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RIROCKHOUND · 03-09-2008, 09:12 PM

BBJ is right; THAT form of Geothermal heating is viable; large scale, steam generated geothermal (Iceland; they way I understand it) requires active volcanic processes, that has very high subsurface heat flow. Iceland is at the Mid-Atlantic ridge; at the edges of the N. American and European plates; we're in the middle of the N. American plate, so none of those processes are active here; Yellowstone, and a few other regions maybe, but not on the east of gulf coasts.

For those that know me in 'reall-life' I have a passing interest in climate change, professionally as an educator, and personally as a scientist, and while not the 'greenest' of the green by far, I try and do my part, at least with little things on a day to day basis.

Wind is part of the solution IMHO; It is coming for RI soon too. Keeping them in state waters increases the efficiency (shorter distance). I do think that the NIMBY' will be the biggest hurdle. They all drive Priuses, but damn it if you F-up their view with a few lights at night... (hmm, what about the near-constant ship traffic in our coastal waters... maybe we shouldn't allow that either!)

Tidal power usually requires several meters of tide range; so RI, and most of MA is out. Maybe Maine? I think it was researched and found impractical. They tried it in the East River; they put turbines down, I think they powered one grocery store...

Waves seems too inconstant at best, while it seems rough here, we don't have the consistent, long period swells that drive the wave-energy turbines. Again, maybe someday the technology will catch up.

I firmly believe the two best options are a combination of wind and solar, along with a huge step-up in efficiency, will be the answer. Give it 10 years, and the photo-voltaic technology in solar panels will be built into roof tiles, so you can coat your roof with solar, w/o it looking like solar panels... Maybe in the future. Not to get political, but the argument that this will cost jobs is ludicrous, all these projects, wind farms, solar panels, green building etc.. all will generate the type of manufacturing and construction jobs we need badly in the USA... unfortunately, the rest of the world is lapping us, and will be the ones making all of the 'green' technology that we'll just end up importing.

03-09-2008, 09:12 PM	#23
RIROCKHOUND Also known as OAK iTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Westlery, RI Posts: 10,408	BBJ is right; THAT form of Geothermal heating is viable; large scale, steam generated geothermal (Iceland; they way I understand it) requires active volcanic processes, that has very high subsurface heat flow. Iceland is at the Mid-Atlantic ridge; at the edges of the N. American and European plates; we're in the middle of the N. American plate, so none of those processes are active here; Yellowstone, and a few other regions maybe, but not on the east of gulf coasts. For those that know me in 'reall-life' I have a passing interest in climate change, professionally as an educator, and personally as a scientist, and while not the 'greenest' of the green by far, I try and do my part, at least with little things on a day to day basis. Wind is part of the solution IMHO; It is coming for RI soon too. Keeping them in state waters increases the efficiency (shorter distance). I do think that the NIMBY' will be the biggest hurdle. They all drive Priuses, but damn it if you F-up their view with a few lights at night... (hmm, what about the near-constant ship traffic in our coastal waters... maybe we shouldn't allow that either!) Tidal power usually requires several meters of tide range; so RI, and most of MA is out. Maybe Maine? I think it was researched and found impractical. They tried it in the East River; they put turbines down, I think they powered one grocery store... Waves seems too inconstant at best, while it seems rough here, we don't have the consistent, long period swells that drive the wave-energy turbines. Again, maybe someday the technology will catch up. I firmly believe the two best options are a combination of wind and solar, along with a huge step-up in efficiency, will be the answer. Give it 10 years, and the photo-voltaic technology in solar panels will be built into roof tiles, so you can coat your roof with solar, w/o it looking like solar panels... Maybe in the future. Not to get political, but the argument that this will cost jobs is ludicrous, all these projects, wind farms, solar panels, green building etc.. all will generate the type of manufacturing and construction jobs we need badly in the USA... unfortunately, the rest of the world is lapping us, and will be the ones making all of the 'green' technology that we'll just end up importing. Last edited by RIROCKHOUND; 03-10-2008 at 11:28 AM..
	Bryan Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& "For once I agree with Spence. UGH. I just hope I don't get the urge to go start buying armani suits to wear in my shop"