's powerful stuff in line 2.

**John R** · 01-08-2009, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

That's powerful stuff in line 2.

child's play. you've been hanging around in the RE area too much, and have missed all the fun in political.

if i wanted to get really snarky, i would have brought up children's birthday activities and custom republican t shirts.

**SWGB** · 01-08-2009, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by John R

child's play. you've been hanging around in the RE area too much, and have missed all the fun in political.

if i wanted to get really snarky, i would have brought up children's birthday activities and custom republican t shirts.

Oh please do.

**wrobert** · 01-08-2009, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by John R

Does the bay have an arm that heads up to dfs? you or your descendants will never see a turbine or generating device in the bay. have you not been following the conversation, or is this standard red rhetoric?

Oh I forgot, you NIMBY folks do not even want the locals driving in your neighborhoods. No problem. Just keep shoveling those tax dollars north. They recently paved a road that lets me get to I-10 in 7 minutes. If I were to have to evacuate.

**John R** · 01-09-2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

Oh I forgot, you NIMBY folks do not even want the locals driving in your neighborhoods. No problem. Just keep shoveling those tax dollars north. They recently paved a road that lets me get to I-10 in 7 minutes. If I were to have to evacuate.

ok robert, how does my statement about the feasibility of turbines in the bay lead to your jump of nimbyism? you really must not be following the conversation. or, you're just looking for any excuse to throw caustic responses to those not in your political party, or those who wanted to live closer to where they work. am i wrong for not wanting to use fuel to drive from the north to work in the south??

i'll make easy for you to understand. turbines would never be in the bay because they wouldn't be able to generate enough energy for roi. roi means return on investment.

Originally Posted by wrobert

If Ted Kennedy does not want to see them off the coast of Nantucket, why should I have them in my view of Choctawhatchee Bay?

Nimby? that is your statement above, not mine. still trying to figure out your view of the bay from DFS. maybe you and palin share the same ocular abilities. ocular means having to do with eyes.

Originally Posted by wrobert

No problem. Just keep shoveling those tax dollars north.

this statement is one of many justifications for my having voted against you in the election, and any future elections, should you run again. it makes me question your actual priorities with regard to holding an elected position. elected position means something you do not have.

Originally Posted by wrobert

They recently paved a road that lets me get to I-10 in 7 minutes. If I were to have to evacuate.

it seems it's all about you at this point. coupled with your prior statement, the argument of north county versus south county is fueled by statements like this. good job with furthering the stereotype.

happy fixing in '09.

**florida girl** · 01-09-2009, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

If Ted Kennedy does not want to see them off the coast of Nantucket, why should I have them in my view of Choctawhatchee Bay?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes things are necessary for the common good.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-09-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by florida girl

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes things are necessary for the common good.

Think about that the next time your yard is being sprayed to kill insects.

**florida girl** · 01-09-2009, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Think about that the next time your yard is being sprayed to kill insects.

Just can't let it go!!! My yard? You mean my woods? I like the Mosquito control coming around!

**SWGB** · 01-09-2009, 12:10 AM

The one in Alys Beach is decoration only, but I believe every building has solar panels on them.

Tides have been predictable for, what, several hundred years.

I don't think tidal power is going to happen too soon. Combining salt water, metals, and power is never a good combination and requires tons of maintenance.

**AAbsolute** · 01-09-2009, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

The one in Alys Beach is decoration only, but I believe every building has solar panels on them.

Tides have been predictable for, what, several hundred years.

I don't think tidal power is going to happen too soon. Combining salt water, metals, and power is never a good combination and requires tons of maintenance.

I was pointing out that tidal energy is very predictable and wind, not so much. I think we will figure out how to pick up the energy of trillions of gallons of water both ebbing and flowing.

Anybody see that piece 6 months ago on WJHG where a guy from Panama City is capturing renewable energy and at certain times during the day his electric meter spins backwards as he sends excesses back to the grid?

**John R** · 01-09-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

I was pointing out that tidal energy is very predictable and wind, not so much. I think we will figure out how to pick up the energy of trillions of gallons of water both ebbing and flowing.

Anybody see that piece 6 months ago on WJHG where a guy from Panama City is capturing renewable energy and at certain times during the day his electric meter spins backwards as he sends excesses back to the grid?

swgb, all buildings in AB do not have panels. there is one house that has a roof full.

aabsolute, net metering is great, it must be very fulfilling to know one is getting a credit from the power supplier. It does take a good amount of panels to be able to do so though. also, do you remember if the person had batteries. If he did, great, then he's using his collected energy at night. if not, then he's still using the power company at night. either way he's paying less. as panels become cheaper, it will enable more and more people to go PV. builders should be considering wiring new construction for future panels.

**AAbsolute** · 01-09-2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by John R

swgb, all buildings in AB do not have panels. there is one house that has a roof full.

aabsolute, net metering is great, it must be very fulfilling to know one is getting a credit from the power supplier. It does take a good amount of panels to be able to do so though. also, do you remember if the person had batteries. If he did, great, then he's using his collected energy at night. if not, then he's still using the power company at night. either way he's paying less. as panels become cheaper, it will enable more and more people to go PV. builders should be considering wiring new construction for future panels.

That homeowner is tied into the grid. Most of the time he is drawing power from the grid. At other times during the day he is harvesting and generating surplus which is returned to the grid causing his meter to spin backwards.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-09-2009, 10:39 AM

Why are people always thinking of the same ways to make things happen? Why not get a bit more creative and try to harness the energy from lightning strikes? One big bolt could power our entire town for a long time.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-09-2009, 01:42 PM

What really matters when considering the County or Chelco buying into a wind turbine system is the cost benefit ratio. Currently, that would be a negative ratio.

**SWGB** · 01-09-2009, 05:29 PM

John R, I think wrobert has too many logins and has started getting them mixed up. Between his known one, interestedgirl, and idlewind he's probably loosing track.

Here's the issue with tidal power not working. You can't just walk out front of your gulf front home and throw one in the water. You have to place it in a place that gets sustained movement. For instance the entrance to the bay. Do you really think that's going to work with all of the boat traffic currently running through there? You might be able to use one in the waves, but then it becomes an issue of taste. Who wants one of these in the gulf 24 hours a day? Also we don't even have reliable waves here, what do you do on days when the Gulf is flat?

**John R** · 01-18-2009, 11:48 PM

for power from the gulf stream: http://coet.fau.edu/

**John R** · 01-19-2009, 12:04 AM

http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2008/...r-plastic.html

**John R** · 01-19-2009, 12:10 AM

http://www.aerotecture.com/products_520H.html

**Miss Kitty** · 01-20-2009, 06:58 AM

Everytime I travel down to Houston, I see these huge wind turbine blades on trucks headed north. I wonder where they are being built and where they are headed?

**30ashopper** · 01-20-2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Kitty

Everytime I travel down to Houston, I see these huge wind turbine blades on trucks headed north. I wonder where they are being built and where they are headed?

Texas just happens to be a great place to put them, lots of wind and open, flat land -

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_Texas[/ame]