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Non-Tech : Alternative energy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jerry in Omaha who wrote (59)	4/24/2001 3:52:35 PM
From: IndexTrader	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16955

Hi Jerry, I have not yet had a chance to read your article on Quickstep, but I just wanted to comment on your thoughts about what is holding back the implementation of solar chimneys and all the other wonderful ideas that have been discussed here. It takes intelligent & creative people to perfect these alternative energy sources. And it will take even more intelligent & creative people to get them installed. I hope we do not need a major crises for it to happen, but, likely, that is what will be required. I remember back in the 80's I used to subscribe to a magazine called New Shelter. It was wonderful. All those technologies discussed back then should be commonplace today. Unfortunately fossil fuels got cheap again and the vision was lost. I doubt we will see any progress until alternative energy gets cheaper. It is a real catch 22, as that will not happen until they are adopted. We need one of those business model creative geniuses that you speak of. What is Buffett up to these days??? You got any contacts...? Susan

To: Jerry in Omaha who wrote (59)	4/28/2001 3:28:16 PM
From: IndexTrader	Respond to of 16955

Jerry, I finally had a chance to read the article on Quickstep. It is an impressive technology. I am impressed with the fact that, not only is there an energy savings in the manufacturing process, but in addition, these lighter and stronger polymers would promote energy savings in vehicles that they are used in, be they autos, boats or planes. I wonder if any US companies have picked up on this technology. I also wanted to post this article from a local Seattle TV station. Recently William brought up the subject of Tidal Energy (Blue Energy). Washington State would be a perfect test area. Energy From the Tides? Click here to see a video of this story. March 30, 2001 By Eileen Frere VANCOUVER, B.C. - A Vancouver, B.C. company believes its invention could help solve our power woes. Blue Energy Canada has developed a special turbine that creates energy by harnessing tidal action. The Davis Turbines form a tidal fence and work like underwater windmills -- a renewable source of electricity. The company says tidal energy can meet up to 40 percent of the world's electrical needs. Local Locations Martin Burger, the president of Blue Energy, says Washington state has several prime locations for the Davis Turbines, including the Tacoma Narrows, Deception Pass, Port Townsend Canal, Lopez Pass and Hale Passage. "There's billions and billions and billions of tons of water moving in and out", says Burger. For example, the company says at the Tacoma Narrows location, there's the equivalent of 450 megawatts flowing through the narrow passage, or enough to power nearly half a million homes. Burger is also talking with the Lummi Nation, near Bellingham about the possibility of using tidal energy to pump water in and out of their sea ponds. "We might be able to use it in our sea ponds," says William Jones Sr., the Lummi Nation Tribal Chairman. "We can use the tides to work with us and work with the fish." The Lummi Nation will continue studying tidal energy for the next several months before making a decision. Government Action Encouraging Burger is also encouraged by a bill recently introduced by Washington Governor Gary Locke that would require all utilities to get 10 percent of their load through alternative forms of energy by the year 2012. Tidal energy is on the list. The Vancouver company says the cost of building the turbines would be less than half the cost of building a dam across a river. Blue Energy estimates the cost of power is about three cents per kilowatt hour, depending on the type of financing. As for environmental impacts, the company says each location must be studied carefully. But it claims the Davis Turbines move in a way so it doesn't harm fish. Blue Energy still does not have a large commercial model working anywhere. However, it is working with the Philippines on a $2.6 billion power plant that would create 2,200 megawatts of power. For More Information: www.bluenergy.com komotv.com