28 responses to “Blowin’ In The Wind”

1. 

   Casey Zeller March 30th, 2009 at 07:34

   From what we hear in the news, it seems like wind energy is often the best way to go. After reading all of this information, I am not so sure. The statistic that is amazing to me is that it would take Hank around 23 years to pay back a wind generator. It does not hardly seem worth it. Although it is most likely better for the environment, it does not seem very effecient.It would also take 500,000 home generators to replace one nuclear power plant. That takes up a great deal of space. I was very uninformed about wind turbines, and I need to look into the specifics of these alternative types of energy.

2. 

   Sherry March 30th, 2009 at 09:41

   There could be no better investment in America than to invest in America becoming energy independent! We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources. Create cheap clean energy, new badly needed green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. The cost of fuel effects every facet of consumer goods from production to shipping costs. It costs the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive an electric car. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV’s instead had plug-in electric drive trains the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.We have so much available to us such as wind and solar. Let’s spend some of those bail out billions and get busy harnessing this energy. Create cheap clean energy, badly needed new jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. What a win-win situation that would be for our nation at large! There is a really good new book out by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com

3. 

   Jim Smith March 30th, 2009 at 09:54

   Two problems with the way this country views the future of energy; Wear Horrified of Nuclear Power and we think current wind power is the way to go.

   As much as it pains me to say, the french have done nuclear right. They have your typical reactor, then they have another where they can pull a little more energy out of the waste. The waste out of the second reactor is not nearly as dangerous and I believe has a much shorter half life (doesn’t stay around as long). Unfortunately this country has this unfounded fear of modern nuclear power plants, they work just fine and if you do it right they are not that bad for the environment. My house might actually get its power from a nuclear plant, Millstone is pretty close but Im not sure if we get power from it or not…

   Current generation wind power blows ass, period. But its a buzz word and has a powerful lobby so we are going to get it, which sucks. Although I feel like the people who build wind farms get a better deal on the equipment, it still not going to be cheap. The funny thing is that wind power isn’t that efficient right now, they say that they are 60% efficient (its impossible to be 100% because the air would stop at the other side of the turbine, which would stop the turbine). But in reality they do not even touch that number, that 60% comes from using the “effective” air column or the air that is actually working on the blades. However, it turns out that this is MUCH MUCH less than what you would think the effective air column to be, which would be as wide as the diameter of the blades.

   When FloDesign finally gets their turbines up and running they will be much much smaller, much more efficient and much cheaper. Will they make having a personal turbine practical? Probably not, but they can make wind farms much much more practical. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RagPPrHUMTY

   Also, we need to be using solar much much more, I personally see this as the future energy provider. They are much more versatile and practical. And its not out of the question to buy your own panels and put them on your roof!

   Jim

4. 

   Tim Sutton March 30th, 2009 at 09:57

   I would agree that wind energy would be the best way to go. I was really impressed with this new technology. I think that its a great way to save energy and money. This earth produces soo excessive amounts of energy and this is a great way for us to start taking advantage of this surplus and using it when its really needed and not as available. I personall hope that these types of technologies will someday rule the world and make living a lot safer cheaper and eco friendly for all of us.

5. 

   Andrew Sadler March 30th, 2009 at 12:13

   I wish my renters would install something like this in the large field behind the complex, maybe that would ease up the steepening the electricity bill that I receive monthly. On the drive back through central Illinois on my way home I get to witness one of these wind fields and the technology is sure amazing.

6. 

   Katie Robinson March 30th, 2009 at 12:27

   I am not so sure about the generators because they just seem to be a hassle. They may help the enviroment, but the way hank has said they just wouldn’t be efficient for what the lifetime of them is.

7. 

   Trisha Delsart March 30th, 2009 at 14:07

   This shows that people are trying to make it easy for consumers to use but in reality they have a long way to go before this product will be desired because its life span is so short.

8. 

   Trisha Delsart March 30th, 2009 at 14:24

   This shows that people are trying to make it easy for consumers to use but in reality they have a long way to go before this product will be desired because its life span is so short.
   Sorry, should have added good post! Waiting on your next one!

9. 

   Mike Dieckmann March 30th, 2009 at 14:37

   Obviously this isnt a viable source of energy. But there is also something else I think needs to be looked at. With wind power you need to make the system once and put it in place and HOPEFULLY it does its work for a decent length of time. But when using a power plant and coal there is alot of energy wasted and used just to get to the point of producing any energy from it. Like in physics for energy to change forms, some energy is lost. You are burning gas to use the equipment to get the coal you are using lights, and machines, and dump trucks and then you have to transport the coal agian more gas and more use of energy. It has to be taken to the plant and moved by human hands and worked through before it can ever be burned to produce energy. All in all how much more energy does coal produce in its finished state, compared to how much energy is lost in the process of getting it there? I dont know im just curious if anyone does. Of course you need plants and things to make and ship the wind turbines too but its a one time deal. Coal and oil are constant wasts of energy everytime they move. Not that this outweighs how the stats above, but its just something else to think about.

10. 

    Caleb Tan March 30th, 2009 at 15:23

    I agree with Jim. Nuclear power is an available and viable replacement, as long as the waste is handled properly. But people seem afraid to utilize it. I think solar power will come into play in the future, when the technology improves. These two sources of energy deserve to get more attention and funding than wind power.

11. 

    Lauren Withers March 30th, 2009 at 15:37

    I really like how Indiana is getting into the wind energy, even though it may not fully take over nuclear energy. There are a lot of wind turbines around Earl Park in Indiana which makes kids interested in what they can do to conserve energy. Now, Mintonye School in Lafayette is getting a wind turbine put in. Not for just energy purposes but for educational purposes.

    I like the turbines because kids are looking at them and they are realizing at a younger age on how they can make energy better.

12. 

    David Bryant March 30th, 2009 at 15:51

    With a payback at 23 years, I would just wait a few more years. See what happens in the future. I mean what is the rush unless you are a millionaire and you are just trying to look green this seems like a bad investment.

13. 

    Chris McEvoy March 30th, 2009 at 16:20

    Vinod Khosla is a founder of Sun Microsystems and runs his own venture capital firm (www.khoslaventures.com). This firm invests heavily in companies that are looking for alternative energy sources.

    Khosla is very outspoken that most of the current “green” initiatives are a complete waste of time, feel-good projects.

    He says that only in the last few years have we graduated Ph.D’s interested in how to replace fossil fuel energy, and encouraged and funded they will come up with solutions that pass the India test: the replacement for fossil fuels must cost LESS than fossil fuels and be adopable by China and India. Nothing else will “save us.”

    An audio podcast of him talking about the subject and explaining some of the initiatives he has invested in is available:
    http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=2051

    Refreshing stuff!

14. 

    Vincent Witzel March 30th, 2009 at 17:36

    Looking at those numbers, all I can say is: let’s hope some genius MEs and EEs design some more productive wind-turbines, because it would be a shame if this technology never took off due to these inefficiencies. Moreover, with a 23 year payback, you can’t blame your average citizen for not investing in the product.

15. 

    Allison Yeater March 30th, 2009 at 17:38

    I think this sounds like a good idea, however the hassle and lifetime of it seems to need a little adjustment. I don’t think it will pick up as fast if it is made out to be a hassle to use and you won’t see a payback for years. But the idea in general is a good one and maybe with a little more work done it could be improved.

16. 

    Shaun Greene March 30th, 2009 at 19:18

    I tried getting into the seminar tomorrow, but it was already full. Chris (the guy hosting the seminar) said they are having another one very soon because of an overwhelming interest in it.

17. 

    Breanna Ware March 30th, 2009 at 19:58

    As Allison and Vincent said, I think our technology needs more work. If a more productive wind-turbine was available, I believe the average consumer would gladly invest in the product.

18. 

    Micah Johnston March 30th, 2009 at 20:28

    As Hank mentioned, “Technology won’t stand still for 23 years…,” hopefully technology will grow tremendously and energy generators like Skystream and others, will have major breakthroughs (and I’m sure they will). Right now with the Energy revolution gaining traction (accompanied with government incentives) I think development will further our sources of powering our lifestyles. I’m interested in solar energy and how far that could take us. I’m sure more than just California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking into it, I hope. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/27solar.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Solar%20power%20California%20Governor&st=cse

19. 

    Taylor Jenkins March 30th, 2009 at 20:35

    I was told the next seminar would be in the next couple of weeks if anyone is interested.

20. 

    Kavika Daga March 30th, 2009 at 20:58

    Technology advances everyday. Keeping that in mind, it makes no sense with a 23 year old payback.

21. 

    Felipe Burneo March 30th, 2009 at 21:05

    This type of equipment has to be developed to produce at least what a household utilizes and to completely replace the need of conventional electricity not just to be there as a backup. The idea is to get a product that will be a replacement so good (good payback time and low-cost operation should be available) that people will buy it without questioning its qualities that it will soon become an everyday thing instead of a weird pole in your backyard.

    I really think the real use of this type of product can be given in far away cities in which wind power is significant and wiring is even more expensive than built and place all these wind generators.

22. 

    Corey Marsden March 30th, 2009 at 21:15

    My father is currently building his own windmill at home to see how much he can save with extremely low input cost (he is building it from scraps from his work). I am very curious to see what he can do with it.

23. 

    Spencer McKee March 30th, 2009 at 23:02

    It seems to me that industrialized windmills may not be cost efficient and would take up a lot of space to provide enough energy. If they could decrease the 23 year payback, it might be better.

24. 

    Kyle Maple March 30th, 2009 at 23:43

    Wow, the commercial made it seem irresistible. It just goes to show to always take a closer look at things before purchasing. I find it interesting how much energy we use in our households. That really opens my eyes to what companies like these are really producing. 23 years to get your money back is definitely crap!

25. 

    Jongho James Lee March 31st, 2009 at 00:15

    I think this idea is good because it is environmental friendly and causes no hard to people. I really want to recommend this idea to the renters and allow them to install this behind the apartment because in that way I do not have to pay huge amount of bills on electricity. Moreover, I think the government should give tax credits to those who install this wind mill behind their house.

26. Solar For Hank: Not @ thinkbeta.com April 1st, 2009 at 07:17

    [...] past Tuesday I wrote a blog on the cost of a home wind generating system to provide very optimistically 20% of our power needs. The system cost about $14,000 and had a [...]

27. 

    Brandon Barnes April 1st, 2009 at 21:25

    I think that wind energy will still be able to help out the needs of the American who are the greatest consumers of energy. Wind energy wont be able to solve our problems, but I dont necessarily want to turn completely to nuclear either. We must keep looking for the next major thing but until then I think we should use a combination of alternative energy sources.

28. 

    Lauradevries April 7th, 2009 at 08:00

    I think using a combination is obviously a good idea based on never putting all the eggs in one basket, but I think wind energy could be far more effective thank most people can forsee. Ive been following the pickens plan at pickensplan.com and its definitely something worth checking out if you want to learn more about wind energy efficiency.