Geothermal and solar

I've spent a lot of time cheering for the expansion of wind energy in Texas, but that's far from the only renewable energy source out there. There's other forms out there, and they deserve support as well. The HMNS blog tells us a little about geothermal energy. Some advantages of geothermal that the blog notes:

It's everywhere if you go deep enough into the earth.

It's continuous, unlike the wind which takes a break occasionally or the sun, which is often hidden. I did learn that a form of energy that is continuous is called a BASE LOAD RESOURCE, verses wind or solar energy which is dependent on the elements.

It doesn't have to be stored.

It has very little negative visual or environmental impart.

It has a small carbon footprint.

It won't run out, at least while the core of the earth is molten radioactive heat.

Cost is reasonable (4-8 cents a kWh) and cost competitive with other fuel. If there was a carbon tax to gas and coal, the cost of geothermal energy is even more viable.

There's also solar. My blogging colleague Refinish69 went to the Texas Solar Forum at the state Capitol a week ago, and filed this report.

I was intrigued to see Bob Manning, Director of Engineering for HEB, there. Bob brought home a lot of points about why Texas and a lot of Texas businesses are not jumping at the chance to use solar power. It is still cost prohibitive. A member of the audience asked what type of price would make it feasible and Mr. Manning said "It would have to pay for itself in 5 years. Currently, with no incentives from the state or local municipalities, the price was not one a company can absorb as they deal with higher prices and lower profits."

I know we have all seen the newspaper stories where companies such as Starbucks have started adding solar panels to their drive through windows to help save energy. Starbucks is based in California where the state does give huge incentives for for companies that go green.

This is where the Texas Legislature(and other states)and US Congress have to catch up.

Lots of good information there, so check it out. I don't really have a point to make here other than to say that I approve of all explorations of renewable, non-polluting energy resources. Maybe as the price of oil continues its relentless march upwards, we'll see some real advances in the marketplace for these options. All I can say is the sooner, the better.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on May 05, 2008 to Technology, science, and math