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Power and Motion |
On-site solar and wind power,
with new energy storage and control systems, can work magic: They
can provide convenient reliable low-cost power for buildings and electric
vehicles; and don't pollute our air, water, or earth (or its delicate thermal
balance).
(L. to R.): Building-integral solar/wind/UPS-powered;
new UPS; electric highway.
Isn't it about time we re-define "living standard"?
Above almost everything else, life on our earth needs unpolluted air and water, food, and shelter. Most of us also need convenient, fast, low-cost transportation. A fossil fuel (and some nuclear) economy is entrenched in major developed countries, and developing countries seem ready to emulate it. Entrenched companies, based on these energy sources, continue to operate profitably. Environmental cost, for business as usual, has thus far been passed on to their customers, and indirectly to all earth inhabitants. For example, auto buyers are responsible for smog emission checkups and certifications -- not auto makers or fuel producers, who win government concessions with their "best effort" appeals. And, because these measures will always only produce a "best effort" result, inevitable pollution from today's power plants and driving today's autos adversely affects all.
Processes and products from these industries clearly pollute our air and water, and arguably threaten our fragile earth in other ways. Yet their spokesmen would have us believe these industries serve the public interest, because they provide for our needs, and maintain our high standard of living. They also argue that indirect environmental damage (like global warming) is not proven and is generally over-stated. Sound familiar?
When solar and wind power alternatives are proposed by environmental advocates, the same spokesmen, who have been allowed to limit discussion of these alternatives to contemporary grid-connected facilities, argue that solar and wind power are not cost-competitive, preempt too much land, and even kill birds. They also argue that solar power is only available during bright sunshine, and that wind power is even less dependable.
Only the least practical solar and wind power projects are examined, in any forums I've seen. Centralized, grid-connected solar and wind "farms" are shown. Then some industry "expert" points out how they are not cost-competitive, preempt land needed for growing crops, etc. I even saw the absurd "solar reflector in space" (proposed some 30 years ago by a major US aerospace contractor) dredged up again, in a full hour television show. A prevalent conclusion of the show: Consumers need to conserve energy, because there are no practical non-polluting alternatives.
Unchallenged, they have perpetuated a myth, which supports business as usual. Most customers don't want to pay more for energy, preempt land for solar or wind energy that is needed for farming or wild-life, etc. And most customers aren't aware of pollution's hidden cost; which is passed on to everybody.
So the myth that "there are no better options" prevails. That myth is fiction. Yet fossil fuels continue polluting our air, gasoline additives such as MTBE poison our water (so it can't be purified by practical treatment methods), and nuclear reactors will poison precious land for thousands of years after they are shut down.
But there are vastly better options. They don't pollute, and will cost less.
This webpage provides some new perspectives, and has links that describe, illustrate, and analyze technologies which debunk that myth. Some may be new to you only because institutional and financial barriers have prevented their implementation. A close look at these links will show that status quo spokesmen have been disingenuous. Yet governments and global news media continue to parrot their arguments without challenging their premise.
Take a look at some far better options.
Would you be surprised to see examples of solar and wind power installations that are surely cost-competitive, can provide power when needed more reliably than a central power plant, do not preempt land for power generation, and won't kill birds? Besides generating power, their solar panels also provide shelter, as beautiful roofing, exterior walls, and windows. The building can even provide mounting, wind funneling, and "bird screening" for low-cost building-integral wind turbine installations. Where grid connection is not available, they can be capable of reliable and carefree stand-alone operation, when combined with RPM's future on-site power storage and control systems. For examples of on-site building-integral solar and wind powered buildings, click on this text. Why building-integral? Because the power system needs no dedicated land for it. And you only pay the difference between conventional roofing, walls, windows, and windmill towers vs. the solar panels and wind turbines that will replace them.
Before you accept that non-polluting electric vehicles (EVs) need to cost more than fuel-burners, can only be driven over short distance, etc., see this explanation, illustration, and analysis of EVs charged in-transit on electric highways, where they can have unlimited range, from solar, wind, and RPM flywheel battery power. Click here. If you feel that automatic collision avoidance and servo steering on electric highways is a bit radical, consider this: Phonograph (and other data recording) was, for nearly a century, based upon lead-screws that positioned the recording head, or grooves (tracks) on the recording medium's surface (remember them?). Today's high-density disk drives are servo driven, to select and maintain track position. Servos provide flexibility and accuracy not possible with outmoded track devices. You'll love the freedom, to accomplish other tasks, while driving on electric highways. And servos don't nod off, fail to pay attention to driving, make crucial blunders, etc.
For a description and illustration of cost-competitive, safe, non-polluting power storage technology, for more reliable, lower cost UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), and for UPS that will greatly enhance distributed on-site solar and wind power, click here. With no losses, no maintenance, and unlimited service life, this is clearly not another "me too" flywheel battery.
Need to learn the basic physics of electromechanical (flywheel) power storage?
Have you ever wondered about performance you'd get from an urban EV, that combines a few batteries, photovoltaics, human-powered pedals, and a regenerative motor? Here's a description, illustrations, and analysis.
Want to know who we are, and why we believe our work can improve our world?
Here's our plan to accomplish these goals, and earn an honest profit from our work and investment.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please send an email to fradella@earthlink.net
We'd love to hear from you.
