[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by joep

I have no doubt the hydro turbines would be more efficient, probably less risky (not prone to fires or falling over?) and of course no one can complain their unsightly if they're unseen.

Seems like it could be damaging to the fishes; I imagine they'll be some fallout from that. Would be interesting to see how much higher the operational/ maintenance costs are for underwater turbines vs wind turbines. I met a guy last month whose company develops tools for wind turbine mechanics -- he indicated there is a severe shortage of mechanics, as not many like to climb that high while toting bags of tools and repair parts. That often results in quite a few wind turbines being 'offline'

[smdubovsky]

Originally Posted by Fritz

They require brakes when it's too windy ... The better alternative is hydro turbine mills.

All large turbines have prop pitch control. No brakes reqd. Just pitch the blades 90deg. Lots of places have pretty consistent wind (and remember is a couple hundred feet up not the surface that counts.) I've read the area of one of the dakotas could power the whole US (and who cares about them anyway!). Large wind currently beats unsubsidized coal on price. Its the cheapest power avail.

You need flow*dP (head) to make hydro work (the product of the two = power). That means dams else you're just not getting much power from them. Not enough water in the US to do it all.

In the end it'll be a mix of solns providing power. But IMO wind looks to be like it'll be the largest percentage.

[Dr K]

My wife's cousin is an underwater engineer in Hawaii, and his company (he's the owner) works on ocean-based hydro-power generator projects including those based on tide, waves, and currents. When we had dinner together 18 months ago, he said there have been quite a number of pilots for these kind of systems, but they have been extremely unreliable and very expensive. Remember, this is his livelihood and he would benefit greatly if these were successful.

[Vicegrip]

Water has more junk in it than wind.

[jerome951]

Met an engineer for PennDOT a couple weeks ago at an energy forum. They're looking into in-road generators that would be powered by decelerating semis. He said it sounds good in theory, but if a motorcycle ran over them it would cause an accident.

[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

Water has more junk in it than wind.

And pee. 'Cause each time I pee in the air it eventually makes it to the water...

[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

Water has more junk in it than wind.

And salt would destroy virtually any turbine pretty quickly. Freshwater turbines have been generating gobs of electricity at dams and waterfalls for decades. I assume they screen out the big debris.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Someone needs to invent a poo turbine, and place them in the sewers. Might be tough to find willing poo turbine mechanics though.

[Parenn911]

Originally Posted by Lupin..the..3rd

Someone needs to invent a poo turbine, and place them in the sewers. Might be tough to find willing poo turbine mechanics though.

Dude, Vegas already got one! How else do you think they get water to the desert, recycled poo water....

[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by Lupin..the..3rd

Someone needs to invent a poo turbine, and place them in the sewers. Might be tough to find willing poo turbine mechanics though.

Dr. K has turned into quite the mechanic lately