Alternative energy sources: an eye opener!

If you read my blog posting “Climate Change Law and Politics”, you have probably also read the comment of Keith Cleveland of Ripley, Ontario. He points out that there is a “catch 22” to the use of wind power as an alternative source of energy.  His comments on harnessing wind power, an important technology for replacing electricity generated from fossil fuel, indicate that use of this energy generating alternative has a negative aspect. Keith wrote:

“Without storing the energy produced by wind we are actually making matters worse. We are actually INCREASING our dependency on fossil fuels. That sounds pretty stupid when you first hear it, but when you look at how the electricity grid works it becomes crystal clear. Wind turbines need to be paired with fossil turbines to make it work. Harnessing wind energy could help us achieve that goal, but ONLY if the energy produced is somehow stored so it can be used when needed; such as in a battery bank. That is not happening.”

Although Keith does not refer to solar power, the need for fossil fuel to supplement solar power in the generation of electricity is apparent. Electricity in a large scale solar plant is generated the same way as in traditional power plants — high temperature steam turns a turbine.  Thousands of mirrors are focused on a boiler filled with water that sits atop a tower.  When sunlight reflected from these mirrors hits the boiler, the water inside is heated and creates high temperature steam.  The steam is then piped to a conventional turbine which generates electricity.   But there will be many hours when that sunlight is not available, not just during the hours of darkness.  So a supply of natural gas is essential for any such project.   Admittedly, natural gas is a cleaner fossil fuel than the alternatives of coal and oil, but it is still a contributor of greenhouse gases.  

Keith gives a link to a video of a speech by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on U-Tube, in which Kennedy explains that the need for a continuous output of electricity forces any large scale alternative energy source to have a secondary fossil fuel generating capacity. That way the plant can guarantee power output at a level that meets the needs of its customers, the large electric utilities.   Keith says that “the hope is that one day we will be able to solve the storage issue.” 

The history of development of electric automobiles run from large batteries is discouraging (look how long it has taken to get where we are today!) and encouraging (battery driven cars are now in commercial production!).  But as in the example Keith gives, an electric car requires a source of power.  In Ontario, where will that power come from?  Significantly from coal fired power plants.
Peter Jones