PumpBlogs 
Is the Answer to the Energy Crisis Blowing in The Wind?
Some very influential people seem to think so. Wind is a key energy source critical to our power shortage and will play a vital role in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, but is it really the answer? Let’s take a look at the big picture, fuel and energy used to generate electricity is only part of the equation, we must take into account transmission, distribution, sustainability as well as public sentiment.
It seems everyone has a “Pet” energy source that is going to solve our energy crisis be it nuclear, wind, coal, natural gas, solar or bio-mass. If we step back and take an objective look at what is going on in the world today perhaps we can make sense of the world (not just North America) energy crisis and come to a rational solution to this global issue.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a broad statement, most Americans react only when a situation is in crisis mode or when it directly impacts their life style. We go into panic mode and look for a quick fix, hence the single energy source solution. In order to resolve this world wide problem (think global) we need to look beyond current technology. Existing technology does not fit our future energy needs. Does it make sense to continue building massive coal fired power plants when we do not have the rail capacity to deliver the coal or the capability to control emissions? Not to mention public sentiment, there are quite a few environmental groups that will respond with a resounding no. The same can be said for nuclear, while nuclear is emission free we still have special interest groups that feel nuclear power is dangerous. Other special interest groups appose wind because of the noise, danger to birds and general appearance. I can go on and on with other energy sources, no matter what some special interest group will have reason to object (that is their right).
Reality check, we are in a crisis situation and we still can’t seem to agree on a primary energy source. A few people have offered up “conventional / singular” solutions all of which have come under fire. The longer we wait the greater the impact on our economy. Other countries are moving forward with solutions right or wrong, they are committed to meeting their countries need for additional power generation. In my humble opinion we have “too many cooks in the kitchen” and we are not thinking beyond current conventional power generation technology.
Is the answer blowing in the wind? Only part of the solution lies in wind, the remainder will/should be a mix of other energy sources, some renewable, fossil, biomass and nuclear. It makes little sense to gobble up our natural resources simple because it’s there, plentiful and perceived to be inexpensive. This is short sighted thinking, smaller localized plants using renewable and bio fuels can make up a bulk of the power needs. Main line generators can be used for the load cell regions of the country. Wind is a key player but not the ultimate solution to our energy crisis. Until we as a nation agree on the recipe we will be hard pressed to stabilize our economy.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Bill, there has certainly been a lot of hot air, enough to turn a few wind mills, blowing in the nation wind these days. A major wind source has been our congress and the national media. All these years of debate and posturing and we still lack a clear energy policy. So, the answer may very well still be…blowing in the wind.
I agree that we should explore all options and find the right mix of traditional and alternate energy sources to sustain our economy. Certainly, efficient use of natural resources has to be at the core of our long-term policy. As you pointed out, just drilling for more oil and natural gas is not the complete answer. It may well only serve as a stop gap measure until we can more fully develop new sources that are sustainable and renewable.
So, the wind mill is a good metaphor for the “turning point” that we face today. Certainly, optimizing pump systems will play an important role in improving efficient use of our natural resources.
We can’t dely the journey. So. keep up the good work and thanks for your ongoing commentary.