Wind Turbines

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

So anyhoo.............

I believe that this area is not considered a good location for a large turbine because of the hurricane potential and amount of flight traffic. It IS a great area for solar power, which I would like to see more use of locally.

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.

So anyhoo.............

I believe that this area is not considered a good location for a large turbine because of the hurricane potential and amount of flight traffic. It IS a great area for solar power, which I would like to see more use of locally.

I'm telling you, there's really something up and coming in tidal energy. I understand that water current's force is 28 times more powerful than air current's force. And I hear tides are becoming rather predictable. There's something about solar that tells me it's cost divided by benefit is going to be limited to warming water in the end.

I don't think this area is suitable for tidal power either. Think water temp/depth/sealife is not correct. I think they have been successful using it in the North Sea, but don't remember why they chose that location - pretty cool though!

History Channel did a great special on alt energy sources and tidal power was included.

After reading the book "The green collar economy," I have noticed some turbines. On I10 in Pensacola, I saw one on top of an interstate sign. There's also one in Alys Beach. I don't know if it works or is just a statue (saw it at night).

One interesting statement in the book talks about how we've been addicted to non renewable fossil fuels, sucking our dead ancestors out of the ground, like vampires and burning them up, unceremoniously, through our gas tanks. But now we have the knowledge and power to convert to renewable sources, living sources, like wind, hydro (wave farms), and solar.

It's the answer to all of our problems, including the war (goodbye middle eastern oil!)... our main obstacle is obtaining a trained workforce.... Our electric grid is old and they already have the plans mapped out for a new "smart" grid where you could sell excess energy back to the company, plus it would allow the power grid to be an open market economy.... fascinating book. The author says the green collar economy will be bigger than the industrial revolution.

Lots of really cool talk about the "Katrina Mentality"

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.

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?

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.

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.

I think that is a great idea. Anything that we can harness to provide power and relieve our dependence on oil I think is a good idea. Particularly in our current economic situation. This would provide new jobs, and independence.

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.

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.

So anyhoo.............

I believe that this area is not considered a good location for a large turbine because of the hurricane potential and amount of flight traffic. It IS a great area for solar power, which I would like to see more use of locally.

Winter months on the bay have considerable wind. The verticle turbines are less likely to sustain the damages. Solar panels have had a number of improvements, they have become much thinner, they are even made like shingles now. The cost is still high.

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.

Winter months on the bay have considerable wind. The verticle turbines are less likely to sustain the damages. Solar panels have had a number of improvements, they have become much thinner, they are even made like shingles now. The cost is still high.

When is the last time you priced a wind turbine and infrastructure?