By: Duane Ingram

Duane Ingram — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:13:29 +0000

The Fuzzy Math of Green Technology
Your article “Chevy Volt—fuzzy math?” caught my eye. Similarly, the editorial, “Can we choose wind?” caught my attention. In both cases, there are other issues I think we should consider as well the ones you present. Before I proceed, I must reveal that I like to see windmills, and marvel at the giant machines whenever I come across them as I travel around the country. I have stood under a few, listening in vain for the terrible noises people think they must make, and have looked unsuccessfully for signs of dead birds. However, much as I like them, I think rather than dumping electric power generated with windmills directly on the power grid, it would be better to use the windmills to pump water above a dam, such as a dam on the Mississippi river. The electric power would then be generated with generators installed in the dam. There are ten dams on the Mississippi and each was designed to accept hydroelectric power generators. Only the dam at Keokuk, IA has ever been fitted with a generator, and the last I heard there were intentions to decommission that generator.
When it comes to fuzzy math, with each of windmills, solar collectors, fluorescent light bulbs, and hybrid automobiles, we should be examining the total impact to the environment from construction of the device in addition to usage of that device during its working lifetime. I have yet to see an energy audit that would reveal the tons of carbon released into the atmosphere and energy required when materials for complex electronics, rare earth magnets, etc. required for green technology are mined, refined, and manufactured. This insult to the environment should be added to that of the gasoline burned during its lifetime. Until someone does an honest appraisal of the total impact of a Prius or Volt on the planet, we should consider the possibility that a car of the same class such as the Toyota Corolla (with 35 mpg). When all the costs are tallied, the small, conventional car might actually present less of an insult to the environment than do hybrid cars. Actually, I would put my money on the Corolla being the greener car if you consider total impact on the environment. My guess is that the only real advantage hybrid cars provide is that they are relatively clean when the customer uses them; the pollution generated during manufacture fouls someone else’s back yard.
Similarly, we should look more carefully at windmills. Previous studies have demonstrated that the only form of electric power generation where more energy is created during its useful lifetime than is required to manufacture the equipment is nuclear power generation. Has any study been done to compare the amount of power required to build a giant windmill with the electric power the windmill will generate over its useful lifetime? Is the electric power so generated really “free energy?”
Please keep up your pressure to clear away the fuzzy math, and demand honest appraisals of all alternative “green” devices.

Comments on: Editorial: Can we choose the wind?

By: Duane Ingram