Spiritofireland.org - suggests energy independence in five years and much more

[fiannafailure]

The three Laws of Thermodynamics could be the inspiration for a very depressing and pessimistic view of life, even more so because they are so fundamental to our lives.

The British scientist C.P. Snow was famous for his statement that thermodynamics could be easily understood in the following way

1. You cannot win (that is, you cannot get something for nothing, because matter and energy are conserved).

2. You cannot break even (you cannot return to the same energy state, because there is always an increase in disorder; entropy always increases).

3. You cannot get out of the game (because absolute zero is unattainable).

It might appear then that the deck is stacked against us in the energy game.

But, the get out clause is that there is truly mind boggling amounts of energy available to us in the universe and so while we cannot break the laws of thermodynamics, we can bend them by using quantity to beat entropy at its own game. Particularly when you dont have to pay for the fuel.

In a similar fashion, I have seen Betz's Law being waved around in a threatening manner in these pages.
Lets take a look at what this law tells us, according to Albert Betz's law, no turbine can capture more than 59.3 percent of the kinetic energy in wind. Well in my bendy frame of wind I am forced to ask the question, where is the specification for the wind, and should we not place our turbines where the wind has the most kinetic energy, And it also turns out that we can artificially increase the kinetic component of wind, but more about that later. Betz tells us more about where we should place our turbines than make any declarations about how much energy we can harvest from wind.

[soubresauts]

... the superconducting grid required to import solar electricity from the Ireland sized PV farm in the Sahara.

The big plan for the Sahara (Desertec) is for mirrors (concentrated solar power -- CSP) rather than photovoltaic.

[wombat]

But, the get out clause is that there is truly mind boggling amounts of energy available to us in the universe

Does this mean that we can expect a joint venture between SoI and Fás to start a space program?

[fiannafailure]

[quote=energy;2643568]

Since when did Eddie Hobbs become an expert on the transmission system ?

My understanding is that he used a particularly cynical method to gain his understanding, he talked to some experts and asked them a few questions.

SoI intend to use 110kV ... so their supporters go on TV slating 110kV but they intend to use it themselves ..

.

Yes, for short transmission distances.

Some high-level info from Grid 25 http://www.eirgrid.com/media/Grid%2025.pdf
Replacing a 110 kV line with a 220 kV line will
normally mean using steel lattice towers in place of wood pole structures

I have to say here and now that our grid shortcomings are shared by almost every country in the world and should not be used as ammunition to throw at either ESB Networks or Eirgrid. The main causes are increased demand for electricity and the fact that renewable energy is normally generated in different places than thermal power stations would normally be built.

In general, the higher the voltage the lower the losses, however the higher the voltage, the higher the lines must be above ground and the further the conductors must be spaced apart, that usually means metal towers and planning objections. And in this case especially, visual amenity has a very high price indeed.

Fiannafailure - still waiting for your analysis of the NREL & Pöyry Reports and the datasheet for the über-efficient wind turbine ...

Patience is a virtue, its a bank holiday weekend.

I forget at this stage if you are a carbon or a nuclear man, but surely you cannot be happy with the grid either way.

[fiannafailure]

The big plan for the Sahara (Desertec) is for mirrors (concentrated solar power -- CSP) rather than photovoltaic.

Thats a good plan, pity about the location from our point of view.

[fiannafailure]

Does this mean that we can expect a joint venture between SoI and Fás to start a space program?

Provided there are Audi's all round, why not.

Electric Audi's of course, powered by the generosity of the universe, Wind and Hydro fuelled Natural Energy Power Stations.

[energy]

My understanding is that he used a particularly cynical method to gain his understanding, he talked to some experts and asked them a few questions.

The same "experts" would have told him that SoI was a waste of time.

Patience is a virtue, its a bank holiday weekend.

Indeed - although if it takes as long as it's taking SoI to show the calcs for energy independence in 5 years with 2,500 turbines I think I'll pass.

[GreenIsGood]

And it also turns out that we can artificially increase the kinetic component of wind...

Just when we thought it could not get any worse .. you share more absurd fantasies..

It started out as Spirit of Ireland and ends up as Essence of Snake-Oil

[fiannafailure]

The same "experts" would have told him that SoI was a waste of time.

Not the gents I had a coffee with yesterday, public servants to boot.

Indeed - although if it takes as long as it's taking SoI to show the calcs for energy independence in 5 years with 2,500 turbines I think I'll pass.

Waste of effort there energy, I never said that and so it passes right by me, now energy independence I like that idea.

Article that may interest.
wind energy lowers prices

Maybe the SOI goals for export, will be short term, as technology improves and electricity can be made and stored cheaper, markets will shrink or even cease.

Another reason why this national project should be rub by the elected government, and concentrating upon Irish needs, for the short, medium and long term.

I am chuffed by the posting name, thank you.

Re the ability of wind energy to lower electricity prices, here is another link

REVE - Regulacin Elica con Vehculos Elctricos -

I am not so sure about the appetite of the government to really tackle our energy supply, but would not be against the notion of semi state involvement in S of I.

I was told some time ago though, that a young start up approached the government in the 80's with a project they claimed would create thousands of jobs, the story goes that they were not taken very seriously and went elsewhere, the companies name was Vestas. I have never been able to verify this, though I have tried.

One of the first acts of the Irish state of course was Ardnacrusha, possibly the best decision ever taken by any Irish government, ever.

[myksav]

Just when we thought it could not get any worse .. you share more absurd fantasies..

It started out as Spirit of Ireland and ends up as Essence of Snake-Oil

Directed anabatic winds. Geological venturi effect, though that has the flaw of lowering the air density somewhat.