Comments on: Gore’s call for carbon-free electricity in 10 years “ridiculous”? http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/ Tell Jack how you really feel Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Bob http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448942 Bob Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:55:22 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448942 Is Gore willing to move to nuclear power? Does Gore understand that 80% of our power today in the US is fossil based (coal or natural gas)? Does he understand the how much power actually needs to be replaced, not only the existing giga-watts but the additional electricity that will be needed 10 years from now? Does GORE really think solar and wind can replace all of the gas and steam turbines that are existing today. Remember that most wind turbines produce about 1.5 MW's a piece (when the wind is blowing) compared to 150MW's for a typical gas turbine, or 500 MW for a typical coal fired steam turbine, and over 1000MW for a typical nuclear steam turbine (or almost 700 wind turbines per nuclear steam turbine). If we could build nukes now, then maybe in 10 years we could be close. But with this government and this countries environmentalists, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get nukes built. His goal will never be achieved unless this government, the environmentalists, and GORE accepts nuclear power and gets it started today... Is Gore willing to move to nuclear power? Does Gore understand that 80% of our power today in the US is fossil based (coal or natural gas)? Does he understand the how much power actually needs to be replaced, not only the existing giga-watts but the additional electricity that will be needed 10 years from now? Does GORE really think solar and wind can replace all of the gas and steam turbines that are existing today. Remember that most wind turbines produce about 1.5 MW's a piece (when the wind is blowing) compared to 150MW's for a typical gas turbine, or 500 MW for a typical coal fired steam turbine, and over 1000MW for a typical nuclear steam turbine (or almost 700 wind turbines per nuclear steam turbine).

If we could build nukes now, then maybe in 10 years we could be close. But with this government and this countries environmentalists, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get nukes built. His goal will never be achieved unless this government, the environmentalists, and GORE accepts nuclear power and gets it started today...

]]> By: John http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448932 John Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:54:04 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448932 The world is going end 2012 anyway. Right? The world is going end 2012 anyway. Right?

]]> By: Faith, Arkansas http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448929 Faith, Arkansas Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:53:44 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448929 You want to know what causes global warming/ The answer , The sun. simple as that....Al Gore is a big hyprocrite! He feeds us all this garb, while he lavishes in his big home or should I say homes! and flys around in he private jet making big bucks at his speaking engagments telling us poor little people that we need to conserve our energy. Cut down our thermostats.Buy those expensive light bulbs, that recently we have found out that they are dangerous if broken! He's make 100 million dollars from his speaking fees and investments in his fake stories of global warming! In his Tennessee home he uses 213,210 (wkh) A DAY! Enough power for 2,320 american households for a month! He actually believes he is above all of us little peons! You want to know what causes global warming/ The answer , The sun. simple as that....Al Gore is a big hyprocrite! He feeds us all this garb, while he lavishes in his big home or should I say homes! and flys around in he private jet making big bucks at his speaking engagments telling us poor little people that we need to conserve our energy. Cut down our thermostats.Buy those expensive light bulbs, that recently we have found out that they are dangerous if broken! He's make 100 million dollars from his speaking fees and investments in his fake stories of global warming! In his Tennessee home he uses 213,210 (wkh) A DAY! Enough power for 2,320 american households for a month! He actually believes he is above all of us little peons!

]]> By: Rob, Arvada, CO http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448922 Rob, Arvada, CO Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:52:02 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448922 Oh it's doable, but we need to get those thousands of wind turbines put up, and stop listening to these whiny people who don't like the woosh-woosh-woosh sound. That sound is clean energy "my friends." I've seen how fast they can build wind farms, and 10 years is an acheivable goal. I am a strong advocate of wind energy, and this is the way to go for the power industry. Put 'em up. Oh it's doable, but we need to get those thousands of wind turbines put up, and stop listening to these whiny people who don't like the woosh-woosh-woosh sound. That sound is clean energy "my friends." I've seen how fast they can build wind farms, and 10 years is an acheivable goal. I am a strong advocate of wind energy, and this is the way to go for the power industry. Put 'em up.

]]> By: Nikolas Gough http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448919 Nikolas Gough Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:51:40 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448919 Yes it is posiple and could become a huge industry for U.S I am from Denmark (Europe) We started very early with Wind energy and now it is one of Denmark's fastes growing industry's and making 100,000s new jobs. Sorry to say but US is getting left behind because of Bush's. DENMARK EUROPE Yes it is posiple and could become a huge industry for U.S
I am from Denmark (Europe)
We started very early with Wind energy and now it is one of Denmark's fastes growing industry's and making 100,000s new
jobs.
Sorry to say but US is getting left behind because of Bush's.

DENMARK EUROPE

]]> By: Will from San Jose, CA http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448918 Will from San Jose, CA Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:51:34 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448918 It's all how we frame the discussion. If we focus on cutting back the use of fossil fuels then this is dead in the water. If we instead talk about revitalizing the economy with a massive job surge in designing and building alternative energy sources then there is potential to make it work. It's all how we frame the discussion. If we focus on cutting back the use of fossil fuels then this is dead in the water. If we instead talk about revitalizing the economy with a massive job surge in designing and building alternative energy sources then there is potential to make it work.

]]> By: gary lee, san luis obispo, ca. http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448911 gary lee, san luis obispo, ca. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:50:47 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448911 i think its absured / unrealistic. i dont think there is anyway we can completely eliminate our use of carbon based or fosil fuels, EVER!. but we can cut our use dramatically. we have to do that! i think its absured / unrealistic.
i dont think there is anyway we can completely eliminate our use of carbon based or fosil fuels, EVER!. but we can cut our use dramatically. we have to do that!

]]> By: Susan http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448909 Susan Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:50:32 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448909 It can be done, however, only if Americans can come together as a people, dig in our heels, re-claim our nation, break through the old ways of thinking and lead the way into a bold new world of innovation. Just think into the future of the countries who couldn't pull their heads out of their oil tanks long enough to build a better mousetrap. America has always been a beautiful, shining light in the world and we can keep her that way. I don't care if you are a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent or a Right Wing, independent, Liberal Republican closet granola cruncher for cryin' out loud!! STOP pandering political rhetoric! We are Americans and we are pissed off at corporate greed and record oil profits. Git 'er done, people! We're going green and screw anyone who says we can't. It can be done, however, only if Americans can come together as a people, dig in our heels, re-claim our nation, break through the old ways of thinking and lead the way into a bold new world of innovation. Just think into the future of the countries who couldn't pull their heads out of their oil tanks long enough to build a better mousetrap. America has always been a beautiful, shining light in the world and we can keep her that way.

I don't care if you are a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent or a Right Wing, independent, Liberal Republican closet granola cruncher for cryin' out loud!! STOP pandering political rhetoric!

We are Americans and we are pissed off at corporate greed and record oil profits. Git 'er done, people!

We're going green and screw anyone who says we can't.

]]> By: RP in Nashville http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448905 RP in Nashville Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:49:57 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448905 Even if we don't accomplish it, we will be doing ourselves and our planet a world of good by trying. Maybe Congress can take some of that tax credit they are giving big oil companies and give it to companies that install solar and wind power to help generate some of their own power needs. Give a tax credit to average Americans for installing solar and wind power. I think this world is worth the effort. Even if we don't accomplish it, we will be doing ourselves and our planet a world of good by trying. Maybe Congress can take some of that tax credit they are giving big oil companies and give it to companies that install solar and wind power to help generate some of their own power needs. Give a tax credit to average Americans for installing solar and wind power. I think this world is worth the effort.

]]> By: John D. McCalpin, Ph.D. http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/18/gore%e2%80%99s-call-for-carbon-free-electricity-in-10-years-%e2%80%9cridiculous%e2%80%9d/#comment-448897 John D. McCalpin, Ph.D. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:48:48 +0000 http://cnncaffertyfile.wordpress.com/?p=643#comment-448897 Full conversion of our current electrical generating capacity in 10 years is probably not possible for several reasons, though a concerted effort could have us well into the transition by that point. Each technology has different limiting issues: (1) Wind power is ramping rapidly, but is limited to a fairly small number of areas with strong and consistent winds. The Department of Energy suggests that an aggressive program could lead us to 20% of all electrical generation by wind power by 2030 (22 years, not 10 years). (2) Solar Photovoltaic is still one of the more expensive options, even without including the costs of energy storage for night-time or heavily overcast conditions. Capital costs to supply a significant portion of US electricity usage would be staggering -- the current US installed generating capacity of approximately 1 million MegaWatts (MW) would require about $5 TRILLION in capital costs at the current solar photovoltaic costs of about $5/Watt (costs are higher for smaller systems such as residential installations). The 4 million GigaWatt-hours (GWh) of electricity generated in the US in 2007 would require over 9000 square km of solar cells (60 miles by 60 miles). If my calculations are correct this would require all of the silicon wafers generated world-wide for the next 1600 years (at 2007 global production rates). (3) Concentrating Solar Thermal electricity generation is likely to be the technology that is most scalable to the huge capacities required to replace current fossil-fuel-based electrical production. Unfortunately there are only a handful of such systems currently operational, suggesting that there will be many opportunities for negative "surprises" when attempting to scale these technologies into a significant contributor to the US power grid. Siting studies, land acquisition, environmental impact studies, construction, and bring-up testing are likely to require most of 10 years even if we aggressive investment today. Research breakthroughs could significantly improve these estimates, but if we want to accomplish something in 10 years we have very little time for research -- we would need to start spending huge amounts of capital for projects based on existing technologies starting almost immediately. Full conversion of our current electrical generating capacity in 10 years is probably not possible for several reasons, though a concerted effort could have us well into the transition by that point. Each technology has different limiting issues: (1) Wind power is ramping rapidly, but is limited to a fairly small number of areas with strong and consistent winds. The Department of Energy suggests that an aggressive program could lead us to 20% of all electrical generation by wind power by 2030 (22 years, not 10 years). (2) Solar Photovoltaic is still one of the more expensive options, even without including the costs of energy storage for night-time or heavily overcast conditions. Capital costs to supply a significant portion of US electricity usage would be staggering - the current US installed generating capacity of approximately 1 million MegaWatts (MW) would require about $5 TRILLION in capital costs at the current solar photovoltaic costs of about $5/Watt (costs are higher for smaller systems such as residential installations). The 4 million GigaWatt-hours (GWh) of electricity generated in the US in 2007 would require over 9000 square km of solar cells (60 miles by 60 miles). If my calculations are correct this would require all of the silicon wafers generated world-wide for the next 1600 years (at 2007 global production rates). (3) Concentrating Solar Thermal electricity generation is likely to be the technology that is most scalable to the huge capacities required to replace current fossil-fuel-based electrical production. Unfortunately there are only a handful of such systems currently operational, suggesting that there will be many opportunities for negative "surprises" when attempting to scale these technologies into a significant contributor to the US power grid. Siting studies, land acquisition, environmental impact studies, construction, and bring-up testing are likely to require most of 10 years even if we aggressive investment today.

Research breakthroughs could significantly improve these estimates, but if we want to accomplish something in 10 years we have very little time for research - we would need to start spending huge amounts of capital for projects based on existing technologies starting almost immediately.

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