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    • Sun Sep 21st 07:18 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Wind Power Can Solve the U.S. Oil Addiction
      Nuclear power is half the cost of wind ?

      Some of the problems with nuclear power is that it has numerous legacy costs that are on-going - so-called waste. I have never received a straight answer on whether or not weapons-grade plutonium can be used effectively in a nuclear reactor. Some articles speak around this but the problem is nuclear power works with material that requires special handling and processing, special technology and has all sorts of hidden costs. It requires heavy government involvement. The other problem is that it requires enormous amounts of water for cooling.

      Wind and solar do not generate all these waste problems, can be integrated easily within existing infrastructures (rooftops for solar and farms for wind) and DO NOT USE WATER.

      Remember - "water is the next oil".

      Electricity is the the next fuel. There is off-the-shelf technology that could be used on our interstates whereby electric trucks could use an electric rail as a power source - just like an electric train on tires. Coupled with a small diesel motor to power the vehicle on/off the interstate would enable very fast transport on existing highways with no need for heavy batteries at all.

      The main impediment of both solar and wind is the need for political cooperation between different parts of the country to enlarge the grid. A very large grid with internet-like self routing behavior (matching demand and supply in a dynamic, fluctuating state) would connect the variations in electric power generation from the renewable sources to the variations in power consumption...

      The notion that we cannot build a very large grid coupled with concentrated solar and wind within say 10 or 20 years is simply not true. Go visit Germany and see the vast, complex electric train infrastructure already in-place. They will likely be completely oil free within 40 years.
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    • Fri Jul 25th 19:56 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Profiting from the Pickens Plan: FAN, Clean Fuels, Fuel Systems
      I think we should continue to rely on the middle east for most of our energy needs. These guys have consistently delivered adequate supplies worldwide, many oil companies continue to enjoy large profits and we are just beginning to catch up to Europe in terms of gasoline and diesel prices. I agree with the oil guys. There is no need for energy independence when we have friendly, reliable sources of oil and natural gas from Iran, Russia, Chavez, Iraq and Nigeria.

      Wind and solar is not connected to commodity markets and we begin to lose control when an independent wind farm or solar array provides energy leaving out the middle man! I would rather see the US continue a strong and lasting military presence in the middle east, secure our oil interests and drill, drill, drill. Oil is the only solution for our energy needs and we need to do what is necessary (even drastic miltary action if required) to secure our energy needs. Even though numerous advanced scientists throughout the world are warning about the ill effects of human activity with the burning of fossil fuels and the renewable supply of solar and wind is relatively inexhaustible, I still feel that we need to supply as much oil to markets as possible and stop funding anything renewable. At this point it is about supply and more supply. Use the military wherever necessary and drill, drill, drill until there is nothing left.
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    • Mon Jun 2nd 13:05 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Broadwind Energy: Cramer, Someone Had to Say Something
      It is my understanding that GE and Gamesa already have contracts with Broadwind Energy. Could you list the direct competitors to Broadwind Energy? With on-going substantial investment in German precision gear-making machinery and continued expansion at several manufacturing sites I am trying to assess who else is competitive with Broadwind who is also expanding a manufacturing capability. There is probably economies of scale in terms of volume and I suspect that fewer and fewer companies will have the cost advantage that Broadwind is building. I have read that their manufacturing process "can be done by just about any gear manufacturer". If this is so then how come we do not see the presence of major competition? John Deere and Cat probably have this kind of expertise but it is my understanding that both of these firms are at capacity with their core business. Comments?


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    • Tue Feb 26th 21:55 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Beware of the Solar Stock Fad
      Your comments about Europe are interesting. For a variety of reasons Americans have not been directly exposed to the real cost of energy. Only in the last 5 years have Americans began experiencing an increasing rate in the rate of energy inflation - mostly due to worldwide consistent increases in energy demand (namely from countries like China). It is not that Americans do not care or that Americans are not interested in participating in alternative energy it is that up until recently as a percent of a typical American's financial outlay energy costs have been a relatively small line item. Also, psychologically it is easier to spend a little here and a little there each week or month on energy (gasoline, natural gas, electricity). If these bills were bundled as a single once-a-year annual energy invoice then it would seem psychologically to be a more important aspect of our financial lives. I sit on the board of several local companies. Never do we discuss the cost of energy as a worry or concern. Health care costs for our employees, employee salaries, supply costs and taxes are far bigger numbers then something as small as electricity or gasoline.

      Also, do not negate what is happening in the southeast with an insufficient amount of water to cool coal-fired electric generation plants and nuclear power plants. Solar and wind have little water requirements for operation.

      As for me I am planning to install a 10,000 kw solar PVC system on the roof of my house. The ROI on this investment will be terrific - I am making a better world for my children. This is the same reason why I drive a hybrid vehicle -- as does my wife.

      Why are we importing $400 billion a year of oil when we could all drive plug-in hyrbids connected to a solar/wind energy grid that is disconnected from commodity prices?

      And yes, I have most of my portfolio in wind, solar, agriculture and advanced drug companies. Oil is not the future for Americans or for other developing countries with limited quantities of natural oil reserves.
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    • Mon Feb 25th 06:30 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Beware of the Solar Stock Fad
      Don't forget about the looming water shortage. It takes a long time to develop a coal plant and a lot of water to cool it. Nuclear is out of the question in the current economic environment. Existing plants are being scaled back, especially in times of drought. Solar produces at peak power - precisely at the highest wholesale generation prices.

      Solar and wind require no water for cooling. They are unconncected to commodity prices. There are no coal mining accidents and there are no nuclear waste problems.
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    • Sun Feb 24th 21:39 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      A Few Obama Friendly ETFs
      Additionally, there are growing concerns about water shortages throughout the southeast. Many electric generation sites in this part of the United States rely on water for cooling. Many of these plants were designed and built with certain water availability assumptions that are now very much in question. With growing electricity demand only solar and wind can offer a realistic two year delivery and in areas of the country where water is becoming a concern. The sun still shines and the wind still blows...

      There is also the dimension of job growth in parts of the country developing alternative energy technologies. With the dollar falling realtive to a basket of currencies the ability to manufacture value-added products (such as a wind turbine) use them domestically and sell them overseas is starting to take hold. As the automobile industry in the US faulters metal prices should modulate a bit adding to the ability for the alternative energy companies to deliver a competetive solution to coal or natural gas.

      The whole story is compelling. I am looking into solar panels on top of my home and I live in the upper midwest.
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