Orr's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/155438/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/96292-wind-power-can-solve-the-u-s-oil-addiction?source=feed#comment-260506 260506
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. ]]> Sun, 21 Sep 2008 07:18:16 -0400
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. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/87130-profiting-from-the-pickens-plan-fan-clean-fuels-fuel-systems?source=feed#comment-214808 214808
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. ]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:56:22 -0400
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. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/78433-broadwind-energy-cramer-someone-had-to-say-something?source=feed#comment-178038 178038

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]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/65818-beware-of-the-solar-stock-fad?source=feed#comment-119515 119515
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. ]]> Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:55:44 -0500
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. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/65818-beware-of-the-solar-stock-fad?source=feed#comment-118625 118625
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. ]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:58 -0500
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. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/65516-a-few-obama-friendly-etfs?source=feed#comment-118537 118537
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.]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:39:34 -0500
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.]]>